News

NFDC August Update

Details

Published: Friday, 18 August 2023 16:42

In this communication:      

Are your details up to date?

Over the past month, we’ve been contacting households to check we have the correct details about who is eligible and registered to vote as part of our annual canvass.

You may have received an email from 'This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.' as part of this.

Thank you if you have completed your details already. You can still respond online, follow the instructions within your email if you have received one.

You may receive a letter from us in the next stage of the annual canvass, please look out for it and follow the instructions to update your details.

For more information visit https://www.newforest.gov.uk/householdcanvass23

If you have any questions, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 023 8028 5445.

The canvass is an annual legal process we complete to make sure that everyone who is eligible, can join the electoral register.

Responding to the canvass form does not mean you are automatically registered to vote. If you are not already registered, you can do so at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

New garden waste collection service from April 2024

This autumn, you will be able to sign up for our new garden waste collection service, which starts in April 2024.

The new service will use 240 litre wheeled bins, instead of the bags we currently use.

The bins will have twice the capacity of the current garden waste bags and collections will continue to be every 2 weeks. Residents can subscribe for up to 5 bins.

There will be an annual charge of £65 for collections, plus a one-off supply charge of £25 per bin. These charges are in line with the average price charged by all Hampshire councils.

If you sign up for the new service this autumn, you will save the £25 bin supply charge for one bin. And we will deliver your bin(s) before April 2024.

Sign up to be the first to know when the service goes live at https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste#h24

If you’re a current garden waste customer, we will send you a letter to let you know when subscriptions for the new service open.

Watch an explainer video about subscriptions for the new service opening this autumn: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3361/New-garden-waste-wheeled-bin-service-for-New-Forest

You can view demonstration garden waste wheeled bins at our information offices in Lyndhurst, Lymington, New Milton and Ringwood.

Check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit

If you are over State Pension age, check if you are eligible and apply for Pension Credit online at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

You can also call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. Local support with making Pension Credit applications is available from our partners:

Citizens Advice New Forest – https://newforestcab.org.uk/

Age Concern New Forest – https://www.ageconcernnewforest.org.uk/

Further cost of living support is available at https://www.newforest.org.uk/costofliving

Community grant funding now open

Together with the Rural England Prosperity Fund, we are offering local community groups and charities funding to support the work that they do in the district.

Applications for community grants are open until 31 October 2023.

Apply for funding: https://newforest.gov.uk/CommunityGrants

Find out how we awarded grants to local community groups and charities between 2022 and 2023: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3387/Applications-open-for-community-grants-from-New-Forest-District-Council

Tell us your views about Christchurch Bay strategy

Together with BCP Council, the Environment Agency, and AECOM technical consultants, we have produced The Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy.

The strategy includes the proposed leading options to manage coastal flood and erosion risk from Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour.

Tell us your views about the strategy before Sunday 27 August: https://twobays.net/project/christchurch-fcerm-strategy

Share how you reuse items – chance to win vouchers

Hampshire County Council are looking for ways to support residents to reuse items that might otherwise be thrown away.

They are particularly interested in how people purchase second-hand items, borrow or rent items instead of buying them, and repair and refill items.

Complete the 2023 reuse survey to share your feedback, and for a chance to win one of two leisure vouchers worth £50 each.

You can take part in the survey until Sunday 17 September at https://hampshirecc.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/2023WasteReuseSurvey

Please share this email with your family and friends.  They can sign up to receive them in future at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/emails       
    

NFDC Annual Canvass for the Electoral Register

Details

Published: Wednesday, 12 July 2023 19:43

We are checking our
electoral register.

You might get an email or
letter from us, or someone
might knock on your door.

Follow the instructions to check
your details are up to date.

newforest.gov.uk/householdcanvass23

NFDC July update

Details

Published: Wednesday, 12 July 2023 19:27

In this communication:     

Electoral register work to start soon

We will soon start our annual household canvass.

We are legally required to do this each year, to check and update the electoral register.

We start contacting households in July, either by email or a letter in the post.

You may receive an email from this address 'This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'

Please respond online if you can. If you do not respond we may have to contact you in an alternative way.

For more information about the annual canvass visit https://www.newforest.gov.uk/householdcanvass23

Garden waste – new service from 2024

We offer a household collection of garden waste. There is an annual charge for this service.

