Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence for the morning session were received from Councillors N R Gregory, T J Howard, Mrs S Pankhurst and D M Whittingham.

Following the meeting being opened with prayers led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Dr Ian Meredith, the Mayor extended a warm welcome to all guests at this annual meeting of the Council and went on to announce the Citizens of Honour for 2015.

He presented badges to Denise Batu, Victor Rutland, Sharon Noble and Tony Brown.

Tiffany Desmond, Charlie Wilson and Harry Smith were announced as the Young Citizens of the Year and the HMS Collingwood Cup was presented to Royal Marine Band Colour Sergeant Phil Trudgeon.

To elect the Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16. (The order of proceedings to be observed is set out in the programme, which will be available at the meeting).

On the Council being invited to submit nominations for the election of Mayor, it was proposed by Councillor S D T Woodward and seconded by Councillor T M Cartwright "that Councillor Mike Ford be elected Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16."  On the motion being put to the meeting it was declared CARRIED unanimously. 

RESOLVED that Councillor M J Ford be elected Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16.

After Councillor M J Ford had received the personal congratulations of The Mayor, he retired from the meeting to be robed and upon his return signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor thanked the Council for his election. He informed members that Reverend Mike Terry and Reverend Nicky-Sue Terry would be his Chaplains for the year and that he had asked Mrs June Haye to co-ordinate an ecumenical chaplaincy for the year. He also announced that the Mayor’s charity appeal would this year be in support of the Dave Wellman Cancer Trust and the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.

The Mayor then went on to name his wife, Mrs Anne Ford, as Mayoress for the year and invested her with the chain of office.

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2015/16 in accordance with Standing Order 2.2.

On the Council being invited to submit nominations for the election of Deputy Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16, it was proposed by Councillor S D T Woodward and seconded by Councillor Miss T Harper "that Councillor Mrs Connie Hockley be elected Deputy Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16".  On the nomination being put to the meeting, it was declared CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley be elected Deputy Mayor of Fareham for the municipal year 2015/16.

After receiving the personal congratulations of the Mayor, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office and thanked the Council for her election.  She announced that her husband, County Councillor Geoff Hockley, would be the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.  The Mayor then invested the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s Consort with their chains of office.

It was proposed by Councillor S D T Woodward and seconded by Councillor P W Whittle, JP "that the best thanks of the Council be accorded to Councillor David Norris and Mrs Pamela Norris for their services as Mayor and Mayoress  during the past municipal year".  On being put to the meeting the motion was declared CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the best thanks of the Council be accorded to Councillor David Norris and Mrs Pamela Norris for their services as Mayor and Mayoress during the past municipal year.

Councillor D J Norris replied to the vote of thanks and expressed his appreciation of the support he had been given throughout her year of office.  The Mayor then presented Councillor D J Norris with his Past Mayor's badge and Mrs Pamela Norris with her Past Mayoress’ badge.

To present the Mayor’s Cadet for 2015/16 with the badge of service.

The Mayor presented his Mayor’s Cadet for 2015/16, Cadet Flight Sergeant Gabriella Lashmore of 1350 Fareham Squadron Air Training Corps with her badge of service.

The meeting will re-convene in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Fareham.

It was proposed by Councillor S D T Woodward and seconded by Councillor T M Cartwright "that this meeting now adjourn and resume at 2.30pm in the Council Chamber in the Civic Offices, Fareham". 

On being put to the meeting, the proposition was declared CARRIED unanimously.

Apologies for absence for the afternoon session were received from Councillors N R Gregory, Mrs S Pankhurst and D M Whittingham.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held 23 April 2015.

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 April 2015.

The Mayor reminded members that Reverend Mike Terry and Reverend Nicky-Sue Terry would be his chaplains and that he had asked Mrs June Haye to co-ordinate the chaplaincy for the year.

The Mayor also reminded members that his charity appeal would support the Dave Wellman Cancer Trust and the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.

The Mayor announced that the charity launch would take place on Sunday 31 May at the Holiday Inn, Titchfield from 12 noon and that the first charity event would be a tea party in the Parlour on Thursday 4 June at 2:30pm with a talk on Guide Dogs by Myra Pritchard and Lyn Godwin.

The Mayor also announced that there will be a Sponsored Round the Isle of Wight Bike Ride on Saturday 11 July with a 9am start. He encouraged everybody to sign up to take part in the ride or to sponsor a willing participant.

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

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

(1)       Executive Leader

At the annual meeting in May 2012, Councillor S D T Woodward was elected to be the Executive Leader for a term of 4 years.

(2)       Number of Other Executive Members

Members are reminded that following the resolution of the Council on 16 December 2010, the Executive Leader is invited to advise the Council of his appointment of two or more (but no more than nine) members to form the Executive

(3)       Election of Other Executive Members

Members are reminded that the Executive Leader is responsible for determining the areas of Executive responsibility and for allocating the portfolios to the Executive members appointed. The Executive Leader is invited to advise the Council of his appointments.

