Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs O’Sullivan, Carpenter, Crisell, Cullen, J Davies, Davis, England, Lane, McEvoy, Osborne, Rickman, Ring, Sevier, Tungate and C Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 11 July 2022, and the Special Meeting held on 12 September 2022 as correct records.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 11 July 2022 and the Special meeting held on 12 September 2022, be confirmed.

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

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

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Engagements

The Vice-Chairman reported on the engagements undertaken following the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.  The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Leader of the Council and the Deputy Lieutenant Mary Montagu-Scott, attended Appletree Court on Friday 9 September, to lay floral tributes and sign the book of condolence. 

He thanked Members, Officers, special guests and members of the public for their attendance at the historic Proclamation of the Accession of his Majesty The King Charles III, read by the Chairman of the Council.  In particular, special thanks were given to the New Forest Brass Band for leading attendees with the national anthem.

On Monday 12 September, the Council held a special meeting and the Vice-Chairman highlighted the moving tributes and personal reflections by Members of the UK’s longest reigning monarch.

Following the Council meeting, the Chairman, accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant Hallam Mills, visited the Council’s Extra Care Blocks in Totton, Lymington and New Milton, to share residents’ stories of Her Majesty and offer the opportunity to sign the book of condolence, for those residents who may not have been able to make it to a Council office.

The Chairman also attended a service of commemoration to give thanks for the life of Her Majesty at Winchester Cathedral, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.

The Vice-Chairman highlighted that, through the extension of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, the Council would be planting 60 trees at 30 locations across the District, as a lasting and fitting tribute to Her Majesty.

Looking back at other engagements, the Chairman attended the New Forest Show on 27 July and was delighted to present the award for Best Large Trade Stand to the District Council for its “Environment Matters” stand.  The stand included interactive activities, providing tips and advice on reducing waste, recycling more, how to start home composting in addition to information on what gets recycled in Hampshire.

Supporting his charities, SCARF and the Fortune Centre of Riding, the Chairman attended fundraising events throughout the Summer in aid of these important organisations.

On 2 October, the Vice-Chairman attended the Harvest Festival Service at Winchester Cathedral on behalf of the District.

Meeting Arrangements

The Vice-Chairman informed Members that he intended to use his discretion to suspend standing orders to allow officers to answer any technical questions Members had on items 8 and 9 on the agenda.

Referring to his announcements at the recent Cabinet meetings, the Leader had no further announcements.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated:-

·        29 July 2022;

·        7 September 2022; and

·        5 October 2022 (to follow).

The Leader of the Council first presented the report of the Cabinet meeting on 29 July 2022 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

The Leader of the Council then presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 September 2022 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

The Leader of the Council then presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 October 2022 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

Paragraph 2 – Health and Wellbeing Plan

In response to a question on an action plan for delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Leader of the Council confirmed that this would be the subject of consideration at a future Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting.

The Leader also gave assurance that at this moment in time, the plan was funded and would not be the subject of funding restraints in the context of the wider financial pressures on the Council.  Any resourcing or funding issues would come forward in the normal way through the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan and budget monitoring.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the report of the HR Committee dated 11 August 2022.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the HR Committee meeting on 11 August 2022 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To establish the recruitment process for the position of Strategic Director – Place, Operations and Sustainability.

The Leader of the Council moved the recommendations as set out in the report circulated with the agenda, which identified the processes to be followed to appoint a Strategic Director for Place, Operations and Sustainability, as part of the Leadership Review, agreed as part of the report of HR Committee at minute 26 above.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the Council agrees:-

(a)   The Strategic Director’s pay band as set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(b)   External recruitment is the preferred recruitment and selection process;

(c)   That an Appointment Panel be authorised to undertake the selection process as set out in section 4 of the report and in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

The Appointment Panel will comprise:

·        Leader of the Council

·        Deputy Leader of the Council

·        Chief Executive

·        Leader of the Opposition

·        Two relevant Portfolio Holders, to be determined by the Leader of the Council

To consider an updated Council Pay Spine.

The Leader of the Council moved the recommendations as set out in the report circulated with the agenda, which proposed an updated Council pay spine, to ensure a positive impact on staff recruitment, retention and morale.  The changes are independent of the ongoing National Joint Council pay negotiations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the updated Pay Spine shown at Appendix 2 of the report be approved with effect from 1 October 2022.

To consider the Returning Officer’s Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places.

Cllr Clarke moved the recommendations as set out in the report circulated with the agenda, which recommended formal designations of polling districts and polling places following a consultation period.  In moving the recommendations, Cllr Clarke placed on record his thanks to Members and Officers for their work in bringing forward proposals that are coterminous with the revised ward boundaries arising from the Electoral Review of the District.  Cllr Craze seconded the motion.

Members discussed the importance of encouraging people to vote, in light of new Government initiatives for voter ID and local changes such as the Electoral Review and consequential changes to polling stations.  It was acknowledged that councillors and candidates had a role to play in informing the public.  Work was underway with Brockenhurst College to encourage younger people to vote.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:-

(a)   Approve the Returning Officer’s final recommendations for formal designation of polling districts and polling places;

(b)   Note representations as part of the consultation; and

(c)   Note alteration to polling districts.

Under Standing Order 22.

There were none.

Motion 1

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Tipp will move the following motion:-

“This Council:-

·        is concerned about the number of cases reported to the RSPCA each year, regarding pets being given as prizes via fairgrounds, social media and other channels in England - and notes the issue predominantly concerns goldfish.

