Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Cerasoli, Murray and J Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to minute 66 – Reports of the Cabinet Item 3 (19 February 2020) – Electoral Review of New Forest District Council – Warding Pattern Proposals, being amended to delete the word “Council” from the following text:-  “Cllr Duke highlighted the impact of the District Council’s proposals on Boldre Parish Council”, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020, be confirmed.

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 any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.

Cllr Gossage declared, for transparency purposes, a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 on the agenda – Reports of the Cabinet dated 6 May 2020, item 4 – Adoption of the Local Plan 2016-2036 Part One: Planning Strategy.  The interest concerned the proximity of his brother’s home to Strategic Site 6 in the proposed Local Plan.  Cllr Gossage concluded that there was no common law issue of bias or predetermination that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote on this item, considered at minute 81 below.

Cllr Rackham declared, for transparency purposes, that she would be asking a question at item 9 on the agenda – Questions to Portfolio Holders Under Standing Order 22A, at minute 83 below.  The question related to Arts and Culture in the New Forest, and she had previously worked in this area.

Hampshire Day

The Chairman reported that, to mark Hampshire Day on Wednesday 15 July 2020, a number of themed photographs would be released featuring the Chairman at locations across the New Forest District.

Camping in the Forest

The Leader of the Council reported in detail on the steps the Council had taken since it was made aware that Camping in the Forest (CITF) had taken a decision not to open any of their 10 sites in the New Forest during 2020.  This amounted to over 3,000 pitches.

It was noted that the Council, alongside its New Forest partners of Forestry England, the National Park Authority, the Verderers and Go New Forest, had received no notification of the action by the company until it was public knowledge.

The Leader expressed his disappointment with the company and concern in relation to the impact that this action may have on the New Forest economy, loss of local employment and supply chain costs.  It was estimated that £16 million could be lost from guest expenditure alone between 4 July and 28 September 2020.

With the campsites closed it also had the potential to have a significant impact on the New Forest environment and community if camping visitors arrived with no proper facilities to use.

Recognising the potential adverse impact this could have on the New Forest, the Leader confirmed that he had asked the Chief Executive to engage with all partners, in order to try and mitigate all of the issues that may occur before any new arrangements can be put in place.  Furthermore, given the relationship with Government and the potential significant impact on the local economy and tourism businesses, the Leader confirmed that he had written to the three Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as well as the two local MPs, to use whatever pressures available to bring to bear on the company to reconsider their decision. 

A copy of this letter is attached to these minutes.

The Council were informed that efforts were being made to identify whether in the medium term any other local operators could extend their operations to offer more campsite pitches.  The Leader would update Members further as progress was made.

In response to the ongoing Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Council meeting scheduled for 18 May 2020 was postponed in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council and the Leaders of Political Groups.

RECOMMENDED:

1.     That the Council notes that, in accordance with the above Regulations:-

a)     There is no requirement for New Forest District Council to hold an Annual Meeting in 2020; and

b)     Any appointments that would have been made, or required to have been made by law at the Annual Meeting, continue until such time as the Council determines.  These appointments include the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Committees and Panels.

2.     That the Council agrees to continue with the current arrangements as approved at the Annual Meeting on 20 May 2019, until the Annual Meeting on 17 May 2021.

The Leader of the Council moved the adoption of the recommendations as set out on the agenda at item six.  Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

(a)        That the Council notes that, in accordance with the above Regulations:-

(i)   There is no requirement for New Forest District Council to hold an Annual Meeting in 2020; and

(ii)  Any appointments that would have been made or required to have been made by law at the Annual Meeting, continue until such time as the Council determines.  These appointments include the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Committees and Panels.

(b)        That the Council agrees to continue with the current arrangements as approved at the Annual Meeting on 20 May 2019, until the Annual Meeting on 17 May 2021.

Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 states that “if a Member of a Local Authority fails, throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, to attend any meeting of the Authority they will, unless the failure was due to some good reason approved by the Authority before the expiry of that period, cease to be a member of the Authority.”

Due to the on-going Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of councillors will have their own unique circumstances and consequently be prevented from, through no fault of their own, attending Council meetings.

The following is recommended to give the Council increased resilience for the next six months, preventing any Member of the Council being automatically disqualified as a councillor.

RECOMMENDED:

That, having regard to the current circumstances arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the requirement for all New Forest District Councillors to attend any meeting of the authority throughout a period of six consecutive months, be waived for a six month period commencing 6 July 2020, therefore expiring on 6 January 2021.

The Chairman spoke briefly on the extraordinary challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis and expressed his pride at the Council’s response.  In light of the continued uncertainty faced by all local authorities and public sector organisations, he moved the adoption of the recommendation as set out on the agenda at item seven.  Cllr Tipp seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That, having regard to the current circumstances arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the requirement for all New Forest District Councillors to attend any meeting of the authority throughout a period of six consecutive months, be waived for a six month period commencing 6 July 2020, therefore expiring on 6 January 2021.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated:-

·        6 May 2020

·        3 June 2020

·        1 July 2020 (to follow)

The Leader of the Council presented the reports of the Cabinet meetings held on 6 May, 3 June and 1 July 2020 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

Item 4 (6 May 2020) – Adoption of the Local Plan 2016-2036 Part One: Planning Strategy

Cllr E Heron, as the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the recommendations and highlighted the sensitivity of a local plan for such a protected area.  The plan had been the outcome of a significant amount of work over the last five years.  In addressing local concerns, it was noted that the plan had undergone two major rounds of consultation in 2016 and 2018 respectively.  Furthermore, failing to adopt the plan could put the Council at significant risk by having to plan for an additional 10,000-20,000 dwellings.

Cllr England moved the following amendment on this item:-

“To ask the Secretary of State to direct that the Local Plan is modified to remove Strategic Site Six (SS6), and to defer the question of the adoption of the plan in the meantime.”

Cllr J Davies seconded the amendment and spoke briefly on both the local concerns in relation to SS6 and the need to secure more genuinely affordable housing both in Pennington and across the District.

A number of other local councillors spoke to the local concerns raised in connection with SS6 in Pennington.  Their concerns related to the rural sensitivities, safety of cyclists and walkers and wildlife.  Whilst local councillors expressed their regret for the inclusion of SS6, some had also concluded that to address the overall District housing need and the risks of returning a local plan to its infancy, the case for adopting the plan outweighed that of deferring the issue.

Strategic Site Four (SS4) was raised by a number of local councillors, some who also concluded that whilst the necessary infrastructure was absolutely critical to this and other developments along the waterside, particularly relating to transport, the adoption of the overall plan was necessary to retain control over its future direction.  Members continued to try and press for more improvements to the A326, which already faced significant congestion.

In responding to the amendment, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure reiterated that it was a highly significant risk that failing to adopt the plan would return it to a place outside of the Council’s own methodology, requiring much greater numbers of planned development.

In responding to the debate on the amendment, Cllr England highlighted that SS6 had not always been included in earlier versions of the local plan, and the volume of opposition locally was such that she could not support the local plan with its inclusion.

The amendment was put to a recorded vote, the outcome of which was as follows:-

Voting for:- Cllrs Brunsdon, M Clark, R Clark, J Davies, Delemare, Dowd, England, Harrison, Kangarani, Osborne, Rackham, A Wade, M Wade.

Voting against:- Cllrs Alvey, Andrews, Bellows, Bennison, Blunden, Brand, Carpenter, Clarke, Cleary, Corbridge,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

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 Housing by not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 3 July 2020.

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

·        Cllr Brand to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on Camping in the Forest.

·        Cllr Harrison to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on Police and Crime Commissioners.

·        Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr J Heron, on the review of NFDC assets.

·        Cllr Osborne to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services, Cllr Hoare, on Salvation Army collection bins.

·        Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr J Heron, on the impact of COVID-19 on the Council’s finances.

·        Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services, Cllr Hoare, on the progress of reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on support for cultural industries in the New Forest.

·        Cllr A Wade to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on support for Council staff during COVID-19.

·        Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness services.

Note – a copy of the full questions and replies are attached to these minutes.

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

The Conservative Group have notified the following change:-

Planning Committee

Cllr Duke to be replaced by a Conservative Vacancy.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Thierry be appointed to serve on the Planning Committee in place of Cllr Duke.