Minutes:
Waste Strategy and Service
The Leader reported that she had wrote a letter to the Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on behalf of the Council with regards the need for certainty regarding the future collection model and the associated financial support. This was in light of the Council’s own planning for the implementation of a new waste service and the impact of ongoing uncertainty. This had also been pursued by the District Councils Network. Since then, the Government had confirmed that £1.8m of capital funding for food waste vehicles and containers would be provided before the end of this financial year. Council officers continued to discuss this and ongoing revenue funding with Defra as the Council worked to finalise the Waste Strategy implementation plans.
Southern Water
The Leader acknowledged that Members shared her concerns over the performance of Southern Water during the recent water supply disruption. She had written a joint letter with Leaders across Hampshire and Southampton to Southern Water and forwarded a copy of this to Members. The Leader today represented the Council with the Chief Executive at a meeting and pressed for early investment to prevent New Forest residents bearing the brunt of water shortages every time there is an issue with Testwood lakes.
Ringwood Brewery
The Leader referred to a request in December, as to what the Council was doing in relation to the announced closure of Ringwood Brewery by the Carlsberg and Marston Brewing Company (CMBC). She had committed to meet with a representative of a local consortium who were looking to take the brewery on going forward. The Leader subsequently had that discussion and also met face to face with senior representatives from the CMBC, to outline the Council’s disappointment that the brewery was closed with short notice and that local people feel they were not given the opportunity to progress with a purchase. The Leader was keen to discuss whether there was any prospect of resurrecting the proposals to retain the brewery and the iconic Ringwood brands.
CMBC asserted that detailed discussions did take place with one group of local business people but no viable proposition came forward. To date, the Council had been unable to verify that position. CMBC additionally stated that the Ringwood brands were no longer for sale. The Leader highlighted her disappointment, as the brands would be key to taking forward any proposal to continue brewing in the town.
CMBC did provide assurances that the brewing equipment would remain in the premises until the site is sold and, as such, the option is still there for interested parties to work with them.
Further to the Leader’s statement in December, there is a limit to the influence that the Council has over the actions of a private company. She hoped there would be a positive outcome, despite this appearing unlikely given CMBC’s current position. The Leader’s door remained open both to CMBC and local business people, should a positive way forward emerge.