Decisions

The report summarises the Council’s borrowing and investment activity and capital expenditure up to 30 September 2022 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 the treasury and Prudential Indicators.

The overall treasury position is set out in the following table:

The Council’s net interest budget for 2022/23 is £678,800.  With the Bank Rate expected to reach 5% by the end of the year, the budget is likely to be exceeded and will be revised during the revised budget setting period.

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 2022/23.

The report provides comparative information on the Council’s revenue expenditure for the period for the first half of the financial year.  Members are invited to consider the financial performance and any corrective action that may be deemed appropriate.

The 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 currently showing a net underspend for the first half of the financial year.  Any underspending achieved by the end of the year will reduce the need to call on the Council’s reserves for 2022/23.

However, there are a number of areas where spend is in excess of the budget and some areas are likely to continue to be overspent through to the end of the financial year. It therefore remains appropriate to continue to monitor financial performance closely over the remainder 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 Finance Monitoring Report.

To agree a five-year improvement programme for the Council’s existing play recreational facilities in the Borough.

The investment in play areas and recreational facilities over the last 10 years has been both valued by elected members and well received with residents.  This has been supported by a responsive inspection and maintenance service that has ensured facilities are kept safe and operational. 

To continue to provide and maintain a good standard of play and recreational provision, and to ensure these existing facilities remain safe, attractive and accessible to all children and young people across the Borough, a review of the current arrangements has been undertaken.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves:

(a)  the five-year play and recreational improvement programme as detailed in the report; and

(b)  a budget allocation of up to £950,000 from the open spaces maintenance reserve.

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, update the wording where necessary and to provide an overview of the Council’s performance for the 2021/22 financial year.  The outcome of the Corporate Strategy 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 the 2017-2023 period.  The annual review is an opportunity to consider progress made in delivering corporate priorities during 2021/22 and to assess the impact of any other influences on the Council’s services and initiatives.

The Council’s strategic framework includes Local Service Agreements to provide details of actions delivered by individual services.  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 is performing, both as a whole and in key service areas.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the Council’s performance for the 2021/22 financial year:

(b)  agrees the proposed revisions to the strategy document, as set out in Appendix B to the report; and

(c)  recommends the Annual Review of the Corporate Strategy to Council for approval, subject to any further amendments.

To agree the Fareham Borough Council Equalities Objectives for 2022-2026.

The Equalities Act 2010 requires local authorities to publish at least one Equality Objective, and that these be renewed every four years.  The current published objectives were implemented in 2017 to run until 2021. Proposals for updated objectives to run to 2026 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the Fareham Borough Council Equalities Objectives for 2022/23, as detailed in the report.

To seek approval of the draft Fareham Borough Council Social and Affordable Housing Adaptations Policy.

In 2009 the Executive approved the Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy – Council Housing. Since its approval, several key areas of legislation have been amended resulting in a requirement for this policy to be updated.

The Social and Affordable Housing Adaptations policy recognises accessibility as a fundamental design principle.  The document outlines the process in ensuring Council tenants with disabilities be provided with housing that best meets their assessed needs in addition to the Council meeting the relevant statutory requirements.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the draft Fareham Borough Council Social and Affordable Housing Adaptations Policy, as provided in Appendix A to the report, for publication.  This to supersede and replace the Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy (2009).

To approve the inclusion of the site-specific Fort Fareham appendix (Appendix A to the report) with the Fareham Housing Regeneration Strategy.  

To note the contents of Appendix A to the report which details the energy efficiency works being undertaken to the Council owned properties at Fort Fareham estate.

To note that a budget has been set aside for the energy efficiency works to be undertaken, however, other aspirational works will require further investigation.

To also agree in principle the redevelopment of Redoubt Court and the additional works to further improve the site, should budgets allow.

The Regeneration Strategy was adopted at the 01 March 2021 Executive meeting.  The Strategy details the factors that will be considered when identifying and progressing housing regeneration opportunities.  Appendix A is the second of the individual site-specific appendices produced for Executive approval.

The age and type of build of the homes at Fort Fareham estate mean that the energy efficiency is typically poor.  Appendix A details the improvement works that will help reduce energy costs for the Council’s tenants and improve the condition of the properties.   The project is separated into several areas: houses, flats, Redoubt Court and other improvements.

Redoubt Court has been identified in the emerging Local Plan as having potential for further affordable housing.

It is worth noting that there is little scope to redevelop Fort Fareham as a whole due to the high level of private ownership.  Some private owners have already made improvements to their homes to address the inherent thermal issues.

The ‘aspirational’ area of the project outlines how to further improve the immediate area.  These additions may only go ahead if budgets allow.  They include enhanced greener installations, removal of the drying areas to provide private gardens for tenants and a community orchard with wildflower grassland.  Further details of this and the other projects are outlined in the report.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the inclusion of the site-specific Fort Fareham appendix (Appendix A to the report) within the Fareham Housing Regeneration Strategy;

(b)  agrees the principle of redevelopment of Redoubt Court (subject to inclusion within the Local Plan 2037);

(c)  agrees the principle of additional works to further improve the flat blocks and their surrounding areas, should budgets/funding allow.