The Hart District Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 4 September 2025, to discuss the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan, the Development Management Service, the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan, and the Draft Local Plan Programme. The committee agreed to forward comments to the Cabinet regarding the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan and the Draft Local Plan Programme. They also requested that a copy of the feedback report from the Local Government Association (LGA) be shared with the Overview & Scrutiny Committee after the Peer Challenge team revisits the council in February 2026.

Draft Local Plan Programme

The committee was asked to provide comments to the Cabinet on recommendations regarding the local plan project. The council is aiming to submit the new local plan for examination before Local Government Reorganisation¹ in April 2028. The recommendations to Cabinet were:

• To proceed with a new local plan in line with the Project Initiation Document (PID).
• To agree a budget of £2,421,000 for expenditure on the local plan to the end of March 2028, with an additional £1.421m being allocated from the general fund working balance.
• To publish the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS)[^1] immediately. [^1]: A Local Development Scheme (LDS) is a document that sets out the timetable for preparing local plans.
• To authorise the Portfolio Holder to issue a notice to commence plan-making and publish a 'Local Plan Timetable' if required under forthcoming local plan-making regulations.

Councillor Williams, Chairman of Winchfield Parish Council, addressed the committee, acknowledging the challenges in preparing a project initiation document under uncertain government guidance and a tight deadline. He stressed the importance of incorporating existing evidence-based conservation area management plans and neighbourhood plans into future planning processes. He also raised concerns about ensuring that updated and professionally prepared landscape character assessments and key views, such as those commissioned by Winchfield Parish Council, are fully referenced and integrated into the new district-wide landscape character assessment to avoid oversight and future disputes.

The Planning Policy and Economic Development Manager, Daniel Hawes, introduced the draft Local Plan programme, stating that the plan addresses the need for updated housing targets following government changes that significantly increased the required number of new homes. He noted that the PID outlines an ambitious 30-month timeline and an estimated cost of approximately £2.4 million, primarily for consultancy fees and additional staffing.

Members discussed the tight timescales, the risk of non-completion prior to LGR, confidence in securing resources, and the lack of information on new planning guidance from the government. They were informed that a governance structure involving cabinet and overview and scrutiny committees would oversee progress, and that collaboration with neighbouring authorities is ongoing.

The committee was told that there was no 'Plan B' and that the council must proceed with the plan to avoid unregulated development and provide a legacy for the successor authority.

The Overview and Scrutiny committee agreed to forward the comments made to the Cabinet.

Our Plan for Fleet Pond

The committee was asked to comment on the proposal to adopt the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan to inform Our Plan for Fleet Pond and future works to Fleet Pond Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The recommendations to Cabinet were:

• To adopt the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan 2025, which includes a long-term programme of works and improvement projects at Fleet Pond SSSI.
• To release existing and allocate future Section 106[^3] contributions from the Hartland Village planning application (17/00471/OUT) for use in line with the programme of works set out in the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan. [^3]: Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community and infrastructure.
• To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Communities and the Section 151 Officer[^4], in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Countryside and Finance, to fund the plan projects subject to detailed costings being agreed upon at project level. [^4]: Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires local authorities to appoint an officer responsible for the proper administration of their financial affairs.

The Biodiversity Officer, Mike Barry, introduced the Fleet Pond Enhancement Plan, which lays out a series of projects, management recommendations, and improvements that meet five criteria for ecological improvements. These include large-scale projects for Gelvert Stream and Brookly Stream, biomanipulation works, plant species reintroduction, and new management proposals and targets.

Members discussed the financial summary, the expertise necessary to address issues with invasive plants and creatures, potential risks around the re-introduction of species, and the potential of funding being withdrawn by Thames Water. They were assured that no projects would be undertaken without agreed funding in place, that all work on invasive species would be undertaken within the law and with appropriate expertise, and that funding from Thames Water was protected as it related to previous pollution breaches.

The committee suggested that Recommendation 4 be amended to reference 'appropriate funding' and that the comments made be passed to Cabinet. It was agreed that the timeline presented would be circulated to members.

Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

The Chief Executive, Daryl Phillips, introduced the proposed draft Action Plan arising from the Local Government Association (LGA) 2025 Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) feedback report for Hart District Council.

The council had received a positive report highlighting its stability and exemplary projects, with recommendations for further improvement. The corporate plan will be extended to 2028, reflecting political ambitions and priorities, with a new plan expected by Christmas 2025.

Key areas of focus include preparing the organisation for the transition to a new unitary authority under local government reorganisation (LGR), maintaining staff capacity and morale, and accelerating service transformation through digital initiatives. There is collaboration with Rushmoor Borough Council to align efforts and share resources. There is also an emphasis on promoting and communicating the council's achievements to the public to enhance the perception of local government services.

A structured equality, diversity, and inclusion training program tailored to the Council's needs is being developed, supported by the LGA, to foster a culture of awareness and inclusivity. Governance arrangements are being formalised to clarify roles and decision-making processes, ensuring transparency and legal compliance.

Members discussed the timeline for reviewing the Corporate Plan, the use of abbreviations in the Action Plan, the need for service transformation being referenced in the Corporate Plan, collaboration with Rushmoor Borough Council, governance and monitoring of progress against the Action Plan, and the importance of promoting the excellent work of Hart District Council such as Biodiversity Net Gain² and of providing a legacy for residents. The committee noted the report and asked that when the Peer Challenge team revisits the Council in February 2026, a copy of any subsequent feedback report be shared with the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Development Management - Initial Review

The Development Manager, Mark Berry, introduced a report covering the key actions from the 2024 Review of performance of the Development Management service and whether they are fully embedded and effective.

The committee heard that the Development Management Service was in a good place and delivering above target whilst operating in a challenging environment. However, there was no complacency and always room for improvement. Recruitment and retention of staff remained a challenge and was a priority for management.

Members discussed the increase in applications, especially for larger sites, the continuation of the Landlord and Parish Forums, new validation criteria adopted, and the improvement in service provision. They were informed that additional funding comes with larger applications, and this can be used to mitigate increased workloads, subject to Cabinet approval, and that a recent internal audit on planning performance data had achieved a good level of assurance.

The committee noted the report and agreed that future progress reporting would be considered by the Service Panel.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee considered the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and agreed to the following amendments:

• The Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan update will be considered again after the LGA return visit in February 2026.
• Remove the Development Management Performance – Final review report scheduled for March 2026.

The Chairman, Dr Jane Worlock, stated that there has been recent communication about the issue of injunctions related to traveller sites. Members were asked to consider whether to reconvene a task and finish group to revisit the injunction issue.

Members heard that the number of incursions in the district is low compared to neighbouring areas, that legal advice indicates that obtaining injunctions is challenging and costly with limited likelihood of success, and that the council currently manages incursions effectively through existing powers and police cooperation. The need for designated stopping sites to provide legitimate options for travellers, which is a complex and sensitive issue with limited local support, was also discussed.

It was unanimously agreed that a further review was unnecessary and therefore the Task & Finish Group did not need to be reconvened. It was agreed that an updated briefing would be circulated to members, and the issue of identifying new sites would be reflected in the local plan. No further action was recommended.