Agenda and minutes

At the commencement of the meeting, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of former Councillor John Wilson who sadly passed away on the 9^th April.  Members also took a moment of reflection for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine where five million people have fled the country and another seven million are displaced internally due to the war.

The meeting will commence with a short service of prayers.

The meeting commenced with a short service of prayers led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Jackson.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Dugan and Councillor Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25 February 2022.

An amendment to the minutes was agreed to note that following the observation of a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Eric Dunn, Councillor Mrs Trott spoke in memory of former Councillor Dunn.

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2022.

The Mayor advised members that she would be varying the order of proceedings for the meeting by bringing forward item 16 – Councillor Long Standing Service Awards to be heard after item 5 – Executive Leader Announcements. The Mayor stated that regrettably there would not be an opportunity for members to speak in response to the presentations of Awards but invited members to meet in the Parlour after the meeting to pass on congratulations and share stories.

The Mayor also advised that she would be changing the order of proceedings in response to the deputations which would be heard regarding the height restriction barriers in Portchester and stated that she would be bringing the update on that motion forward to be heard after the deputations.

Turning to recent Mayoral engagements, the Mayor announced that she and the Mayoress have continued to have a steady flow of engagements since the last Council meeting, including the tree planting in various locations to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Mayor stated that it had been a great pleasure to be invited last month to Portsmouth Cathedral with the Executive Leader to attend the installation of the new Bishop of Portsmouth. The Mayor also stated that she had more recently had an opportunity to meet with Bishop Jonathan and his wife in the Parlour and had welcomed them as new residents to Fareham. 

The Mayor announced that she and the Mayoress were delighted that at the 4^th attempt, their major charity fundraiser event of the Mayor’s Ball was able to take place in the wardroom at HMS Collingwood.  It not only proved to be a financial success but, from comments received, it proved to be a most enjoyable evening too.

The Mayor also announced that her final charity event was an enjoyable evening at Antonio’s restaurant with the Mayor’s chosen charities likely to benefit from receiving helpful donations.

Following her announcements, the Mayor stated that she would like to thank the Deputy Mayor for standing in the wings for such a long time, especially as it has meant changes to his busy schedule. The Mayor also thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending One Community’s Mascot March in West Street as she had sadly not been well enough to attend.  

As this was her last council meeting as Mayor, the Mayor paid tribute to Officers for their guidance and assistance during the past three difficult years and stated that their time and advice has been very much appreciated. The Mayor also gave thanks to all members for their forbearance during such difficult times and praised the diligent way that they had all accepted the various ways that meetings had been conducted.

The Mayor announced that the next municipal year will see some changes, and she stated that she would like to take the opportunity to thank those members who were not seeking re-election and wished them all a very happy and healthy retirement.  She also wished good luck to all those standing for re-election.

The Executive Leader echoed thanks to officers at the end of this municipal year and acknowledged that many Councillors go to the polls in the next couple of weeks to take part in democracy which many people around the world don’t have a chance to participate in.

The Executive Leader announced that he was going to speak to the Council’s longest serving Councillors each of whom has carried out decades of service: in fact, between them well over a century and a half. 

Councillor Trevor Cartwright

The Executive Leader stated it had been an immense pleasure to have served with Councillor Trevor Cartwright for the last 22 years both as a fellow Councillor and friend.  Councillor Cartwright has been the longest serving Deputy Executive Leader of this Council and has always been a source of wise counsel to the Executive Leader and he knows to officers too, especially on personnel matters.  Most everything that there has been to be Council Champion for, Councillor Cartwright has done it, whether it be Daedalus, Vanguard or overseeing major projects at Solent Airport @ Daedalus or Holly Hill Leisure Centre.  The Executive Leader stated that Warsash and Fareham have been well served by Councillor Cartwright both within the Civic building and outside as the Council’s representative and he wished Councillor Cartwright all the best on the water.

Councillor Peter Davies

The Executive Leader stated that Councillor Peter Davies has, on and off, been a Councillor for 36 years and he was pleased that, having tried out every other political party, he found his true home with the Conservatives.  Councillor Davies hasn’t just been here, he has made a memorable impression with his specialised subjects of buses, council housing and his beloved North-West Ward of Fareham whose residents he has have served admirably.  The Executive Leader stated that he and Councillor Davies have enjoyed bus trips together and he will very much miss his contributions to debate.  The Executive Leader wished Councillor Davies all the best.

