Agenda item

To consider the reports of the Cabinet dated 2 November and 7 December 2016 (to follow).

The recommendations arising from the meetings of 2 November and 7 December

were agreed.

Cllrs Frampton, Harrison, Mrs Jackman, Rickman and Mrs Wyeth disclosed non-pecuniary interests in item 2 of the Report of the Cabinet dated 2 November 2016 as members of the New Forest National Park Authority. They concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented them from remaining in the meeting to speak. There was no vote on this item.

Cllrs Mrs Jackman, Kendal and Mrs Wyeth disclosed non-pecuniary interests in item 2 of the Report of the Cabinet dated 2 November 2016 as Trustees of the New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust and Cllrs Mrs Jackman and Mrs Wyeth also as members of the New Forest National Park Authority. They concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented them from remaining in the meeting to speak. There was no vote on this item.

Cllr Kendal disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in item 2 of the Report of the

Cabinet dated 7 December 2016 as a member of Hampshire County Council. He concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak.  There was no vote on this item.

The Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the reports of the meetings held on 2 November and 7 December 2016.

On the motion that the reports be received and the recommendations be adopted: -

Item 2 (2 November 2016) – Review of Tourism Service

Cllr Harrison spoke against the Cabinet’s decision to withdraw the Visitor Information Centre in Lyndhurst as he felt that there continued to be sufficient demand to justify keeping the Centre open. The service provided was highly valued, as demonstrated by an on-line petition advocating the retention of the Centre, which had been signed by nearly one thousand people. Cllr Harrison felt strongly that the face-to-face interaction provided by staff was critical to the visitor experience and would persuade tourists to return to the New Forest. Cllr Harrison hoped to lobby the New Forest National Park Authority on the matter.

Other members spoke in support of the Cabinet’s decision, expressing the view that there was a misunderstanding regarding the future of the building and the services provided. The closure of the Visitor Information Centre would not affect the overall operation of the New Forest Visitor Centre in Lyndhurst, which was run by the New Forest NinthCentenary Trust. Volunteers working for the Trust would continue to provide their valuable services.  The New Forest Tourism Association would manage the destination marketing of the New Forest as the experts in that field.  Members felt that given this, and the increasing use of on-line technology for accessing information and making bookings, the decision was appropriate and necessary.

The Leader of the Council confirmed also that the Ninth Centenary Trust would not be prejudiced financially by the decision to withdraw the Visitor Information Service.

Item 1 (7 December 2016) – Local Government Review Update

Some members expressed concern regarding the likely detrimental effects on a wide range of key services such as the road network if a Solent City authority was formed. Members felt that the transition period during any change in local governance would be extremely disruptive and risked the loss of continuity of service provision. Other members considered that the money spent on consultants’ reports to inform the devolution debate should have been spent instead on front line services.

It was explained that during the early stages of the devolution discussions it became clear that, in order to safeguard the interests of the residents of the New Forest, this Council had to participate fully in discussions and examine the options. Some of these might have resulted in efficiency savings but had proved to be impractical.

The Leader of the Council said that this Council would continue to champion the outcomes that were in the best interests of the New Forest.

RESOLVED:

That the reports be received and the recommendations be adopted.