New Forest District Council pressing ahead with key projects despite devolution and local government reorganisation

KEY projects benefitting communities will press ahead say New Forest District Council despite fast-track devolution plans by the government which will see it axed.

As reported in the A&T, the current mix of two-tier systems and unitary councils across the country will be replaced with larger strategic authorities which will deliver all services, headed by an elected mayor.

Hampshire County Council’s application to join fast track devolution – along with councils of Isle of Wight, Portsmouth City and Southampton City – was recently approved by the government.

Those councils, and 11 others including NFDC, have submitted an interim plan for Hampshire and the Solent Local Government Reorganisation. While little detail is known, the district authority has expressed a preference to join with a new rural unitary council in mid-Hampshire in order to “reflect its identity”.

A recent meeting of the council’s cabinet discussed a review of its corporate plan, as well as a review to assess which projects should proceed as planned, and which may require a revised approach due to devolution and local government reorganisation.

The report states homeless prevention measures remain strong, and the number of families in emergency accommodation has decreased, while safety and compliance management measures, which ensure tenants have safe and well-maintained properties, continue to perform well.

It adds investment in CCTV has increased, with 17 new cameras installed and 10 more planned, and the council’s garden waste service is performing well. Fly-tipping levels have remained consistently lower than target, it was said, and decreased between October and December 2024. Financially, the council remains in a good position, with council tax and business rates collection meeting targets, and recruitment efforts have been highly successful, with 45 vacancies recently filled.

Until the changes come into effect, NFDC says it remains focused on “doing what is right for our communities”. A spokesperson told the A&T: “This means pressing ahead with key projects that will benefit our area, while ensuring that all activities are considered in the context and timescale of potential changes to local government structures.

“A key example of this is our review of the Local Plan. This remains an important strategic document that shapes development and growth in the district. Its progress will continue as planned, ensuring we provide clarity and certainty for residents, businesses, and developers. Equally, it is so important we improve the recycling rate and our new waste service, being introduced in area phases until next year, is critical to this.

“Similarly, our wider programme of work is being carefully considered. While the overarching focus of our corporate plan – people, place, and prosperity – remains unchanged, we have undertaken a review to assess which projects should proceed as planned, and which may require a revised approach.

“For example, we will continue to focus on helping those with the greatest need and empowering our residents to live healthy, connected and fulfilling lives through the continuation of the community forum, the rollout of universal credit, our CCTV expansion commitments, and through the annual community grants awards to those working with us in the voluntary sector.

“However, timescales mean that some other activities we had planned are now not viable, like the development of a fleet strategy that would have seen longer term investments in infrastructure to support alternative vehicles.”

NFDC leader, Cllr Jill Cleary, added: “While we are mindful of the changes that local government reorganisation may bring, we remain focused on doing what is right for our communities. This means pressing ahead with key projects that will benefit our area, while ensuring that all activities are considered in the context and timescale of potential changes to local government structures.

“This performance report highlights the real progress we are making in delivering our corporate plan priorities. We are seeing strong performance in key areas that directly impact our residents, from preventing homelessness and improving safety to maintaining our strong financial position. There are always areas where we can do more, but overall, we are in a strong position as we move into the second year of our corporate plan.”