Decisions

To review and extend the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 following the statutory consultation which controls begging, drug taking and consumption of alcohol in the town centre.

The current PSPO requires review as the statutory three-year period is due to expire on 24 December 2022.  Fareham Town Centre has reduced begging, street drinking and the taking of drugs, however this Order enables enforcement action to be taken when incidents are having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those who live, work in and visit Fareham.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to extend the current Public Spaces Protection Order under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 for a further 3 years in relation to Fareham Town Centre.

This report sets out the results of a review of charging at coastal car parks, introduced in August 2021, and reconsiders options for town centre parking identified as part of the September 2020 Review.

A review of parking services was considered by the Executive on 07 September 2020. As a result of the review, the Executive agreed to the introduction of charging in coastal car parks, which took effect from August 2021 (March 2022 at Portchester Castle sites).

A review of charging at coastal locations has now been undertaken, and suggests recommendations based on the effectiveness of the new arrangements following one full year of operation.

Options for town centre car parks, including a review of tariffs, evening charging, season tickets and blue badge charging, were identified as part of the September 2020 review but were deferred until a later date.  These options have been considered again as part of the current review.

The recommendations proposed within this report support the need to generate income to continue to provide maintenance and enforcement activity across all the Council car parks, whilst supporting the Borough economy to recover from the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  a full review of town centre parking be undertaken in 2024;

(b)  the charge for a coastal season ticket be set at £145 per year with a concessionary rate of £95 per year for residents of the Borough of Fareham;

(c)  hourly charges in coastal car parks be increased by 10% in line with inflation;

(d)  the existing £6 per day cap on charges at pay-and-display coastal car parks be removed;

(e)  a feasibility report to support categorisation of additional car parks as coastal should be undertaken; and

(f)   height barriers at Portchester Precinct are not installed.

This report seeks authority, from the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, for the Council to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Two Saints to continue the delivery of Government funded homelessness related support services across the borough.

The funding and commissioning of homelessness related support services was historically provided by Hampshire County Council (HCC) under Supporting People programmes however since 2015, successive funding cuts to these services have resulted in FBC supplementing the HCC grant and co-commissioning services within the borough to meet our statutory duties.

Under contract with HCC, Two Saints have provided homelessness related support services across Hampshire since 01 April 2016.  The HCC commissioned services delivered by Two Saints in Fareham are shared with Gosport Borough Council and due to further reductions in HCC funding, both councils allocate funds to ensure the continuation of homelessness support services.

Following a successful bid to Central Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative, the Council were awarded £1,051,277 to allow the continuation of existing services and the introduction of new services across Fareham and Gosport. For those individuals supported, the importance of having a single provider cannot be underestimated, therefore it is proposed that a Direct Award is made to Two Saints for the provision of services costing £753,632 over the period of the funding (2022 to 2025).

RESOLVED that authority be given by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Council to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Two Saints to continue the delivery of homelessness related support services throughout the RSI funding period.