Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Haywood, Millar, Osborne and Parker.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 28 August (Extraordinary meeting) and 15 September 2025 as correct records.

Cllr Blunden referred to the minutes of the meeting of 15 September, and his response to a supplementary question in relation to Question 8 from Cllr M Wade.  He reported that his response at the meeting, had been provided based on the ongoing delivery arrangements of plastic sacks across the district.  He reported he had however, clarified the position regarding the provision of sacks to all members via email, following the meeting and this clarification is detailed below:

Following several members questions I wanted to offer some clarity regarding provision of sacks to residents in the New Forest referring to the recycling and rubbish section of the council’s web site. Sack deliveries in the phase 1 area have ceased for now, as residents there have largely moved onto bin collections. Sack deliveries in the phase 2 area in the west of the district are now also coming to a close as we prepare for the start of bin collections. Sack deliveries in the phase 3 area (Lyndhurst, Beaulieu and Waterside) are continuing as residents are not due to commence bin collections until March next year. Going forwards, a household not suitable for bins will remain on sack collections. In line with our collection policy, the council will continue to supply clear sacks to these households, to enable full participation in recycling, but black sacks, widely available from retailers, will be provided by the householder.

The council has supplied an initial supply of liners for food waste caddies, delivered alongside the caddies and bins. These are designed to last a household for the first few months. After this initial period, residents have been advised that if they wish to continue to line the caddy, they can use small plastic bags they would otherwise throw away (like bread or salad bags), newspaper, or liners. All liners are mechanically removed at the anaerobic digestion facility before food waste is recycled. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 28 August and the meeting on 15 September 2025, 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.

The Chairman reported on the following engagements:

British Empire Medal Award Ceremony

On Friday 19 September, he had represented the District at a British Empire Medal award ceremony for Jacki Keable of the New Forest Disability Information Service.   Jacki had launched the service over 30 years ago and had recently retired.  The service continues to provide vital support to those in need across the local community.  The award was presented to Jacki by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire. 

Civic Events

The Chaiman had attended the Mayor of Christchurch’s Civic Day, along with civic services for the Mayor of Fareham and the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.  The Vice-Chairman, Cllr Dave Penny, attended the Harvest Civic Service for the Town Mayor of New Milton on Sunday 28 September. 

Charity Variety Show

The Chairman had attended an amazing charity variety show for the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane. The show commenced with a local young dance group dressed in their ‘CATS’ outfits, and the rest of the show included all members of ‘The Grand Order of the Water Rats’.  This was finished by Rick Wakeman and his son.  It was a brilliant cast and a great evening. 

Tools for Self Reliance 45^th Anniversary

Both the Vice-Chairman and Chaiman had attended the Tools for Self Reliance 45^th Anniversary on Friday, 10 October, which honoured the people, partnerships and progress that had shaped their story since 1980.   There were inspiring stories from their projects in Africa and the UK and they met volunteers, supporters and staff. 

Annual Law Sunday Service

Finally, the Chairman reported he and the Vice-Chairman and his consort had attended the annual Law Sunday Service on Sunday, 12 October at the invitation of the High Sheriff and the Mayor of Winchester, held at Winchester Cathedral. 

Future events

The Chairman reported he was very pleased that plans were being made for a signing ceremony to be held in November at Appletree Court, for the revised and renewed Armed Forces Covenant.  He would be signing this jointly with the Commanding Officer of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, RLC and would be accompanied at the ceremony by the Leader, Cllr Jill Cleary, Cllr Alvin Reid, the Member Armed Forces Champion and the officer Armed Forces Champion with the Chief Executive and veterans who were also employees. 

He concluded that he would be representing the District at the Lyndhurst service on Remembrance Sunday, as well as hosting the usual commemoration at Appletree Court on Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November.   He reported he would be very pleased to see members at this event at 11.00am, alongside Military representatives, veterans and staff. 

The Leader made the following announcements:

Community Grants

Local community groups in the new forest could apply for funding through the community grant scheme.  The scheme provides financial support to local organisations that deliver services, activities or facilities for the benefit of residents and contributes to the wellbeing of communities across the district.

For the financial year 2025/26, over £150,000 had been awarded in revenue grants to 20 organisations.  This support included helping vulnerable households, young carers and people with disabilities.  Just over £77,000 had been awarded in capital grants to eight organisations, contributing to improvements to village halls, a creative hub and sports facilities.

The Leader reported that she was proud to be able to help community groups continue their valuable work, making a real difference across the district.  Applications were open until 25 October 2025 for the 2026/27 allocation, and more information was available on the District Council website.