Councillor Jim Forrest

The Executive Leader stated that Councillor Jim Forrest has been a most diligent and honourable Member of this Council.  His contributions have never failed to be relevant and, unlike some, Councillor Forrest has supported the administration in many of our major projects because he thinks they are right for Fareham.  Councillor Forrest has never chosen the path of opposing for opposition’s sake.  The Executive Leader stated that Councillor Forrest has dedicated himself to Stubbington matters and those residents to whom he has given great support.  The Executive Leader hoped that Councillor Forrest’s future will be long and fruitful.

Councillor Leslie Keeble

The Executive Leader stated that he and Councillor Keeble have not always seen eye-to-eye however he has always had the greatest of respect for the service that Councillor Keeble has given to the residents of West Ward which he knows has been beyond compare.  The Executive Leader stated the people they represent are the most important to the life of any politician and between us we can make a positive difference.  Councillor Keeble has always supported his residents with their issues, and they will always have cause to be grateful to him for his decades of dedicated service to them.

Councillor Roger Price

The Executive Leader stated that Councillor Roger Price has been a Councillor at Fareham consistently longer than any of the Councillors: the Father of the Council.  Not just meetings in this building but also in Westbury Manor.  The Executive Leader stated that he has generally enjoyed working with Councillor Price and has always known that when they have discussed, and the Leader has shared, issues in confidence they have remained that way.  The Executive Leader stated that Councillor Price has always had the greatest respect for this institution and helping to ensure that proper practises and protocols are followed. 

The Executive Leader stated that, on a personal level, he has always enjoyed Councillor Price’s company and he has never forgotten when he was a very new Leader – 23 years ago – and attended his first Local Government Association Conference in Harrogate Councillor and Mrs Price, knowing he was there on his own in a new environment, took him out for dinner where they enjoyed each other’s company.  The Executive Leader wished Councillor Price the very best for the future – half a century of dedication to Portchester and Fareham is no mean feat.  As Councillor Price will serve the rest of his term on the County Council, they will still meet but he will be missed at the Council.

To present awards for Long Service to retiring Councillors who have served in excess of two terms of office.

This item was brought forward on the agenda and heard after item 5.

The Mayor announced that a number of Councillors were retiring as long serving Ward Councillors this year – Councillor Trevor Cartwright, Councillor Peter Davies, Councillor Geoff Fazackarley, Councillor Jim Forrest, Councillor Leslie Keeble and Councillor Roger Price JP, and that she would be inviting them to receive a long-standing service plaque of recognition.

Councillor Trevor Cartwright

In introducing Councillor T M Cartwright, the Mayor stated that he joined the Council in 2000 when he was elected as ward member for Warsash. Councillor Cartwright served on a variety of committees during his term in office including the Licensing Committee as Vice-Chairman.   Councillor Cartwright has been the Deputy Leader of the Council since 2012 and served as Executive Member for Service Performance and Improvement from 2002 to 2010. After serving as Mayor in 2011/12 he served as Executive Member for Health & Public Protection from 2012 until 2022.  

The Mayor then presented Councillor T M Cartwright with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor T M Cartwright addressed the meeting in reply.

Councillor Peter Davies

In introducing Councillor P J Davies, the Mayor stated that Councillor Davies joined the Council in 1978 as ward member for Fareham North West.  Councillor Davies has served on many of the Council’s Committees, Boards and Panels, including as Chairman of the Housing Tenancy Board and the Audit Committee and Vice Chairman of the Planning & Development Scrutiny Panel.

The Mayor then presented Councillor P J Davies with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor P J Davies addressed the meeting in reply.

Councillor Geoff Fazackarley

In introducing Councillor G Fazackarley, the Mayor stated that Councillor Fazackarley has been a member of the Council since 2012, representing the Portchester East ward from 2012 to 2018 and the Fareham South ward from 2018 to 2022. During his time on the Council, he has sat on several Committees and Panels including the Health & Public Protection Scrutiny Panel as Chairman and the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel as Vice Chairman.  Councillor Fazackarley was Mayor in 2017/18.

The Mayor then presented Councillor G Fazackarley with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor G Fazackarley addressed the meeting in reply.

Councillor Jim Forrest

In introducing Councillor J Forrest, the Mayor stated that Councillor Forrest first joined the Council in 2002 when he was elected as ward Councillor for Stubbington. Councillor Forrest has served on many of the Council’s Committees, Panels and Boards including the Scrutiny Board, the Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Committee and the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel.  

