Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Bellows, Bennison, Brand, Brunsdon, M Clark, Corbridge, Davis, England, Harrison, Holding, Reid and Thorne.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2022 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 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.

All Members of the Council had been granted the necessary dispensations to speak and to vote on matters concerning the annual members’ allowances scheme, budget and Council Tax, considered at minutes 64 and 65 below.

Cllr A Wade had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on the Annual Budget and Council Tax, as an employee of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, considered at minutes 64 and 65 below.

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

Former Cllr Alan Rice

The Chairman referred with great sadness to the recent passing of former Councillor Alan Rice, who was a serving New Milton Town Councillor.  Alan was first elected to New Forest District Council in 1973 to the Bashley ward and served continuously until 2015.  He served as a Member of the preceding Lymington Borough Council from 1963.  He also gave over 40 years of service to Hampshire County Council.

Alan held the position of Chairman of the District Council in 2000/01 and held a number of prominent committee positions including the Planning Committee, of which he was Chairman in the 1970s.  He also represented the District Council on a number of Outside Bodies, particularly the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust and the Solent Forum for over 15 years.

Members of the Council gave their own personal tributes to Alan.

The Chairman expressed his sincere condolence’s to Alan’s family and friends and placed on record the Council’s thanks for the outstanding service he had given the District.

Former Cllr Graham Parkes

The Chairman referred to the very sad news of the recent passing of former Councillor Graham Parkes.  Graham was first elected to the Furzedown and Hardley ward in May 2003, serving four years on NFDC until May 2007.

Graham served as a Member of the Planning Committee, Appeals Committee and the Economy and Planning Review Panel, in addition to his service to Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.

Members of the Council gave their own personal tributes to Graham.

The Chairman expressed his sincere condolence’s to Graham’s family and friends and placed on record the Council’s thanks for the service he had given the District.

Ukraine Conflict – 1 Year On

The Chairman referred to the one minute silence held on Friday 24 February 2023, to mark one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  The Ukrainian flag was flying at Appletree Court as the Council continued to stand with the people of Ukraine.

Holocaust Memorial Day

On 27 January 2023, the Chairman lit a candle to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, as the Council recognised those who endured genocide, honouring the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.

Engagements

The Chairman referred to the following recent engagements:-

5 February

Attended the Mayor of New Milton’s Annual Civic Service, in support of charities SCARF New Forest and Parkinsons Dance at Forest Arts.

10 February

Attended a charity event hosted by the Mayor of Southampton at the Guildhall, with the money raised going towards City Reach, Southampton Street Pastors and Southampton Hospital Charity.

16 February

Attended the Institution and Induction service of Reverend Alison Bennett at All Saints Church, Fawley.

Procedures

The Chairman confirmed his intention to ask the Council to agree to suspend Standing Orders to allow the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to exceed the time limit of five minutes on their speeches under the Annual Budget item, later on the agenda.

He reminded Members that a number of recorded votes would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

There were none.

To consider the report of the Audit Committee dated 27 January 2023.

Cllr Alvey presented the report of the Audit Committee meeting held on 27 January 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Lane seconded the motion.

Paragraph 1 – Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 (Minute No 38)

Note – Cllr Rackham requested that her abstention from the recommendation on this item, be recorded.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the report of the General Purposes and Licensing Committee dated 10 February 2023.

Cllr Clarke presented the report of the General Purposes and Licensing Committee meeting held on 10 February 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Tungate seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the report of the HR Committee dated 12 January 2023.

The Leader presented the report of the HR Committee meeting held on 12 January 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the report of the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel dated 17 January 2023.

Cllr Craze presented the report of the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 January 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Penman seconded the motion.

The report sought the adoption of a number of measures having considered the following motion referred to it by the Council:-

“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.”

The Panel’s recommended course of action was as follows:-

·        That the Council’s Estates and Open Spaces Service be asked to include conditions precluding the giving of pets as prizes in agreements prior to giving consent to use of its land.

·        That a letter be sent to all Parish and Town Councils in the New Forest district, urging them to adopt the same approach in imposing conditions on use of their land precluding the giving of pets as prizes.

·        That a letter be sent on behalf of the Council to the Government urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.

One Member welcomed the motion and actions proposed by the Panel.  He encouraged Members to consider dealing with motions of this nature at the initial meeting they are proposed, where there is wide support for the content of such motions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the report of the Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel dated 12 January 2023.

Cllr Rippon-Swaine presented the report of the Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 12 January 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Tipp seconded the motion.

The report followed the consideration of the following motion referred to it by the Council:-

“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 to produce food for the UK market at sustainable prices.”

The Council noted the Panel’s support for the motion and the recommendation that the motion should be adopted as proposed.

One Member welcomed the recommendation that the motion be adopted.  He encouraged Members to consider dealing with motions of this nature at the initial meeting they are proposed, where there is wide support for the content of such motions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated:-

·        1 February 2023; and

·        15 February 2023.

All Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on matters concerning the Members’ Allowances Scheme, Annual Budget and Council Tax.

Cllr A Wade had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on the Annual Budget 2023/24, as an employee of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 February 2023 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

Paragraph 6 – Community Grants (Minute No 70)

Cllr A Wade highlighted that Hythe and Dibden Parish Council was a recipient of a grant, noting that some Members were also Parish Councillors.  This matter had been determined by the Cabinet for inclusion in the overall budget proposals.

