Cllr Peter Armstrong criticises New Forest District Council’s plan to introduce £621.67 fee for beach hut transfer upon death of owner

‘BEYOND belief’ – a New Forest district councillor has criticised plans to charge more than £600 for the transfer of a beach hut upon the death of the owner.

Cllr Peter Armstrong raised his concerns during a meeting of the full council, where non-statutory licensing fees and charges for the forthcoming year were discussed.

He said the council’s decision to impose the £621.67 transfer of ownership fee – which previously was free of charge – was “extortionate”.

“When someone dies, for the people who are left and who have other expenses, to have to pay a £621.67 fee which was not there last year – I am flabbergasted.

“I am told benchmarking has gone on with other authorities, but how can we raise that from £0 – it is beyond belief.”

He suggested a reduced fee of £185 be introduced, but this was voted out.

The meeting also revealed the council’s plans to reintroduce fees for businesses which put chairs and tables outside their premises – which had been paused during the pandemic. The fee is set at £350 for a new licence, or £250 for a renewal.

Cllr David Harrison said: “During Covid the council felt we had a responsibility to offer financial assistance to all those businesses threatened by the terrible pandemic. One of the welcome things we did was to not make a charge for those high street businesses which provide an opportunity for people to sit outside and enjoy a beverage.”

He added it was “unnecessary” to reintroduce the charges and would “unfairly” penalise businesses.

“We have an opportunity to make a difference, to continue to support businesses and that will not make a huge difference to the council’s finances”, he added.

However, Cllr Allan Glass said the siting of tables and chairs should be licensed as it caused “difficulties” for people with wheelchairs and mobility scooters when such items were “left all over the place”.

Cllr Steve Clarke said the council needed to be “equal and fair to all who require a licence across the board”, adding it could set a precedent for allowing other licensable activities to be dropped.

Members voted 26 to 11, with five abstentions, in favour of the licensing changes.