The Mayor then presented Councillor J Forrest with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor J Forrest addressed the meeting in reply.

Councillor Leslie Keeble

In introducing Councillor L Keeble, the Mayor stated that Councillor Keeble has been a member of the Council since 2000 when he was elected as ward councillor for Fareham West.  During his time on the Council, Councillor Keeble has served on many Committees Boards and Panels, including as Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Scrutiny Board.

From 2002-2004 Leslie was the Executive Member for Health & the Environment.  Councillor Keeble served as Mayor in 2005/06 and was the Executive Member for Performance and Improvement from 2010 to 2011 and Executive Member for Streetscene from 2011 - 2015. 

The Mayor then presented Councillor L Keeble with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor L Keeble addressed the meeting in reply.

Councillor R H Price, JP

In introducing Councillor R H Price, JP, the Mayor stated that Councillor Price had been a member of Fareham Borough Council since 1972, and before that was a member of Fareham Urban District Council in 1971.  Councillor Price has represented the wards of Portchester West, Portchester Central and Portchester East.  Roger has served on numerous Committees, Boards and Panels including the Policy & Resources Committee as Chairman.  Councillor Price was Leader of the Council from 1995 to 1999 and is the long-standing County Councillor for Portchester.  Councillor Price was Mayor in 1982/83 and then again in 1999/2000. 

The Mayor then presented Councillor R H Price, JP with his long-standing service plaque of recognition following which Councillor R H Price, JP addressed the meeting in reply.

Executive Member for Health and Public Protection

Police & Crime Panel

At the last Police & Crime Panel, the Commissioner announced that she is introducing a new operating model for her office by re-organising management roles and operational functions to make her office leaner, more focused and better equipped to meet current and future demands.  The Commissioner is also moving her office to Fareham which will provide better value for money.  The changes will enhance the Commissioner’s oversight and scrutiny functions to drive performance improvements in policing and the wider criminal justice system whilst providing budget savings to invest in police and crime prevention.

The new office will be located just off Junction 10 of the M27 in the Long Barn building, Fareham, and it is anticipated that the move will be completed by the summer.  The commissioner stated that she had already started the process with savings that will total approximately £700K a year. The savings are coming from staff costs and re-locating the office to a cheaper location.  The present office in Winchester costs approximately £220K per year including business rates, rent and parking.  By moving the office to Fareham, the rent will be £65K a year and on costs of £97K.

Partnership Action Group

The outgoing Chief Inspector, Mark Lewis, contacted the Community Safety Team to say that the Force Review of district working has highlighted a constructive and positive working relationship between Fareham Borough Council’s Community Safety Team and the Police. 

One of the quotes from the Report was that each matter was looked at to explore the detail allowing both police and other agencies to participate fully which they did with confidence. The district within the police command have interwoven relationships with their community safety partnership agencies and the police managed by the Chief Inspector, to be in synergy with them.  The positive interactions between the internal partners and the external partners were clear to see.

Chief Inspector Lewis stated that from reading the rest of the report he was told that every year the Fareham Partnership Action Group, chaired and put together by the Council’s Community Safety Manager Narinder Baines, is one of, if not, the best in the Force when they review down to the way it is managed, the breadth of partners involved, how active partners are and how constructive the meetings are. The Executive Member stated that he would like to put forward his congratulations to Narinder for this excellent report.

Executive Member for Planning and Development

Salterns Seawall

The Executive Member for Planning and Development stated, as previously reported to Council, during storm Barra significant damage was caused to the sea wall running along the Salterns Recreation ground.  There is a need to address this damage and officers have recommended building a pre-cast concrete “lego” block wall for the repairs.  The “lego” blocks are the lowest cost option and the quickest method to restore the sea wall.  Officers are currently working through the consenting and procurement process for the repairs and expect to start construction during summer 2022. 

The Executive Member for Planning and Development stated that a longer-term strategic solution to reduce flood and coastal erosion is also being worked on for the area.  £487,500 of levy funds have been secured to undertake a coastal defence study in the coming months.

Local Plan update

The Executive Member for Planning and Development stated that he was sure every member who has listened into the Local Plan Inquiry could not fail to have been impressed with the knowledge, understanding and professionalism of Richard Jolley’s team headed up by Gayle Wootton.

The Executive Member for Planning and Development stated that now the inquiry has ended there is still a significant amount of work to do in responding to requests for information and in taking the plan through to the next phase.  The Executive Member for Planning and Development took the opportunity to thank the team for their work on the massive project and looks forward to keeping Members informed of the progress.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any petitions presented by a member of the Council.

