Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Adams, M Clark, Harrison, Hartmann, Haywood, Osborne and Reid.

To confirm the minutes of the following meetings as correct records:

·       25 September 2025 (Special meeting)

·       13 October 2025

·       3 November 2025 (Special meeting)

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 25 September (Special meeting), 13 October and 3 November 2026 (Special meeting), 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 J Davies declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 5, Taxi Licensing Policy – Amendments to Appendix B, due his employment by a taxi operator, he reported that he would not comment or vote on this item.

The Chairman announced with sadness, the passing of the long-standing MP Sir Patrick McNair-Wilson. He had been the MP for the New Forest from 1968 through to 1997.  The Chairman acknowledged that he had played a special role for so many at the meeting, representing the New Forest constituents with such commitment. He spoke on behalf of the Council, and placed on record the appreciation for Sir Patrick’s service and that thoughts were with his family.

Engagements

The Chairman reported that it had been a busy period since his last update on his civic engagements and spoke on the following:

Minstead Trust Showcase and Award Event

On Thursday 6 November, he had attended Minstead Trust Showcase and Award event which had been well supported by civic heads across Hampshire.  

Remembrance Services

He had been honoured to represent the District at the Remembrance Service in Lyndhurst on Sunday, 9 November, along with the Leader, Cllr Jill Cleary.  The Vice Chairman, Cllr Dave Penny had represented the District at the Totton Service.   

Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant

On Monday 10 November, the Chairman reported he had had the pleasure of welcoming Deputy Lieutenant, Mr. Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, to witness the signing of the revised and updated Armed Forces Covenant by himself, the Chief Executive and the Commanding Officer of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Lt Col Tom Goodall MBE.  Also in attendance were other senior officers from the Regiment along with some of our veterans.  The new covenant reaffirmed the commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community of HQ Solent Station.   Special thanks were expressed to Anne-Marie Cranton of HQ Solent Station, whose dedicated support had been vital in maintaining the strong link with the Military at Marchwood. 

Armistice Day

The Council held the annual Armistice Day commemoration at Appletree Court on 11 November.  The Chairman reported he had attended this along with Cllr Cleary and 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, as well as staff where wreaths were laid at the flagpole.   Thanks were expressed to Cllr John Adams for attending in full regalia to play the bagpipes during the event. 

Solent Mind Annual Celebration Event

On Thursday 13 November, the Chairman reported he had attended Solent Mind Annual Celebration Event where Dr Lesley Stephens, from Hampshire & Isle of Wight NHS Foundation, gave a speech on the 10-year plan to revolutionise the operations of the NHS and the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises.  This was followed by a presentation from the Chief Executive Officer of Solent Mind, Sally Arscott, where volunteers, who had received support on their life issues, were now helping others.  It was a very moving and well-supported event. 

New housing development openings 

On Tuesday, 18 November, the Chairman reported he had attended the official openings of the new housing developments at White House Way, formally Hythe Hospital and the following week Monday, 24 November, at Compton Road and Old Milton Road, New Milton, formally the offices of the Advertiser and Times. Both were amazing housing projects, and the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

The Leader reported that as the end of 2025 came to an end, the year that local government reorganisation began, she had looked back on some of the updates she had given and acknowledged the excellent work that members and staff had provided to residents.

This included the largest operational change with the new waste and recycling service, new housing developments, the launch of a community lottery, ongoing coastal maintenance, the championing of local businesses and youth skills, awarding essential grants to community organisations, planting hundreds of trees, and continuing the regulatory and enforcement activity that keeps residents safe and protects the Forest environment, this was just a small snapshot.

The Leader was also pleased that the corporate peer challenge revisit, one year on, found that good progress had been made with the improvements identified in the corporate plan.  The team had also recognised the commitment of staff and the positive way they were delivering services for our communities.  All work highlighted was down to the dedication and resilience of staff, frontline; service-based, and the staff in our corporate services teams who provide vital but often unseen work.  She acknowledged that staff would carry this into 2026 and beyond and thanked them for the commitment they bring every day to help improve the district for residents.

