New Forest Borough Council Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel Meeting

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2023 be confirmed and signed.

Cllr Rackham declared a personal interest as a member of the Totton Lantern Procession team, mentioned under Portfolio Holder’s reports at Minute 36.

There was no public participation.

The Panel considered a proposed Health and Wellbeing Action Plan.

The Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan set out 3 key priorities to improve the

health and wellbeing of residents in the District:

• Working in Partnership

• Increasing Physical Activity

• Improving Mental Wellbeing

At the time of adoption of the Plan in October 2022, it was anticipated that an Action Plan would be developed to further the objectives and ensure delivery at a local level.

It was confirmed the impact of the Action Plan would be measured against targeted outcomes wherever possible.

Members emphasised the importance of encouraging youth groups and engaging with young people.

In answer to a query on engaging with partners on cycle routes provision, given lack of transport links, it was explained that this was being done via the two ‘Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans’ for the District, and the Eling to Calshot cycle route. It was anticipated that this would develop new routes for Totton and Waterside and for the West New Forest area.

It was also hoped that delivering leadership skills training through sporting activity would support the increase in participation in groups from both primary and secondary schools, would improve self - confidence and create positive role models.

RESOLVED:

That it be a recommendation to the Cabinet that the Health and Wellbeing Action Plan be agreed, to ensure delivery of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan as approved by the Council in October 2022.

The Panel received a joint presentation from officers of the Council and Ringwood Town Council on the development of new community football facilities in Ringwood.

A copy of the slides for the presentation is attached to the agenda papers.

Mr Wilkins, Ringwood Town Clerk, explained the new facilities comprised a new artificial grass pitch completed in February 2023, together with a new pavilion, due to be completed by the end of 2023.

As one of the 6 project partners, NFDC had provided approximately £500K in CIL monies, towards an overall project cost of £3m, as well as ensuring officer support from various services across the District Council, to help bring the Scheme to fruition.

The Chairman thanked Mr Wilkins for a very interesting presentation, and members agreed that once completed, the new facilities would provide a significant boost to local sporting provision in the Ringwood area.

The Panel received an update on how the Council dealt with Fly tipping in the District.

A copy of the slides is attached to the agenda pack.

Incidence of fly tipping over the past 8 years had appeared to remain at broadly the same levels, though it was acknowledged that, although enforcement measures were effective, staff had been issued with new devices, resulting in better reporting.  

Bring sites fly tipping had seen a significant reduction since concentrated monitoring and enforcement on these sites.

234 Fixed Penalty Notices for waste offences had been issued to date in 2022/23, with a combined value of £36,000.

Members queried what preventative measures could be put in place to prevent fly tipping and officers advised that occurrences were seemingly random and it was hard to anticipate.

Members emphasised the importance of education of the public in ensuring that, if using private waste disposal firms, that they check they have the necessary licence to ensure they are reliable operators. It was noted that advice was given on the Council website, and to private landowners on fly tipping prevention.

The Chairman thanked officers for the update and asked that the teams involved be thanked for their hard work in combatting and responding to fly tipping occurrences.

The Panel received an update on progress with the with the contracts for the Health and Leisure centres and the Dibden Golf Centre.

Members were pleased to note that the planned capital works at Ringwood, Totton and Applemore leisure centres had been completed.  Membership was up 8.3% on the previous year and learn to swim numbers were up 4.6%

It was noted that increased utilities costs were still posing a financial challenge for Freedom.

It was reported that a new enhanced contract monitoring role had been created for the Leisure contract. A member commented that whilst this new role was welcomed, it was  important the respond to customer feedback, though it was acknowledged that customers should raise any concerns with Freedom as the operator in the first instance, and contact the Council if these were not satisfactorily addressed.

Pay and play golf participation continued to be popular at Dibden with income 3% ahead of the budget.  The outlook for Spring & Summer of 2023 appeared very positive with early forecasts showing growth in not only golf societies but key clubhouse functions. A Summer sales campaign was launched on 1March with the ambition to grow membership by 15%.

The Panel received an update on the activities of the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel. 

Scott Chilton recently commenced his duties as Chief Constable. Dashboards created to reduce offences against women and young girls would also provide services in support. Funding was pledged for 50 new police officers, and the Safer New Forest Strategy and Delivery Group had determined priorities, both for 2023/24.  

The Panel received updates from the Portfolio Holders on developments within their portfolios.

Cllr Rackham declared a personal interest as a member of the Totton Lantern Procession team. She did not feel this interest was prejudicial and participated in the discussion of this item.

Cllr David Russell, People and Places Portfolio Holder

The Folio Arts and Cultural work network had grown to 150 local creative and cultural professionals. Recent training workshops were attended by 60 attendees who learned  about community engagement and cultural projects in the District.  

Culture in Common had submitted their business plan to the Arts Council and the first year of programming was being considered. Future projects included a New Forest Comedy Festival, the New Forest Film Festival and a rural touring programme  supported by NFDC and Folio.

The Creative and Cultural Development officer role was being extended for a further 2 years until May 2025 to continue these and similar projects.

Streetscene had developed plans for changing facilities at Hythe, Ringwood and Brockenhurst, with planning permission for a replacement toilet block at Barton Beach. 

Data from the Bin Sensors across forest locations was being analysed which indicated bin usage and informed servicing.

Ground Maintenance continued to develop the site at Fawley Fields with the introduction of Wild Flower Meadow planting, to compliment the tree whip planting as part of the Queens Green Canopy.  The conservation management plan for vegetation at Barton Cliff was being implemented.

The Council would shortly be advertising a new Behavioural Insights role to develop campaigns and initiatives to reduce litter and fly tipping in the District.

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, Partnership and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

Cllr Blunden was pleased to report the recent completion of capital projects at the leisure centres, referred to in detail earlier on the agenda, and the related benefits for the local community in encouraging people to keep fit and active. 

The Panel noted the Council had recently written to the Government on the impact of utility costs, and that funding would be made available in the upcoming budget, with Sport England overseeing this support to 800 local authority - owned pools across the country.  

Food safety inspections were ongoing and the pandemic backlog had been cleared.

Applications were being received for events to celebrate the King’s Coronation at the beginning of May and officers were giving advice to help the organisers run events safely. Guidance on control of noise from licensed premises would be published on the Council website within the next few weeks.

The Contaminated Land Strategy for the district and the Taxi Licensing Policy were both being reviewed and would be subject to consultation with Members and stakeholders.

A new Emergency Planning Officer would support the Council in being prepared for any potential incidents impacting service delivery and assist communities in responding and recovering from any adverse situations.  

A member asked what measures were intended to improve air quality in the local area. It was explained that a report on the development of a Clean Air Strategy would be brought to the Panel in June, including a review of air quality management areas in the District. The Portfolio Holder and officers offered to provide the member with further details as required.  

(As a general point, a number of members reiterated their view that the format of the Dashboards needed to revised as the text was too small to read in hard copy format. Members were reminded that the document was more easily viewable in electronic format.)

The Panel noted its future work programme.

The Chairman informed the Panel that this was Cllr Russell’s last attendance at the Panel, as he was standing down at the election.  He thanked Cllr Russell not only for his work as People and Places Portfolio Holder, but for his 20 years of service to the Council, the District and Totton residents.