Agenda and minutes

The Chairman expressed his deep sadness following the recent passing of Cllr Keith Craze, who served the District with dedication and distinction.  He was a committed public servant, having represented the Barton ward from 2019-2023 and the Barton and Becton ward from 2023-2024.

Keith held a number of important positions in his time as a District Councillor, including most recently as Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee.  Keith brought his 40 years of experience in Human Resources to the HR Committee, adding invaluable insight to the Council’s work as a local employer.  He also served as Chairman of the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Panel prior to the Council’s most recent committee structure, as a dedicated member of a number of working groups, and he also represented the Council on a number of Outside Bodies, including work with Wessex Water, and Hampshire Road Safety.

The Chairman recognised Keith’s service to New Milton Town Council, having held the distinguished office of Town Mayor and Chairman.

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman placed on record his thanks for Cllr Craze’s service, and expressed his sincere condolences to Keith’s family and friends.

A number of Members spoke to add their personal tributes in remembering Cllr Keith Craze.

With the NFDC flag at half mast, the Council stood in silent tribute, as it remembered Keith and his service to the Council, and the New Forest District.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Alvey, Blunden, Clark, Glass, Linford, Murray, Rippon-Swaine and M Wade.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2024 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2024, 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.

Emergency Services Day

The Chairman referred to the Council flying the Emergency Services Day Flag on Monday 9 September, in recognition of the heroic men and women of the NHS and emergency services.  Each year, the occasion presents the Council with the opportunity to promote the work of the emergency services, educate the public about basic lifesaving skills, and promote the many career and volunteering opportunities available that are vital to keeping Britain safe.

Engagements

The Chairman reported on the following recent engagements:-

10 July

Laid a wreath on behalf of the District at the Annual Commemoration Indian Obelisk, in New Milton.

11 July

Attended the Brockenhurst College Gala Awards, sponsored by NFDC.

26 July

Alongside the Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Alvin Reid, attended the Blue Jumper Lunch at the McMullen Barracks in Marchwood, invited by the Commanding Officer of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment.

July

Alongside the Vice-Chairman, attended a number of civic events hosted by fellow Hampshire Authorities, including East Hampshire and Basingstoke and Deane.

30 August – 1 September

At the New Forest Show this year, the Chairman was delighted to mark the Council’s 50th anniversary year at its stand, alongside the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and many of the Council’s partners across the District.  The event provided a platform to launch the Council’s new corporate plan, for people, place and prosperity.

12 September

Attended the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance tour and talk about the charity.  The Chairman highlighted this as extremely interesting and informative, particularly as his chosen charity for the year.

There were none.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on the items resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 August 2024.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 4 – Annual Performance and Provisional Budget Outturn 2023/24

The Leader introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the establishment of a new Corporate Priorities Reserve, with an initial contribution of £1.5 million in 2023/24 and note the transfer of £262,000 in 2023/24 to enhance the Treasury Management Reserve.

Item 5 – Transformation Business Case – Customer and Digital Services (Including Organisational Design) and Appletree Court

The Leader introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

One Member suggested that the general trend of staff working from home could be considered the biggest change the Council had ever seen, with it starting before the pandemic and accelerating through this period.  The Member considered that whilst  there were advantages of this, some risks including isolation, and the impact on collaboration and team ethic needed to be very carefully considered.  It was requested that this be given very close attention, particularly if more radical change such as office closures took place.  In connection with hybrid working, a further Member highlighted the importance of being able to offer this as an employee benefit, in a challenging recruitment space.  This aided the Council’s work as an employer of choice, and to retain talented staff, if the right balance could be found.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate agreed that the management of the risk of staff isolation was crucial.  Senior officers monitored this closely.  This was assisted by a hybrid balance of three days in the office, with two working from home.  The environmental benefits of reducing five days worth of staff commuting was also noted.  The Portfolio Holder took the opportunity to remind Members that there were no plans to close Appletree Court, and committed to maintaining a council presence across the District.

One Member spoke specifically on the potential future of Lymington Town Hall and the impact that this might have not only on NFDC residents, but to those partner organisations using the facilities at the site.

