New Forest District Council looks to motto as it marks half century of public service

NEW Forest District Council is celebrating a half-century as an authority and reflecting on its crest motto ‘Old yet ever new’.

It was in April 1974 that three rural New Forest councils were brought together as part of the nationwide reorganisation of the 1972 Local Government Act.

They were: Lymington Municipal Borough, New Forest Rural District, and Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District (except the parishes of Burton, Hurn, St Leonard’s and St Ives).

Leader Cllr Jill Cleary said NFDC will use the anniversary to reflect on activities in which it is involved, and look forward to continuing to provide key services for the district.

She said: “It’s not just a birthday, it’s a chance for us to look forward to the next 50 years, embrace new ways of working, and make sure we continue to provide the services our residents value.”

Cllr Cleary said of the motto: “This is a philosophy we interpret as respecting our heritage yet continuing to evolve. Our transformation programme seeks to enable us to focus on customer-centric service delivery, efficient working practices, workforce development, and financial sustainability.”

She said for the golden milestone, the council had listed 50 facts on its website to illustrate its breadth of activity.

“From building homes to licensing zoos, providing public toilets to looking after stray dogs, and from running elections to measuring air quality – I don’t know of any other organisation with quite the range of topics a local authority has!”

At this week’s council meeting chairman Cllr Neville Penman said he was honoured to be in the chair for the anniversary, pointing out that throughout the half century all the chairmen had been very important to the district’s voluntary and charitable organisations, raising their profiles, raising funds and celebrating their achievements.