Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Dowd and Sevier.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 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.

Remembrance

The Chairman was most pleased to be able to observe the Armistice Day commemoration by laying a wreath at Appletree Court on behalf of all Members and officers of the Council, especially in socially restrictive times.  He hoped all Members had taken the opportunity to view the short video released on the day.  The Chairman was also able to lay a wreath at St Andrews in Fawley, a video of which was sent online to the local church congregation.

COVID-19

As the final Full Council meeting of 2020, the Chairman placed on record his sincere thanks to the Council and all communities in the New Forest, for responding throughout the year in extraordinary times with all the challenges presented by COVID-19.

Southampton City of Culture 2025

The Leader reported that with regret, the Council needed to cancel the all Member briefing scheduled for Tuesday 8 December 2020, on the Southampton City of Culture 2025 bid.  A new date would be sought in the New Year when the technical issues that had required the December date to be cancelled, had been resolved to maximise attendance by Members, officers and local partners.

Celebrating Small Business in the New Forest

Retail businesses recently welcomed back customers for the first Saturday in over a month which coincided with the annual small business Saturday.  Local retail and hospitality businesses had experienced a really challenging year, and as such it was vitally important to come out and support these enterprises which in turn supported local jobs and supply chains.  The Leader highlighted the importance of this now more than ever.

This small business Saturday also marked the first of five days throughout December when the Council suspended car parking charges in town and village centres, which was one of several initiatives to encourage residents to get out and support the local economy safely.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated:-

·        4 November 2020; and

·        2 December 2020 (to follow).

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet dated 4 November 2020 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.

Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

Paragraph 2 – Draft Waste Strategy

A number of Members highlighted the interest generated by the public consultation.  Views were expressed that such a radical step change was due in part to the significant shift in Government strategy.  Concerns were raised that the number of responses to date to the public consultation on such a fundamental issue for the Council was disappointing and awareness needed to be greater. 

Members hoped that the consultation would drive a meaningful impact on policy.  One Member commented that they were reassured by recent question and answer sessions that a one size fits all approach was not necessarily appropriate for the New Forest and was confident that this would be acknowledged as part of the options moving forward. 

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services responded to the points raised by Members.  It was reiterated that the matter was very much about consultation at this stage.  Work would turn to the development of a business case following the outcomes of the public consultation, to benchmark against the service the Council currently provided and to ensure that any future model reduced waste, increased recycling and provided a good service to residents.  The comments section of the consultation in particular was being closely monitored for those more detailed and nuanced views.  Noting the concerns about the response to the public consultation, the Portfolio Holder considered that the number of responses was in fact good for a survey of this kind, with promotion across radio, online and printed media.  Regardless of the future options, it was noted that the Council would need to comply with the emerging Government strategies on the Environment and Waste.

In response to requests from Members to vote on individual recommendations separately, the Chairman and Chief Executive confirmed that the Council’s Standing Orders provided for a single vote on receiving the report of the Cabinet and adoption of the recommendations, taking account of any amendments, once all items and recommendations in the report had been called, speeches made and questions dealt with.  No questions, speeches or amendments had been made in respect of any of the recommendations.  Cllr McEvoy requested that it be recorded that she would have preferred the Council to vote on the individual recommendations of the report separately.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations, be adopted.

The Leader of the Council then presented the report of the Cabinet dated 2 December 2020 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.

Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

Paragraph 3 – Rural Housing and Right to Buy

A Member welcomed the consultation on this subject and supported the Council seeking to adopt the relevant powers in Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985, as much needed protection for the rural areas of the New Forest, helping to keep local properties occupied by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

To consider the report of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel dated 15 October 2020.

RECOMMENDED:

That the conclusions of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel in respect of the Call-In request, as outlined in the report, be noted.

Cllr Rippon-Swaine presented the report of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel dated 15 October 2020, and moved the adoption of the recommendation set out on the Council agenda, to note the Panel’s conclusions in respect of the Call-In request, as outlined in the report.

Cllr Bennison seconded the motion.

Some Members spoke with disappointment on the decision taken by the Portfolio Holder, highlighting the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and the unique nature of Totton as a town centre in the District.  Concerns for residents and businesses were put forward some by local ward councillors.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure highlighted the full and open debate at the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting.  He was surprised at the opposition to the use of one of many tools to advocate more sustainable forms of transport, encouraging people to think a bit more carefully about travel.  Equally, the cost of a District Council parking clock was considered an affordable option for car users, further supporting equitably across the District.

The Chairman of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel summarised by confirming that the Panel had spent a lot of time debating this issue and concluded that the decision taken by the Portfolio Holder was in accordance with agreed policy and budgets.

RESOLVED:

That the conclusions of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel in respect of the Call-In request, as outlined in the report, be noted.

Note – Cllrs M Clark, J Davies, Harrison, Kangarani, Rackham and M Wade requested that their dissent from the resolution above, be recorded.

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 on Friday 4 December 2020).

Cllr J Davies moved, in accordance with Standing Order 64, that Standing Order 40A.1 be suspended, thereby removing the time limit for a maximum period of 30 minutes in total on this item.

Cllr M Clark seconded the motion.

The Chairman reminded Members that ordinarily, any questions that fell outside of the 30 minute time limit were dealt with in writing and included in the minutes of the Council meeting.  Whilst he considered that these arrangements had served the Council well for a number of years, he was happy to put the motion to a vote for the Council to determine.

The motion was put to the vote and lost.

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

·        Cllr Craze to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on COVID-19 recovery for local businesses.

·        Cllr Clarke to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services, Cllr Hoare, on more sustainable forms of transport.

·        Cllr Tungate to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr J Heron, on Microsoft Teams.

·        Cllr Davis to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Cllr Harris, on the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

·        Cllr Bellows to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on Greener Housing.

·        Cllr Penman to the Portfolio Holder for Community Affairs, Cllr Andrews, on the installation of Careline units during COVID-19.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure, Cllr E Heron, on parking in Totton town centre.

·        Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, Cllr Steele, on the Health and Leisure Review.

·        Cllr Kangarani to the to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rickman, on Overview and Scrutiny Panel chairs.

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

The following questions were dealt with in writing:-

·        Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on the delivery of social housing.

·        Cllr Brand to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on the application process for social housing.

·        Cllr Osborne to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on the application process for social housing.

·        Cllr Delemare to the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Cllr Cleary, on the application process for social housing.

·        Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services, Cllr Hoare, on the Draft Waste Strategy consultation.

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.

There were no changes.