From April 2024, the garden waste fortnightly collection service will use wheeled bins, instead of the sacks we currently use.

You will be able to join the new wheeled bin garden waste service from autumn this year.

We will deliver the bins to households, who join the garden waste service, between January and March 2024.

If you sign up to the new service in the autumn this year, you will save £25, and we can guarantee you will receive your bin and your service can start on time.

To be the first to hear when the £25 saving offer goes live add your email address to our online form https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste#h24

Current customers please note: If you pay for this service now, including with a Direct Debit, you will not automatically be transferred to this new garden waste service. Look out for a letter we will send you in September, and to receive an email when the new service goes live, add your email address at https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste#h24

For information about the current garden waste service, please see our website https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste

Household rubbish guidance

Animals and birds may be attracted to the food waste in your black sack. This can cause litter and harm to wildlife.

You can help by putting your rubbish out as close to your collection time as possible, and no earlier than 6pm the day before your collection.

You can put your black sacks in a standard dustbin at the boundary of your property. We’ll take out the sacks and replace the lids. If you’re in an area accessible to commoners’ livestock, please keep your sacks inside your gate.

Please don’t spray your bags with bleach or cleaning fluid, as this can be harmful both to wildlife and our crews.

Find out more on our website: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/rubbish

Remember to take care with sharp objects. If you have no other way to dispose of a sharp item than to put it in your black sack, please separate it from other waste and securely wrap or package it. This reduces the risk of injury to our teams.

Cost of living advice and information

Reduced fee broadband and phone packages

If you claim Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may be eligible for cheaper broadband and phone packages.

Some providers call these ‘basic’ or ‘essential’ packages, and they’re delivered in the same way as other packages but at a lower price. Prices range from £10 to £20 a month, and it could be free for you to switch.

Find out more on the Ofcom website at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

Water bill support

If you are on a low income or claim Pension Credit, you could receive a discount of at least 45% on your water bill.

To find out more, call Southern Water on 0800 027 0800 or visit their website at https://www.southernwater.co.uk/account/what-if-i-can-t-pay-my-bill

New rules in the Forest

We have introduced two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), supported by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest.

The use of BBQs and fires in the Forest and feeding and petting ponies or donkeys are banned, with those failing to comply liable to a fixed penalty fine or prosecution.

The new orders came in on 1 July 2023 and, where necessary, can be enforced by issuing fixed penalty notices of £100. This sum can rise to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

Teams from Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest will be patrolling and engaging with the public to explain more about the new rules. Their focus is on educating and informing the public to make people aware of the risks and how they can help to protect the New Forest when spending time here.

You can help us care for this special place by following the simple nine steps of the New Forest Code, and sharing it with family and friends who are visiting: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/visiting/help-care-for-the-forest/new-forest-code/

Read more about the PSPOs at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3322/Know-before-you-go-this-summer-new-rules-come-into-force-in-the-New-Forest

Invitation to community energy project support event

Together with Community Energy South, we are supporting community groups to create community owned renewable sources of energy, which will help to reduce carbon emissions in the district.

Join us on Tuesday 18 July at Lyndhurst Community Centre from 6.30pm to 8.30pm to find out how you can get involved.

Book your free ticket at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-forest-community-energy-launch-event-tickets-670662608917

Find out more on the Community Energy South website: https://www.communityenergysouth.org/

Visit us at this year’s New Forest Show 2023

We will be at the New Forest Show on Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 July.

Our theme is “caring for the climate”. We’ll be showcasing our plans for climate action for the coast and across the district.

If you’re visiting the show, come and chat to us to find out more about our plans, and take part in fun, interactive activities which bring to life the ways that we can all understand, adapt to, and prevent environmental damage.

Read about how we’re committed to tackling climate change: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3112/Climate-change

Find out more about the New Forest Show and get tickets on their website: https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/

Please share this communication with your family and friends.  They can sign up to receive them in future at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/emails      

NFDC Summer Update

Details

Published: Friday, 23 June 2023 16:12

Rough sleeping in the district reduced

The number of people sleeping rough in the New Forest is the lowest since 2015.

In 2019, up to 30 people per night were sleeping rough in the district in any one night, and this is now down to an average of 1 to 2 people per night.

