Meeting

To confirm the minutes of the Special Meeting held on 26 March 2024, and the Ordinary Meeting on 8 April 2024, as correct records.

To note any declarations of interests made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interests must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

The Chairman will address the Council, after which he and his consort will be presented with badges of their past offices.

To elect a Chairman of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2025.

Cllr Hawkins is the Council’s nomination for the ensuing year.

The newly-elected Chairman will address the Council.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2025.

Cllr Sleep is the Council’s nomination for the ensuing year.

To agree the allocation of seats to the political groups on those Committees and  Panels to which the political balance rules apply, and to approve the appointment of Members to Committees and Panels.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Richards will move the following motion:-

“This Council notes that:-

1.     The Leader’s foreword to the Corporate Plan states that ‘As a well-established community leader, the Council has long recognised the strong heritage and a world-class environment we operate within, and work to protect and enhance.  Tackling climate and environmental challenges is key to ensure that the special nature of the New Forest can be enjoyed by future generations.’

2.     Two of the four values of this Council are Ambition (We will be ambitious for our people and our place, embracing innovation and best practice) and Fairness (We will act fairly, honestly, and openly in all that we do).

3.     The first priority of this Council’s Future New Forest transformation programme is “Putting our customers at the heart of what we do”.

4.     This Council voted in October 2021 to declare a ‘Climate and Nature Emergency’.

5.     This Council’s Corporate Plan 2024 – 2028 does not include measurable targets and a mechanism to report progress against such targets to our residents.

6.     High performing organisations relish being measured as it allows them to demonstrate their outstanding performance.

7.     That in the draft consultation version of the Corporate Plan, a measurement of “Overall emissions from council activity (Kg of CO2)” was included.

This Council resolves that:-

1.     In order to be ambitious, transparent and put our customers at the heart of what we do SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound) targets should be published alongside the Corporate Plan for each item under the “It will be measured by” sections as soon as these targets have been agreed.

2.     The mechanisms for reporting against the targets, and publishing progress on a minimum of an annual basis, will be set out alongside the targets.

3.     The targets for Place Priority 2 “Protecting our climate, coast, and natural world” will be amended to include a measurement of “Overall emissions from council activity (Kg of CO2)” during this financial year and a target to then reduce these emissions agreed for each subsequent year of the corporate plan period, being reported against and published in line with point 2 above.”

Cllr Parker will second the motion.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 42, the above motion, after being proposed and seconded (without speeches), should stand referred to the body within whose terms of reference the subject matter of the motions comes, or the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels that the Council may determine.

The Chairman may allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting if they consider it urgent, convenient or conducive to the despatch of business.

To note the following schedule of Council meetings for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year, all commencing at 6.30 pm:-

·        8 July 2024

·        16 September 2024

·        14 October 2024

·        9 December 2024

·        24 February 2025

·        14 April 2025

·        12 May 2025 (Annual Meeting)