New Forest District Council announces £139 million financial plans

The proposals for £139 million capital spend over the 3-year period 2023/24 - 2025/26 will ensure investment in housing, and the long-term efficiency of essential council services.  

The £139 million (to March 2026) will include council housing maintenance (£28 million), new council housing including purchases and council-led developments (£45 million), a new operational depot facility (£7 million), updated vehicles (£11 million), commercial and residential property (£22 million), new waste strategy containers (£5 million), and coastal protection schemes (£7 million). 

As well as the £139 million, £92,000 has been set aside for community grants in 2023/2024, an increase from last year’s funding. These grants are awarded to local groups and organisations who are providing essential community services. Council vehicles reaching the end of their useful life will also be updated as part of the financial plans.  

Cllr Jeremy Heron, portfolio holder for finance, investment, and corporate services, said: “This financial planning aims to protect and maintain the crucial services we provide for residents; to create efficiency, savings and enable income generation to safeguard important services and assets across the district, for now and into the long term.”  

To find out more about the proposals, residents can read the report online at https://democracy.newforest.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=7513