Agenda item

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

 

There were no speakers on items 1-3 resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 1 October 2025.

 

Item 4 – Climate Change and Nature Emergency Annual Update

 

A comment was made by a councillor in relation to the Climate and Nature Change Action Plan (Appendix 2), in particular, page 40 which detailed public transport improvements and partnership working.  It was suggested that reference to ferries be removed from this, due to requests for funding towards the Hythe ferry not being supported.  It was however acknowledged that there were other ferries operating in the district such as the Isle of Wight ferry.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability reported that this would be passed to the Member Task and Finish Group to review.

 

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

 

Item 5 – Medium Term Financial Plan Scene Setting

 

Cllr Heron introduced the report and moved the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

Cllr J Davies proposed an amendment to the motion, specifically in relation to recommendation 5 and the proposed parking charges for 2026.  Cllr J Davies proposed that there be no charge for the first hour in town and village centre car parks.

 

Cllr Rackham seconded the amendment.

 

Cllr J Davies spoke on the amendment and was very pleased that at a recent Council meeting members had voted unanimously to support a motion to ask Hampshire County Council to reinstate the one hour free parking in Lymington High Street.  However, it was not just the on street parking charges which had been driving trade away from the high street.  Town centre parking was crucial to encourage shoppers to use the high streets and local businesses, instead of travelling to places offering free parking out of town. The Council provides five free parking days in the lead up to Christmas for this reason.  The increase in the cost of the long stay car park parking clock by £80 was referenced and highlighted that the projected income arising from this increase had not materialised.  There was a cost of living crisis and people were struggling to make ends meet and should be supported.  The council had £1,000,000s available in reserves and should provide support people and local businesses.

 

Those who spoke in support of the amendment felt it would support local businesses in the district which were struggling in the current economic climate, with high business rates and competing with online shopping.  Local businesses also provided employment of local people.  The amendment would help to support the vibrancy of local high streets, recognising that the number of vacant retail units had been increasing over recent years and this had an detrimental impact on the character of towns and villages and reduced the footfall further.  Members also felt that the amendment would support local residents in the cost of living crisis.  It would encourage people to shop locally rather than to travel to places which provided free car parking, in particular it would support those short visits, for example in order to buy a pint of milk.  It was felt the amendment would in turn generate more visits, increase spending and support the local economy.  It was recognised that Fordingbridge, for example, had nowhere free to park and was disadvantaged as a result.  It was felt that the profit received from car parks was significant and that they would continue to generate a profit if the amendment was supported.  Members suggested that the turnover of car parking spaces in the car parks would be greater making it easier for people to find a parking space.  One member indicated that the amendment be run as a 12 month pilot which could be funded through reserves.

 

Those who spoke in opposition to the amendment expressed the view that residents could park in the town and village car parks at a discounted rate by purchasing a parking clock.  This provided good value for money parking and could be used in all NFDC owned car parks in the towns and villages in the district.  The council also provided support to blue badge holders with free car parking.  Members who did not support the amendment, recognised that there would be a loss of income which would have a detrimental impact on the financial support which could be provided to other council services.  It was felt that the car parking charges were fair and proportionate and that to provide one hour of free car parking would be irresponsible.  It would have an impact on the long term financial planning of the council and the future financial deficit was highlighted.  The amendment had not been costed by officers and the financial impact was unknown.  It was also recognised that business rates were paid on car parks.

 

The view was expressed that one hour free parking in towns and villages would not support the vitality of the high streets and it was likely to encourage shorter visits.   People should be encouraged to spend more time in the local high streets and spend more money, rather than visits of under an hour.  It was also questioned whether there would be an impact on the availability of car parking spaces.

 

A number of members made reference to the motion agreed unanimously at the previous meeting to request Hampshire County Council to reinstate one hour of free parking in Lymington High Street.  The view was expressed by some members that the amendment further supported this motion and that it would be hypocritical not to offer free parking in the same way as Hampshire County Council were being asked to do so.  Those who spoke against the amendment cited that the offering by the County Council was different to that of the District Council and that the parking clock already provided discounted parking.

 

One member made reference to the parking charges in the neighbouring authority, Test Valley, which charged £1 for two hours parking and £2 for three hours of parking.  It was also recognised that the car parking clock was unique to the New Forest.

