Agenda item

Ahead of the Supplementary Council Agenda publication, which will follow, the background Cabinet reports relating to this meeting can be viewed on the Council’s website at the following link:-

 

Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 18th February, 2026, 10.00 am Council Services

 

 

 

 

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

 

There were no items resolved by Cabinet in this report.

 

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

 

Item 1 – Housing Revenue Account Budget and Housing Public Sector Capital Expenditure Programme 2026/27

 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness introduced the item and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

 

The motion was put to a recorded vote, the outcome of which was as follows:

 

Voting for: Cllrs Adams, Alvey, Armstrong, Blunden, M Clark, Cleary, Crisell, Cullen, J Davies, S Davies, Dowd, England, Frampton, Glass, Harrison, Hartmann, Hawkins, Heron, Linford, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Murray, Osborne, O’Sullivan, Parker, Penman, Penny, Poole, Rackham, Reid, Reilly, Richards, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, A Wade, M Wade, Ward and Woods

 

Voting against: None

 

Abstaining: None

 

The recommendations were carried, 43 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstaining.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     that from 06 April 2026, an increase in dwelling rents of 4.8% from the 2025/26 weekly rent level, in accordance with Government guidelines, be agreed;

 

2.     that from 06 April 2026, an increase in garage rents of 4.8% from the 2025/26 weekly rent level be agreed;

 

3.     that from 06 April 2026, shared ownership property rents be increased in line with the applicable rent review provisions within each lease. For the eight properties held under leases allowing RPI+0.5%, an increase of 5.00% from the 2025/26 weekly rent level be agreed, for all properties which are subject to CPI+1% under the current model lease, an increase of 4.8% be agreed and the weekly rent of one property sold under previous legislation be agreed to increase by 4.8%;

 

4.     that from 06 April 2026 Service Charges will continue to reflect actual charges;

 

5.     that the HRA budget, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report, be agreed; and

 

6.     that a Housing Capital Programme to 2028/29, as set out in Appendix 4 to the Cabinet report, be agreed.

 

Item 2 – Medium Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget 2026/27

 

The Chairman used his discretion to allow the Leader of the Council and the leader of the opposition groups only to exceed the time limit for speeches, for making their budget speeches. He highlighted his intention to attempt to facilitate one budget debate on the recommendations from Cabinet and any single alternative proposal, also at his discretion. However, should more than one amendment be tabled, he indicated that these would be dealt with one at a time.

 

The Leader of the Council introduced the item and moved the recommendations as proposed in the report of the Cabinet dated 18 February 2025. She also made a statement on the budget, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group made a statement and moved an amendment in the form of an alternative budget. Cllr Millar seconded the amendment.

 

A copy of the alternative budget had been circulated to all Members and published as part of the supplementary council agenda. A copy of the statement made is attached to these minutes.

 

The Council debated the Cabinet’s budget proposals together with the alternative budget.

 

The outcome of the recorded vote on the alternative budget was as follows:-

 

Voting for:  Cllrs M Clark, Cullen, J Davies, Dowd, Harrison, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Osborne, Parker, Rackham, A Wade, M Wade and Woods

 

Voting against:  Cllrs Adams, Alvey, Blunden, Cleary, Crisell, S Davies, Frampton, Glass, Hartmann, Hawkins, Heron, Linford, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Penny, Poole, Reid, Reilly, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, Ward

 

Abstaining: Cllr Armstrong, England and Richards

 

The alternative budget was lost, 14 in favour, 26 against, 3 abstaining.

 

The outcome of the recorded vote on the budget as outlined in the report of Cabinet, was as follows:

 

Voting for: Cllrs Adams, Alvey, Blunden, Cleary, Crisell, J Davies, S Davies, Dowd, Frampton, Glass, Hartmann, Hawkins, Heron, Linford, Murray, O’Sullivan, Penman, Penny, Poole, Reid, Reilly, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, Ward

 

Voting against: Cllr M Clark, Cullen, Harrison, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Osborne, Parker, Rackham, A Wade, M Wade and Woods

 

Abstaining: Cllrs Armstrong, England and Richards

 

The substantive motion and budget as presented in the report of Cabinet was carried 28 in favour, 12 against, 3 abstaining.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and financial strategy, as set out in the Cabinet report and throughout appendices 1-3, be approved;

 

2.     there is a General Fund Net Budget Requirement in 2026/27 of £26.630 million, as set out in appendices 5a - 5d to the Cabinet report;

 

3.     the New Forest District Council Band D Council Tax for 2026/27 shall be £211.92 (paragraph 37 of the Cabinet report);

 

4.     the General Fund Capital Programme for 2026/27 of £14.646 million, as set out in appendix 6 to the Cabinet report be approved; and

 

5.     the proposed fees and charges as included at appendix 7 to the Cabinet report be approved.

 

Item 3 – Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan – Making the Plan (Referendum and Decision on Adoption)

 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy introduced the item and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

A number of councillors spoke in support of the adoption of Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan, recognising that the referendum turn-out rate had been positive.  Members highlighted that the adoption of the Plan would enable the Town Council to receive additional CIL funding which would be of benefit to the local area and to local residents.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That the outcome of the referendum of 29 January 2026 be noted; and

 

2.     That the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan for New Forest District (Outside the National Park).