The Cabinet of New Forest District Council is scheduled to meet on 1 October 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the readoption of the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy, consumer standards for council tenancies, and the council's financial performance. They will also consider the results of a public consultation on the draft Air Quality Strategy.

Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy

The cabinet will consider the readoption of the Christchurch Bay & Harbour FCERM Strategy, following amendments related to affordability and investment planning. The strategy addresses coastal flood and erosion risks along the 13km coastline from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit, and 14km of shoreline within Christchurch Harbour.

The report pack states that the strategy identifies technically feasible, environmentally acceptable, and economically viable options to reduce risks from coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years. The report pack also notes that without an adopted strategy, access to Grant in Aid funding is likely to be significantly reduced.

The report pack indicates that revisions have been made to the starting point of identified options within the New Forest District Council area:

• ODU 14 (Naish Cliff & Barton-on-Sea): a reduced scheme (capital refurbishment only) is proposed.
• ODU 17 (Rook Cliff): defence upgrading works are scheduled to commence later.
• ODU 18 (Milford on Sea): defence upgrading works are scheduled to commence later.

The report pack includes Appendix A - Christchurch Bay Harbour FCERM Strategy.pdf.

Draft Air Quality Strategy - Public Consultation Report

The cabinet will review the outcomes of a public consultation on the draft Air Quality Strategy (AQS) for New Forest District Council. The Report - Draft Air Quality Strategy Public Consultation.pdf includes the responses received and any resulting amendments to the draft AQS.

The report pack notes that the council is required to publish an AQS because it has no declared Air Quality Management Areas[^2].

The consultation, which ran from 3 March to 5 May 2025, sought views on air quality within the New Forest area, concerns about air quality, and the priorities identified in the strategy. According to the report pack, 96 responses were received, with the majority of respondents agreeing with the council's priority areas. The report pack also notes that respondents expressed concerns about public transport, traffic flow, and planned development and their potential impacts on local air quality.

The report pack indicates that there were six minor amendments to the text of the draft AQS as a result of the public consultation, and includes the finalised AQS document as Appendix 2 - New Forest AQS 2025.pdf.

Draft Housing Landlord Tenancy Policy

The cabinet will review the draft Housing Landlord Tenancy Policy, which sets out the council's approach to managing its housing tenancies in line with the Localism Act 2011, the Housing Act 1985, and the Regulator for Social Housing Consumer Standards. The Report - Housing Landlord Tenancy Policy.pdf states that the draft policy supports the council's proposed Housing Landlord Strategy 2025 – 2028, aiming to ensure fair, consistent, and effective tenancy management that maximises the use of council housing for residents' needs.

According to the report pack, the main change to the draft policy is the proposal to move away from flexible fixed term tenancies (FFTTs) to secure tenancies after a 1-year introductory period. The report pack states that this is due to the high level of administration required for FFTs compared with the benefits obtained.

The report pack includes Appendix 1 - Tenancy policy 2025.pdf.

Corporate Plan: Key Performance Data for Quarter 1 2025-2026

The cabinet will review the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Quarter 1 (April to June 2025) of the Corporate Plan. The Report -Corporate Plan Key Performance Data for quarter 1 2025-2026.pdf presents the Q1 2025-2026 dashboard, which is included as Appendix 1 - Q1 Corporate Performance Dashboard 202526.pdf.

The report pack highlights data for 23 of the KPIs. It notes that homelessness duty cases successfully prevented has been consistently below target, and that the number of households in emergency accommodation has fluctuated. The report pack also notes that homelessness prevention efforts have been strengthened with the appointment of a dedicated team and the addition of 4 Floating Support Workers.

The report pack states that planning measures performed very well, above local and government targets, and that six appeals were heard in the last quarter, and all were dismissed.

The report pack also notes that households using the chargeable garden waste service has dipped slightly, and that fly-tipping incidents are higher than anticipated.

Corporate Peer Challenge Follow-Up Report

The cabinet will review a progress update on the council's response to the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), held in December 2024. The Report - Corporate Peer Challenge Follow-Up.pdf outlines the actions taken against the ten formal recommendations and additional observations made by the peer team, ahead of their follow-up visit scheduled for October 2025.

The report pack includes Appendix 1 - CPC Directorate achievements.pdf, Appendix 2 - CPC 2024 Action plan.pdf and Appendix 3 - CPC priorities key deliverables review.pdf.

The report pack notes that since the CPC, significant progress has been made in aligning strategic priorities with the evolving context of local government reorganisation (LGR).

Climate Change and Nature Emergency Annual Update

The cabinet will review an update on progress towards achieving the aims of the Climate Change and Nature Emergency declaration. The Report - Climate Change and Nature Emergency Annual Update 202425.pdf covers activities undertaken between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, and includes NFDC corporate emissions and utility data, as well as New Forest District emissions data published by the UK Government.

The report pack notes that longer-term strategic priorities are being considered by the newly expanded Climate and Sustainability Team, and will be informed by the outcomes of the Climate Change and Nature Emergency Member Task and Finish Group.

Medium Term Financial Plan - Scene Setting

The cabinet will discuss the latest medium-term financial plan (MTFP) of the council. The Report - Medium Term Financial Plan - Scene Setting.pdf considers the initial development of the MTFP for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), including factors that will influence its delivery and that of the annual budget strategy for 2026/27.

The report pack proposes a financial strategy to support the delivery of a legally balanced budget for 2026/27, and a budget planning process and timeline for key financial reports.

The report pack includes Appendix 1 - Q1 Corporate Performance Dashboard 202526.pdf, Appendix 1 - CPC Directorate achievements.pdf, Appendix 2 - CPC 2024 Action plan.pdf and Appendix 3 - CPC priorities key deliverables review.pdf.

The report pack also proposes increases to car parking fees and charges from 1 January 2026, as detailed in Appendix 5, and to Keyhaven river fees and charges from 1 January 2026, as detailed in Appendix 6.