New Forest Borough Council Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel Meeting

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2022 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with an agenda item.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services updated on the following:

·        Work had been progressing on the waste programme, following approval of the Strategy in July 2022.

·        Car Park - Tadiford Gap: The payment machine had been removed due to vandalism.  Online payments only would be accepted at this car park.  Signage would be erected to inform users how to pay for parking.

·        Coastal Services: Members had received a briefing on the Hurst to Lymington Strategy on Monday.  A Strategic Advisory Group meeting had been held with interested groups to consider the shorting options.  A public consultation would be carried out.

·        Performance Dashboard: The Portfolio Holder highlighted the three risk areas within his portfolio. 

·        He was pleased to report that the service disruption to the waste and recycling service had improved.  Officers had been recruiting additional staff and agency staff were used when required.

·        Resources and specialist skills were required within the coastal team which was a challenge.  Funding had been requested from the Environment Agency to enable further work on the Hurst to Lymington Strategy.

·        It was recognised that there were fluctuations on the market values for the sale of dry mixed recycling materials.  It was important to ensure that all materials collected for recycling were not contaminated so that highest market value could be obtained. 

The Panel received a short update on the Waste Programme, following the approval of the Waste Strategy in July.  Officers were working on the implementation planning for the new waste collection system.

It was highlighted that national consultations carried out in summer 2021 were still awaiting a response from Government.  Some information had been released in relation to the Extended Producer Responsibility.   It was unknown when the Government would issue a full response in relation to the proposed Deposit Return Scheme or on the consistency of materials collected for recycling. 

The Panel noted that procurement was underway for a new operations ICT system.  The District Council continued to work with Hampshire partners in relation to the future financial funding arrangements.

Prior to the future changes to the collection service, work would be carried out to implement elements of the waste reduction plan and to improve communication with residents and businesses in order encourage less waste generation and to increase the level of recycling.

The Panel recognised that the Government had not given any further indication whether garden waste would need to be collected as a free service. However, should this be brought into effect, new burdens funding would be expected.

A member of the Panel sought clarification regarding the current recycling collection and whether plastic lids could be recycled with plastic bottles.  It was noted that a change had been introduced in a few years ago, by the HCC provider, Veolia, whereby lids could be recycled.  The best way to do this was for the plastic bottle to be crushed and the lid to be put back on the bottle and into the recycling. 

The issue of existing black bins residents used for storage of waste was raised and noted these would be redundant with the provision of wheeled bins.  Officers recognised that this would be an issue and would consider how this should be addressed.

RESOLVED:

That the Waste Programme update be noted.

The Panel received a presentation on the Transport for the South East Investment Plan which was currently being consulted upon.  This has been attached to these minutes as an Appendix.

The Transport for South East (TFSE) partnership had been established in 2017 to determine the transport and infrastructure needs across the region.  The partnership was made up of Local Enterprise Partnerships, relevant transport authorities and local authorities.  An Investment Plan had been developed to identify the strategic transport and investment needs across the area.  This plan considered the different transport interventions and provided sequenced plans of multi-modal investment packages.  This would assist in seeking funding in the future, particularly with government departments.

The package of plans identified eight investment priorities as follows:

·        Decarbonisation and environmental issues

·        Adapting to the post pandemic world

·        Levelling up left behind communities

·        Regeneration and growth

·        Work class urban transport systems

·        Transforming east-west connectivity

·        Resilience radical corridors

·        Global gateways and freight

The transport projects would cost in the region of £6.45 billion. 

Two of the regional investment packages would affect the New Forest area.  The South Hampshire elements of the Solent and Sussex package and the Isle of Wight package.   

The South Hampshire proposals included:

·        the Waterside branch line reopening

·        timetable changes to maximise capacity at Southampton central train station

·        sidings at Totton and solutions to a level crossing constraint in the area.

·        improvements to the A326 capacity enhancements

·        smart motorway initiative with target junction enhancements

·        A31 Ringwood improvements currently in progress

·        Mass transit systems, looking at multimodal transport centred around Southampton city had been identified.  This could include trams, ferries and or Bus Rapid Transit. 

·        Opportunities for pedestrian and cycling improvements could also be unlocked. 

·        Longer term measures to improve capacity and potentially to shorten journey times between Southampton and Portsmouth had also been proposed.

The Isle of Wight package directly affecting the New Forest proposed to improve the operating hours and frequency of ferry services from Lymington to Yarmouth. 

The Panel noted that funding for strategic connectivity interventions was generally provided by delivery authorities, such as Network Rail or National Highways from central government funding.  The majority of investment funding for road and rail was expected through the five yearly grant funding settlements from government. 

The District Council would respond to the consultation, following a Portfolio Holder decision.  It was recognised that the proposals identified as potential interventions would be positive for the New Forest and to help to address the priorities identified within the plan.

The Panel received a presentation updating them on the coastal services work, which has been attached to the minutes as an Appendix.

Two FCERM (Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management) strategies were being developed in the District; the Christchurch Bay and Harbour Strategy and the Hurst Spit to Lymington. These strategies would consider current and future flood and erosion risk over the next 100 years, as a result of the impacts of climate change. Covering the NFDC coastal frontage from the boundary with BCP Council through to the eastern side of Lymington River.  It was recognised that work would be carried out collaboratively so that the coastal frontage could be sustainably managed to protect communities and the natural environment, subject to funding availability.

The Panel noted that an engagement exercise and development of an options appraisal was being carried out in relation to the strategies.  It was anticipated these would be completed in 2024 and would require adoption by the District Council and the Environment Agency.

Maintenance work in Milford on Sea was being carried out to repair three timber groynes and beach recharge was planned to commence early October (subject to receipt of the appropriate licence).  The purpose of the beach recharge was to raise the beach levels and provide protection to the sea wall as a result of longshore drift.  This would also reduce the height difference from the promenade to the beach level and cover any exposed metal due to the beach lowering.  Members noted that works had been completed over the summer in order to remove any exposed metal.

Further maintenance work was proposed to be carried out at Calshot in early 2023 to replace the timber piles and recycle the material from the activity centre back onto the spit.

Three capital projects were highlighted to the Panel:

Handrails at Milford on Sea:  This was out to tender.  The beach level had reduced and there was a drop of 2.5 metres to the beach.  Beach recycling would also help to reduce this drop. The District Council as the local landowner had a duty of care to assess the risk and mitigate against accidents.

Barton on Sea drainage trials: A consultant would be appointed to design the drainage works.  Following this a procurement process would be undertaken to install the drainage scheme and to monitor the groundwater levels.

Hurst Spit North Point:  This would recycle material from North Point to the main spit and the castle area.  Work would be carried out in late 2022/2023.

Members noted that where the District Council owned land close to the open sea and the duty to review and risk assess the safety of these areas.  This included Calshot, Hordle, Milford on Sea and Barton.  A Coastal Water Safety Policy was proposed to be developed and presented at a future meeting. 

Members questioned whether a Water Safety Policy should be considered for rivers as well as the coastal areas and it was noted that this would be picked up separately.

The Panel discussed the movement of material along the coastline and how this had changed over time.  It was recognised that the feed of material from the west had reduced with coastal protection.  Any approach to managing the coastline needed to be carried out in a sustainable way, this would be through the two ongoing coastal strategies.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme to approved.

RESOLVED:

That the following dates of meetings for 2023/2024 (all Thursdays commencing at 2.00 pm) be agreed:

15 June 2023

7 September 2023

11 January 2024

7 March 2024