·        is concerned for the welfare of those animals that are being given as prizes.

·        recognises that many cases of pets being given as prizes may go unreported each year.

·        supports a move to ban the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land. 

The Council agrees to:

·        ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

·        write to the UK Government, urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.”

Cllr Bennison will second the motion.

Motion 2

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr M Wade will move the following motion:-

“The cost of living crisis affects all areas of our nation.  However, many members of the farming community, so important in the production of 54% of the nation’s food supply, are struggling to survive in the current financial environment and this includes many of New Forest’s farmers.  A thriving agricultural sector is crucial to New Forest’s economy, landscape, and environment.

This Council notes the cost of animal feed is up by 60% and fertilizer cost by 200%. In the last year, these and other increased costs are against a backdrop of a changing subsidy regime from the government with some farms at risk of losing up to 20% of their income this way.  This is leading to many farmers to decide to give up their farms or raise food prices to survive further impacting the cost of living of ordinary New Forest residents.

This Council sees that some farmers are being forced to sell their back up land, which has Forest Rights and the loss of this land has serious impact on the sustainability of the ancient New Forest tradition of communing if alternative support for local farmers is not made available.

This Council recognises that government funding schemes to help farmers exist but due to the current financial environment different approaches need to be considered to improve on the ongoing support.

Therefore, this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing its concerns about financial state of the farming community and request greater financial support for Farmers to be able to continue to produce food for the UK market at sustainable prices.”

Cllr Harrison will second the motion.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 41, the above motions, after being proposed and seconded (without speeches), should stand referred to the Cabinet, or to the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels as the Council may determine.  However, the Chairman may allow the motion(s) to be dealt with at this meeting if he considers  ...  view the full agenda text for item 31.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Tipp moved the following motion:-

“This Council:-

·        is concerned about the number of cases reported to the RSPCA each year, regarding pets being given as prizes via fairgrounds, social media and other channels in England - and notes the issue predominantly concerns goldfish.

·        is concerned for the welfare of those animals that are being given as prizes.

·        recognises that many cases of pets being given as prizes may go unreported each year.

·        supports a move to ban the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

The Council agrees to:

·        ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

·        write to the UK Government, urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.”

Cllr Bennison seconded the motion.

The Vice-Chairman confirmed that, under the provisions of Standing Order 41, the above motion, having been proposed and seconded, should stand referred to the Cabinet, or to the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels as the Council may determine.  Given the subject matter, it was proposed that the motion be referred to the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the motion be referred to the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr M Wade moved the following motion:-

“The cost of living crisis affects all areas of our nation.  However, many members of the farming community, so important in the production of 54% of the nation’s food supply, are struggling to survive in the current financial environment and this includes many of New Forest’s farmers.  A thriving agricultural sector is crucial to New Forest’s economy, landscape, and environment.

This Council notes the cost of animal feed is up by 60% and fertilizer cost by 200%. In the last year, these and other increased costs are against a backdrop of a changing subsidy regime from the government with some farms at risk of losing up to 20% of their income this way.  This is leading to many farmers to decide to give up their farms or raise food prices to survive further impacting the cost of living of ordinary New Forest residents.

This Council sees that some farmers are being forced to sell their back up land, which has Forest Rights and the loss of this land has serious impact on the sustainability of the ancient New Forest tradition of commoning if alternative support for local farmers is not made available.

This Council recognises that government funding schemes to help farmers exist but due to the current financial environment different approaches need to be considered to improve on the ongoing support.

Therefore, this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing its concerns about financial state of the farming community and request greater financial support for Farmers to be able to continue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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 Housing by not later than noon on Friday 7 October 2022).

Questions were put and answered under Standing Order 22A as follows:-

·        Cllr Harrison to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr Jeremy Heron, on support available to New Forest residents.

·        Cllr Dowd to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on community skips.

·        Cllr Brand to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness Services, Cllr Cleary, on the Right to Buy.

·        Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on free parking for charity shop workers.

·        Cllr Clark to the Leader of the Council, Cllr E Heron, on warm banks.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on parking income in Totton.

·        Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on the bin collection service.

·        Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr J Heron, on loans to other local authorities.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Leader of the Council, Cllr E Heron, on Freeport funding for additional flood defences.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure, Cllr Andrews, on transport infrastructure.

Note:-

A copy of the full questions and replies are attached to these minutes.

To agree the following dates of meetings for 2023/24 (Mondays at 6.30pm):

22 May 2023 (AGM)

10 July 2023

11 September 2023

9 October 2023

11 December 2023

26 February 2024

8 April 2024

13 May 2024 (AGM)

RESOLVED:

That the following dates of meetings for 2023/24, be agreed (Mondays at 6.30pm):-

·        22 May 2023 (AGM)

·        10 July 2023

·        11 September 2023

·        9 October 2023

·        11 December 2023

·        26 February 2024

·        8 April 2024

·        13 May 2024 (AGM)

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

There were no changes.

The Leader of the Council announced his decision to step down as Leader, when the Council elects a new Leader at its next meeting on 14 November 2022.

Thanking councillors and officers, he explained that after almost 16 years on the Council, most of which serving as a Cabinet Member, the time was right to look forward to new challenges.

He confirmed that the Conservative Group would be nominating Cllr Jill Cleary for the position of Leader of the Council.