National Park Authority Meeting 16 October 2025

The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations are in force, giving a right to members of the public to record (film, photograph and audio-record) and report on proceedings at committee meetings. Please read our protocol on Filming, Recording and Reporting of SDNPA Meetings Protocol for more information.

At the start of the meeting the Chair will make an announcement that the meeting may be filmed, recorded or photographed. Webcasting is undertaken in the public interest and in the exercise of our official authority, by entering the meeting room and using the public seating area you are consenting to being filmed, recorded and photographed. If you have any queries regarding this please contact committee.officer@southdowns.gov.uk

Webcasting

We broadcast all meetings of the National Park Authority, Planning Committee and Policy and Resources Committee through our Youtube Channel. Meetings can be viewed live or on-demand up to six months after the meeting.

_Agenda 16.10.25

1. 1. 1. 1. Apologies for absence
         2. Declaration of Interests
            To enable Members to declare to the meeting any disclosable interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting.
         3. Minutes of the previous meetings held on 8 July and 1 September 2025
            To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Authority meetings held on  8 July and 1 September 2025.
            Agenda Item 03
         4. Urgent Matters
            To consider any matter on the agenda which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency to due special circumstances (if Members have any urgent matters they are asked to consult the Chair before the meeting commences).
         5. Public Participation
            The Chair will allow members of the public to ask questions, make statements or present a petition on any matter on the agenda for this meeting or on any matter that falls within the Authority’s powers, subject to procedures set out in Appendix 3 to the Authority’s Standing Orders.
         6. Need for Part II Exclusion of Press and Public
            The Authority is asked to consider whether, in respect of Agenda Item 16 the public, including the press, should be excluded from the meeting on the basis that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if a member of the public were present during the items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the Authority, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exempt information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. It is proposed on the basis that whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of Authority proceedings relating to the delivery of its planning service, it is felt that on balance this is outweighed by the need for the Authority to be able to consider matters in relation to its business and fully consider the implications of its proposed actions which will have implications for the agreements in relation to the ongoing delivery of its planning service without the disclosure of information that could undermine its position or its ability to deliver value for money through these arrangements.
         7. Authority Chair Update
            To consider a report from the Authority Chair (Report NPA25/26-8).
            Agenda Item 07
         8. Chief Executive’s Progress Report
            To consider a report from the Chief Executive Officer (Report NPA25/26-9).
            Agenda Item 08
         9. Downs to the Sea update
            To consider a verbal report from the Downs to the Sea Project Manager.
         10. Annual update on SDNPA Communications and Engagement work
             To consider a report from the Head of Communications and Engagement (Report NPA25/26-10).
             Agenda Item 10
             
         11. Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation Update
             To consider a report from the Director of Growth and Organisational Development (Report NPA25/26-11).
             Agenda Item 11
         12. Amendment to Standing Orders – Delegation of Authority to Enter into Conservation Covenant Agreements
             To consider a report from the Head of Governance and Monitoring Officer (Report NPA25/26-12).
             Agenda Item 12
         13. Budget Monitoring 2025/26: Capital Programme and Budget Variation
             To consider a report from the Interim Chief Finance Officer (Report NPA25/26-13).
             Agenda Item 13

             THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA FOR INFORMATION ONLY

         14. Planning Committee Minutes
             Minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 8 May and 10 July 2025 .
             Agenda Item 14
         15. Policy & Resources Committee Minutes
             Minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 26 June 2025.
             Agenda Item 15

             PART II
             THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY ONLY

         16. Part II Minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 September 2025
             To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the Authority meeting held on 1 September 2025.