Decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend that Council:

       i.         note the recommendations made in the Examiner’s Report (Appendix 1) into the Ringwood Neighbourhood Development Plan (Appendix 2 shows the submission plan);

     ii.         agree the Examiner’s proposed modifications and the NFDC responses to them as set out in the Decision Statement (Appendix 3);

    iii.         agree to make the necessary arrangements for the Ringwood Neighbourhood Development Plan to proceed to referendum (the date of the referendum is anticipated to be mid-July 2024).

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Economy.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Leader invited Ringwood Town Councillor Gareth DeBoos to speak on the item. Councillor DeBoos thanked Town Councillors, ex District Councillors, NFDC officers, planning consultants, volunteers and the Local Planning Authorities for their assistance and support on developing a robust and positive plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy introduced the Ringwood Neighbourhood Development Plan - Examiner's Report. The Portfolio Holder highlighted the robustness of the plan and thanked all those involved in its development.

The Senior Policy Planner summarised the report and explained that the plan was a community-lead document which would become part of the District Council’s statutory development plan alongside the Local Plan.  It was explained that work was overseen by a steering group of Town Councillors and community representatives, alongside support from planning consultants and NFDC and National Park officers.

The process began in February 2021 and underwent a number of consultations and surveys held by the Town Council.  This culminated in the formal consultation that took place between August and September 2023, followed by the independent examination which was set out in the report attached as Appendix 1.  Reference was made to section 5 of the report and how it laid out the steps on how the referendum would be held by the Council’s electoral team and would follow the national requirements necessary for such a process.

Many Cabinet and non-Cabinet members thanked all those involved in the development of the plan and congratulations were given on how robust and thorough the plan was.  It was acknowledged how few and mild the examiner’s modifications were and it was hoped that the people of Ringwood would support the plan. Encouragement was given to all residents of Ringwood to engage with the referendum and make their thoughts and feelings known through their vote.

A request was made by a non-Cabinet member for collaboration between the New Forest National Park Authority and NFDC to create a combined, local heritage list.  The acting Assistant Director for Place Development confirmed that local heritage lists allowed Local Authorities to note the buildings and features that should designated as local heritage assets. It was explained that these heritage assets should be taken into consideration when weighing up planning applications in the District. The Assistant Director for Place Development explained that a combined list would be looked at through the Local Plan review or an equivalent process.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree the response, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, as the New Forest District Council’s representations to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s Regulation 19 Draft Local Plan consultation. 

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Economy.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy introduced the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Regulation 19 Draft Local Plan Consultation report and emphasised that the New Forest District Council sympathised with BCP Council in the constraints they faced with development across the conurbation.

The Portfolio Holder explained the one amendment that NFDC requested BCP Council make to their Local Plan.  This was to require BCP Council to specifically consider the need to commence a review of its Local Plan if a quantified unmet need is established and confirmed through the New Forest District (outside the National Park) Local Plan Review.  This would ensure that appropriate mechanisms were provided for within the Local Plan to enable BCP Council to respond positively to considering how unmet needs should be addressed.

The Acting Assistant Director - Place Development summarised the report and informed Cabinet that this was the final stage of planning preparation of BCP Council’s Local Plan review. The plan had taken 5 years to prepare and it highlighted the significant challenges that officers had faced to plan for the next 15-20 years in the conurbation. With a similar coastal geography to the New Forest, the Council recognised the constraints facing BCP Council in their Local Plan.  With housing likely to be a priority to the New Forest, the requested amendment to the BCP Local Plan would give regard to the adjoining areas between BCP and the New Forest and would enable earlier review if wider, unmet housing occurred.  The consultation response also highlighted the need to work with BCP on future highways and cycle path schemes where there are cross-boundary implications and potential impacts.

Following a question from a non-Cabinet member, the acting Assistant Director for Place Development explained that the issues facing BCP were also the issues faced by many, if not all, coastal Local Authorities along the south coast and that the NFDC Local Plan would continue to review where BCP Council were with their housing supply and work proactively to address and reconcile this in both a developmental and economic sense across the District.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to publish the Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) for 2024, attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Economy.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy introduced the Housing Delivery Action Plan report. He referred to the complexity and widespread, national challenges surrounding the issue of housing supply, highlighting the factors beyond the control of the Local Authority.  The review of the Local Plan would seek to address many of the issues facing housing supply in the District and the Council’s proactive approach to development in the area would be supported by the Action Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness spoke to the report and made reference to the affordable housing target.  Given the challenges facing the Council, the expected 500 affordable homes would be a very good achievement and future opportunities were in the pipeline to add to this.

The Planning Policy Officer summarised the Action Plan and explained that the plan was a response to the national policy requirements and would work to mitigate the macro-economic conditions and environmental challenges facing the District.  The Plan would be reviewed on an annual basis in order to monitor the progress.

A member of the Council asked what the impact of the Action Plan would be on planning applications received by the Council, particularly given how developers cite lack of housing delivery as part of their pitch.  The Acting Assistant Director for Place Development recognised the significant challenges facing the Council and explained that this Action Plan would not lend weight to the determination of planning applications but would instead give the Council a framework to proceed toward the overall housing target.

