Agenda and minutes

The meeting will commence with a short service of prayers.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs K Mandry and Councillor S D T Woodward.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held 14 December 2017.

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 14 December 2017.

The Mayor announced that his two final Tea Parties will be held on the following dates: Thursday 1 March when Phil Blair will be giving a talk on the history of Southdown Buses, and on Thursday 5  April when Canine Partners will be giving a demonstration of their wonderful trained assistance dogs.

The Mayor announced that he has Charity events taking place at Ferneham Hall in March.

The first event will be the 70’s band “Showaddywaddy” on Friday 2 March where they will be performing all their hits.  Tickets for this event are £22

The final Charity event, which will be held on Friday 24 March, is his Charity Ball where the theme will be musical movies.  Individual tickets for this ball are £45 each with a reduction for tables of ten.

There were no Deputy Executive Leader’s announcements made at this meeting.

Police Crime Commissioner’s Precept Budget Proposal

The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection announced that at the Police Crime Panel Meeting held on the 26^th January 2018, after much discussion, the Panel agreed with the Commissioner's proposed precept on the understanding that his requested £440,000 should be spent on maintaining Police presence, rather than adding to the expenses of his office.

After the meeting, the Commissioner sent a letter to the various charities warning them that the total cash available would be reduced due to the reduction of the budget available.

The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection stated that the Police Crime Panel is waiting for the Commissioner’s proposed resolution but that on Wednesday, he decided that he would distribute £1.3m for 64 Grants to various charities/organisations.

Meeting with Mark Cubbon, The Chief Executive of Queen Alexandra Hospital

The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection announced and he and the Executive Leader had met with Mark Cubbon last Tuesday to discuss his progress at QA and also the Fareham Community Hospital.

They were advised that the new Management Team was in place together with a new Chairman, and was now looking at a re-organisation.  The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection and the Executive Leader were very impressed with his energy and passion, and felt very re-assured about the future of QA.

Regarding Fareham Community Hospital, a discussion took place about its under-use.  The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection and the Executive Leader felt that there should be a full Phlebotomy service re-introduced, and a kidney dialysis and minor accident facility provided.  Mark was very sympathetic to this and felt that this would be very helpful in reducing the pressure on QA.  He said that he would need to deal with the Commissioners with reference to these services, but would follow it up and keep us informed.

After the meeting, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection and the Executive Leader were shown the accident and emergency area, which was extremely busy.  They met the duty consultant and were very impressed with both him and the staff, who were obviously very busy but their dedication and enthusiasm for the job was very evident.  They also outlined changes they wish to make to enlarge the accident and emergency areas to improve the service and waiting times.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Members are reminded that the Monitoring Officer has granted a dispensation to all Members to enable discussion and a decision to be taken at item 15 – Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19.

The Mayor confirmed that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation to all Members to enable discussion and a decision to be taken at item 15 – Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19 and also for item 16 – Members’ Allowances.

Councillor R H Price, JP declared a Disclosable Pecuniary interest item 15 – Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19 as he leases an allotment in Portchester.  He confirmed that he would leave the chamber and not take part in any debate on allotments.

Councillor J M Englefield declared a Disclosable Pecuniary interest item 15 – Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19 as he leases an allotment in Locks Heath.  He confirmed that he would leave the chamber and not take part in any debate on allotments.

To receive any petitions presented by a member of the Council.

Note: any petition so presented will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme.

There were no petitions presented at this meeting.

To receive a verbal update on the Petition “Stop the building of 1500 new homes in Warsash, Locks Heath, Park Gate and Titchfield Common” which was received by the Council on the 8^th December 2017.

An update was given in respect of a Petition which had been received at the Council meeting on 14 December 2017.  Members were reminded that Councillor S D T Woodward had presented a paper petition at that Council meeting opposing the building of 1,500 new homes in Warsash, Locks Heath, Park Gate and Titchfield and were told that the Executive Leader had given a verbal update on the status of this petition at the January Executive when he confirmed that the petition signatures had been verified alongside the online petition which had been running on the Council’s website for the same request and that the combined number of signatures was 2,390.

