Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
This report sets out proposals for the future provision of the Council’s floral displays and In-Bloom activities, with a focus on the development of sustainable planting and activities which have the potential to make a significant contribution to the Council’s Climate Change objectives.
Fareham is rightly proud of the high standard of presentation accomplished in its public spaces and the contribution made by community volunteers in maintaining this standard across the Borough. These displays help to reflect the Council’s vision of the Borough as a prosperous and attractive place to live and work.
Due to the implications and imposed restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2021, the Executive approved alternative arrangements for floral displays and In-Bloom, at the Executive meeting in March 2021.
These new arrangements maintained the high horticultural standards that have become familiar to Fareham residents, but offered greater biodiversity and a more sustainable and less resource intensive maintenance regime, in line with the Council’s approach to climate change. The sustainability theme followed through to the annual In-Bloom competition which was run as a virtual event.
The alternative arrangements were well received by residents and were supported by the members of the Streetscene Panel who endorsed the new sustainable approach on the proviso that there was continued community involvement.
This report is seeking Executive approval to continue with this approach and make sustainability and community participation the key focus for In-Bloom and floral displays in the Borough going forward. This would be a first step in delivering the Council’s ambition to mitigate impact of climate change and increase biodiversity in the Borough.
RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the proposals set out in paragraphs 45 to 53 in the report, to help deliver the Council’s Climate Change objectives and increase biodiversity in the Borough, subject to an action plan being developed to provide further details on each proposal, to be reviewed by the relevant Scrutiny Panel.
Report author: Mick Gore
Publication date: 13/10/2021
Date of decision: 11/10/2021
Decided at meeting: 11/10/2021 - Executive
Effective from: 23/10/2021
Accompanying Documents: