Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Hartmann, Heron, Mballa, Millar, Millington, Murray, Parker, Thierry and Tungate.

To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 13 May 2024 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 13 May 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.

Cllr Haywood declared, for transparency purposes, in relation agenda item 5, that he was the Chairman of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Steering Group.  He concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

Charity Announcement

The Chairman was very pleased to announce that his chosen charity for the year would be the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.  Through the support of donations, the charity brings exceptional critical care to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  Since their first life-saving flight in July 2007, they had used several helicopter models, with the current model capable of being anywhere across Hampshire within 15 minutes.

D Day 80

The Chairman reported he was honoured to raise the D Day 80 Flag at Appletree Court on 6 June, accompanied by the Leader of the Council, Vice-Chairman, the Armed Forces Champion and political group representatives.  Local military representatives and NFDC staff veterans were also in attendance.  The occasion gave time to pause and remember that we must never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of the heroes who fought against all odds to liberate Europe 80 years ago, to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.

With the support of the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman was also able to represent the Council at D Day 80 events in Christchurch, Bransgore, Basingstoke and Exbury.  In particular, he attended the unveiling ceremony for a collaborative sculpture in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Exbury.  This was honouring the Women’s Royal Navy Service and mothers, daughters and families who were left on the shores bidding ‘Hail and Farewell’ to their loved ones.  This ceremony also included the Royal Navy ‘Tossing the Oars’ salute and Royal Air Force fly past.

Armed Forces Day

The Chairman reported that alongside the Vice-Chairman and Armed Forces Champion, he raised the Armed Forces Day flag on 24 June, in recognition of the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from the current serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets.  He gave his thanks to the Vice-Chairman who also attended the Fawley Armed Forces day at Gang Warily Recreation and Community Centre.

Further Engagements

The Chairman also attended a range of Annual Mayor Making events across Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth in May and June.

He thoroughly enjoyed attending Ashley Junior School on 21 May to receive a presentation from year 6 children on recycling, which was extremely informative and interesting.

Thanks was given to the Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Reid who had laid a wreath on behalf of NFDC at the New Forest Airfields Memorial, Bransgore, recognising US Memorial Day.

The Chairman attended the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award presentations at the Great Hall in Winchester and the Civic Service in Christchurch.

Finally, the Chairman gave his thanks to the Vice-Chairman who had attended the Launch Event for the Solent Mind Strategy on 20 June, which facilitated discussions with volunteers and their men’s shed section, and for attending the Annual Review and AGM of the Hampshire Scouts on 30 June.

The Leader made the following announcements:

Election

The Leader gave her sincere and personal thanks to all staff who helped out at the election, this included staff who prepared over 25,000 postal votes, those working in a polling station, working through the night at the count, or providing cover so Council services could continue as usual; thank you to everyone, it was a very professionally run event.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures

The Leader reported that the District Council had just released the tenant satisfaction measure results.  These related to perception surveys undertaken in late summer 2023 and January this year, as well as performance data collected over the 2023/24 financial year.  She was delighted with how satisfied council tenants felt about the service.  Tenants had scored the District Council as a housing landlord with an overall satisfaction rating of 81%.  Further and more detailed information would be presented to the Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny panel later in the month.

New Forest Show

The Leader highlighted that the New Forest Show would be taking place at the end of July and into August.  The District Council’s theme this year would showcase the new Corporate Plan and celebrate 50 years of New Forest District Council.  The latest awareness campaign to combat littering, involving a sculpture made of our litter, would also be in situ at the show before going on tour of the District, as part of the ‘look out for our new forest’ campaign.

Changing Places

The Leader reported that the two new changing places toilets were open and fully operational in Brockenhurst and Ringwood, providing much needed facilities for those in the community who require extra space and support when needing to use public convenience facilities.

St Georges Hall, Calshot

Finally, the Leader announced that work had commenced on St Georges Hall in Calshot.  This work would significantly rejuvenate the facility for the good of Calshot residents, the broader community and users of the Calshot cemetery.

Cllr Tipp introduced the report and moved the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Haywood declared, for transparency purposes, that he was the Chairman of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.  He concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

A number of councillors spoke in support of Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan, recognising the hard work which had been put into it, particularly as minimal changes had been recommended by the examiner.  It was highlighted that the residents of Ringwood had recognised the benefits of the plan, by voting to supporting it.  The high turnout rate in the referendum was also acknowledged.

RESOLVED:

i)              That the outcome of the Referendum of 4 July 2024 be noted; and

ii)             That the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan for New Forest District (Outside the National Park)

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 3 July 2024).

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

·         From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr S Davies, on Right to Buy.

·         From Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, Cllr Poole, on Dibden Golf Club.

·         From Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Finance, Cllr Heron, on the local government settlement.

·         From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on Tree Works and SLAs with Town/Parishes.

·         From Cllr A Wade to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on 50 years of NFDC, elections and democracy.

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.