And finally, the Leader reported of a special Christmas news story.  The Freedom Leisure team would be distributing Christmas presents kindly donated by leisure centre users. This year the presents would be distributed throughout the New Forest to the Handy Trust, St Barbs holidays and activities food programme, Fair Share food bank, Youth and Families Matter and New Milton Youth Trust.  The Leader reported that the fantastic initiative would ensure that a significant number of children would receive presents, who otherwise might not have done so.  The Leader expressed her sincere thanks to Freedom Leisure and to the Portfolio Holder, Cllr Dan Poole for leading and supporting the amazing initiative.

Cllr J Davies declared a pecuniary interest, due his employment by a taxi operator.  He reported that he would not comment or vote on this item.

Cllr Tungate introduced the report and moved the recommendations, highlighting that the proposed amendments to the taxi licensing policy were in line with the Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance and that no responses had been received through the public consultation.

Cllr Young seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the updated Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy be approved.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on items 1-2 resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 5 November 2025.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 3 – Financial Monitoring Report (based on performance April – September 2025 inclusive)

Part 1 – Recommendations resolved by Cabinet

A councillor spoke on the recommendations for Cabinet, noting that the report highlighted a shortfall in the projected income for car parking, and that it was expected that the variance would reduce by £29,000.  This was due to the increase in fees and charges which would be introduced in January 2026.  It was felt that each time the council increased car parking fees and charges, fewer people paid for parking and therefore it was suggested that they not be increased each year.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate responded, confirming that the target had not been met, however overall, there had actually been a net increase in income over the previous year.  The Portfolio Holder reminded members that the short stay parking clock offered good value for money for car parking and was very popular.

Part II – Recommendation to Council

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

RESOLVED:

That £1.5 million is transferred from the Budget Equalisation Reserve to the Local Government Reorganisation Reserve, with the previous approved delegation to cover this increased balance.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

Item 1 – Medium Term Financial Plan – General Fund Update

A councillor referenced the revenue contribution to capital outlay and that the income received from interest rates was likely to be higher than that anticipated.  It was felt that consideration should be given to reviewing financial management from a different perspective in light of Local Government Reorganisation and the expected finite future of the District Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate responded highlighting that the future was uncertain, however there continued to be a need to plan for the long term and of the importance of sound financial management.

Item 2 – Medium Term Financial Plan – Housing Revenue Account

There were no speakers on this item.

Item 3 – Allocation of community infrastructure levy (CIL) to local infrastructure projects

A member sought clarity on whether the District Council or the new unitary authority would determine the bids for the 2027/28 financial year, when applications would be invited in spring 2026.  A member highlighted that a two-month window for submission of applications was not a long period of time and it was suggested that officers work and consult with potential applicants to ensure that anyone wishing to apply was able to do so.

Another member expressed the view that as CIL receipts related to developments in the district, that this money should be spent within the district towards projects to benefit the residents of the New Forest, rather than being passed to any new unitary authority.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy reported that it was the intention for CIL monies to be allocated and spent within the district and that should there be any unspent funds, they would pass to the new unitary authority.

Item 4 – Half Yearly Update Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report

A councillor highlighted that there had been a discussion at the last Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting regarding the rise in complaints, following the roll-out of phase 1 of the waste and recycling service.  This was a single issue and therefore needed to be recognised.  The next reporting period for complaints would include the roll-out of phases 2 and 3 of the waste service and that this should also be recognised.  One member acknowledged that lessons had been learnt from the first phase of the roll-out.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate acknowledged the points made and confirmed that it was important to be careful when looking at the figures, to ensure that a single issue did not skew the report.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 5 – Council Tax 2026/2027

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

A councillor acknowledged that the report included the number of second homes in the district which had had an impact on the figures.  Thanks were expressed to officers for calculating this.

Cllr Heron responded to this, reporting that last year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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, 10 December 2025).

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

·       From Cllr Dunning to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, Cllr Tipp, regarding the development at Lymington Shores in Lymington and the footbridge.

·       From Cllr Young to the Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, Cllr Poole regarding an update on the progress of the CCTV programme.

·       From Cllr Millar to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding requests for smaller and larger bins as part of the waste programme roll-out.

·       From Cllr McCarthy to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding the operational implications and the cost of switching to the “behind the gate” collection service to reduce incidents of animal interference with food waste caddies.

