Agenda and minutes

The meeting will commence with a short service of prayers.

The meeting opened with prayers led by the Mayor's Chaplain, Father John Cooke.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P J Davies and J M Englefield.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held in 20 June 2013.

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 June 2013, subject to the inclusion at minute 12 of the following resolution:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Environment Policy Development and Review Panel held on 14 May 2013 be received.

The Mayor was delighted to inform Members that her charity appeal had received a donation of £16,000 from HMS Collingwood. This amount was a portion of the monies raised during the recent Collingwood open day. The Mayor confirmed that she would be sharing the monies between the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Rainbow Centre for Adult Rehabilitation.

The Mayor announced that the Chief Executive, Peter Grimwood had begun his training programme in preparation for next April’s London Marathon which he had agreed to run in aid of the Rainbow Centre for Adult Rehabilitation. The Mayor wished him well in his training.

The Mayor confirmed that the next charity event would be the Tea Party on Thursday 5th September when Rod Cameron would be giving a talk on Pantomimes.

Vanguard Consultancy

The Executive Leader announced that following the decision of the Executive made at its meeting on 13 May 2013 to engage Vanguard Consulting, the Council had published a “Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency” (VEAT) Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.  He confirmed that this step was taken in recognition of the unique nature of the supply and to ensure that the Council was transparent with the supplier market about the procurement approach we adopted. 

Publishing the VEAT Notice gave other potential consultancy providers the opportunity to challenge the Council’s rationale for appointing Vanguard and the Executive Leader was pleased to advise that there had been no challenge to the procurement process in response to the VEAT notice, nor had there been a legal challenge to the contract award.

Solent Local Transport Body

The Executive Leader advised Members that a meeting had taken place of the Solent Local Transport Body, the organisation created to dispense funding for the transport infrastructure for the Solent area. He confirmed that only one scheme had been agreed for funding in the Hampshire element and that was the £5 million scheme to improve the area of the Station Roundabout in Fareham Town Centre and along Gudge Heath Lane.

The Executive Leader was extremely pleased to note that this was the single Hampshire scheme to be funded by the body. He stated that this would be a major scheme of significant strategic importance for the Borough providing links to the access to Welborne and to the Solent Enterprise Zone Scheme at Daedalus.

Western Way

The Executive Leader reminded Members that the Council had previously raised concerns with Hampshire County Council about the bus lane on Western Way and the delays it causes to traffic. He announced that as the County Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, he had agreed a scheme for a consultation which will review if the bus lane is in the best place.

The Executive Leader stated that the proposed plan is to remove the bus lane and reposition it on the piece of land heading westbound adjacent to Western Way. In addition to this, buses would avoid the Quay Street roundabout by having a route near to the Sacred Heart Church on to Western Way. This would help to alleviate the frequent traffic queues from Station Roundabout all the way along Western Way and back to Junction 11 of the M27.

20mph limit in Wallington

The Executive Leader welcomed the decision to install a 20 mph limit in Wallington. He confirmed that this is a trial scheme and is one of 10 across the county which have been approved for implementation.

The Executive Member for Public Protection reminded Members of the Access All Areas initiative that the Fareham Community Safety Partnership would be running across the Borough. The events are free and open to young person between the ages of 11 and 17 who attend school or live in the Borough and will take place between 29 July and 14 August. He encouraged Members to attend the events.

The Executive Member for Public Protection announced that at Fareham Magistrates Court on 18 July 2013, Fareham Borough Council successfully prosecuted a local builder for 26 offences under Building Regulations. The offences included failure to provide adequate waterproofing, failure to provide adequate thermal insulation and failure to provide adequate structural support. The Executive Member confirmed that the contraventions were significant, with many having an impact on the stability of the property.

The builder was fined £5,200 for the breaches, and ordered to pay £4,540 in costs to Fareham Borough Council, and a £15 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to pay compensation to the home owner of £18,423. The total amount of fines, costs and compensation was £28,178.

The Executive Member for Public Protection stated that the offences represented a serious and dangerous breach of Building Regulations and that the successful prosecution highlights the important role of the Building Control Partnership in making sure work that is undertaken to a correct and safe standard. He paid tribute to the magnificent job undertaken by officers in putting this case together.

The Executive Member for Leisure and Community expressed her thanks to everyone involved in the preparation for the recent South and South-East in Bloom judging.

The Executive Member for Leisure and Community stated that the Fareham Park Steering Group fun day was a great success which attracted over 500 visitors. She expressed her thanks to everyone involved in creating this super occasion.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders of Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

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.

A petition of approximately 64 signatures was presented by Councillor Mrs K Mandry entitled “We the undersigned residents of Newgate Lane and Albert Road having read the Hampshire County Council Consultation proposals wish to confirm our strong support for Option B, a new road route to the east of Newgate Lane adjacent to Brookers Field.”

The petition asks the Council to formally write to Hampshire County Council to support Option B – the plan to build a new road to the east of the current route.

The Mayor advised that the petition would be dealt with in accordance with Fareham Borough Council's petition scheme.

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 as follows:-

(1)       10 June 2013 x-130610-m

(2)       1 July 2013 x-130701-m

(3)       8 July 2013 x-130708-m

(4)       Schedule of Individual Executive Decisions cl-130725-xschedule

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 10 June 2013, 1 July 2013 and 8 July 2013 were presented to the Council, together with a schedule of decisions made by individual Executive Members. 

