Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllrs Alvey, Mrs Bennison, Ms Ford, Mrs Jackman, Mrs Lovelace, Lucas, Mrs Matcham, Steele, Thierry, Tipp and J Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2018 and the special meeting held on 6 June 2018 as correct records.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2018 and the special meeting held on 6 June 2018 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made by any member in connection with an agenda item.

The Chairman reported that he and the Vice-Chairman had represented the Council at a total of 24 functions since their inauguration. These included:

·         An Age Concern Annual Volunteer Party.  Certificates were presented to those who had volunteered for 25 years or more.   It was humbling to see the commitment of some of the volunteers.

·         The New Forest Children’s University Graduation at the University of Winchester for children aged 5-14 years. 

·         The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award reception for Gold Award Holders.

·         His Civic Day, attended by the Chairmen and Mayors of surrounding authorities on 4 July.  This had been a successful day with lunch at Bucklers Hard.  £115 had been raised for the Chairman’s charity in a raffle.  The prizes had been kindly donated by local businesses in Totton.

The Leader was pleased to note England’s progress in the World Cup so far and wished them continued success in the rest of the tournament.

To consider the Audit Committee’s Annual Report for 2017/18.

Cllr O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Audit Committee, presented the Annual report 2017/18.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated 2 May and 4 July 2018 (to follow).

The recommendations were agreed.

The Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the reports of the meetings held on 2 May and 4 July 2018.  The Leader reported that just over three years ago, it was recognised that the challenges ahead were significant. Financial resources would become more limited and the demand for services was expected to grow. Housing was a particular priority which was recognised for families in the New Forest.

The most recent Cabinet meeting highlighted a sensible and planned approach on the use and management of the Council’s finances.  The Council were asked to approve an increased budget of £4.5 million in order to provide 16 extra affordable homes.  Planning services had been reviewed and measures would be put in place to ensure the service would be able to deal with the additional demands, which had included the approval of an additional £300,000 per annum.

Efforts had been made to work with others to ensure that residents’ money went further, although, as evidenced in the Cabinet reports, it had not always been possible to achieve this.

The new powers on litter enforcement were welcomed in order to protect the New Forest. Success would not be measured by the number of prosecutions but by the efforts made in the community to remove anti-social and potential dangerous behaviour.

Strategies on supporting economic growth and planning the future direction of the Council demonstrated the long term intentions. 

On the motion that the reports be received and recommendations be adopted, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the reports be received and the recommendations be adopted.

Under Standing Order 22.

There were none.

To ask questions of Portfolio Holders. Questions received will be tabled at the meeting. (Members are reminded that questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive or to the Executive Head of Governance and Regulation by not later than noon on Friday, 6 July 2018.)

Question 1

Cllr Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services a question regarding the effect "Right to Buy" had had on the Council’s housing stock and the consequently effect on people, especially young people, being able to access affordable housing.  The Portfolio Holder agreed that right to buy had reduced the Council’s housing stock but that the position had already been raised with Government Ministers.  The Council was actively pursuing a range of measures to create affordable homes for families and young people.  

Question 2

Cllr O’Sullivan asked the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing to update the Council on the progress of the New Milton Free-Weights Room and the Applemore Studio Projects, the associated costs and payback time.  The Portfolio Holder responded that, despite some problems being encountered, both projects had been delivered on budget.  The, Applemore Studio Project had cost £44,500 and the New Milton Free-Weights Room, £34,000.  The payback time was 1 year for Applemore and 1 year and 3 months for New Milton.

Question 3

Cllr Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Community Affairs about the ability of Hampshire Constabulary to fulfil their community safety duties. He highlighted a recent incident in Lyndhurst when the Police had been unable to respond.  The Portfolio Holder spoke about the incident in question and said that, while it was regrettable that the Police had been unable to respond, it had to be appreciated that Police resources had been reduced.   She praised the Police for their involvement in wider community safety issues and the way they went about their work with limited resources.  Hampshire’s Chief Constable and the Police & Crime Commissioner were campaigning for improved national funding.   The matter was not one within the District Council’s control.

