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New Forest Borough Council
Councillors: 48
Wards: 27
Committees: 15
Meetings (2025): 72
Meetings (2024): 78

Meeting

Council - New Forest

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 8th July 2024
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 8th July 2024
10:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
08 Jul 2024
Location:
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Meeting Attendees
Cllr Jeremy Heron photo
Committee Member
Cllr Jeremy Heron

Conservative

Apologies

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Cllr Patrick Mballa photo
Committee Member
Cllr Patrick Mballa

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Cllr David Hawkins photo
Chairman
Cllr David Hawkins

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr John Sleep photo
Vice-Chairman
Chairman of the Council
Cllr John Sleep

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Alan Alvey photo
Committee Member
Cllr Alan Alvey

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Dan Poole photo
Committee Member
Cllr Dan Poole

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Peter Armstrong photo
Committee Member
Cllr Peter Armstrong

Independent

Present, as expected

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Cllr Geoffrey Blunden photo
Committee Member
Cllr Geoffrey Blunden

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Mark Clark photo
Committee Member
Cllr Mark Clark

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Steve Clarke photo
Committee Member
Cllr Steve Clarke

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Jill Cleary photo
Committee Member
Leader of the Council
Cllr Jill Cleary

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Kate Crisell photo
Committee Member
Cllr Kate Crisell

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Sean Cullen photo
Committee Member
Cllr Sean Cullen

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Jack Davies photo
Committee Member
Cllr Jack Davies

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Steve Davies photo
Committee Member
Cllr Steve Davies

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Philip Dowd photo
Committee Member
Cllr Philip Dowd

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Barry Dunning photo
Committee Member
Cllr Barry Dunning

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Allan Glass photo
Committee Member
Cllr Allan Glass

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr David Harrison photo
Committee Member
Cllr David Harrison

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Matthew Hartmann photo
Committee Member
Cllr Matthew Hartmann

Conservative

Apologies

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Cllr John Haywood photo
Committee Member
Cllr John Haywood

Labour and Co-operative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Colm McCarthy photo
Committee Member
Cllr Colm McCarthy

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr David Millar photo
Committee Member
Cllr David Millar

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Cllr Ian Murray photo
Committee Member
Cllr Ian Murray

Conservative

Apologies

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Cllr Stephanie Osborne photo
Committee Member
Cllr Stephanie Osborne

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Alan O'Sullivan photo
Committee Member
Cllr Alan O'Sullivan

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Adam Parker photo
Committee Member
Cllr Adam Parker

Green

Apologies

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Cllr Neville Penman photo
Committee Member
Cllr Neville Penman

Non-aligned

Present, as expected

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Cllr Alvin Reid photo
Committee Member
Cllr Alvin Reid

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Joe Reilly photo
Committee Member
Cllr Joe Reilly

Independent

Present, as expected

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Cllr Janet Richards photo
Committee Member
Cllr Janet Richards

Green

Present, as expected

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Cllr Barry Rickman photo
Committee Member
Cllr Barry Rickman

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Steve Rippon-Swaine photo
Committee Member
Cllr Steve Rippon-Swaine

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Neil Tungate photo
Committee Member
Cllr Neil Tungate

Conservative

Apologies

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Cllr Malcolm Wade photo
Committee Member
Cllr Malcolm Wade

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Christine Ward photo
Committee Member
Cllr Christine Ward

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Phil Woods photo
Committee Member
Cllr Phil Woods

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Richard Young photo
Committee Member
Cllr Richard Young

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Officer
Chief Executive
Kate Ryan

In attendance

Cllr Hilary Brand photo
Committee Member
Cllr Hilary Brand

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Jacqui England photo
Committee Member
Cllr Jacqui England

Independent

Present, as expected

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Cllr Michael Thierry photo
Committee Member
Cllr Michael Thierry

Conservative

Apologies

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Officer
Strategic Director – Housing & Communities
Richard Knott

In attendance

Officer
Democratic ICT Officer
Daniel Reynafarje

In attendance

Officer
Planning Policy Team Leader
James Smith

In attendance

Officer
Karen Wardle

In attendance

Officer
Assistant Director - Strategy and Engagement
Matt Wisdom

In attendance

Cllr Nigel Linford photo
Committee Member
Cllr Nigel Linford

Independent

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Cllr Keith Craze

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Cllr Neil Millington

Apologies

Cllr Dave Penny photo
Committee Member
Vice-Chairman of the Council
Cllr Dave Penny

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Caroline Rackham photo
Committee Member
Cllr Caroline Rackham

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Cllr Derek Tipp photo
Committee Member
Cllr Derek Tipp

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Cllr Alex Wade photo
Committee Member
Cllr Alex Wade

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Agenda
0 Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Hartmann, Heron, Mballa, Millar, Millington, Murray, Parker, Thierry and Tungate.
Minutes
1 Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 13 May 2024 as a correct record.
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 13 May 2024, be confirmed.
2 Declarations of Interests
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.
Minutes Cllr Haywood declared, for transparency purposes, in relation agenda item 5, that he was the Chairman of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Steering Group. He concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.
3 Chairman's Announcements
Minutes Charity Announcement

The Chairman was very pleased to announce that his chosen charity for the year would be the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Through the support of donations, the charity brings exceptional critical care to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Since their first life-saving flight in July 2007, they had used several helicopter models, with the current model capable of being anywhere across Hampshire within 15 minutes.

