Decisions

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund Programme.

An application for community funding has been received from St Mary’s Church, Hook-with-Warsash, for the sum of £3,400 to replace the boiler at the Church Hall.

The Hall is a popular facility, well-used by the community for various activities, including Guides, an art group, a dance and theatre group, a bridge club and parties.  It is managed by a subsidiary committee of the Church, and all profits from its hire, averaging £3,600 per year, are absorbed by the Church at the end of the financial year.

The current boiler is ageing and is no longer fit for purpose.

The Church’s accounts for the year ending December 2017 listed £23,217 available in unrestricted funds.  However, the Church has a priority repair project for the church building itself, which is anticipated to cost in excess of £50,000 in the coming years. In addition, the Hall’s guttering, fascia and soffits are in need of repair which has been anticipated to cost the Church a further £3,800.

Ward Councillor, Councillor Cartwright, is fully supportive of the application.  His fellow Ward Councillor, Councillor Ford, has declared his interest with the application as he is a member of the St Mary’s Church Hall Management committee.

That the application for £3,400 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund, submitted by St Mary’s Church, Hook with Warsash, be approved.

This report summarises the Council’s investment activity and capital expenditure up to 30 September 2018 and provides details of the Council’s money market transactions.  It also provides information on the performance against the Treasury and Prudential indicators.

During the first half of the year the Council operated within Treasury and Prudential Indicators.

The overall investment position is set out in the following table:-

A summary of the capital programme expenditure against budgets in the current year is set out in the following table:-

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Treasury Management and Capital Monitoring Report for 2018/19.

This report provides comparative information on the Council’s revenue expenditure for the period ended 30 September 2018.  Members are invited to consider the financial performance and any corrective action that may be deemed appropriate.

This report provides summary information on the overall spending position against the revenue budgets in the current year, as set out in the following tables:-

Revenue spending plans are showing an under spend for the period up to 30 September 2018.

While there are no areas of immediate concern, it is appropriate to monitor financial performance over the second half of the financial year to ensure that any slippage does not adversely affect the services provided to residents and customers.   Commentary on the most significant variations is set out in the briefing paper accompanying the report

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Revenue Monitoring Report.

To obtain the view of the Executive on whether the Council should proceed to purchase the investment opportunity at Broadcut Retail Park, Broadcut, Fareham PO16 8SU, on the terms set out in the confidential Appendix A.  

This report advises that a commercial investment opportunity has become available at Broadcut Retail Park, Broadcut, Fareham.

The confidential Appendix A sets out an analysis of the investment, financial information, and lease details to enable the Executive to decide if the investment should be purchased.

RESOLVED that, having considered the purchase of Broadcut Retail Park, Broadcut, Fareham as a commercial investment on the basis of the information set out in the confidential Appendix to the report, the Executive agreed to proceed with the purchase.

To address the issue of dog control within the borough of Fareham, authorisation is sought to undertake a formal consultation on making a Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Control), in accordance with the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

At its meeting on 7 March 2016, the Executive authorised the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Fouling) 2016.  A PSPO can be made for a maximum duration of three years, after which it may be extended.

The current PSPO will expire on 31 March 2019 unless it is extended.  However, instead of extending this current order, there is an opportunity to make a new order that not only includes dog fouling but other restrictions covering dog control at the same time.

The proposed PSPO would include restrictions on the following:

·         Fouling and means of pick up

·         Dogs on lead by direction

·         Maximum number of dogs

·         Dogs on leads; and

·         Exclusion of dogs.

Appendix A outlines what the proposed PSPO could consist of and includes three schedules of proposed locations where the restrictions would apply.

Before introducing a PSPO the Council is required to carry out a consultation.  It is proposed that an 8-week consultation will be publicised widely through the Council’s website and E-panel, Twitter, Facebook, press releases to local media and email to community groups.  Contact will also be made with mandatory consultees, such as the police and HCC as well as vets and organisations affected by the restrictions contained within the order.  Consideration will also be given to the affect the order will have on people who rely on assistance dogs.

Copies of the order will be placed in the main reception of the Civic Offices.  The consultation will also ask residents to identify areas that they think are dog fouling hot spots or areas where dog control has been an issue.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves that a consultation exercise be run between 19 November 2018 and 14 January 2019 on a draft Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Control), in accordance with section 72 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime Policing Act 2014.

To approve the removal of the charging fee for the Council’s Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Register.

On the 21^st March 2016, the Council launched the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Register, which ensured the Authority complied with relevant Government policy, legislation and regulation.  On 10 July 2017, the Executive approved the introduction of both a ‘local connection test’ and a charge in response to new relevant Government regulations.  Since then, the Council has produced a Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Action Plan, that considered what it could do to promote this form of housing.  This Action Plan was approved by the Executive on 03 September 2018.  In paragraph 7.4 of the Action Plan, the Council recognised that the register is a helpful guide to understanding interest and potential demand for self-build and custom-housebuilding.  The Action Plan also explained that it is important that the Council undertakes more detailed research to obtain a realistic understanding of local demand and need, including such individuals and organisations abilities to afford such housing options.  Consequently, the Council considers the lifting of a charge will encourage interest in self-build and custom housebuilding in the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Executive currently removes the administrative charge for the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Register.

To consider the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to amend the current Borough of Fareham (Off-Street Parking Places) Consolidation Order 2017.

This report considers the reasons for proposing amendments to the current TRO governing the use of the Council’s Off-Street parking provision.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation to make any necessary minor amendments to the draft TRO as deemed necessary prior to public consultation;

(b)  approves the statutory public advertisement of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO); and

(c)  delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, to undertake the public consultation of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order, consider any representations received in relation to the proposals, and implement the Traffic Regulation Order.

The Council’s performance management framework requires the Executive to undertake an annual review of the corporate vision and priorities.  The purpose is to confirm future priorities and to update the wording where necessary.  The outcome of the review will influence budgets and local service agreements for the next financial year.

The Corporate Strategy provides a clear focus on the most important issues that need to be addressed for 2017-2023. This annual review is an opportunity to consider progress made in delivering corporate priorities and to assess the impact of any other influences on the Council’s services and initiatives.

RESOLVED that the Executive recommends to the Council the amendments to the strategy document, as set out in paragraph 14 of this report, subject to the inclusion of the YCAT meetings on Page 9 of the strategy document.

To provide an overview of the Council’s performance for the 2017/18 financial year.

The Council’s strategic framework includes Local Service Agreements to provide details of actions delivered by individual services.  The Local Service Agreements provide an overview of how the Council is performing alongside the Corporate Strategy.  This annual review is an opportunity to consider how well the Council, as a whole, is performing as well as in key service areas.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Council’s performance for the 2017/18 financial year.