 

Cllr J Davies thanked members for their contributions in the debate.

 

Cllr Heron, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate responded to the debate and acknowledged that there would be a significant financial impact with the introduction of one hour of free parking, in town and village centre car parks which had not been assessed.  This would have a detrimental impact on the sale of the parking clocks and expressed concern that it would put the future of the parking clock at risk. 

 

The Portfolio Holder reported that parking clocks provided three hours parking at a discounted rate.  A change to provide one hour of free parking would reduce the time people spend in the town centres and this could have a disastrous impact for local businesses.  Reference was made to the offer from Hampshire County Council in relation to on street car parking and that HCC did not provide any alternative to the parking metred charges.  The NFDC parking clock provided assistance to those in the local area.  Finally, he reported he could not support the amendment and that the original motion provided a balanced budget.

 

The Section 151 officer was invited to speak by the Chairman.  He highlighted that with such a significant amendment, it was important to point out the key financial details.  A level of income had been built into the balanced budget, in terms of the parking account, which was just under £5 million.  The amendment had not been fully costed and therefore it was not possible to understand the scale of the costs to the council, however it could have a significant impact on the proportion of the £5 million expected in income.  The S151 officer sought a degree of assurance on the longer term strategy of the proposal and acknowledged that whilst reserves had been mentioned, they could only be used once and therefore he wanted to see more clarity on how this would be funded as a sustainable proposal.

 

Upon put to the vote the amendment was not carried.

 

A councillor spoke about the Medium Term Financial Plan, recognising that with LGR the council would cease to exist in 2028.  There would be one more budget where the District Council had sole control over its finances and therefore it was suggested that consideration be given regarding how to support residents in the New Forest, before the district became part of a wider unitary authority.

 

The Portfolio Holder Finance and Corporate reported that the council was obliged to have a medium term financial plan and of the importance of good financial planning.  He highlighted that LGR could be delayed and it was responsible to ensure appropriate planning in order to hand over any new unitary authority.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the:

 

1.     Council’s MTFP continues to be prepared on a going-concern basis, until such a time that LGR plans for the District are backed by appropriate legislation;

 

2.     Revised MTFP forecasts, as outlined within the report and appendices be adopted;

 

3.     Options identified to close the budget gap for 2026/27 and through to 2029/30 are developed further;

 

4.     Reporting timeline as set out in paragraph 82 of the report be agreed, and

 

5.     Proposed car parking fees and charges from 1 January 2026 as referenced in paragraph 53 and detailed in appendix 5 of the report, are approved.

 

Item 6 – Readoption (2025) of the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy

 

Cllr Blunden introduced the report and moved the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

A councillor acknowledged that the updated strategy was positive in that the estimated remedial costs over the next 20 years had been adjusted downwards.  A few members raised the issue of a development of Strategy for the east of the district, from Lymington to Eling, recognising that without a strategy, it was likely to block access to funding for the cost of any works to address flooding matters.  This  had been discussed by the relevant scrutiny panel and it was felt that the district council should be working with the Environmental Agency in the development of a strategy.

 

Cllr Blunden responded to the comments made and reminded members that the development of a Strategy was not the responsibility of the district council.  The Environment Agency would drive the Strategy, and the role of the council was to influence it.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That Council approve and adopt the revised Strategy, with the recommended leading options identified in the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for the New Forest District Council area, subject to securing the necessary funding contributions; and

 

2.     That Council, in approving and adopting the revised Strategy, commits to developing a Funding Strategy that will seek to identify and aim to secure the necessary funding contributions to enable the national or local leading options to be implemented via future capital schemes and maintenance of existing/new schemes, nothing that the exact amount of contributions will need to be confirmed as schemes are developed.

 

Item 7 – Draft Air Quality Strategy – Public Consultation Report

 

Cllr Poole introduced the report and moved the recommendation.  He reported that the Air Quality Strategy had been fully supported at the Scrutiny Panel meeting and by the Cabinet.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

One member spoke in support of the Strategy and acknowledged the work of officers and members in its development.  It was recognised that future developments, such as Dibden Bay were likely to cause environmental harm with increased lorry movements and the resulting level of air pollution, which was a concern for residents in the local area.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Air Quality Strategy be adopted.