D Day 80

The Chairman reported he was honoured to raise the D Day 80 Flag at Appletree Court on 6 June, accompanied by the Leader of the Council, Vice-Chairman, the Armed Forces Champion and political group representatives. Local military representatives and NFDC staff veterans were also in attendance. The occasion gave time to pause and remember that we must never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of the heroes who fought against all odds to liberate Europe 80 years ago, to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.

With the support of the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman was also able to represent the Council at D Day 80 events in Christchurch, Bransgore, Basingstoke and Exbury. In particular, he attended the unveiling ceremony for a collaborative sculpture in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Exbury. This was honouring the Women’s Royal Navy Service and mothers, daughters and families who were left on the shores bidding ‘Hail and Farewell’ to their loved ones. This ceremony also included the Royal Navy ‘Tossing the Oars’ salute and Royal Air Force fly past.

Armed Forces Day

The Chairman reported that alongside the Vice-Chairman and Armed Forces Champion, he raised the Armed Forces Day flag on 24 June, in recognition of the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from the current serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets. He gave his thanks to the Vice-Chairman who also attended the Fawley Armed Forces day at Gang Warily Recreation and Community Centre.

Further Engagements

The Chairman also attended a range of Annual Mayor Making events across Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth in May and June.

He thoroughly enjoyed attending Ashley Junior School on 21 May to receive a presentation from year 6 children on recycling, which was extremely informative and interesting.

Thanks was given to the Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Reid who had laid a wreath on behalf of NFDC at the New Forest Airfields Memorial, Bransgore, recognising US Memorial Day.

The Chairman attended the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award presentations at the Great Hall in Winchester and the Civic Service in Christchurch.

Finally, the Chairman gave his thanks to the Vice-Chairman who had attended the Launch Event for the Solent Mind Strategy on 20 June, which facilitated discussions with volunteers and their men’s shed section, and for attending the Annual Review and AGM of the Hampshire Scouts on 30 June.
4 Leader's Announcements
Minutes The Leader made the following announcements:

Election

The Leader gave her sincere and personal thanks to all staff who helped out at the election, this included staff who prepared over 25,000 postal votes, those working in a polling station, working through the night at the count, or providing cover so Council services could continue as usual; thank you to everyone, it was a very professionally run event.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures

The Leader reported that the District Council had just released the tenant satisfaction measure results. These related to perception surveys undertaken in late summer 2023 and January this year, as well as performance data collected over the 2023/24 financial year. She was delighted with how satisfied council tenants felt about the service. Tenants had scored the District Council as a housing landlord with an overall satisfaction rating of 81%. Further and more detailed information would be presented to the Housing and Communities Overview and Scrutiny panel later in the month.

New Forest Show

The Leader highlighted that the New Forest Show would be taking place at the end of July and into August. The District Council’s theme this year would showcase the new Corporate Plan and celebrate 50 years of New Forest District Council. The latest awareness campaign to combat littering, involving a sculpture made of our litter, would also be in situ at the show before going on tour of the District, as part of the ‘look out for our new forest’ campaign.

Changing Places

The Leader reported that the two new changing places toilets were open and fully operational in Brockenhurst and Ringwood, providing much needed facilities for those in the community who require extra space and support when needing to use public convenience facilities.

St Georges Hall, Calshot

Finally, the Leader announced that work had commenced on St Georges Hall in Calshot. This work would significantly rejuvenate the facility for the good of Calshot residents, the broader community and users of the Calshot cemetery.
5 Ringwood Neighbourhood Development Plan - Referendum
Minutes Cllr Tipp introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Haywood declared, for transparency purposes, that he was the Chairman of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. He concluded that there were no issues under common law that prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

A number of councillors spoke in support of Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan, recognising the hard work which had been put into it, particularly as minimal changes had been recommended by the examiner. It was highlighted that the residents of Ringwood had recognised the benefits of the plan, by voting to supporting it. The high turnout rate in the referendum was also acknowledged.

RESOLVED:

i) That the outcome of the Referendum of 4 July 2024 be noted; and

ii) That the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan for New Forest District (Outside the National Park)
6 Questions
To ask questions under Standing Order 22. Questions received will be published ahead of the meeting. (Members are reminded that questions must be submitted to Democratic Services by no later than 12.00 noon, Wednesday 3 July 2024).
Attachments:
Minutes Questions were put and answered under Standing Order 22, as follows:-

· From Cllr J Davies to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr S Davies, on Right to Buy.

· From Cllr M Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, Cllr Poole, on Dibden Golf Club.

· From Cllr Clark to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Finance, Cllr Heron, on the local government settlement.

· From Cllr A Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Blunden, on Tree Works and SLAs with Town/Parishes.

· From Cllr A Wade to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary, on 50 years of NFDC, elections and democracy.

Note: A copy of the full questions and replies are attached to these minutes.
7 Membership of Committees and Panels
To consider any changes to the membership of Committees or Panels that might be proposed by the political groups.
Minutes There were no changes.
8 Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent
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