Agenda item

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated:-

·         3 February 2021

·         17 February 2021

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.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 February 2021 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

Paragraph 2 – Proposed Implementation of Restrictions Contained in S157 Housing Act 1985 to Restrict Onward Disposals of Council Properties Sold Under the Right To Buy (RTB) in Designated Rural Areas, National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the New Forest District Council Administrative Area (Minute No 159)

Members spoke in support of this initiative in supporting the rural communities of the New Forest and in turn helping to deliver more housing for local people.

Paragraph 3 – Freeports Bid (Minute No 160)

The Deputy Leader of the Council highlighted the importance of this work and congratulated the Leader of the Council on his election to the Solent LEP Board, which would only be good for businesses of the New Forest in having local representation at a regional level.

Paragraph 4 – Community Grants 2021/22 (Minute No 161)

A Member of the Community Grants Task and Finish Group highlighted the significant work of the Group to arrive at a robust set of recommendations, which were agreed by the Cabinet for inclusion in the Annual Budget.

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 17 February 2021 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr E Heron seconded the motion.

Paragraph 2 – Housing Revenue Account Budget and Housing Public Sector

Capital Expenditure Programme 2021/22 (Minute No 170)

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

Voting for:- Cllrs Alvey, Andrews, Bellows, Bennison, Blunden, Brand, Brunsdon, Carpenter, Cerasoli, R Clark, Clarke, Cleary, Corbridge, Craze, S Davies, Davis, Delemare, Dowd, Dunning, Glass, Gossage, Harris, Harrison, E Heron, J Heron, Hoare, Holding, Hopkins, Kangarani, Kidd, Levitt, McEvoy, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Reilly, Rickman, Ring, Rippon-Swaine, Russell, Sevier, Steele, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, A Wade and C Ward.

Voting against:- None.

Abstaining:- Cllrs M Clark, J Davies, Osborne, Rackham and M Wade.

The motion was carried, 47 in favour, none against, 5 abstaining.

Paragraph 3 – Medium Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget 2021/22 (Minute No 171)

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 17 February 2021, including a Presentation, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group made a statement, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

The Council debated the Cabinet’s budget proposals.

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

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

Voting against:- Cllrs Brand, Brunsdon, M Clark, R Clark, J Davies, Dowd, Harrison, Kangarani, Osborne, Rackham, A Wade and M Wade.

Abstaining:- Cllr Delemare.

The motion was carried, 39 in favour, 12 against, 1 abstaining.

Paragraph 4 – Health and Leisure Review – Preferred Bidder (Minute No 172)

The Council debated the recommendations on this item.  Members speaking in favour of the recommendations cited the extensive work throughout the procurement process, monitored in detail by the Health and Leisure Review Task and Finish Group.  The final proposals had been considered by the Community and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel at a special meeting.  In Freedom Leisure, Members considered that a community focused partner had been identified.  The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing referred to the petition debated by the Council in February 2020, and highlighted that the Council would continue to own the health and leisure buildings, and with the proposals to increase investment in the buildings, the service would be sustained for future generations.

Members speaking against the recommendations highlighted the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on risk management and uncertainty.  Some Members suggested delaying any decision until such time as the demand for leisure centres could be established following the recovery from the pandemic.

Members of the Council paid tribute to the officers and staff involved in the historic running of the leisure centres in addition to the significant efforts throughout the review process.

The Leader of the Council responded to the debate and welcomed an exciting new beginning for one of the Council’s key services.

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

Voting for:- Cllrs Alvey, Andrews, Bellows, Bennison, Blunden, Carpenter, Cerasoli, Clarke, Cleary, Corbridge, S Davies, Davis, Dunning, Glass, Gossage, Harris, E Heron, J Heron, Hoare, Kidd, Levitt, McEvoy, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Reilly, Rickman, Ring, Rippon-Swaine, Russell, Sevier, Steele, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate and C Ward.

Voting against:- Cllrs Brand, Brunsdon, M Clark, R Clark, J Davies, Delemare, Dowd, Harrison, Kangarani, Osborne, Rackham, A Wade and M Wade.

Abstaining:- None.

The motion was carried, 36 in favour, 13 against.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.