·       From Cllr M Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, Cllr Heron regarding the assumptions within the Medium-Term Financial Plan and the fair funding review.

·       From Cllr Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding the bring sites and modelling work around behaviour change as part of the roll-out of the new waste service.

·       From Cllr Cullen to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding assisted collections.

·       From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding a timescale for the upgrade of the public conveniences in New Street, Lymington.

·       From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, regarding communication with residents in phase 3 of the roll-out of the new waste and recycling service.

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

This Council Notes Associated British Ports have been holding public consultation meetings on their plans for their Strategic Land Reserve on Dibden Bay.

Dibden Bay has not been identified in this Council’s Current statutory planning document, the District Local Plan 2016 -2036, as an allocated site for port expansion. However, a decision on whether port operations can be expanded looks to be taken out of our hands on the basis that it is nationally significant.

This Council believes that the likely local impacts to the environmental sites on Dibden Bay along with being so close to our National Park outweigh the potential economic benefits. Notwithstanding this, the decision should be taken by locally elected Councillors.

Therefore Council resolves to write to the Prime Minister accordingly, urging him to give local people, through their local councillors, the final say and in doing so reminding him of his commitment to localism.

Cllr M Clark will second the motion.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 42, the above motion, after being proposed and seconded (without speeches), should stand referred to the body within whose terms of reference the subject matter of the motions comes, or the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels that the Council may determined.

The Chairman may allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting if they consider it urgent, convenient or conducive to the despatch of business.

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 M Wade moved the following motion:

This Council Notes Associated British Ports have been holding public consultation meetings on their plans for their Strategic Land Reserve on Dibden Bay.

Dibden Bay has not been identified in this Council’s Current statutory planning document, the District Local Plan 2016 -2036, as an allocated site for port expansion. However, a decision on whether port operations can be expanded looks to be taken out of our hands on the basis that it is nationally significant.

This Council believes that the likely local impacts to the environmental sites on Dibden Bay along with being so close to our National Park outweigh the potential economic benefits. Notwithstanding this, the decision should be taken by locally elected Councillors.

Therefore Council resolves to write to the Prime Minister accordingly, urging him to give local people, through their local councillors, the final say and in doing so reminding him of his commitment to localism.

Cllr M Wade in presenting the motion, stated that that localism was the bedrock upon which all local government was founded.  Local councillors had been elected by local residents to take decisions on their behalf, they knew the district, their communities and their residents wishes and concerns.  Cllr Wade expressed the view that members of the planning committee, armed with their local knowledge, should be able to balance the considerations against the commercial, environmental as well as national and strategic factors as a regulatory body, to decide what was not only best, but legally appropriate for the area.

Cllr Wade explained the geography around Dibden Bay, that it was sited on the edge of the Waterside peninsular with Southampton Water on the east and the National Park on the west, with one road, the A326 running north to south, to South Waterside.  Reference the environmental importance of the land on or adjacent to Dibden Bay, in that there were areas of formal conservation designation, a triple SSI on the site itself as well the Solent and Southampton Water SPA and RAMSAR site. It was also on the edge of the New Forest National Park Authority, which needed to be protected.

Cllr Wade spoke of the ABP proposal in 2002 for a container port which had been unsuccessful due to the environmental impact.  ABP had since been developing a new proposal for its automotive business and that ABP currently handle over 820,000 vehicles per year.  ABP wanted to expand its business at Dibden Bay to be the largest most important vehicle importer and exporter in Europe.  It was highlighted that the majority of the vehicles would enter or leave the port by road, therefore increasing the traffic along the A326.  Hampshire County Council was proposing a £187 million road improvement project to the A326.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Cllr Cleary presented the report and moved the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That 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, agreed to the allocation set out in the table in Appendix 1, which proposed no change to the previous position agreed on 13 October; and

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

RECOMMENDED:

That the Council Meeting scheduled for 6.30 pm, Monday 23 February 2026, be moved to 6.30 pm, Thursday 26 February 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the Council Meeting scheduled for 6.30 pm, Monday, 23 February 2026, be moved to 6.30pm, Thursday, 26 February 2026.