Authority
Authority
Our 22 members meet regularly to make decisions on matters relating to the functions of the National Park Authority. These meetings take place throughout the year, usually on Thursday, at Lymington Town Hall.
Certain functions have also been delegated to committees which are made up of Authority members. Find out about their terms of reference, membership and relevant agendas, reports and minutes as follows:
Meetings of the Authority and its committees are open to the public and you can submit questions before meetings as long as you provide us with at least two full working days’ notice please. Submit your question by contacting Member Services on 01590 646647 or email memberservices@newforestnpa.gov.uk.
To find out more see our Standing Orders.
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Past Authority Meetings
Local Authority members
Members appointed by the county, district, and borough councils with land within the National Park. They provide local knowledge and expertise, without representing only their own local authority. Five come from Hampshire County Council, four from New Forest District Council, one from Test Valley Borough Council and two from Wiltshire Council.
Secretary of State members
Members appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They bring key skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the work of the Authority, with a particular interest in the New Forest and a wider national viewpoint.
Parish Council members
Members selected by parish councils, appointed to represent the wider National Park view, not just the interest of their own parish. They ensure the truly local concerns of those who live or work in the New Forest are represented.
Decisions made under delegated powers
Any urgent decisions that would have been made by the Authority may be taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, in accordance with the Authority’s Scheme of Delegations. The Chief Executive exercises this power after seeking views from the NPA’s members and senior officers.
This table captures decisions have been made to date.
| Date of decision | Decision | Further information | Any alternative options considered and rejected | Member conflict of interest declared where the decision falls under paragraph 7(2)(a) [specific express authorisation] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15 August 2022 |
Consortium agreement |
To extend the end of the agreement period from 2023 to 2025 |
No alternative available |
N/A |
13 December 2021 |
Amendments to the Standing Orders |
To correct a cross referencing anomaly |
No alternative available |
N/A |
21 October 2021 |
Amendments to the Standing Orders |
Amendment to correct error – consequent change to version adopted in August 2021 |
No alternative available |
N/A |
20 October 2021 |
Amendments to the Standing Orders |
To clarify the procedure for appointing Members to Committees, Sub-committees and Panels under Standing Order 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 |
No alternative available – process required clarification before the next Annual Authority Meeting |
N/A |
2 September 2021 |
Green Recovery Challenge Fund – agreement |
To enter into an agreement with the other parties involved in the bid |
No alternatives available – next NPA meeting is not until October 2021 |
N/A |
24 May 2021 |
Hampshire Minerals and Waste Partnership Agreement |
To enter into a partnership agreement with other Hampshire authorities to update the minerals and waste plan. |
No alternatives available – work to proceed on evidence base studies to begin as soon as possible and before the next NPA meeting. The principle of joint working and timescales have previously been agreed by Members |
N/A |
16 March 2021 |
Green recovery challenge fund – further expression of interest |
Expression of interest for the second round of funding for approx. £700k working with four (or maybe five) partners. The NPA’s share would be approx. £180k |
No alternatives available – the deadline for expression of interest is 22 March 2021 (three days before the next NPA meeting) |
N/A |
21 Sep 2020 |
Amendments to the Standing Orders |
To allow Chair and Deputy Chair to be appointed at the next meeting of the relevant committee rather than the annual meeting when held remotely |
No alternatives available – Limitations on the electronic voting systems available to us at the annual meeting when held remotely because of the need for a ballot rather than a show of hands |
N/A |
16 Sep 2020 |
To authorise a prosecution at Kenchingtons, Fordingbridge, in respect of an Enforcement Notice that had not been complied with |
Members unanimously supported the action in the Part II section of the Planning Committee held on 15 September 2020. However, there was a slight irregularity in the proceedings in that unfortunately the Chairman ended the Part I meeting without a formal vote on going into a Part II session |
No alternatives available – to ensure procedural correctness |
N/A |
22 May 2020 |
Acquisition of Godshill Meadow |
Necessary as the offer to acquire the land is time limited. Following the cancellation of the Authority meeting on 26 March 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions there are no Authority meetings planned within the deadline. Acquisition was considered at RAPC meeting on 16 March 2020.
|
No alternatives available |
N/A |
20 April 2020 |
Amendments to the Standing Orders |
Necessary to allow for statutory meetings to take place remotely in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. |
No alternatives available |
N/A |
31 March 2020 |
Approve General Fund Budget for 2020/21 – please see 31 March 2020 background papers and minutes |
Review and decision required by applicable laws and the financial regulations. Decision is also necessary in a general sense in order to allow good management of the NPA’s financial position. |
No alternatives available |
N/A |
31 March 2020 |
Adoption of Work Programme – please see 31 March 2020 background papers and minutes |
Necessary in order to direct the NPA’s priorities and work for the coming year. The work programme will be kept under close review by senior officers and members in light of the current public health crisis. |
No alternatives available |
N/A |
Members' conduct, attendance and allowances
Members must adhere to the code of conduct and two local protocols.
An alleged breach will be dealt with under 'procedures for a breach of a protocol'.
Members of the Authority are paid allowances in accordance with the Authority’s scheme of allowances. They must also submit a declaration of interest.
If you have any issues or queries please contact Members Services.
'Enjoy the privilege of being in this ancient working forest. Leave nothing behind.'
Board member Zoe Clewer