The Leader responded to the debate, highlighting the support for the balance of hybrid working expressed through the recent staff survey results.  Team days were also highlighted which involved all staff from a particular service area attending to collaborate with colleagues.  Hybrid working was seen as an important part of the Council being able to strive towards and maintain its position as an employer of choice.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve:-

1.     the allocation of £2.709m on an invest-to-save basis to deliver the necessary technology and organisational changes to deliver the preferred future organisational design option; and

2.     the allocation of up to £1.75m for improvements to the East wing of ATC on an invest-to-save basis, to facilitate the third party  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on the items resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 4 September 2024.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 2 – Customer Strategy

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

The good work culminating in a ‘Customer Promise’, developed through the Change Champions Group was recognised by Members.

Members debated some of the improvement targets included within the strategy, most notably call transfers.  It was suggested that this could be more ambitious moving forwards.

One Member highlighted the interdependencies with the Council’s ICT Strategy, and the access across the District to reliable broadband.  Ultimately, a consistent experience should be the ambition across different communication channels with the Council.  Members welcomed the commitment to continue to offer face to face support for those that needed it.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate responded to the debate.  He highlighted that targets needed to be proportionate when a number of ICT systems and infrastructure was changing alongside service redesign.  It was hoped that these could become more ambitious in the future.  With regard to the number of responses to consultations, it was suggested that when change was not popular, response rates were high, but it was less likely for respondents to write to the Council welcoming change that was generally well received.

RESOLVED:

That the Customer Strategy be approved.

Item 3 – Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk

Management (FCERM) Strategy

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, the Leader introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

One Member welcomed the strategy and highlighted the need for a similar approach to the coastal area of Totton and the Waterside.  It was noted that the Environment Agency was responsible for large sections of this coastline and further information on timescales for the development of a strategy were expected soon.

In response to some concerns about the funding of such an ambitious strategy, it was highlighted that with a comprehensive evidence base behind the strategy, funding opportunities were more readily available to the Council and partners, with a strong position to pursue specific project bids.  The work of the District Council’s officers to get the documents to this stage was commended.  A contrary view was expressed that given the ratio of funded to unfunded bids in this area, and with funding opportunities generally, the expectations upon the Council to commit significant resources including officer time to produce lengthy strategies, was not desirable.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve:-

1.     The recommended leading options identified in the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for the New Forest 44 District Council area, subject to securing the necessary funding contributions.

2.     That in approving and adopting the strategy, it commits to developing a Funding Strategy that will seek to identify and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Leader moved the recommendations, proposing the allocation of seats to the political groups as identified in the report, with the individual nominees circulated at Appendix 1.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

One Member highlighted a correction in the report to identify the non-aligned Member as ‘Labour and Cooperative’.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:-

1.     Having considered the allocation of seats to committees and panels in accordance with the principles set out in the report, agrees to maintain the Council’s current position set out in the table at paragraph 13 of the report;

2.     Appoints councillors to individual committees and panels, as identified in Appendix 1, for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2027; and

3.     Notes that a further review of the allocation of seats will be undertaken following the by-election for the Barton and Becton ward.

To ask questions under Standing Order 22.  Questions received will be published ahead of the meeting.  (Members are reminded that questions must be submitted to Democratic Services by no later than 12.00 noon, Wednesday 11 September 2024).

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

·        From Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on Fawley Waterside.

·        From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on Section 106 monies.

·        From Cllr Harrison to the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, Cllr Heron, on unpaid Council tax bills.

·        From Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on flood and erosion plans for the East of the District.

·        From Cllr Millar to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on planning reforms.

·        From Cllr Brand to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, on phosphate mitigation and affordable housing.

·        From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, Cllr Poole, on Community Wardens.

·        From Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, Cllr Heron, on changes to local government settlements and funding formulas.

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

To agree the following schedule of Council meetings for the 2025/26 municipal year, all commencing at 6.30 pm:-

2025

12 May AGM (already agreed)

14 July

15 September

13 October

15 December

2026

23 February

13 April

18 May AGM

RESOLVED:

That the following meeting dates for the 2025/26 municipal year, be agreed (Mondays, 6.30 pm):-

2025

·        12 May AGM (already agreed)

·        14 July

·        15 September

·        13 October

·        15 December

2026

·        23 February

·        13 April

·        18 May AGM