Agenda item

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holder’s to provide an update to the Panel on developments within their portfolio.

The Panel received updates from the Portfolio Holders.

Cllr Jill Cleary – Leader

The Leader reported that the corporate peer challenge progress visit had been undertaken and their report was awaited.  Feedback had been positive, against the background of LGR, with substantial progress being made against the recommendations.  Achievements which had been highlighted included the rollout of the waste service, preparing for the housing regulation inspection and the adoption of the People Strategy.  It was also identified that staff remained committed and enthusiastic in working for the Council.  The report would be reflected upon and would determine any further actions, which would be shared with the Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel in January 2026.

The latest LGR consultation had gone live and would remain open until 11 January 2026.  The Council would proactively publicise the consultation to enable residents and partners had their say on the option which they thought would be the best fit for the Forest.  Lead Officers had been identified in each of the main work stream areas including HR and ICT.  Work had taken place to scope the detail of their activities.   A new Programme Manager would start on 8 December 2025. 

Progress had made on the delivery of new technology, which would make it easier for customers to contact the Council.  Significant work had been undertaken to deliver the People Strategy, with the launch of a new approach to performance reviews and personal development through the growth and goals framework. 

Preparation was underway for the deferred Hampshire County Council and Mayoral elections in May 2026.  A member briefing would be held in December 2025 to highlight the work of the Elections Team and members were encouraged to attend. 

Cllr Jeremy Heron, Finance and Corporate

The portfolio holder reported work had progressed at pace at Eling Tide Mill.  It was hoped that the mill would be back in service soon.

The Council was awaiting news from central government on the budget and work was being undertaken on the changing priorities which the Council faced as it moved towards LGR. 

Revisions within the waste service were being undertaken and the Council was moving towards phase three of the rollout.

Some of the recent complaints and ICT improvements had been small, such as a change of coding and the rectifying of this had led to improvements.

The rollout of Netcall would now be January 2026.

Toilet upgrades were important, and a maintenance list had been developed.  Members needed to remember that there were capacity issues and the need for any works to be done correctly. 

A Panel Member raised whether there had been any recent investment in Appletree Property Lettings and if there was scope for partnership working to fill vacant units at Jubilee Business Park.  In response, the portfolio holder confirmed that Appletree Property Holdings had stopped purchasing properties as it was not currently viable.  The letting of properties at Appletree Holdings had gone well with just one vacancy.  Letting had gone well at commercial properties.  However, the letting of office space was challenging.