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 10 June 2013 be received;

(b)       the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 1 July 2013 be received;

(c)       the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 8 July 2013 be received; and

(d)       the schedule of decisions made by individual Executive Members be received.

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 4 July 2013.

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 4 July 2013 were presented to the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 4 July 2013 be received.

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

(1)       Planning Committee                                                              19 June 2013

(2)       Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel      11 July 2013

Note : the following recommendation is to be determined:

·                Minute 6(a) - the Council is asked to confirm the Panel's proposed change of date.

(3)       Audit and Governance Committee                                      27 June 2013

Note : the following recommendation is to be determined:

·                Minute 6 - the Council is asked to confirm the Committee's Benefits Anti-Fraud Policy is approved and adopted.

(4)       Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee                   9 July 2013

The minutes of the following Committee meetings were presented to Council:-

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 19 June 2013 be received;

(b)       the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 11 July 2013 be received;

(c)       the recommendation of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel contained in minute 6(a) regarding the change of date for the October meeting from 31 October 2013 to 24 October 2013 be agreed;

(d)       the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 27 June 2013 be received;

(e)       the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee contained in minute 6 regarding the approval and adoption of the Benefits Anti-Fraud Policy be agreed;

(f)        the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee contained in minute 7 regarding the review and subsequent proposed changes to Financial Regulations 14, 10 and 11 be agreed; and

(g)       the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 9 July 2013 be received.

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

There were no questions under Standing Order 17.2 submitted for this meeting.

1)        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;

2)        Members are asked to note that following the motion presented to the Council on 24 April 2013 by Councillor D J Norris, the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which investigated the feasibility of introducing a kerbside domestic food and vegetable waste collection service in the Borough.

The Panel AGREED that a kerbside food and vegetable waste collection service should not be introduced at this time due to the significant capital and revenue costs that would be incurred; the detrimental effect on the environment; little evidence of resident demand and the low take-up rates in other authorities.

Members were asked to note that following the motion presented to the Council on 24 April 2013 by Councillor D J Norris, the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which investigated the feasibility of introducing a kerbside domestic food and vegetable waste collection service in the Borough.

The Panel AGREED that a kerbside food and vegetable waste collection service should not be introduced at this time due to the significant capital and revenue costs that would be incurred; the detrimental effect on the environment; little evidence of resident demand and the low take-up rates in other authorities.

RESOLVED that the opinion of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel be noted and that no further action be taken.

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 July 2013.

There were no changes to appointments to committees made at this meeting.

(1)       Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board

As a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, Hampshire County Council is required to establish a Health and Wellbeing Board.

The membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board is due to include, amongst others, up to two elected members of the District, Borough and City Councils within Hampshire.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is a formal committee of the County Council and its meetings will take place in public four times a year. Agenda papers for the meetings will be e-mailed to Board Members five clear working days ahead of the meeting and published on the County Council’s website.

Fareham Borough Council has been approached by HIOWLA (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities) to appoint Councillor Brian Bayford to the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board as a District Council representative and Members are asked to approve this.

(2)       William Price Charitable Trust

This charitable trust exists to provide special and educational benefits for schools in Fareham; to promote education by the provision of financial assistance such as bursaries and grants; and to promote education in the doctrines of the Church of England among the under-25s. The Trust meets 6 times per year (2 x general meeting, 2 x grants committee meeting, 2 x finance committee meeting).

Representative Status: Trustees (voting) (to fulfil the role of trustees, both representatives sit as members of the Finance committee)

At its Annual Meeting on 9 May 2013, the Council confirmed the appointment of Councillor Mrs P Bryant for a four year term ending in August 2015, and Councillor T J Howard for a four year term ending August 2013.

Members are asked to appoint a representative for a four year term commencing from September 2013.

(1)       Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board

As a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, Hampshire County Council is required to establish a Health and Wellbeing Board. The membership of the Board is due to include, amongst others, up to two elected members of the District, Borough and City Councils within Hampshire.

Fareham Borough Council has been approached by HIOWLA (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities) to appoint Councillor Brian Bayford to the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board as a District Council representative.

RESOLVED that Councillor B Bayford be appointed as a representative to the Health and Wellbeing Board for the remainder of the 2013/14 municipal year.

(2)       William Price Charitable Trust

This charitable trust exists to provide special and educational benefits for schools in Fareham.

At its Annual Meeting on 9 May 2013, the Council confirmed the appointment of Councillor Mrs P Bryant for a four year term ending in August 2015, and Councillor T J Howard for a four year term ending August 2013.

In considering this appointment, it was proposed that Councillor P W Whittle, JP be appointed as the representative. On the proposal being put to the meeting it was declared LOST, 6 members voting in favour and 21 voting against.

RESOLVED that Councillor T J Howard be appointed as a trustee (voting) for a four year term ending in August 2017.

Members are asked to agree changes to the following meeting dates:

(a)       Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel meeting currently scheduled for Thursday 31 October 2013 to be moved to Thursday 24 October 2013; and

(b)       Housing Tenancy Board meeting currently scheduled for Monday 14 April 2014 to be moved to Tuesday 22 April 2014.

The Council agreed to change the date of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel earlier at minute 12(c);

RESOLVED that the meeting of the Housing Tenancy Board currently scheduled for 14 April 2014 be moved to 22 April 2014.