Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies given for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Executive held on 09 January 2017.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on the 09 January 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader announced that following a period of local public consultation and review, despite representations from members of the public and the Council, the Post Office has disappointingly confirmed its decision to proceed with the proposal to move the Fareham Crown Post Office branch into the WHSmith store at 4 Savoy Buildings in West Street.

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

Councillors T M Cartwright and Mrs K Mandry declared Non-Pecuniary Interests for item 10(3) as they are members of the Daedalus Working Group.  They both remained present at the meeting for the discussion of the item.

Councillor C J Wood declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest when he addressed the Executive on item 10(3) as he is a member of the Daedalus Working Group. Councillor Wood also declared a Non-Pecuniary Personal Interest in respect of this item due to the close proximity of his parents’ property to the Daedalus site.  He remained present at the meeting.

The Executive Leader provided Members with an update in relation to the Petition that had been presented to the Council meeting in December 2016 requesting the removal of neglected horses from land in Newgate Lane.

The Executive Leader advised that the petition had been discussed at the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel on the 17 January 2017.  It had been noted that the Council does not own the land at Newgate Lane and therefore does not have any powers of eviction at the site and the Panel heard that the Council’s Environmental Health Service is aware of the case history of the horses at Newgate Lane and will continue to work closely with the RSPCA to provide full support of any action they consider it necessary to take. 

To receive any deputations, of which notice has been lodged.

There were no Deputations made at this meeting.

To receive any reference from the committees or panels held.

The Executive Leader advised that there will be an item to note at the next meeting in respect of the Traffic Management Programme.

A report by the Director of Operations.

RESOLVED that the Executive:-

(a)  agrees to the provision of an extension to the Holly Hill Cemetery; and

(b)  approves a budget of £300,000 to construct the cemetery extension.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regulation.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor Mrs K K Trott addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the Draft Regeneration Vision for Fareham Town Centre set out in Appendix A for consultation.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regulation.

RESOLVED that the Executive:-

(a)  agrees the terms for the purchase of the residential property, as set out in the confidential Appendix A; and

(b)  delegates authority to the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Executive Leader, to agree minor amendments to the terms as appropriate.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

The Executive noted an amendment to the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2017/18 that was tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to recommend to Council that:-

(a)  rents be approved for Council Dwellings as set out in paragraph 11 with effect from 03 April 2017;

(b)  rents for Council garages be increased by 6.2% with effect from 03 April 2017;

(c)  discretionary fees and charges be increased with effect from 03 April 2017;

(d)  the revised budget for 2016/17 be approved;

(e)  the base budget for 2017/18 be approved;

(f)   the capital programme and financing for 2016/17 to 2020/21 be approved; and

(g)  annual budgets and assumptions are set with the aim of ensuring sufficient surpluses are held to repay debt on the date of maturity of each loan.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

The Executive noted an amendment to the Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2017/18 that was tabled at the meeting.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillors S Cunningham and R H Price, JP, addressed the Executive on this item. 

Councillor Price put forward a proposal that provision be made in the budget to fund an outreach worker to support the increasing number of rough sleepers in the Town Centre.  The Executive Leader indicated that the Health and Housing and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panels would be the appropriate forum to discuss the need for this resourcing and that if it were considered necessary, provision could be made from within the existing spending reserve.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves and recommends to the meeting of the Council to be held on 24 February 2017:-

(a)  the capital programme and financing of £63,686,000;

(b)  an overall revised revenue budget for 2016/17 of £8,903,300;

(c)  a revenue budget for 2017/18 of £8,616,700; and

(d)  a council tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2017/18 of £150.22 per band D property, which represents a £5.00 increase when compared to the current year and is within referendum limits.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

Councillors T M Cartwright declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest for this item as he is the Chairman of the Daedalus Working Group.   Councillor T M Cartwright remained present at the meeting and took part in the discussion of this item.

Councillor Mrs K Mandry declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest for this item as she is a Member of the Daedalus Working Group.  Councillor Mrs K Mandry remained present at the meeting and took part in the discussion of this item.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor C J Wood addressed this Executive on this item.

Councillor C J Wood declared Non-Pecuniary Interests for this item as he is a member of the Daedalus Working Group and also in respect of the close proximity of his parents’ property to the Daedalus site.  He remained present at the meeting.

Councillor T M Cartwright requested that provision be made from these funds for the north end of the Control Tower to be painted white to improve its appearance.

RESOLVED that the Executive:-

(a)  agrees to the inclusion of the following schemes in the 2017/18 capital programme:

·         Refurbishment of the control tower at an indicative cost of £333,000; and

·         Provision of fuelling equipment and infrastructure at an indicative cost of £250,000;

(b)  delegates authority to the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Executive Leader, to award the contracts for the refurbishment of the control tower, subject to the cost being within the allocated budget.

(c)  delegates authority to the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise detailed arrangements for the procurement of fuelling equipment, subject to the cost being within allocated budget; and

(d)  agrees that the north end of the building be painted white in order to improve its appearance.

To report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive:-

(a)  endorses the draft Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2017/18, attached as Appendix A to this report; and

(b)  submits the report to Council for approval.