Agenda item

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holders to provide an update on developments within the portfolios relating to this Panel.

The portfolio holders gave updates on various issues.

Cllr Tipp, Planning and Economy

The Portfolio holder reported that Local Plan Spatial Options and Policy Directions consultation was underway, which ran until 20 March and engagement so far had been very strong.

It was noted 10 drop?in events had been held across the District, from Calmore and New Milton through to Fordingbridge, Lymington, Totton, Hythe and Hordle. These events had been extremely well attended.  Residents had raised a wide range of issues, including infrastructure capacity, flooding, housing affordability, and site?specific concerns. Feedback captured would help shape the next stage of the Local Plan.

Members were reminded of the online questionnaire on the NFDC website via GoVocal, and Email responses were also accepted.

Members noted that the Council was continuing to work with partners across the District to support local businesses, build skills, and strengthen the New Forest economy. Initiatives included the Totton Business Breakfast, EcoBoost Pilot
Business Resilience Workshops, and 3 Skills Action Plan groups.

A new exhibition celebrating long?standing New Forest businesses was open in Lyndhurst until 27 April, with NFDC as a sponsor and partner. The Council was
also sponsoring the new Young Talent category at the Advertiser & Times 2026 Food & Drink Awards, with the final on 24 March.

The Portfolio holder  explained that UKSPF projects were on track, several REPF business and community projects were complete, and the Apprenticeship Hub was nearing completion. Since 2022, about £2m had supported skills, business resilience, communities and environmental projects.

Cllr Blunden, Environment and Sustainability

Residents in the phase 3 area were due to start receiving their wheelie bins and food waste caddies, involving 36,000 homes in Hythe, Fawley, Lyndhurst, Marchwood, Totton, and surrounding areas.

More than 47,000 households were already using the system, and nearly 4 million collections had been completed in the phase 1 and phase 2 areas.  So far, more than 2,000 tonnes of food waste had been collected for recycling - helping to turn material that would otherwise be thrown away into renewable energy and fertiliser. 

Bin and caddy deliveries would take place through to the end of April ready for the new collections starting in May. Residents could check the Council website for the latest advice.   It was suggested that the regular updates on waste include progress with the new waste facilities

The Portfolio holder reported the recent publication of the Council’s revised Environmental Enforcement Policy, emphasising the Council’s commitment to taking firm action against those who choose to harm the New Forest’s environment.

The Panel noted that an individual responsible for a significant fly?tip within the District was in the process of being prosecuted. The individual’s vehicle had been seized, and upon conviction the Council would seek a court order for its destruction.

The Portfolio holder explained that NFDC  recently attended joint operations targeting waste carriers. Council Environmental Enforcement Officers inspected 35 vehicles to check for valid waste carrier licences, supported by partners from the Police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and Forestry England. This resulted in four Section 5 notices being issued requiring the drivers to produce their waste carrier licence, one vehicle being seized due to roadworthiness concerns, and two further vehicles receiving notices by police for immediate repairs.

In answer to a query, the portfolio holder emphasised the importance of ensuring residents checked the carrier license of private waste operators.

It was noted that in late December, there was a significant cliff fall to the east of Barton-on-Sea, leading to the closure of the cliff-top footpath. Grounds maintenance teams were moving the existing fence to increase the width of the cliff top access. The path would reopen in time for Easter.