This number is significantly high and would ordinarily trigger a debate at Council. However, in this particular instance, as the petition was raised in response to the consultation on the Draft Local Plan, it is not yet appropriate to debate the matter at this Council meeting so as to avoid any pre-determination issues where Councillors might publicly voice their opinions on how they will vote on site allocations for housing prior to the Local Plan being formally presented to Council for adoption; or prior to any planning applications on those specific sites coming forward to the Planning Committee for approval.

It was confirmed that the Council will continue to ensure that the petition is given adequate exposure and any Planning Applications which do come to the Planning Committee before the Local Plan is adopted will include reference to the petition via the Officer’s report which has already been the case at the last two Planning Committee meetings.

The petitioner has been advised of this variation to proceedings and will be invited to attend the Council meeting and make a deputation on the subject when the Local Plan does eventually come forward for adoption.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been given.

There were no deputations given at this meeting.

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the Executive.  Minutes of the meetings of the Executive and a schedule of individual Executive member decisions are appended.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on Monday, 8 January 2018 be received.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the minutes of the Executive meeting held on Monday, 5 February 2018 were received;

(b)  the recommendations contained in minute 10(1) will be considered under item 15(2);

(c)  the recommendations contained in minute 10(2) will be considered under item 15(4);

(d)  the recommendations contained in minute 10(3) will be considered under item 15(5);

(e)  the recommendations contained in minute 10(4) will be considered under item 16.

RESOLVED that the Schedule of Individual Member and Officer Delegated Decisions be received.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on Monday, 20 February 2018 were tabled at this meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on Monday, 20 February 2018 be received.

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board held on Thursday, 11 January 2018 be received.

To receive the minutes of the following Committees and to consider and answer questions on any reports and recommendations made.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 be received.

RESOLVED that:

(a)   the minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 be received; and

(b)  the recommendations contained in minute 6 – Spending Plans 2018/19 be accepted and accordingly that the Council:

(i)            agrees the revised budget for 2017/18, and the base budget for 2018/19; and

(ii)          notes the fees and charges for 2018/19.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on Tuesday, 23 January 2018 be received;

(b)  the recommendations contained in Minute 7 – Spending Plans 2018/19 be accepted and accordingly that the Council:

(i)            agrees the revised budget for 2017/18; and

(ii)          agrees the base budgets for 2018/19;

(c)  the recommendations contained in Minute 8 – Fees and Charges 2018/19 be accepted and accordingly, that the Council agrees the Fees and Charges 2018/19.

To answer questions pursuant to Standing Order 17.2 for this meeting.

There were no questions raised at this meeting.

Members will be informed, prior to the meeting, of any motion duly notified in accordance with Standing Order 15 but received after print and dispatch of the agenda.

“I propose that the Council reviews its use of “single use plastics” and develops a strategy to phase out their use within the Council’s offices and buildings as quickly as it is reasonably practicable to do so. 

If agreed, I propose that the Council requests that the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel leads a review and researches the following additional actions:

·         Commence a programme to end all sales of SUP bottles in Council buildings and the use of plastic drinking straws by the end of 2018;

·         Plan the replacement of drinks machines that meet the Council’s strategy as they come to the end of their current contracts, providing water stations for staff as required;

·         Develop an education programme within the Borough to encourage businesses, restaurants and bars to phase-out SUP glasses, bottles, cutlery and straws to encourage re-useable or deposit scheme cups;

·         Develop an education policy to encourage, promote and assist its employees and councillors to move towards finding alternatives to “single use plastics”;

·         Roll out this education programme to the residents of Fareham; and

·         Develop an Officers’ Working Group to develop the strategy and provide regular reports on progress to the Streetscene panel.

A Notice of Motion was received from Councillor S D Martin:

“I propose that the Council reviews its use of “single use plastics” and develops a strategy to phase out their use within the Council’s offices and buildings as quickly as it is reasonably practicable to do so.

If agreed, I propose that the Council requests that the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel leads a review and researches the following additional actions:

• Commence a programme to end all sales of SUP bottles in Council buildings and the use of plastic drinking straws by the end of 2018;
• Plan the replacement of drinks machines that meet the Council’s strategy as they come to the end of their current contracts, providing water stations for staff as required;
• Develop an education programme within the borough to encourage businesses, restaurants and bars to phase-out SUP glasses, bottles, cutlery and straws and encourage reusable or deposit scheme cups; and
• Develop an education policy to encourage, promote and assist its employees and councillors to move towards finding alternatives to “single use plastics”;
• Roll out this Education programme to the residents of Fareham;
• Develop an Officers working group to develop the strategy and provide regular reports on progress to the Street Scene Panel.”

