Social Value Ideas for South Downs National Park Authority

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…”

Public objections (overlook/flooding) Elm Rise

Residents object to flooding risks and overlooking from the proposed flats; key quotes describe living “at the bottom of a well” and direct overlooking into bedrooms. Quote: "the flats will be able to…

“the flats will be able to see directly into my bedroom contrary to the report"”

Drainage / Suds risk

LLFA concerns about the Suds design and surface water drainage; officers propose negotiating Suds and drainage in consultation with the Lead Local Flood Authority; potential refusal if unresolved. Quo…

“we would like to negotiate Suds and drainage separately in consultation with the lead local flood Authority and that we get section 106 to secure ... …”

Section 106 obligations

Officers propose negotiating a Section 106 agreement to secure 50% affordable housing, dedication of a public right of way, and off-site highways works, as well as drainage improvements linked to Elm …

“we get section 106 to secure 50% affordable housing the creation of dedication of a public right of way and off-site highways works”

Capex program 2026-27

Capital program >£6m; £3.479m new capital funded by DEFRA grant plus other grants; £2.785m re-profiles; no external borrowing.

“"the total capital investment program. This year is proposed to be in excess of 6 million pound... excluding 2 million 785,000 pounds of re-reprofiles…”

Centurion Way business case

Discussion highlighted that Centurion Way expenditure has grown mid‑project and there is no overarching business case yet. Senior officers are developing a round‑based view to quantify total spend, RO…

“it's an issue because it's been a project that's taken so long and because we've done it as funding has come in, we haven't done an overall business c…”

Capital underspend forecast

Capital program forecast underspend of £3.15m, largely funded by external contributions; includes reprofiling to future years for externally funded projects.

“forecast underspend of £3,150,000 and that's made up of variations funded by DERA the capital grant and reprofiles to future years for those who are e…”

DERA capital grant spend

DERA capital grant of £2m is planned to be spent by 31 March 2026; some spend is projected to be reprofiling to future years as it is externally funded.

“DERA recently updated their capital grant... £2 million and that needs to be spent by the 31st of March 2026”

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…”