Month: December 2023

New Forest District Council are inviting residents, organisations, and businesses to have their say on the Council’s draft corporate plan.

The 4 year plan is the overarching document that sets the vision, values, priorities, and commitments of the district authority, from 2024.

Cllr Jill Cleary, Leader, said,

“Our corporate plan plays a principal role in the strategic framework for the council and is the overarching document that sets out our vision of a better future by supporting opportunities for the people and communities we serve, protecting our unique and special place, and securing a vibrant and prosperous New Forest.

“The plan focuses on the challenges we face, and the ambitions we have to respond to these challenges, structured around the themes of People, Place and Prosperity.  

“The council has long recognised the strong heritage and a world-class environment we operate within, and work to protect and enhance. Tackling climate and environmental challenges is key to ensure that the special nature of the New Forest can be enjoyed by future generations.

“We also want to support the prosperity of our residents. We know there are investment opportunities to come, and it is important to me that our residents now and in the future can benefit from these opportunities.

“We will support our communities to feel safe and supported while being able to take every opportunity that comes the district’s way.

“Together we will navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring our district remains a wonderful place to live, work and thrive”

Comments on the draft corporate plan are invited until 26 January 2024, at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/CorporatePlanConsultation

There are some changes to household recycling and rubbish collections in the New Forest district over Christmas and New Year. 

Clear recycling sack and black rubbish sack collections: 

Sack collections usually due on Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January, will instead be on Tuesday 2 January.  

Sack collections usually due on Tuesday 26 December and Tuesday 2 January, will instead be on Wednesday 3 January.  

Sack collections usually due from Wednesday 3 January to Friday 5 January, will instead be on the following day. For example, households who would usually have their sacks collected on Wednesday 3 January, will have them collected on Thursday 4 January.  

New Forest District Council (NFDC) can collect extra recycling and rubbish from affected households. 

All other sack collections will stay the same as usual.  

Glass collections: 

Glass collections usually due on Monday 25 December, will instead be on Saturday 30 December.  

Glass collections usually due on Tuesday 26 December, will instead be on Saturday 6 January.  

Glass collections usually due on Monday 1 January, will instead be on Saturday 13 January.  

All other glass collections will stay the same as usual. 

Garden waste collections:

As usual, NFDC are pausing garden waste collections for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year.  

There will be no garden waste collections from Monday 25 December to Sunday 7 January. They will resume from Monday 8 January. 

Residents can check their usual collection day online: https://newforest.gov.uk/findyourcollection 

A full list of changes to waste and recycling collections, and more information about recycling over Christmas and New Year, is available online: https://newforest.gov.uk/christmasrecycling 

Reusing and recycling Christmas waste  

NFDC are reminding residents to add empty aerosols, plastic bottles, tins, cans, card, and paper to their clear recycling sacks.  

If not reused, greeting cards and plain brown gift wrap can be recycled, but any decorations such as ribbons or sticky tape need to be removed first.  

The majority of gift wrap is not suitable for recycling in Hampshire as it contains a mixture of plastic and foil.  

Christmas tree recycling  

NFDC’s Christmas tree drop-off points are returning from Sunday 31 December to Sunday 14 January. 

List of Christmas tree drop-off locations:  

Fordingbridge    

A338 Slip Road Car Park    

SP6 1AW

Ringwood    

Furlong Long Stay Car Park – follow signs to designated area    

BH24 1AT   

Residents are asked to only drop off real Christmas trees and remove any decorations first, such as lights or wreaths. Trees must be placed as far back as possible in the fenced bay. Any trees left in car parks not on the list or by litter bins, will be treated as fly-tipping. 

NFDC will recycle the trees by chipping them to create mulch. The mulch will be used locally to help keep moisture around plant roots, and to prevent weeds from growing. 

Last year, NFDC recycled over 6,500 Christmas trees which were taken to the drop-off locations.