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 15 February 2023 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

Paragraph 3 – Housing Services Rent Setting and Service Charge Policy (Minute No 80)

One Member encouraged the Council to consider reflecting on proposed rent and service charges, in light of cost of living challenges.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness recognised the difficult balance the Council had to achieve in ensuring that the ring-fenced housing revenue account budgets were appropriately funded to meet the priorities and requirements for maintenance and improvements in particular, whilst charging in an affordable way for tenants.  The support of the Tenant Involvement Group for the levels of rent and service charges was noted.

Paragraph 4 – Housing Revenue Account Budget and the Housing Public Sector Capital Expenditure Programme for 2023/24 (Minute No 81)

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

Voting for:- Cllrs Alvey, Andrews, Blunden, Carpenter, Cerasoli, Clarke, Cleary, Craze, Crisell, S Davies, Dunning, Frampton, Glass, Gossage, Harris, Hawkins, E Heron, J Heron, Hoare, Hopkins, Kidd, Lane, Levitt, McEvoy, O’Sullivan, Penman, Reilly, Rickman, Ring, Rippon-Swaine, Russell, Sevier, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, C Ward and J Ward.

Voting against:- Cllrs Cullen, J Davies, Delemare, Osborne, Rackham, A Wade and M Wade.

Abstaining:- Cllrs Dowd, Duke and Kangarani.

The motion was carried, 37 in favour, 7 against, 3 abstaining.

Paragraph 5 – Medium Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget 2023/24 (Minute No 82)

The Chairman moved that Standing Order 47.6 be suspended to allow the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to exceed the time limit for making their budget speeches.  The motion was seconded by the Vice-Chairman and carried.

The Leader of the Council made a statement on the budget as proposed in the report of the Cabinet dated 15 February 2023, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group made a statement and moved an amendment in the form of an alternative budget.  Cllr J Davies seconded the amendment. A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

All Members of the Council had been granted dispensations to speak and vote on this item.  Cllr A Wade had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on this item, as an employee of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

The Council considered the Council Tax for 2023/24.

The Leader moved the recommendations in the report.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

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

Voting for:- Cllrs Alvey, Andrews, Blunden, Carpenter, Clarke, Cleary, Craze, Crisell, S Davies, Delemare, Dowd, Duke, Dunning, Glass, Gossage, Harris, Hawkins, E Heron, J Heron, Hoare, Hopkins, Kidd, Lane, Levitt, McEvoy, O’Sullivan, Penman, Reilly, Rickman, Ring, Rippon-Swaine, Russell, Sevier, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, C Ward and J Ward.

Voting against:- None.

Abstaining:- Cllrs Cullen, Frampton, Kangarani, Osborne, Rackham, A Wade and M Wade.

The recommendations were carried – 38 in favour, 0 against, 7 abstaining.

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 Strategic Director – Housing, Communities and Governance by not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 24 February 2023).

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

·        Cllr Dunning to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on wheelie bins.

·        Cllr Crisell to the Portfolio Holder for People and Places, Cllr Russell, on tree planting.

·        Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Partnering and Wellbeing, Cllr Blunden, on CCTV.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for People and Places, Cllr Russell, on Eling Tide Mill.

·        Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness Services, Cllr E Heron, on housing targets.

·        Cllr C Ward to the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure, Cllr Andrews, on planning policy reforms.

·        Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for People and Places, Cllr Russell, on fly-tipping.

·        Cllr Rackham to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on Freeport environmental protections.

Note:-

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

The terms of office of the Independent Persons, appointed for the purpose of the Localism Act 2011 to give views on the allegations that District or Parish/Town councillors have failed to comply with their authority’s code of conduct, will expire in May 2023.

It is recommended that the Council consider the appointment of new Independent Members at the Annual Meeting in May 2023, following the quadrennial District elections.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Monitoring Officer be delegated authority to commence a recruitment process for two new Independent Persons, with recommendations to be made to the Council by a Panel comprising the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer and Service Manager for Democratic and Support Services.

The Leader moved the recommendations as set out on the agenda, to enable the Council to make preparations ready for new Independent Persons to be appointed by the Council in May 2023.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the Monitoring Officer be delegated authority to commence a recruitment process for two new Independent Persons, with recommendations to be made to the Council by a Panel comprising the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer and Service Manager for Democratic and Support Services.

There are changes required to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Officers, following recent changes to the Council’s staffing structures.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Council’s Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Officers that are the responsibility of the Council, be updated to:-

(a)   replace all references to “Executive Head” with “Strategic Director”; and

(b)   include a new delegation to “Assistant Director”, in respect of all powers currently delegated to Strategic Directors, Service Managers and all other Council officers.

The Leader of the Council moved the recommendations as set out on the agenda, following recent changes to the Council’s staffing structures.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Officers that are the responsibility of the Council, be updated to:-

(a)   replace all references to “Executive Head” with “Strategic Director”; and

(b)   include a new delegation to “Assistant Director”, in respect of all powers currently delegated to Strategic Directors, Service Managers and all other Council officers.

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

There were no changes.