Agenda item

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holders’ to provide any updates to the Panel on developments within their portfolio.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness addressed the Panel and spoke about the importance of team working with officers, members and tenants.  The Social Housing Regulation Bill was expected to receive Royal Assent later in 2023 which had implications for all social housing landlords.  Members would receive information on Tenant Satisfaction Measures at a future meeting.

The Portfolio Holder referred to forthcoming work within the housing services, which included; the installation of low carbon heating into Council owned properties using Government grants; a pilot scheme in Lymington for 17 residents to have reduced energy bills; a revision to the Homelessness Strategy, as well as continuing to provide more temporary accommodation and the delivery of disabled adaptations.

The Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing gave an update on the following:

·        Cabinet had agreed the development of a new Cultural Strategy for the New Forest.  This had received unanimous cross party support.

·        On 12 June he had Chaired the quarterly Safer New Forest Strategy and Delivery Group meeting which reviewed the progress and updates on actions within the Annual Partnership Plan.

·        The two Public Space Protection Orders were due come into force on 1 July 2023.  Training had been given to partners, namely the National Park Authority, Forestry England and Verderers and they had delegated authority to raise awareness and ensure compliance with the new orders.

·        He would be joining representatives from the Community Safety Team and Hampshire Constabulary in their summer community engagement campaign.  Recent events had taken place at Forestry England car parks in order to raise awareness of opportunistic crime such as vehicular and bike thefts in rural areas.

·        The upgrade to the Appletree Care Line was nearing completion with a target date of mid July for the transfer to a new digital platform.  This future proofed the system and would provide an enhanced service to customers.  This service was provided 24/7 all year round and there were 4,000 requests for help annually with 1,800 ambulances being deployed for clients to receive medical attention. 

·        £300k had been invested to expand the CCTV system and work would be carried out with key stakeholders and towns / parishes to enhance crime prevention measures to ensure the new forest was a safer place to live, work and visit.

·        The Food and Safety Team had completed its recovery plan post the covid pandemic to inspect all high and medium risk food based businesses.  New programme of inspections began in April and over next few months priority to businesses with higher food safety risk and those which were poorly performing.  Support was also being provided to new food business starting up.

·        An increase in applications had been received for events relating to the Kings Coronation in May and events over the summer.  Officers across the teams would provide advice on licensing as well as food and safety to ensure events run smoothly.  Officers would also visit sites and investigate any noise complaints.  A guidance document had been developed to help businesses to manage noise from licenced premises, following the receipt of a number of noise complaints last year.  This document provided advice to business in order to limit any negative impact on neighbouring properties.

·        Support was being provided to the arts and cultural sector.  A number of training and networking events for Folio Partners had been held as well as further developing the website and social media presence.  Support and advice had been provided by a number of projects across the District, including the artists Fairy Doors at Furzey Gardens, Rock the Pier in Hythe and the New Forest Outdoor Theatre project.  Officers had also been working in partnership with Culture in Common and Folio partners to develop an arts and culture area for the New Forest Show.