This Motion was seconded by Councillor F Birkett.

An amendment to this Motion was proposed by Councillor J Forrest to add the words “Give consideration in the 2019-2020 Budget to making capital available to install drinking fountains/refilling stations in parks and recreation areas to encourage use of re-usable water bottles.”

Having duly been seconded by Councillor Mrs M Brady, and following a debate, this Amendment to the Motion was lost with 5 voting for, 19 voting against and 3 abstentions.

Following a debate on the Motion, it was carried unanimously.

To consider suspending the provision of Standing Order 19.4 to allow the Executive Leader of the Council to speak on the matters referred to in items 15(2) and 15(3) for longer than five minutes and the spokesman for the Opposition Group to speak for not more than ten minutes; and to consider suspending the provisions of Standing Order 19.5 to allow the Executive Leader of the Council to speak on the matters referred to in items 15(2) and 15(3) more than once to respond to points raised in debate.

Having duly been proposed and seconded, it was RESOLVED that:

(a)  the provisions of Standing Order 19.4 be suspended to allow the Deputy Executive Leader of the Council to speak on the matters referred to in items (2) and (3) for longer than five minutes and the Spokesman for the opposition group to speak for not more than ten minutes;

(b)  the provisions of Standing Order 19.5 be suspended to allow the Deputy Executive Leader to speak on the matters referred to in items (2) and (3) more than once in order to respond to points raised in debate; and

The Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 05 February 2018, presented to Council at its meeting on 23 February 2018 at item 10(1), contained recommendations on the revenue budget and the level of Council Tax for 2018/19.  If Members accept the Executive’s recommendations, formal approval will be sought of the following matters:

(a)  the capital programme and financing of £55,081,000;

(b)  an overall revised revenue budget for 2017/18 of £8,616,700;

(c)  a revenue budget for 2018/19 of £8,440,500;

(d)  a Council Tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2018/19 of £155.22 per band D property, which represents a £5.00 increase when compared to the current year and is within referendum limits.

(Note: a copy of the report to the Executive is included in this Agenda pack).

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there will be a recorded vote on the budget decision.

It was proposed by Councillor T M Cartwright and seconded by Councillor K D Evans that the Council accepts the recommendations of the Executive and approves:

(a)  the capital programme and financing of £55,081,000;

(b)  an overall revised revenue budget for 2017/18 of £8,616,700;

(c)  a revenue budget for 2018/19 of £8,440,500;

(d)  the surplus in the spending reserve remains in the reserve to cover the anticipated future funding shortfalls as set out in paragraphs 18-21 of the Executive report of the 05 February 2018; and

(e)  a council tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2018/19 of £155.22 per band D property, which represents a £5.00 increase when compared to the current year and is within referendum limits.

In presenting the budget, the Deputy Executive Leader reviewed the Council’s performance, success stories, notable achievements from the year and outlined the agreed priorities.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that, despite the challenging conditions, there have been many success stories over the past year.  These include the adoption of a new Corporate Strategy that sets out the Council’s six key priorities up to 2023 which help make Fareham an even better place to live and work. 

Turning to the most notable achievements of the last 12 months, the Deputy Executive Leader stated that in July 2017, the Executive had agreed a Vision for the future of Fareham Town Centre.  This very important document shapes the way the town will develop over the coming years, and includes plans for new homes, new shops, a new hotel, and improved cultural and parking facilities.

The Council also consulted on a draft Local Plan and received a very high response from residents.  The plan will make sure the Council continues to have a strategic approach to planning based on the latest housing needs data for Fareham right up to 2036.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that it had been announced in January 2017 that Welborne would receive £225,000 from the Government and in December 2017, a further £275,000 was announced - money which will fund dedicated staff and technical assessments vital to the successful delivery of Welborne.

The Council successfully bid for a £10m grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund.  This secures the finance needed to upgrade J10 of the M27 to an 'all-moves' junction.