Our homelessness service work with rough sleepers and partner agencies to ensure that people are safe, listened to, have the right support for their individual circumstances, and we often use innovative ways to support people.

Over 50 units of temporary accommodation are also now located in Blackfield, Ringwood, Ashley, Totton and Lymington, helping to prevent rough sleeping and homelessness, and ensuring that people are no longer temporarily housed far away from their support networks.

We’re here to support you if you’re struggling with finances, concerned about becoming homeless, or are rough sleeping. Find out more information at https://newforest.gov.uk/housing

Cultural strategy to be developed

We’re leading a partnership project to develop a cultural strategy to boost investment in the arts for the New Forest.

The strategy will promote wellbeing through the arts, such as comedy, music workshops, museums, theatre, galleries and design. It will also support businesses and enhance the district as a place to live, work and visit.

The New Forest has been identified as having low cultural investment and highlighted as one of 54 priority places by the Arts Council England. You can read more about the strategy, created in light of this, at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3328/Cultural-strategy-to-be-developed-in-the-New-Forest

Discover the wide range of cultural organisations in the New Forest at https://www.folionewforest.org/

Garden waste price drop

You can now sign up to the garden waste collection service for the remainder of the collection year 2023 – 24 for the reduced cost of £34.50 for your first bag, and £18 for additional bags.

Collections take place fortnightly from Monday 3 July, and the subscription period will run up until the end of March 2024.

For more information and to subscribe, visit our website: https://newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste

Please note subscriptions to the 2023 – 24 collection service will close on 30 September 2023, and there will be no further price drops for this years’ service.

Improve air quality this summer

This summer, one way to improve the quality of our air is by reducing or stopping the use of fire pits and bonfires in our gardens.

Fire pits and bonfires release harmful pollutants, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems and damage our ecosystem.

Find more information on the Environment Centre’s website: https://environmentcentre.com/the-environment/clean-air/

Electric vehicle charging points

We have installed 41 electric vehicle charging points across our car parks for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

As the number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads increase, we have grown the electric vehicle infrastructure to help meet demand. We will continue to monitor the usage of the electric vehicle charging points as part of our ongoing plans for charging points in our car parks.

You can find the electric vehicle charging points in our car parks in Brockenhurst, Fordingbridge, New Milton, Lymington, Lyndhurst, Ringwood, Totton, Hythe and Beaulieu, and in our coastal car parks in Milford on Sea and Barton on Sea.

Find out more on our website: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/1235/Electric-vehicle-charging

Barton beach public toilets

Work to replace the public toilets at Barton beach is underway and they are scheduled for reopening in August 2023.

The current toilets, installed in 2009, will be replaced with a slightly larger unit.  There will be three unisex toilets, toilet facilities for people with disabilities, baby changing facilities, and a family room.  There will also be an external shower, and water bottle filling unit.

While the existing building is removed and the new one is connected the toilets will be closed for a short time. The nearest alternative toilets are at Marine Drive and Barton Court Avenue junction.

Information about our public toilets at 23 locations in the district is on our website at: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/2846/Public-toilets

Hampshire County Council budget consultation

Hampshire County Council has a consultation to understand people’s views on options to help them deliver a balanced budget over the next two years.

You can have your say at https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/budgetconsultation

The budget consultation runs until 11:59pm on 23 July 2023.

Christchurch Bay and Harbour online consultation event

Share your views on proposals to manage coastal flood and erosion risk over the next 100 years, from Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour.

Book your free ticket to join an online presentation and question and answer session.

27 June 2023, from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. https://twobays.net/have-your-say-on-draft-christchurch-bay-and-harbour-strategy/

Cost of living scam advice

HMRC is urging tax credits customers, who are renewing their tax credits claims, to be mindful of scammers. Criminals are using deadlines, like the tax credits renewal deadline on 31 July, to try and steal personal information.

Stay alert if you receive an email or text from someone who says they’re from HMRC and asks you to give personal information, such as your bank details, or asks you to urgently transfer money.

For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/get-help-with-online-scams/

You can renew your tax credits on the GOV.​UK website.

NFDC June Update

Details

Published: Sunday, 11 June 2023 21:33

In this communication:   

New rules come into force in the Forest from 1 July

This summer, local people and visitors are being encouraged to make sure they know about new measures in the New Forest to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable time here.

