Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 June 2024.

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

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.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been given.

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.

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

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

To answer questions pursuant to Standing Order 2.12 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.

A Motion, Climate & Nature Bill (previously Climate & Ecology Bill) was received by Council on 14 December 2023. The Motion was referred to the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel, who considered it at their meeting on 14 March 2024.

The Motion was then referred to the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel, who considered at their meeting on 9 June 2024.

A copy of the original motion wording is attached at Appendix A.

A copy of the presentation given to the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel as well as the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel is attached as Appendix B.

The Climate Change Scrutiny Panel gave the following resolution to this motion:

Members discussed the proposed Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill at length. The key points that the Panel considered to pass to Council to assist with debate on the Motion were as set out below:

• the objectives of the CAN Bill to introduce further national legislation,  policy and targets in relation to both climate and nature matters were broadly welcomed by Panel members;
• it was noted that the future legislative programme of the new Government may include measures relating to both climate and nature matters;
• there is a need to consider the potential financial impacts (both positive and negative) of any future climate and nature legislative/policy changes and targets on the wider economy, local residents and local authorities at the Government policy-making stage;
• future climate and nature legislative/policy changes should be supported as appropriate at a local level, with local authorities playing an active role in delivery and engagement within the local community;
• the importance of clear and consistent measurement of climate and nature outcomes in framing future legislation, policy and targets, both nationally and internationally, was highlighted;
• the use of climate and nature expert scientific advisors in framing future legislation, policy and targets, and also associated delivery programmes was highlighted; 
• the Panel noted that the Motion referenced only one of the three MP’s that, following the recent general election, now represent parts of Fareham Borough. 

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel pass the above comments on to Council to assist with their debate on the Motion.

This motion is now being brought back to Council for debate and decision.

The motion submitted by Councillor G Furnivall in respect of the LGBTQ+ Community is as follows:

This Council notes that:

·         Fareham Borough is the proud home of a large, diverse and thriving LGBTQ+ community.

·         Results of the 2012 Census show that 8.14% of residents (16 and over) identify as LGB – ie approximately 1 I 12. Furthermore, 0.27% of residents state that their gender is different to that assigned at birth – ie. Approximately 1 in 370.

·         According to Home office statistics sexual orientation hate crime in Hampshire rose by 65% in 2022 from the year before. In fact, all hate crime rose by 64% making Hampshire the highest rise in the South East.

·         The Stonewall and YouGov 2018 ‘LGBT in Britan – health report’ stated that 1 in 8 LGBT people (18-24) had tried to take their own life in the previous year and almost half of trans people surveyed said the same.

Council therefore notes:

·         That harm has be done to the LGBTQ+ people in the past and that discrimination exists.

·         The Home Office has stated that increased discussions of “transgender issues” could be behind the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes.

·         That more could be done to support and enable equity in Fareham society.

·         That all LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Fareham Borough Council resolves:

·         To show support for the LGBTQ+ people by flying the Pride Flag during Pride month from 2025.

·         To explore how to ensure anyone dealing with the Council may be offered the opportunity to be addressed using pronouns of their choice if they wish.

To make any changes in appointments to the seats on committees in accordance with the wishes of political groups.  Such appointments will take effect from 26/27/24.