Hampshire County Council have also bid for £123m from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund for a range of infrastructure such as roads and schools that could be brought forward early at Welborne.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that, after the success of Fareham Innovation Centre, a new extension has been built which will be ready to open in a few weeks’ time.  The £7m extension which is part funded by a two million pound LEP grant, will provide 3,400 square meters of new floor space, thirty- three new offices, five new workshops and spacious new conference facilities for new businesses, especially those in the engineering, aerospace, aviation and marine industries.

The Deputy Executive Leader advised the meeting that with the continued investment in airport infrastructure, such as permanent fueling facilities, improved parking, improved visitor and corporate facilities, and ongoing work to promote the site, flight movements are now 50% more than when the Council took over the airport in 2015.

A funding arrangement of £7m for infrastructure works had been agreed with the LEP, allowing future business rates growth to fund the works in the long term. This will provide more serviced plots for development, and work should start in the next year.

The Executive have agreed to the National Grid IFA2 project proceeding to the next stage, having considered technical evidence, which gave assurance that the scheme won’t compromise the Council’s vision for Daedalus and the detailed design of the interconnector was also approved, together with the plans for a very extensive area of open space for communities to enjoy.

The Deputy Executive Leader also stated that the IFA2 Employment and Skills Plan had been approved, which sets out impressive targets for providing jobs, placements and apprenticeships for local people during construction.

Also in the last year, the Council has received a 14^th consecutive winning entry in the South and South East in Bloom Awards 2017, receiving a Gold Award and declared Small City Category Winner.  Fareham in Bloom also received ‘The County Award’ for Hampshire for the highest marked entry in the county.

Fareham's parks and gardens had also won top awards during the year.  These included gold awards for the Sensory Garden, Westbury Manor Garden and the Civic Gardens.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that the completion of the £1m Hill Head Seawall project will reduce the risk of flooding, protect beach huts, cliffs and keep the promenade open all year round.

In respect of Westbury Manor, an investment of £448,000 from Fareham Borough Council and £217,000 from Hampshire Cultural Trust has seen Westbury Manor turned into a vibrant cultural stop.  Exhibitions have been modernised, the ground floor remodeled and creative studios set up on the second floor.  The area at front of the building has also been made more welcoming too.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that Southampton and Fareham Legal Services Partnership had been named Project Team of the Year at the Local Government Legal Awards 2017.  This award recognized the outstanding achievement in legal work relating to delivery of a major project or procurement, and for Fareham Borough Council, that was the Welborne and Daedalus projects.

The Council had also received a Gold award from the RSPCA for its excellent Stray Dog Service.

The Council’s ‘design a play area consultation game’ saw an increase in responses from residents in play area consultations and the annual attendance at CAT Meetings has also increased by nearly 400 people during the year, with 1,485 attending CAT meetings during in 2017.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that the £5.2m Sylvan Court sheltered housing scheme had been completed in Sarisbury Green last summer. This consists of 25 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom flats with an approved £720,000 Homes and Communities Agency grant to help fund the scheme.

The Deputy Executive Leader told the meeting that Fareham is one of 30 local authorities selected by the Government to deliver a share of starter homes and these will be built exclusively for first-time buyers aged 23-40 and available for at least 20% below market value.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal had visited Daedalus on Thursday 13 July, as the site marked 100 years of flying, and in September, more than 2,500 people had attended the Daedalus 100 celebrations at Solent Airport which included static aircraft displays, children’s activities, fun fair and stalls.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that a new air link between Solent Airport and Alderney is being progressed.

The Deputy Executive Leader advised that also during the past year, the Council had run a range of fun activities for young people and families.  Access all Areas was attended by over 1600 youngsters and Thumbs Up Thursday was attended by over 600 children and young people.

Young people and youth clubs in Fareham had continued to receive support thanks to £24,405 from Fareham Borough Council's Youth Activities Fund, for various schemes such as Y-Services, Crofton Youth Project and Oasis Youth Project.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that, even though the Council has achieved a great deal already, further savings need to be made.