Phase 2 of the Waste and Recycling Roll out

Starting on 20 October, residents in phase 2 would start using the new waste and recycling collection service.  This included, Bransgore, Fordingbridge, Ringwood and surrounding areas and residents would have their waste and recycling collected using wheeled bins and food caddies.  The second phase of this roll out would mark an important milestone in the commitment to how waste and recycling would be managed across the district.

Hurst Spit Maintenance and Recycling

Coastal engineers were currently undertaking maintenance work at Hurst spit.  Taking advantage of the favourable weather, shingle material was being recycled from the wider sections of the spit to reinforce the narrower areas of the split which had experienced significant erosion following the winter storms.  The essential work would help restore the integrity of the spit and ensure continued flood and erosion protection for Keyhaven and the surrounding areas this coming winter.

4 free parking days in town and village centre car parks in December

Finally, the Leader reported that four free parking days in town and village centre car parks this December had recently been announced.  The first of the free parking days would be on ‘Small Business Saturday’, on 6 December 2025.  This was an annual national campaign to encourage consumers to shop local all year round and support small businesses in their communities.

Other free parking days included the last weekend before Christmas and an additional day where local town and parishes could request free parking in support of their Christmas events.  The Leader was sure that this decision would encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and support new forest businesses.

Cllr Cleary introduced the report and moved the recommendation.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Market Supplement Policy, as recommended by HR Committee be approved.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on items 1-3 resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 1 October 2025.

Item 4 – Climate Change and Nature Emergency Annual Update

A comment was made by a councillor in relation to the Climate and Nature Change Action Plan (Appendix 2), in particular, page 40 which detailed public transport improvements and partnership working.  It was suggested that reference to ferries be removed from this, due to requests for funding towards the Hythe ferry not being supported.  It was however acknowledged that there were other ferries operating in the district such as the Isle of Wight ferry.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability reported that this would be passed to the Member Task and Finish Group to review.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 5 – Medium Term Financial Plan Scene Setting

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

Cllr J Davies proposed an amendment to the motion, specifically in relation to recommendation 5 and the proposed parking charges for 2026.  Cllr J Davies proposed that there be no charge for the first hour in town and village centre car parks.

Cllr Rackham seconded the amendment.

Cllr J Davies spoke on the amendment and was very pleased that at a recent Council meeting members had voted unanimously to support a motion to ask Hampshire County Council to reinstate the one hour free parking in Lymington High Street.  However, it was not just the on street parking charges which had been driving trade away from the high street.  Town centre parking was crucial to encourage shoppers to use the high streets and local businesses, instead of travelling to places offering free parking out of town. The Council provides five free parking days in the lead up to Christmas for this reason.  The increase in the cost of the long stay car park parking clock by £80 was referenced and highlighted that the projected income arising from this increase had not materialised.  There was a cost of living crisis and people were struggling to make ends meet and should be supported.  The council had £1,000,000s available in reserves and should provide support people and local businesses.

Those who spoke in support of the amendment felt it would support local businesses in the district which were struggling in the current economic climate, with high business rates and competing with online shopping.  Local businesses also provided employment of local people.  The amendment would help to support the vibrancy of local high streets, recognising that the number of vacant retail units had been increasing over recent years and this had an detrimental impact on the character of towns and villages and reduced the footfall further.  Members also felt that the amendment would support local residents in the cost of living crisis.  It would encourage people to shop locally rather than to travel to places which provided free car parking, in particular it would support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Cllr Cleary introduced the report and highlighted that the appointment panel had unanimously agreed on the proposed appointment.  She then moved the recommendation.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That Richard Knott be appointed Chief Operations Officer / Deputy Chief Executive

A few members spoke expressing their congratulations to Richard Knott on his appointment.

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, 8 October 2025).

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

·       From Cllr Osborne to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding NFDC vehicles and other HGVs using Main Road, Dibden to access the A326 at Dibden Roundabout.

·       From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr S Davies, regarding younger people and housing provision.

·       From M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding communication and delivery of plastic sacks.

·       From Cllr Dowd, to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, regarding risks around the LGR Option 1 should central government reject or modify the proposal.

·       From Cllr M Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, regarding help for the survival of high streets.

·       From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden regarding the estimated cost of one-hour free parking in town / village centre car parks between 1 November - 28 February.

·       From Cllr Cullen to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, regarding Hythe Ferry and the plans to get the ferry running again.

·       From Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden regarding a flood or coastal plan for the Waterside.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Alex Wade will move the following motion:-

Council notes:

That the Government is pushing forward with an agenda to encourage Councils to build more homes, and reform the planning system, including some changes that this Council has raised serious concerns about.

