New Forest Borough Council
Councillors:
48
Wards:
27
Committees:
15
Meetings (2025):
72
Meetings (2024):
78
Meeting
Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel - New Forest
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 25th March 2021
9:30 AM
Thursday, 25th March 2021
9:30 AM
End:
Thursday, 25th March 2021
1:30 PM
Thursday, 25th March 2021
1:30 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Thursday, 25th March 2021
12:00 AM
Thursday, 25th March 2021
12:00 AM
Finished:
Thursday, 25th March 2021
12:00 AM
Thursday, 25th March 2021
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
25 Mar 2021
25 Mar 2021
Location:
Microsoft Teams - Online
Microsoft Teams - Online
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Cllr Fran Carpenter
Apologies
Committee Member
Cllr Sandra Delemare
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Mahmoud Kangarani
Apologies
Chairman
Cllr Alexis McEvoy, BSc (Hons)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Martyn Levitt
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Beverley Thorne
Absent
In Attendance
Cllr Michael Harris
In attendance
In Attendance
Cllr Edward Heron
Apologies
Officer
Strategic Director of Corporate Resources & Transformation, Section 151 Officer
Alan Bethune
In attendance
Officer
Chief Executive
Bob Jackson
In attendance
Officer
Democratic Services Officer
Andy Rogers
In attendance
Officer
Economic Development Team Leader
Sally Igra
In attendance
Officer
Service Manager - Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services
Ryan Stevens
In attendance
Officer
Executive Head of Planning Regeneration and Economy
Claire Upton-Brown
In attendance
Agenda
0
Apologies
Minutes
1
Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021 as a correct record.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021 would be submitted to the next meeting.
2
Declarations of Interest
To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Minutes
No declarations of interest were made by any member in connection with any agenda item.
3
Public Participation
To note any issues raised during the public participation period.
Minutes
No issues were raised during the public participation period.
4
Portfolio Holders' Reports and Performance Dashboards
To receive an oral update from the Portfolio Holders on developments within their Portfolio areas and with reference to the Performance Dashboards.
Attachments:
- Document Final Leaders and Corporate Affairs Portfolio Performance Dashboard 20210325 17 Mar 2021
- Document Final Finance, Investment and Corporate Services Portfolio Performance Dashboard 20210325 17 Mar 2021
- Document Final Econmic Development Portfolio Performance Dashboard 20210325 17 Mar 2021
- Document Updated Sheet for Economic Development Portfolio 17 Mar 2021
Minutes
The Panel received an update from the Portfolio Holders on developments within their Portfolio areas and with reference to the Performance Dashboards. The following points were raised:
Cllr Heron:
· Continued commercial investment. Additional acquisition of property in New Milton at a cost of just over £500,000 with an approximate yield of 6.6%.
· Crow Lane development was progressing with the original planning permission with some minor changes.
· ICT – numerous projects gong forward, including completion of the Council’s website, updating pages and payments.
· Financial position – good, with challenges for the future.
· The effect of the pandemic on property lettings meant that some smaller rents had been deferred.
· Format of finance/ budget scrutiny meetings will be discussed at June Panel.
· Depot project deferred pending Waste Strategy outcome.
Cllr Harris
· Property Investments helping residential and local economy whilst providing income.
· Broadband – challenging but some progress on local projects, and guidance on provision, and regularly lobbying Government, and work with NPA and LEP
· Help for High Streets - £223k support funding announced. Arranging event involving parish councils, business associations and retailers to combat and capitalise on internet shopping.
· NFBP working improved – Community Interest Company (CIC) set up and incorporated every local business automatically into the Partnership.
Cllr Heron:
· Continued commercial investment. Additional acquisition of property in New Milton at a cost of just over £500,000 with an approximate yield of 6.6%.
· Crow Lane development was progressing with the original planning permission with some minor changes.
· ICT – numerous projects gong forward, including completion of the Council’s website, updating pages and payments.
· Financial position – good, with challenges for the future.
· The effect of the pandemic on property lettings meant that some smaller rents had been deferred.
· Format of finance/ budget scrutiny meetings will be discussed at June Panel.
· Depot project deferred pending Waste Strategy outcome.
Cllr Harris
· Property Investments helping residential and local economy whilst providing income.
· Broadband – challenging but some progress on local projects, and guidance on provision, and regularly lobbying Government, and work with NPA and LEP
· Help for High Streets - £223k support funding announced. Arranging event involving parish councils, business associations and retailers to combat and capitalise on internet shopping.
· NFBP working improved – Community Interest Company (CIC) set up and incorporated every local business automatically into the Partnership.
5
Financial Update - Presentation
To receive an update on:
- the Council’s Financial Position; and
- a summary of the latest Business Grants administered by the Council
- the Council’s Financial Position; and
- a summary of the latest Business Grants administered by the Council
Attachments:
- Document Update on NFDC Finances March 2021 17 Mar 2021
Minutes
The Panel received an update on:
- the Council’s Financial Position; and
- a summary of the latest Business Grants administered by the Council
The slides from the presentation can be found on the Council’s website with the agenda. The presentation covered the following main topics:
· Update on Finances
· Latest Business Support
· Test and Trace Support payments
· Restart grants
· Business Rate reliefs
· Welcome Back Fund.
· Budget recap
A Task and Finish Group will be established to act as a sounding board for the proposals to make the most of the Welcome Back Fund funding across the District. A good geographical spread of Group members would be needed. Members would be invited to serve on the Panel.
- the Council’s Financial Position; and
- a summary of the latest Business Grants administered by the Council
The slides from the presentation can be found on the Council’s website with the agenda. The presentation covered the following main topics:
· Update on Finances
· Latest Business Support
· Test and Trace Support payments
· Restart grants
· Business Rate reliefs
· Welcome Back Fund.
· Budget recap
A Task and Finish Group will be established to act as a sounding board for the proposals to make the most of the Welcome Back Fund funding across the District. A good geographical spread of Group members would be needed. Members would be invited to serve on the Panel.
6
'Breathing Space' Debt Respite Protection
To receive a presentation on the new ‘Breathing Space’ regulations, which come into force on 4 May 2021, and will provide debt respite protection.
Attachments:
- Document Breathing Space Presentation 17 Mar 2021
Minutes
The Panel received a presentation on the new ‘Breathing Space’ regulations, which come into force on 4 May 2021, and will provide debt respite protection.
The presentation covered:
· Eligibility and qualifying debts
· Process
· End of breathing space
A copy of the slides is attached to the agenda papers.
The presentation covered:
· Eligibility and qualifying debts
· Process
· End of breathing space
A copy of the slides is attached to the agenda papers.
7
Appointment of Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group
To consider arrangements for the operation of the Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group.
Minutes
It was agreed that a Council Tax Task and Finish Group would be set up in due course, to comprise 6 members. Members would be invited to serve on the Group.
8
Work Programme
To consider the Panel’s future Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document COSP Work Programme 17 Mar 2021
Minutes
The Panel reviewed their Work Programme. The objectives for each item would be added to the work programme for the next meeting.
Members were encouraged to suggest any additional items to the Chairman or the clerk.
Members were encouraged to suggest any additional items to the Chairman or the clerk.
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