He stated that there will be further government funding cuts in 2018-19 of over £750,000, due to funding reductions and changes to the New Homes Bonus calculations announced in the 2016 autumn statement. With further funding cuts expected during this Government’s term, there remains a challenge to realise savings whilst meeting increasing customer expectations.  The Deputy Executive Leader stated that the Council must also plan for other budget pressures that could see spending increase which the Council has little or no control over.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that by far the biggest challenge is the continuing reduction in financial support from central Government with funding having changed since this Council first set its council tax at £140.22 back in 2009.  He explained that in 2009, funding from central Government and council tax payers was almost in equal proportion.  For the forthcoming financial year council tax payers will be providing nearly 80% of the funding required to run our services.

Government support for Fareham ended during 2017-18 and from 2018-19 the Council will be solely reliant on income from customers, business rates and council tax payers to fund our services.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that in order to reduce the impact of the funding reductions, the Council has had to undertake an efficiency programme.

He outlined how the Council has continued to invest in commercial properties and, since 2013, the Council has invested around £26m in property, much of which is in the Borough.  These properties bring in much needed rental income.

The Deputy Executive Leader explained that the Vanguard method of working has helped the Council provide better services to customers and these changes have also resulted in savings of nearly £1m.

He stated that the Civic Offices now has almost three and a half floors dedicated to external organisations.  This not only brings in vital income but also enables better partnership working with these organisations.

Turning to the Council’s capital programme, the Deputy Executive Leader stated that the General Fund capital programme for the next 5 years is a very generous £55m and is focussed on delivering schemes in line with our Council Priorities.  This is a fully funded programme, paid partly from resources that the Council has accumulated, and also with a large proportion attracted from external sources, thereby protecting the Council tax payers.

The Deputy Executive Leader then turned to the revenue budget for Council housing.  Expenditure in 2018-19 is estimated to be £12.4m, with over 90% of income being from rents.  The average weekly rent in Fareham will be £89.56 in 2018-19.

As part of the Housing Revenue Account the next 5 years will see a £20m investment in Council properties including improvements, acquisitions and a new build programme.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that he was pleased to be able to present this budget to the meeting, which for 2018-19 will amount to £8.4m and is almost £200,000 less than the base budget for the current year.  With funding from business rates of just over £1.8m the sum of £6,613,195 must be raised from Fareham’s Council taxpayers.

Fareham’s Council Tax base for 2018-19 is 42,605 band D properties which shows an increase of 234 since the last year.  Dividing the amount to be raised from our taxpayers by the tax base gives a Council Tax for band D properties of £155.22.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that with figures now in from other preceptors, the total for a Band D property in Fareham will be £1,599.38, which is an £86.76 increase over the 2017/18 figure.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that he had outlined a budget that delivers all services at a cost equivalent to a level seen a decade ago and has proposed a capital programme for the next 5 years, valued at £55m and furthermore was able to confirm that although the Council has seen further funding reductions of £600,000, including a loss of the New Homes Bonus, a balanced budget has been set.

The Deputy Executive Leader stated that, in line with Central Government policy, the Council has increased Council Tax for only the third time since 2009, which considering the reductions to our funding it is a remarkable achievement.  To have kept council tax so low, and even with a £5 increase, to still have one of the lowest council tax band D charges in the country is impressive.

The Deputy Executive Leader reminded Members that Fareham has most properties in band C and here the Council Tax for two adults will be £137.97 or just £2.65 per week which equates to a rise of just a penny per day and he concluded by asking Members to approve the recommendations set out under Item 15(2) in the Agenda.

During the debate, a number of Councillors asked that their thanks be placed on record to Officers who work hard to provide services to the residents of Fareham. 

Following a debate on the item and on the recommendations being put to the meeting, it was declared CARRIED with 28 voting in favour and 1 against.

(Councillors K Barton, B Bayford, Mrs S M Bayford, Miss S M Bell, F Birkett, Mrs M Brady, Mrs P M Bryant, J Butts, T M Cartwright, Mrs L Clubley, S Cunningham, P J Davies, Mrs T Ellis, K D Evans, G Fazackarley, M J Ford, JP, J Forrest, Miss T Harper, Mrs C L A Hockley, Mrs C Heneghan, L Keeble, A Mandry, S D Martin, Ms S Pankhurst, R H Price, JP, D L Steadman, Mrs K K Trott and N J Walker voting in favour and Councillor J M Englefield voting against).

