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NFNPA Update CP September 2026

Summary

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Updates for the New Forest National Park Authority Consultative Panel (3 September 2026) focused on recovery after a wildfire and wider partnership work. The incident has moved from response to recovery, led by a Recovery Coordinating Group chaired by NFDC with subgroups for environment, business and economy, and communities. A Local Resilience Forum debrief and lessons-learned process is planned from early October, alongside local and organisational reviews. General updates included publication of the 2025/26 Annual Review, engagement at the New Forest Show to inform thinking about the Forest in 2050, and continued summer “Care for the Forest” and New Forest Code campaigns. The Youth for Climate & Nature (YouCAN) project has ended, with additional closing funding secured and a bid submitted for a further five years. Work is starting on the 2027–2032 Partnership Plan, with consultation planned for early 2027 and publication targeted for July 2027.
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Consultative Panel

3 September 2026

Nigel Stone

Director of Resources and Operations

Greener, Wilder and More Accessible

Wildfire Incident

Big thank you from us to all the Emergency Services, FE, Communities, HCC / NFDC, Businesses, Visitors

  • Now moved from initial incident phase (strategic / tactical / media) to recovery phase – Recovery Coordinating Group chaired by Kate Ryan, NFDC
  • RCG has subgroups looking specifically at Environment, Business & Economy and Communities – all three met for first time last week
  • Local Resilience Forum – Debrief / lessons to learn, starting early October. Needs to also be covered at a local, organisational, individual level too.

NPA General Updates

Annual Review 2025/26 – published and on our website: Annual Review Link

New Forest Show – What do you want the Forest to be / look like in 2050…leads into our new Partnership Plan work. Welcomed Stephen Morgan MP, farming minister @ defra. We also won the Maldwin Drummond Cup for best stand.

Youth for Climate & Nature (YouCAN) – Lottery-funded project officially ended last week; however, we have secured some additional ‘ending well’ funding c£120k for all partners and have bid for a further 5 years of similar funding.

Busy Summer Period – with partners we ran our usual Care for the Forest engagement and NF Code campaigns.

Partnership Plan 2027-2032

What is it?

  • Plan for the place (not our Authority) - actions and outcomes agreed by key Forest partners and monitored by an Officers group and Leaders panel

Details:

  • Was widely refreshed and reformatted for 2022-27
  • Need to consider on-the-ground changes since this time
  • Consider impacts of Devolution & Local Govt Re-organisation
  • 160+ page Defra guidance on ‘Management Plans’

Timescales / Opportunities to get involved:

PEDALL (plug!)

Pass the PEDALL '26 | Inclusive Cycling Festival, New Forest

Thank You

Any Questions??

Contact Me:

Nigel Stone

01590 646655

nigel.stone@newforestnpa.gov.uk

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