NFDC faces serious challenges over affordable homes for it’s Residents, with 2000 Families/Individuals on the waiting list for a NFDC property, alongside limited space for new developments due to a significant percentage of our area being within a National Park.

In 2.4 of The adopted Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy seeks to deliver a new housing requirement of at least 10,420 (net) dwellings for the period 2016-2036. Policy STR5 sets out a stepped housing target as follows:

·   2016/17 to 2020/21 - 300 dwellings per annum

·   2021/22 to 2025/26 - 400 dwellings per annum

·   2026/27 to 2035/36 - 700 dwellings per annum

National house building targets remain a difficult target to be met for our Authority, and as the current Local Plan is more than five years old and its strategic housing policies need to be updated, the Council is now required to use the standard method housing need figure as the basis for calculating its five-year housing land supply requirement. The current (as of August 2025) standard method local housing need for the New Forest District (including the National Park) is 1,511 dwellings per annum.

Recent sales of major Police Station sites in Lymington and Hythe could have made a considerable difference in reaching our original 600 NFDC built homes, and supported wider Housing need as set out in our local Plan. Both sites if agreed to be passed to NFDC earlier could have contributed to wider social benefit, by providing safe , secure, centrally located homes for local Families. It is proven how having a home can be the foundation for your wellbeing.

By allowing a fellow public service priority,  this proposal could support local housing need as reflected in our local plan and the neighbourhood plans created by local Town and Parish Councils. It would also reflect how our authority wishes to maintain local leadership over housebuilding and a willingness to develop and build homes for our local Families.

 Council recommends:

1.     That the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness and our Members of Parliament for New Forest East and West, requesting that the Government should consider a proposal where any sale of a public asset is offered to a fellow public body, first and not necessarily to the highest bidder from the private sector.

2.     That the Council engages with the LGA to seek wider support for a campaign that allows public assets to be maintained for the wider community benefit and not sold off solely for profit.

Cllr Cullen will second the motion.

Under the provisions of Standing Order  ...  view the full agenda text for item 46.

The Chairman announced that in accordance with Standing Order 42.2 that he would allow the motion to be dealt with at the meeting, as he considered it to be convenient to the despatch of business.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr A Wade moved the following motion:

Council notes:

That the Government is pushing forward with an agenda to encourage Councils to build more homes, and reform the planning system, including some changes that this Council has raised serious concerns about.

NFDC faces serious challenges over affordable homes for it’s Residents, with 2000 Families/Individuals on the waiting list for a NFDC property, alongside limited space for new developments due to a significant percentage of our area being within a National Park.

In 2.4 of The adopted Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy seeks to deliver a new housing requirement of at least 10,420 (net) dwellings for the period 2016-2036. Policy STR5 sets out a stepped housing target as follows:

• 2016/17 to 2020/21 - 300 dwellings per annum

• 2021/22 to 2025/26 - 400 dwellings per annum

• 2026/27 to 2035/36 - 700 dwellings per annum

National house building targets remain a difficult target to be met for our Authority, and as the current Local Plan is more than five years old and its strategic housing policies need to be updated, the Council is now required to use the standard method housing need figure as the basis for calculating its five-year housing land supply requirement. The current (as of August 2025) standard method local housing need for the New Forest District (including the National Park) is 1,511 dwellings per annum.

Recent sales of major Police Station sites in Lymington and Hythe could have made a considerable difference in reaching our original 600 NFDC built homes, and supported wider Housing need as set out in our local Plan. Both sites if agreed to be passed to NFDC earlier could have contributed to wider social benefit, by providing safe, secure, centrally located homes for local Families. It is proven how having a home can be the foundation for your wellbeing.

By allowing a fellow public service priority, this proposal could support local housing need as reflected in our local plan and the neighbourhood plans created by local Town and Parish Councils. It would also reflect how our authority wishes to maintain local leadership over housebuilding and a willingness to develop and build homes for our local Families.

Council recommends:

1. That the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness and our Members of Parliament for New Forest East and West, requesting that the Government should consider a proposal where any sale of a public asset is offered to a fellow public body, first and not necessarily to the highest bidder from the private sector.

2. That the Council engages with the LGA to seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Chairman brought forward this item at the meeting, which had been published as an urgent item under agenda item 11.  It was highlighted that the final allocations and memberships had been published that afternoon, following consideration by the Group Leaders.

Cllr Cleary presented the report and moved the recommendations recognising that it had been supported by all group leaders.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

A member highlighted that a seat on committees and panels had not been allocated to one of the non-aligned members and questioned whether they should be offered one.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

1.     Considered the allocation of seats to committees and panels in accordance with the principles set out in the report, and in doing so, agrees to the allocation set out in the table in Appendix 1; and

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

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

This item had been considered through the previous item.