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Executive be accepted and accordingly the Council approves:

(a)  the capital programme and financing of £55,081,000;

(b)  an overall revised revenue budget for 2017/18 of £8,616,700;

(c)  a revenue budget for 2018/19 of £8,440,500;

(d)  the surplus in the spending reserve remains in the reserve to cover the anticipated future funding shortfalls as set out in paragraphs 18-21 of the Executive report of the 05 February 2018; and

(e)   a council tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2018/19 of £155.22 per band D property, which represents a £5.00 increase when compared to the current year and is within referendum limits.

Having made the necessary calculations in relation to its own budget, the Council must proceed to set the Council Tax for 2018/19 taking account of the amounts in precepts issued to the Council by Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire Fire Authority.  These precepts will not be issued before the publication of this agenda and will therefore be reported at the meeting, with provisional figures being given for those that are not yet approved. 

In order to enable Council Tax bills to be issued within the statutory timescale, it is recommended that the Council agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Finance and Resources to amend the Council Tax 2018/19, in the event that any of the precepting authorities change their precept calculation from that expected and reported at the Council meeting.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there will be a recorded vote on the budget decision.

(Note: a schedule will be circulated at the meeting for approval, showing the formal calculations the Council must make, incorporating any figures recommended by the Executive. Members will also be advised of the wording of the formal resolution they must adopt to set the Council Tax for 2018/19, taking account of the requisite calculations and the precepts of Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire Fire Authority).

The Council considered information tabled at the meeting: a schedule showing the formal calculations for setting the Council Tax and a graphical breakdown of council tax rates, as attached to these Minutes.

On the recommendations being put to the meeting, it was declared CARRIED with 28 voting in favour and 1 voting against.

(Councillors K Barton, B Bayford, Mrs S M Bayford, Miss S M Bell, F Birkett, Mrs M Brady, Mrs P M Bryant, J Butts, T M Cartwright, Mrs L Clubley, S Cunningham, P J Davies, Mrs T Ellis, K D Evans, G Fazackarley, M J Ford, JP, J Forrest, Miss T Harper, Mrs C L A Hockley, Mrs C Heneghan, L Keeble, A Mandry, S D Martin, Ms S Pankhurst, R H Price, JP, D L Steadman, Mrs K Trott and N J Walker voting in favour and Councillor J M Englefield voting against).

RESOLVED that the Council:

(1)       notes that on 23 February 2018 the Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2018/19 for the whole Council area as 42,605.3  [Item T in the formula in Section 31B(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")];

(2)       notes the calculation that the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2018/19 is £6,613,195;

(3)       notes that the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:-

            (a) £47,905,400     being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

            (b) £41,292,205     being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

                                             (c) £6,613,195 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).

            (d) £155.22           being the amount at 3(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

            (e)   £0.00                being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

            (f)    £155.22           being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates.

(4)       notes that the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner along with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below;

(5)       notes that the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 38 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2018/19 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

(6)       notes that in accordance with the set of principles set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the year, it is determined that the relevant basic amount of council tax for 2018/19 is not excessive.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 05 February 2018, presented to Council at its meeting on 23 February 2018 at item 10(1), contained recommendations on the Housing Revenue Account Spending Plans including the Capital Programme for the years 2017/18 to 2021/22.  If Members accept the Executive’s recommendations, formal approval will be sought of the following matters:

(a)  rents be approved for Council Dwellings as set out in paragraph 13 of that report with effect from 2 April 2018;

(b)  rents for garages be increased by 4.3% with effect from 2 April 2018;

(c)  the revised budget for 2017/18 be approved;

(d)  the base budget for 2018/19 be approved; and

(e)  the capital programme and financing for 2017/18 to 2021/22 be approved.

On the recommendations being put to the meeting, it was declared CARRIED with 22 voting in favour, 6 voting against and 1 abstention.

(Councillors K Barton, B Bayford, Mrs S M Bayford, Miss S M Bell, F Birkett, Mrs M Brady, Mrs P M Bryant, J Butts, T M Cartwright, Mrs L Clubley, Mrs T Ellis, K D Evans, G Fazackarley, M Ford, Miss T Harper, C L A Hockley, L Keeble, A Mandry, S Martin, Ms S Pankhurst, D L Steadman and N J Walker voting in favour, Councillors S Cunningham, J Englefield, J Forrest, Mrs C Heneghan, R H Price, JP and Mrs K Trott voting against and Councillor P Davies abstaining).

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Executive at its meeting on the 5 February 2018, contained in Minute 10(2): Housing Revenue Account Spending Plans, including the Capital Programme for 2018/19 to accepted and, accordingly the Council approves that:

(a)  rents be approved for Council Dwellings as set out in paragraph 13 with effect from 2 April 2018;

(b)  rents for Council garages be increased by 4.3% with effect from 2 April 2018;

(c)  the revised budget for 2017/18 be approved;

(d)  the base budget for 2018/19 be approved;

(e)  the capital programme and financing for 2017/18 to 2021/22 be approved; and

(f)   the annual Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans for 2018/19 be approved.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on the 05 February 2018, presented at item 10(2) of this Agenda, contain recommendations for the Council to approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2018/19.

(Note: a copy of the report to the Executive together with the Treasury Management Strategy is included in this agenda pack)

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Executive at its meeting of the 5 February 2018, contained in Minute 10(2): Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2018/19 be approved.

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

On the recommendations being put to the meeting and duly seconded by Councillor K D Evans, an amendment was proposed by Councillor J Forrest that recommendations (d) and (e) be amended to read:

(d)       subject to (a) to (c), agrees the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in paragraphs 8-11 and 13-15 of this report and asks the Independent Remuneration Panel to seek the views of the Leader of the Minority Group on the recommendations made in paragraph 12.

(e)       approves the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme Handbook with effect from 1 April 2018, as set out at Appendix C to this report but incorporating any revision the Panel may make to the recommendation in paragraph 12 having heard the views of the Minority Group Leader.

With the amendment having duly been seconded by Councillor S Cunningham and debated, the amendment was LOST with 4 voting in favour, 19 voting against and 1 abstention.

A further amendment was proposed by Councillor J Englefield that no increase to Members’ Allowances be made.  Having been duly seconded by Councillor Mrs C Heneghan, a recorded vote was requested by Councillor J Englefield.  The amendment was LOST with 4 voting in favour and 25 voting against.

(Councillors P Davies, J Englefield, Mrs C Heneghan and Mrs K Trott voting for, and Councillors K A Barton, B Bayford, Mrs S Bayford, Miss S Bell, F W Birkett, Mrs M Brady, Mrs P M Bryant, J E Butts, T Cartwright, Mrs L Clubley, S Cunningham, Mrs T Ellis, K D Evans, G Fazackarley, M Ford, J Forrest, Miss T Harper, Mrs C L A Hockley, L Keeble, A Mandry, S Martin, Ms S Pankhurst, R H Price, JP, D L Steadman and N Walker voting against)

On the recommendations (a) to (e) as set out in the report, it was declared CARRIED with 21 voting in favour, 4 voting against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Executive at its meeting on 05 February 2018 contained in minute 10(4): Members Allowances Scheme be accepted and, accordingly the Council agrees:-

              i.        that it is satisfied of the good and valid reasons for the differences in some areas of comparison between Fareham’s Members’ Allowances Scheme and other Hampshire districts;

            ii.        to index increases in all of its Allowances and expenses, including that of the Designated Independent Person, to that applicable to the Council’s staff;

           iii.        to include Special Responsibility Allowances for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of 80 and 15 points respectively;

           iv.        that the allowance paid to the Designated Independent Person is increased annually at the same rate as staff increases and notes that this will continue to be paid monthly due to automated administration;

            v.        that for the Special Responsibility Allowance paid to the Leader of the Minority Group, the wording of note 3 of the Scheme be removed and that the Allowances for 1-9 Group Members be paid at 60 points and for 10 and above Group Members be paid at 120 points;

           vi.        that Subsistence Allowances set out in the Scheme be aligned to those rates paid to Council staff;

          vii.        that a supplement of 5p per mile per person be paid to Members who carry other Members as passengers in their vehicle; and

         viii.        that the Living wage rate is paid for Carers’ as an alternative to the statutory minimum wage.

Accordingly, the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme Handbook will be published from 1 April 2018.

To make any changes in appointments to the seats on committees in accordance with the wishes of political groups.  Such appointments will take effect from 26 February 2018.

There were no changes to the appointments to Committees made at this meeting.