Another member of the Council stated that sewage and green/sustainable energy were two major factors that needed to be considered when building houses for the future. The Acting Assistant Director for Place Development reassured Cabinet that these matters would be considered and feature in some way in the Local Plan review.  The Council were working currently with providers at local sites on energy supply and would continue to work to address infrastructure capacity issues in the areas going forward.

A further member referred to the unique nature of the District, its geography and the fact that most residential areas were small villages.  The local amenities and facilities must be accounted for when considering strategic sites and areas for development. The Acting Assistant Director for Place Development explained that the Council, and its Planning Committee, must be mindful to ensure that sites are suitable and deliverable within the local setting.  Although not all of the desires and priorities may be achieved when developing sites, the planning process was very much about weighing up priorities and balancing the material aspects of each application.  It was reiterated how the Action Plan before Cabinet had no bearing on how the Council would assess applications and that the planning system gives priority to the Local Plan.

Cabinet were informed that the Housing Delivery Action Plan would seek to resolve the various stalled sites across the planning area and work to promote the completion of those sites that had already received planning consent but were yet to finalise the development.

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on the items resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 3 April 2024.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 5 – Updated Corporate Plan 2024-2028

Cllr Cleary introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  In doing so, she highlighted the recent endorsement from the Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel, expressing her view that all the work undertaken had culminated in the best corporate plan the Council had ever produced.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Richards moved the following amendment and in doing so, highlighted the importance of setting an ambitious plan in respect of the Council’s overall activity and commitment to the Climate and Nature Emergency.  Cllr Parker seconded the amendment:-

“That Council approve the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 (Appendix 1), updated following public consultation, subject to:

the emissions from the Council’s vehicle fleet measure within Place Priority 2 being supplemented with a measure of total emissions related to all aspects of the Council’s activity, including its supply chain.”

Members speaking for the amendment referred to the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency declaration, and the opportunity to ensure regular, transparent accounting for the Council’s activity in this regard.  It was suggested that the collection of this sort of data was not uncommon in the corporate world.

Members speaking against the amendment sought further information in relation to the resources required to measure all emissions related to Council activity and its supply chain, in addition to the Council’s vehicle fleet.

Some Members referenced the upcoming performance management framework which would set specific, measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and in doing so could revisit the proposal in any case.

In responding to the debate on the amendment, Cllr Richards encouraged the Council to ensure accountability across Council activity, expressing concern that if not included within the plan, it would not hold the importance it needed to drive ownership of responding to the climate and nature emergency.

In responding to the debate on the amendment, the Leader expressed her concern at agreeing to a performance indicator that the Council could not accurately measure.  She highlighted that whilst the emissions from the Council’s vehicle fleet was measurable, the wider supply chain of Council partners extended outside of the Council’s control.

Put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

The Council went on to debate the substantive motion.

Some Members made comments in relation to the Solent Freeport and its prominence within the “prosperity” theme of the Corporate Plan.  There were also comments made in relation to how the perception of crime could be quantified and alternative options to measure performance in this area.

The Leader responded to the debate and welcomed regular performance reporting that was accessible to the public.

Put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 (Appendix 1), updated following public consultation.

Cllr O’Sullivan introduced the report and moved the recommendations from the Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 28 March 2024.  Cllr Dunning seconded the motion.

A number of members spoke in support of the Council’s robust response to the proposals to close Marchwood and Somerley Recycling Centres, noting the potential impact on the District and its residents.

RESOLVED:

(a)   That the Council note the Panel’s views on the proposed corporate response to the Hampshire County Council (HCC) Future Services Consultation set out by the Council’s Section 151 Officer, including the specific response which objects to the plans to close Marchwood and Somerley Recycling Centres, as submitted to HCC on 28 March 2024 (Appendix 1 of the report); and

(b)   That the Council note that the Panel endorsed, without amendment, the proposed content of the letter to the Government on local authority finances, to be sent by the Leader of the Council, detailed throughout section 4 of the report.

Cllr Alvey introduced the report and moved the recommendations from the Audit Committee meeting held on 22 March 2024.  Cllr Hartmann seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the revisions to the Council’s Financial Regulations be adopted with effect from 8 April 2024.

The Chairman invited Members to propose and second the nominations for the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council received in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Cllr Penman moved that Cllr Hawkins be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2024/25.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

Cllr M Wade moved that Cllr Harrison be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2024/25.  Cllr Woods seconded the motion.

Members debated the nominations.

Put to a secret ballot, Cllr Hawkins received the majority of votes.

Cllr Penman moved that Cllr Sleep be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2024/25.  Cllr O’Sullivan seconded the motion.

Cllr M Clark moved that Cllr J Davies be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2024/25.  Cllr Osborne seconded the motion.

Members debated the nominations.

Put to a secret ballot, Cllr Sleep received the majority of votes.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Nominations for the Offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2024/25, be as follows:-

Chairman – Cllr Hawkins

Vice-Chairman – Cllr Sleep

RESOLVED:

That the following membership changes be noted:-

Planning Committee

Cllr Glass to replace Cllr Penny

Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Cllr Woods to replace Cllr Millar