We have introduced two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), supported by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest.

The use of BBQs and fires in the Forest and feeding and petting ponies or donkeys are all banned, with those failing to comply liable to a fixed penalty fine or prosecution.

The new orders apply from 1 July 2023 and where necessary can be enforced by issuing fixed penalty notices of £100. This sum can rise to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

You can read more at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3322/Know-before-you-go-this-summer-new-rules-come-into-force-in-the-New-Forest

Grass cutting

We recently took part in ‘No Mow May’ and reduced our grass cutting programme in the areas we are responsible for. This is part of our commitment and response to declaring a climate and nature emergency.

Leaving areas unmown for a time means plants have been encouraged to grow as food for pollinators and create protection for nature.

You may now start to see certain areas being trimmed back to avoid invasive species growing. We will not remove the cut grass, as we are leaving it to break down naturally into the soil.

We’ve also developed 16 wildflower areas in places such as Hythe and Lymington. Pathways are cut into these areas and regularly cut for residents to enjoy walking through and around the planting.

If you’d like us to consider the suitability of a local open space for wildflowers, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

No Mow May is a national campaign from Plantlife. Visit their website to find out more of what you can do at home to help wildlife: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/let-it-bloom-june-no-mow-may-is-over-whats-next/

Christchurch Bay consultation

This article is about the coastal flood and erosion risk for Christchurch Bay and Harbour over the next 100 years and how you can have your say on the options.

Climate change is putting significantly more properties, infrastructure and open spaces at risk from coastal flooding and erosion.

Assessments indicate that, if there is no action, the coastal frontage in the Christchurch Bay and Harbour area will suffer around £1 billion in damages over the next 100 years. This includes erosion risk to around 1,600 properties, and coastal flood risk to over 2,200 homes and non-residential buildings.

A ‘Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy’ is being produced by BCP Council and New Forest District Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency and AECOM (technical consultants).

The strategy will allow a bid to government for coast protection funding.

Complete the Christchurch Bay and Harbour survey at https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/christchurchstrategyphase5

You can meet the strategy team at face-to-face and online events:

Discover more about the project at https://twobays.net/project/christchurch-fcerm-strategy/

Cost of living information and advice

Pension Credit

If you’re over State Pension age, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension and can top up:

Find out more and apply on the GOV.​UK website at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

Please share this with family and friends who may not be aware of this information.

More cost of living advice and support are available on our website: https://newforest.gov.uk/costofliving

Help to save scheme

Help to Save is a type of savings account.

It allows low-income earners entitled to Working Tax Credit, or receiving Universal Credit, to save between £1 and £50 a month and get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over 4 years, worth up to £1,200.

The Help to Save scheme has been extended until April 2025.

Eligible people can find out more and how to apply at https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income

Keeping safe in hot weather

A heatwave alert has been issued by the Met Office.

This means there’s a high probability of very warm temperatures from tomorrow, 9 June, until Monday 12 June.

As the temperature rises, it’s important to take extra steps to stay safe and well.

Keep safe by:

Remember to check in with family, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable.

For more advice, visit the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/

Take part in our online customer research survey

We’re making improvements to how we work and deliver our services, and asking residents to complete an online customer research survey.

The survey asks:

You can get involved by taking part in our online survey https://newforest.gov.uk/WebSurvey

All feedback is anonymous.

Visit us at the New Forest Show

We’ll have a stand at the New Forest Show this year and our theme will be “caring for the climate”. We’ll be showcasing our plans for climate action for the coast and across the district.

If you’re visiting the show, come and chat to us to find out more about our plans, and take part in fun, interactive activities which bring to life the ways that we can all understand, adapt to, and prevent environmental damage.

Read about how we’re committed to tackling climate change: https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3112/Climate-change

Find out more about the New Forest Show and purchase tickets on their website: https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/

Cows needed for grazing in Milford on Sea

We’re looking for Dexter or Hereford cows to graze on land at Milford on Sea.

If you’re a cattle farmer of small stature stock and would like to support sustainable grazing methods in our area, please contact us. We’d like to talk further about how you can help to meet our core themes and values relating to climate and nature recovery. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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