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Beach Huts Can be Used from 29 March

We have heard the excellent news that it has been agreed by NFDC that beach hut owners can resume the use of their huts from Monday 29 March 2021. Also, hut owners can carry out repairs to their huts from now on.

The Council bases the decision on the Government's guidance which is that the 'Stay at Home' rule will end on 29 March. Outdoor gatherings of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will be allowed, but restrictions will remain in place.

People should minimise the number of journeys they make, where possible avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. We should continue to follow social distancing and the hands/face/space message remains in place for the foreseeable future.

Enjoy your huts but stay safe.

Announcement from Acting Chairman, Alice Burch

I am sad to say that I have made the difficult decision to step down as Acting Chairman for personal reasons. I am about to embark on a new job as well as juggling my young children during continued lockdown. I wish you all well and may see you down the beach when permitted.

I hope 2021 brings you happiness and safety as we move through the latter stages of this horrible pandemic.

The Association is here to support you with your beach huts during these times. Please feel free to get in contact with your beach area rep or other Committee member - please see details under the Contact tab: https://www.newforestbeachhuts.com/#contactus

Also, National Lockdown: Stay at Home guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home. We are hopeful that we will start to get back to meeting and socialising at our loved beach huts in the warmer months.

Beach Hut Site Licence Fees

There will be an increase in beach hut site licence fees (commencing 1st April) and the Association has worked hard with the NFDC to minimise the financial impact to hut owners. We are pleased to report that the fee increase for 2021 / 2022 has been brought down from the proposed 10% to an average of 3.8% (£24 inc. VAT). Formal invoices have now been sent to each hut owner showing the charge for your hut for this year. Nobody at the Association welcomed any increase naturally but the NFDC have a huge deficit in their budgets so, fortunately, we feel that we have limited your exposure.

This year, hut owners have benefitted from a reduction in the rate of VAT paid to HMRC on beach hut site licence fees from 20% to 5%. Because of this, the overall fees inclusive of VAT are considerably reduced for this year compared with last year. As the VAT rate reduction was effective from 15 July 2020, site licence fee invoices showed a net refund of VAT paid on last year's site licence fee from that date to 31 March 2021, resulting in a further reduction in the final bills for this year.
 

Annual General Meeting

We recognise that we have not yet had our AGM, and plan to hold this in the month of April. As we are unable to hold our usual face to face meeting due to ongoing Covid restrictions, we will proceed with an online Zoom video meeting. You will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance. We will have in attendance representatives from the NFDC, together with the Association committee members.
 

Crime

We take crime very seriously and have written to both the local police and MP in relation to reporting and reducing crime. This is an ongoing matter and we will work with all members. Advice on this can be found at: The New Forest Beach Hut Owner's Association - NFBHOA (newforestbeachhuts.com).
 

Beach Hut Sales

As a reminder, we have introduced a new Beach Hut Sales option on our website. This is a fantastic free facility members can use. Please visit The New Forest Beach Hut Owner's Association - NFBHOA - Hut Sales (newforestbeachhuts.com) for more information.
 
 

Kestrel Security Patrols at Barton on Sea

Following the incident of criminal damage and theft which took place at 22 huts at Barton on 2 /3 October 2020, NFDC have reinstated Kestrel Security patrols at the beach.

Barton Rep

Melanie Swain, a Barton hut owner has volunteered to take the position of Barton Rep. Your committee voted to accept her appointment and welcome her in an acting role until a formal membership vote at the next AGM. Melanie replaces Paul Major who has been fulfilling the position temporarily in addition to his position as Hordle Rep.

Palm Oil on Beaches

Reports have been received of white lumps of congealed palm oil on New Forest beaches. Dog owners are warned that this material causes severe illness if ingested by their pets.

If you see this material on a beach, please advise NFDC's Customer Services by phoning: 023 8028 5000 or by email at: customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk

NFDC Contact Phone Number Change

NFDC have advised that from 3 August, you will no longer be able to contact them on 023 80 28 5588. If you have the 5588 number stored anywhere, please delete it to save you misdialling in future. If you call that number you will hear a recorded message to advise that the number is no longer in use.

All the other NFDC telephone numbers remain unchanged and 023 80 28 5000 is the customer services number.

Before telephoning you may wish to save time by visiting the website http://www.newforest.gov.uk where there is information about NFDC's services.

By visiting https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1162/Contact-us you will also see all NFDC contact options including using a web-chat with the customer services team.

You can email NFDC at customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk

If you call customer services you will hear a list of options. Please listen carefully so you can select the right one for the service you need. Your call will then be automatically put through to the service you want, or you will be connected to customer services.

2019-2020 Income and Expenditure Account

The Income and Expenditure Accounts for 2019-2020 were to have been presented at the 2020 AGM. However, as the AGM has been postponed, the accounts are instead available for Members to view in the Members Only section, by clicking on AGM minutes (current and archive)

New NFBHOA Committee Members Urgently Required

Following the resignation of our Acting Chairman, Alice Burch, the Association is again seeking a new Chairman.

Colin Holdsworth would prefer not to continue as the Milford Rep. and will not stand for re-election if someone else comes forward.

The rest of the Committee are willing to stand again, and their statements of intent will be available at the next AGM. We are all volunteers.

If you are interested in being the Chairman or the Milford Rep. please contact Jan Wise for further details: hon.secretary@newforestbeachhuts.com

Any nominations for these committee positions must be received in writing by the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days prior to the date of the AGM and accompanied by the names of the Proposer and Seconder. Prospective nominees will need to be members of the Association.