Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence given for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 18 September 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader announced that members of the Executive enjoyed a visit to the Welborne site earlier in the day.  He noted that community engagement and support for the scheme has risen dramatically since work on the ground has begun at the site with significant infrastructure preparation.  Should the Planning consent be granted for housing, then housebuilding could begin on site as soon as January 2024.  The Executive Leader expressed his gratitude to Buckland Development for showing Ward members and Executive members the progress to date.

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.

The Executive Leader confirmed that a petition has been received containing 355 signatures requesting that the car park in Middle Road, Park Gate be reviewed to extend the free parking period from 2 hours to 3 hours.

The Executive Leader confirmed that the petition will be referred to the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel for consideration.

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

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive any references from the committees or panels held.

Policy & Resources Scrutiny Panel – 18 September 2023

Minute 6 – Council Tax Support Fund

The Council considered a report by the Assistant Director (Finance & ICT) on the proposals for the Council Tax Support Scheme.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends that the Executive endorses the recommendations in the report at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

This was considered at item 11(2) on the agenda.

Minute 9 – Annual review of Corporate Strategy 2017-2023 and Local Service Agreements

The Panel considered a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Annual Review of Corporate Strategy 2017-2023 and the Local Service Agreements 2022-2023.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(i)           notes the content of the report; and

(ii)    recommends that the Executive endorses the recommendations set out in the report to the Executive at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

This was considered at item 11(3) on the agenda.

Minute 10 – Corporate Strategy 2023-2029

The Council considered a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Corporate Strategy for 2023-2029.

Members commented on the disappointing level of response from the public, and asked officers for suggestions on how this could be improved going forward.

The Senior Policy, Research and Engagement Office addressed the Panel and informed them that the Engagement team have already started to address this. She advised them of a new Facebook page “Lets Talk Fareham” which has proved to be popular and has received positive responses to. They have also started to introduce Pop Up Consultation Events which again have been positively received. She stressed that the importance of public engagement is to ensure that that it is meaningful engagement.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(i)            notes the content of the report; and

(ii)          recommends that the Executive endorses the corporate Strategy 2023-2029 at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

This was considered at item 11(1) on the agenda.

Health & Public Protection Scrutiny Panel – 03 October 2023

Minute 7 – Proposed off Street Parking Places (Amendment) Order – Osborn Road and Others

The Panel received a report by the Head of Environmental Health which presented, for consideration, a draft report to the Executive in respect of the proposed regeneration of Fareham Town Centre, including works to Fareham Live and Osborn Road multi-storey car park.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Miss J Burton, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, addressed the Panel on this item.

During the discussion of this item, Members sought reassurance that there will be the same level of disabled parking available under the new arrangements as there is under current arrangements. 

RESOLVED that the Health & Public Protection Scrutiny Panel:

(a)   notes the contents of the report; and

(b)   has no comments to put forward to the Executive for consideration.

This was considered at item 9(1) on the agenda.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)   approves the use of the Local Authority Housing Fund to provide three homes for Afghan families and one home for temporary accommodation to be held in the Housing Revenue Account; and

(b)  agrees that, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, authority for their purchase be delegated to the Director of Housing.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the Empty Homes Strategy, as provided at Appendix A to the report, be adopted; and

(b)  the Director of Housing be authorised to add detail to the Strategy to reflect the adoption date.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the contract for providing the software for the Housing Department is renewed; and

(b)  delegated authority be given to the Director of Housing, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, to enter into the contract.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  agrees in principle, that the Council seeks to acquire the property, as set out in the Confidential Appendix to the report; and

(b)  delegates authority to the Director of Housing, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, to agree the final acquisition cost and terms of purchase, subject to the purchase being within affordable levels.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  the principle of further investigation and due diligence on the potential for Fareham Borough Council to be involved in the ownership and management of the affordable housing at Welborne Garden Village; and

(b)  that a maximum figure of £100,000 (to include officer time) be made available from the Welborne Capacity Fund to seek appropriate advice to enable due diligence on all matters, with the appointment of relevant parties to provide advice delegated to the Director of Housing.

A report by the Head of Environmental Health.

The comments of the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  agrees the enforcement actions and parking places name changes set out in the conclusion of the report;

(b)  agrees a four-week consultation on the adoption of an Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment 8) Order;

(c)  delegates the decision on the making of the TRO, following the outcome of the consultation, to the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection; and

(d)  agrees that Traffic Regulation Orders are consolidated under an Off-Street Parking Places Consolidation Order following the outcome of the Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment 8) Order consultation.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the consultation comments received on the Draft Supplementary Planning Document together with the Council’s responses to the representations as set out in the Post Consultation Statement at Appendix A to the report: and

(b)  agrees to adopt the Self and Custom Build Supplementary Planning Document as set out in Appendix B to the report.

A report by the Assistant Chief Executive Officer.

This item was brought forward on the agenda and considered before item 11(1).

The comments of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that the key principles of the Council Tax Support Fund Policy, as outlined in the report, be approved for adoption in Fareham.

A report by the Assistant Director (Democracy).

The comments of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

In presenting this item the Executive Leader paid tribute to the officers who had completed a tremendous amount of work in producing the draft of the next Corporate Strategy document.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the outcomes of the public consultation and agrees the draft Corporate Strategy 2023-2029; and

(b)  recommends the Corporate Strategy 2023-2029 to Council for approval, subject to any further amendments.

A report by the Assistant Director (Democracy).

The comments of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  agrees the proposed revisions to the Corporate Strategy, as set out in Appendix B to the report;

(b)  recommends the Annual Review of the Corporate Strategy 2017-2023 to Council for approval, subject to any further amendments; and

(c)  notes the Council’s performance for the 2022/23 financial year.