Social Value Ideas for South Downs National Park Authority

South Harting housing approved

The committee approved a seven-dwelling scheme at land to the rear of Leas Ash, South Harting, subject to section 106 completion and conditions. Officers said the site is allocated for six to eight dw…

“The application for members relates to the land to the rear of Lazash Southarting and proposes the erection of seven dwellings including a new access …”

Reservoir Lane loan

The authority approved a principle loan of £300,000 to Petersfield Community Land Trust to help deliver 10 self-build affordable homes at Reservoir Lane, Petersfield. The loan is intended to be repaid…

“So, as we said before, this is the second example before you today, but it is one that would come to NPA because it's over the, uh, the delegation lim…”

Affordable housing deadlock

The Liss scheme was deferred because the committee would not accept the applicant's 10% affordable housing offer when the authority's independent consultant said 20% was viable. Officers said the site…

“This application proposes 30 units and officers consider that the site can sustainably support 30 units. Uh, in conclusion, the parameters of the list…”

Planning email and workload pressure

Planning services are handling very high correspondence volumes, with around 59,000 emails in the year, and there is pressure to reduce extensions of time and redesign processes. Officers said the ser…

“So I wanted to include this slide. This is the Midhurst technical support team, just so you can see the volume of the contact that they deal with year…”

Adopt minerals and waste plan

The authority adopted the updated Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan, extending the plan period to 2040 and strengthening policies on biodiversity net gain, local nature recovery strategies, protected …

“The updated plan which is appendix one and today's um decision seeks to address the above along with the implications of extending the plan period by …”

Elm Rise deferment

Deferral of Elm Rise decision to secure drainage, surface water drainage, and groundwater assessment, and to develop a maintenance plan; if unresolved, the scheme could be refused. Quote: "we defer it…

“we defer it so we can address drainage and surface water drainage in consultation with the lead local flood Authority and that we get section 106 to s…”

Re-tender financial services

The authority will procure a new financial services contract because the current contract with Brighton & Hove City Council ends on 2027-03-31. Officers said the market is small, competition has histo…

“Financial services underpin all areas of the authorities's work from budget management and financial accounting through to payroll, treasury managemen…”

Year-end underspend

The provisional 2025-26 outturn showed a £78,000 underspend against budget, with £155,000 of approved carry-forwards and strong investment income performance. The authority said financial management h…

“Today I'm presenting the outcome report for the financial year 202526. The report shows a favorable revenue outturn position of £78,000 below budget u…”

Month 6 budget variance

The month-6 forecast shows a £300,000 adverse variance driven by unexpected staffing costs and revised capitalization of staff time; offset by potential use of working balance; MTFS provisions to be r…

“revenue forecast at month six is a above budget variance of £300,000... unexpected staffing costs in year and revised assumption regarding how much st…”