New Forest Borough Council Council Meeting

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2023, subject to the correction of the attendance list, be confirmed.

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.

Cllr Rackham, for transparency purposes, declared her membership of the Totton Neighbourhood Plan Group.

Former Councillor Gwen Meaden

The Chairman referred with great sadness to the recent passing of former Councillor Gwen Meaden.  Gwen was first elected to the District Council in 1991, to the Sway ward.  She served on the Policy and Resources, and Leisure Services Committees during her four years of service to the Council, which included representing the District on the outside body - Lymington Recreation Centre Consultative Committee.   

The Chairman expressed his sincere condolences to Gwen’s family and friends and on behalf of the Council, placed on record thanks for the service she had given to the District.

Engagements

The Chairman referred to the following recent engagements:-

5 March

Attended a lunch organised by the Mayor of Winchester to help raise funds for three charities, Trinity Winchester, The British Heart Foundation and Winchester Hospice, held at Abbey House, Winchester.

9 March

Attended the grand opening of the Fort Climate Centre in Beaulieu, in the presence of the Countess of Wessex (now the Duchess of Edinburgh).

16 March

Attended the Chairman of East Hampshire District Council’s Civic Morning, which included a guided tour of Gilbert White House. 

Attended the grand opening of Hythe and Dibden War Memorial Hospital, together with a tour of the facilities, which was postponed towards the end of last year.

21 March

Attended the Civic Day of the Chairman of Hart District Council, which was called “The Old and The New”.  It commenced with a presentation from Dr Nick Maslin, entitled “Mapping the Heritage of Hart” at the Elvetham and a tour of the historic Elvetham site.  Guests then relocated to Hartland Village, Fleet for the second part of the day to discover various aspects of the development of Hartland Village Community, including a short tour.

27 March

Welcomed new Council employees, accompanied by the Leader and Chief Executive.

13 April

Attended an event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Southampton, in support of her charities, City Reach Youth Project, Southampton Street Pastors and Southampton Hospitals Charity.

Civic Service

The Chairman referred to his Civic Service, held on 12 March, at St Mary Magdalene Church, New Milton. 

The service was attended by the Right Honourable Sir Desmond Swayne, Civic Heads, District and Parish Councillors, including the Vice-Chairman, friends and family.  The Chairman expressed his thanks to Reverend Andrew Bailey who held the service, as one of his final official events before his retirement.

There were none.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 March 2023 and moved that it be received.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

Paragraph 1 – Leader’s Announcements (Minute No 84)

The Council was pleased to support a vote of thanks to all the Council staff for their work to support residents, communities and indeed councillors during the four years of the current administration.

Paragraph 5 – Totton Community Engagement (Minute No 91)

One Member highlighted the challenges facing Totton in respect of car parking.  It was suggested that a review would need to be undertaken in light of empty car parks, which was not in the best interest of the local community and businesses.

A number of Members discussed the initiatives in their own wards for supporting vibrant high streets.  It was acknowledged that the new Council would need to consider its car parking strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

The Leader then presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 April 2023 and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

There were none.

Questions were put and answered under Standing Order 22A as follows:-

·        Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Partnering and Wellbeing, Cllr Blunden, on Accredited Community Safety Officers.

·        From Cllr Osborne to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Coastal Services, Cllr S Davies, on flooding.

·        From Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services, Cllr J Heron, on extraordinary debts owed to the Council.

·        From Cllr Rackham to the Leader of the Council on the protection of Dibden Bay and the Solent Freeport.

·        From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Partnering and Wellbeing, Cllr Blunden, on services at Lymington Health and Leisure Centre.

Note:-

A copy of the full questions and replies are attached to these minutes.

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 O’Sullivan moved that Cllr Penman be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Rackham moved that Cllr Cullen be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  Cllr J Davies seconded the motion.

Members debated the nominations.

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

Cllr Penman moved that Cllr Hawkins be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  Cllr Hopkins seconded the motion.

Cllr A Wade moved that Cllr Kangarani be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  Cllr Osborne seconded the motion.

Members debated the nominations.

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

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Nominations for the Offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2023/24, be as follows-

Chairman – Cllr Penman

Vice-Chairman – Cllr Hawkins

The Leader of the Council moved the adoption of the recommendations contained within the report, which asked the Council to make appointments to committees and panels in accordance with the principles as set out in Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.  Cllr Andrews seconded the motion.

The Council, having received both the wishes of the political groups and the preferences of the non-aligned Members, considered the option to allocate seats to the non-aligned Members as nearly as possible in proportion to the number of those members on the Council.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the allocation of seats to committees and panels in accordance with the principles set out in the report, be agreed as at paragraph 4.6 of the report; and

2.     That the Council gives effect to the wishes of the political groups in making appointments to these Committees and Panels, for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2023.