Councillor Harrison asked a supplementary question regarding the long Police response times and whether the reduction in staffing would cause further problems.  The Portfolio Holder hoped that the publicity over both local and national issues would bring about improved funding. 

Question 4

Cllr Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services about the numberof successful prosecutions against people dropping litter in the New Forest District in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.  The Portfolio Holder reported there had been no prosecutions in 2016/17 but that there had been 15 in 2017/18, and 2 so far this year.  The Council was adopting powers that would make it easier to take action in cases of littering from motor vehicles, which was the highest cause of littering in the District.

Cllr Harrison asked a supplementary question regarding the target for prosecutions for dropping litter over the next 12 months.  The Portfolio Holder responded saying that there was no target but that work to educate the public would continue, coupled with enforcement action in appropriate circumstances 

Question 5

Cllr Harrison asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services about the number of successful prosecutions there had been against people who had allowed a dog to mess without clearing up on pavements,  ...  view the full decision text for item 21.

Question 1

From Cllr David Harrison, to Cllr Jill Cleary, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services:

“Whilst I applaud the collective efforts of staff and members of the authority in seeking to address the lack of affordable housing in the district, don't you agree that the policy of "Right to Buy" which means that we have effectively lost half our council housing in the last 20 years, coupled with the fact that most of the receipts go to central government for redistribution around the country, means that the prospects, especially for young people seeking local affordable rental accommodation are getting worse, not better?”

Answer

The Portfolio Holder agreed that right to buy had reduced Council housing stock.  Providing more homes for local people was one of the Council’s top priorities.   The Council was actively pursuing a range of measures to create affordable homes for families and young people.  The effect of right to buy had already been raised with Government Ministers.  The Portfolio Holder read part of a response received from Dominic Raab MP, at the time Minister of State for Housing.  This indicated that the Government appreciated that more needed to be done to help Council’s deliver replacement homes.  The Government was looking at flexibilities that could be offered to local authorities in their use of right to buy receipts in order to increase build out. The Government would be consulting the sector later in the year.

Question 2

From Cllr Alan O’Sullivan, to Cllr James Binns, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing:

"Will the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing please update the Council on the progress of the New Milton Free-Weights Room and Applemore Studio Projects, the associated costs and payback time?"

Answer

The Portfolio Holder said that excellent work had been carried out on both projects with tight budgets. The projects had been split into seven different elements, and a separate contract had been let for each.  The Applemore Studio Project had cost £44,500 and had been delivered on budget.  The Studio had opened and payback was expected in one year.

With regard to the free-weights room in New Milton Health & Leisure, initial tenders had come back too high, at £100,000.  Unfortunately damp was discovered underneath the squash courts which needed to be resolved, however the final cost of the project, including this additional work was £34,000.  It was expected that the payback time would be 1 year and 3 months.  Safety and security had been improved with the free-weights room being re-located opposite main reception.  A further benefit of moving the weights room from upstairs was that the maintenance of a ground floor weights room would be cheaper.

Cllr Binns congratulated the Council’s Graphics Team on the promotional material produced for both projects and paid tribute to the Health and Leisure Teams for their commitment and determination to make both projects a success.

Question 3

From Cllr David Harrison, to Cllr Diane Andrews, Portfolio Holder for Community Affairs:

"It has been reported that a suspected thief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

RECOMMENDED:

That meetings be held on the following Mondays at 6.30pm:-

20 May 2019 (Annual meeting, already agreed)

8 July 2019

9 September 2019

14 October 2019

9 December 2019

24 February 2020

13 April 2020

18 May 2020 (Annual Meeting)

The meeting dates for the 2019/20 municipal year were agreed.

RESOLVED:

That meetings be held on the following Mondays at 6.30 pm:-

20 May 2019 (Annual Meeting, already agreed)

8 July 2019

9 September 2019

14 October 2019

9 December 2019

24 February 2020

13 April 2020

18 May 2020 (Annual Meeting)

To consider any changes to the membership of Committees or Panels that might be proposed by the political groups.

No changes to Committees or Panels were proposed by the political groups.