Note: any petition so presented will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme.

There were no petitions presented at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been given.

Deputations were made by local residents Verity Fair, Rob Lipshamand Mr Colin & Mrs Susan Banks in respect of item 14(1) of the agenda – update on the Motion presented by Councillor R H Price, JP to the meeting of the Council held on 21 October 2021.

Following the deputations, the Mayor announced that as the deputations referred to the Motion originally raised in October 2021, she would now bring item 14(1) forward and asked the Head of Democratic Services to provide the meeting with an update on that Motion.

The Head of Democratic Services reminded Members that the original Motion was received on the 21 October 2021 and had been referred to the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel, as minuted at page 96 of the Council agenda packs.  In those minutes, it is confirmed that the Motion was presented by Councillor R H Price, JP and debated by the Panel.  The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection addressed the Panel on the item and following the debate, the Panel resolved that “it would not be reasonable, proportionate, cost effective or affordable to install height restriction barriers”.

Members’ attention was drawn to the recommendation (b) on page 96 of the Council agenda pack which indicated that the Panel’s recommendations will be received by the Council.  This was an error as this issue falls under an Executive function and the recommendation should read that the Panel’s comments will be received by the Executive.  The minutes from the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel will be rectified at the next Panel meeting.

The Mayor announced that as the Motion related to an Executive Function, it could not be debated by Council today and would be deferred to the Executive for decision. However, to enable Councillor R H Price, JP as the original proposer of the Motion to speak on this item, the Mayor advised that there was a motion to suspend Standing Orders. The Mayor further advised that members must be aware that this suspension would not allow for any wider debate to take place.

On having been proposed by Councillor S D T Woodward and seconded by Councillor T M Cartwright it was unanimously RESOLVED that Standing Orders 2.14 to 2.21 be suspended for the duration of this item of business to allow Councillor R H Price, JP as the mover of the original motion to which the deputations relate, to speak on the item for up to 5 minutes, with the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection and the Executive Leader able to respond to any points raised by the said proposer.

After Councillor R H Price, JP had addressed the Council on the Motion and Councillor T M Cartwright and Councillor S D T Woodward had responded, the Mayor advised the meeting that this matter now stood referred to the Executive for decision.

At the end of this item Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley left the meeting.

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the Executive.  Minutes of the meetings of the Executive and a schedule of individual Executive member decisions are appended.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on Monday 07 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on Monday 04 April 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the Schedule of Individual Executive Member and Officer Delegated Decisions be received.

To receive the minutes of the following Committees and to consider and answer questions on any reports and recommendations made.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 16 February 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 02 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 23 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on Monday 14 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Committee held on Tuesday 29 March 2022 be received.

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the meetings of the Scrutiny Panels.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel held on Tuesday 01 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on Thursday 03 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel held on Wednesday 09 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Health & Public Protection Scrutiny Panel held on Tuesday 22 March 2022 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on Thursday 24 March 2022 be received.

To answer questions pursuant to Standing Order 2.12 for this meeting.

There were no questions submitted for this meeting.

Members will be informed, prior to the meeting, of any motion duly notified in accordance with Standing Order 2.6 but received after print and dispatch of the agenda.

To receive an update on the motion presented by Councillor R H Price, JP at the meeting of the Council held on 21 October 2021 in respect of height restriction barriers at Portchester precinct car park. 

This item had been moved forward on the agenda and dealt with at item 9.

To receive an update on the motion presented by Councillor J Forrest at the Council meeting held on 21 October 2021 in respect of the live streaming of meetings of the Council, main Committees and Scrutiny Panels.

The Council received an update by the head of Democratic Services on the motion presented by Councillor J Forrest at the meeting of the Council held on 21 October 2021 in respect of the live streaming of Council meetings.

The Head of Democratic Services advised that the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Panel received a presentation at its meeting on the 03 March 2022 and took part in debate on this item. The Head of Democratic Services stated that members would have seen the minutes from this item and the discussion that took place at page 86 of their agenda packs.

The Head of Democratic Services confirmed that a report would be taken back to the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Panel later in the year detailing options available for live streaming of meetings and that deputations could be made at that meeting.

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

RESOLVED that the Panel endorses the proposed Work Programmes for all the Committee meetings scheduled for the next municipal year as set out in Appendix A to the report.