National Park Authority Meeting 20 March 2026

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

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 meeting held on 9 December 2025
            To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Authority meeting held on  9 December 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 Appendix 1 of Agenda Item 15 and Agenda Items 18 and 19, 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, it is felt that on balance this is outweighed by the requirement of the National Park Authority to be able to consider matters in relation to its business – in this case in relation to the delivery of the planning service, the development of the Woodland Carbon Platform, and risk and audit matters – and fully consider the implications of its actions or proposed actions particularly in relation to decisions which may have implications on the effective day-to-day running of the Authority without the disclosure of information that could adversely impact the day-to-day running of the Authority and its ability to deliver its services.
         7. Authority Chair Update
            To consider a report from the Authority Chair (Report NPA25/26-24).
            Agenda Item 07
            
         8. Chief Executive’s Progress Report
            To consider a report from the Chief Executive Officer (Report NPA25/26-25).
            Agenda Item 08
            
         9. South Downs National Park Trust Update
            To receive a verbal report from the Chair of the South Downs National Park Trust.
         10. Local Plan: Regulation 19 Publication
             To consider a report from the Director of Placemaking (Report NPA25/26-26).
             Agenda Item 10
             Agenda Item 10_Appendix 1
             Agenda Item 10_Appendix 2
             Agenda Item 10_Appendix 3 – compressed
             Agenda Item 10_Appendix 4
             Agenda Item 10_Appendix 5
             
         11. South Downs Corporate Plan 2026 -2031
             To consider a report from the Head of People and Place (Report NPA25/26-27).
             Agenda Item 11
             Agenda Item 11 – Appendices
             
         12. Revenue Budget, Capital Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 – 2030/31
             To consider a report from the Interim Chief Finance Officer (Report NPA25/26-28).
             Agenda Item 12
             Agenda Item 12 – Appendices
             
         13. Seven Sisters Country Park Annual Operating Plan 2026-27
             To receive a report from the Commercial and Strategic Manager (Report NPA25/26-29).
             Agenda Item 13
             Agenda Item 13 – Appendices
         14. Procurement of Two Contracts: (1) Bridleway Works on the South Downs Way at Alfriston and (2) Cleaning at the South Downs Centre, Midhurst
             To consider a report from the Procurement Manager (Report NPA25/26-30).
             Agenda Item 14
             Agenda Item 14 – Appendices
         15. Delegated Host Authority Arrangement – Winchester City Council Decision
             To consider a report from the Head of Major Development and Planning Operations (Report NPA25/26-31).
             Agenda Item 15

             THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA FOR INFORMATION ONLY

         16. Planning Committee Minutes
             Minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 13 November 2025.
             Agenda Item 16
             
         17. Policy & Resources Committee Minutes
             Minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 20 November 2025.
             Agenda Item 17

             PART II
             THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY ONLY

         18. South Downs Woodland Carbon Platform
             To consider a report from the Head of Natural Capital Development and Services (Report NPA25/26-32).

             THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA FOR INFORMATION ONLY

         19. Policy & Resources Committee Minutes
             Part II minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 20 November 2025.