(4)       Areas of Executive Responsibility

In accordance with Standing Order 5.1, the Executive Leader is invited to determine the separate areas of responsibility to be allocated to the Executive Members for the forthcoming year. Members are reminded that Appendix 5 to Part 1 of the Council’s Constitution currently provides for the following areas of responsibility:-

•           Leisure and Community;

•           Planning and Development;

•           Policy and Resources;

•           Public Protection;

•           Health and Housing; and

•           Streetscene.

The Executive Leader is invited to confirm the areas of responsibility for 2015/16. Members are reminded that the allocation of these portfolios to the Executive Members is a matter for the Executive Leader.

At the annual meeting in May 2012, Councillor S D T Woodward was elected to be the Executive Leader for a term of 4 years.

The Council was advised that the Executive Leader would be appointing five other members to form the Executive to work alongside him. He also advised that Councillor T M Cartwright would be appointed as the Deputy Executive Leader.

The Council was advised that the Executive Leader would be appointing Councillors Miss S Bell, T M Cartwright, K D Evans, Miss T Harper and Mrs K Mandry to serve as Executive Members for 2015/16.

The Council was advised that the Executive Leader would be allocating responsibilities to the Executive portfolios for the Municipal Year 2015/16, as follows:-

Planning and Development - Councillor K D Evans;

Leisure and Community - Councillor Miss S Bell;

Health and Housing - Councillor Mrs K Mandry;

Public Protection - Councillor T M Cartwright;

Streetscene - Councillor Miss T Harper; and

Policy and Resources - Councillor S D T Woodward.

In accordance with its Standing Orders, the Council is invited to consider a report on the appointment of committees and the allocation of seats following the nominations of political groups.

The Council received a report by the Chief Executive Officer, providing the calculations for political balance relating to the allocation of seats on committees and panels for the municipal year 2015/16.

The report asks the Council to confirm the functions and appointment of committee seats as well as the role of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for each committee. The minority group is invited to appoint opposition spokesmen to each of the Executive portfolios.

RESOLVED that the Council approves:

(a)       the committee functions and number of seats on each committee for the municipal year 2015/16, as listed at paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the report;

(b)       the allocation of seats to political groups for the municipal year 2015/16, as shown in Appendix A of the report;

(c)       the nominations of the political groups to seats on committees, deputies and spokesmen, for the municipal year 2015/16, as shown in Appendix B attached to these minutes; and

(d)       the appointment of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman  for each committee for the municipal year 2015/16, as shown in Appendix B attached to these minutes.

The Council is reminded that the Localism Act 2011 implemented significant changes to the Standards regime which required the Council to put in place new arrangements to deal with matters of ethics, probity and Members conduct.

At its meeting in June 2012, the Council appointed Mr David Basson and Mrs Mary Kilbride as the Council`s two Designated Independent Persons for the purposes of consideration, investigation and hearing of complaints under the Members Code of Conduct as required under section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011.

The Council is recommended to confirm Mr David Basson and Mrs Mary Kilbride as the Council`s two Designated Independent Persons for the next municipal year.

The Council was reminded that the Localism Act implemented significant  changes to the Standards regime and that at its meeting in June 2012, the Council appointed Mr David Basson and Mrs Mary Kilbride as the Council`s two Designated Independent Persons, as required under section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED that Mr David Basson and Mrs Mary Kilbride be confirmed as the Council`s two Designated Independent Persons for the municipal year 2015/16.

Standing Order 10 requires the Council to make appointments to outside bodies, other than appointments which are required by law to be made by the Executive. Appended to this agenda is a report scheduling the appointments to be made.

The Council was reminded that it was required by Standing Order 10 to make appointments to outside bodies, other than those appointments which were required by law to be made by the Executive.  Council therefore considered the report of the Director of Finance and Resources on the appointments to be made and also received guidance on the duties and responsibilities of members when acting as an appointee to an outside body.

The Executive Leader advised that a number of deletions would also be made as the outside body either no longer existed or had not met for some time.

In considering the appointments to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (no.3), it was AGREED that Councillor L Keeble be appointed as the representative and Councillor T J Howard be appointed as the deputy representative for 2015/16.

In considering the appointments to the Community Safety Partnership (no.5), it was AGREED that Councillor Mrs M Ellerton be appointed as the representative for 2015/16.

In considering the appointments to the Crofton Community Association (no.9), it was proposed and seconded that Councillor C J Wood be appointed as the representative. On being put to the meeting it was declared LOST, 4 members voting in favour, 21 members voting against and 2 members abstaining. It was further proposed and seconded that Councillor C J Wood be appointed as the deputy. On being put to the meeting it was declared LOST, 4 members voting in favour, 21 members voting against and 2 members abstaining.

In considering the appointments to the Daedalus Strategy Group (no.10), it was proposed and seconded that Councillor C J Wood be appointed as the representative. On being put to the meeting it was declared LOST, 1 member voting in favour, 21 members voting against and 5 members abstaining.

It was further proposed and seconded that Councillor C J Wood be appointed as the deputy. On being put to the meeting it was declared LOST, 1 member voting in favour, 21 members voting against and 5 members abstaining.

It was proposed and seconded that the description of the purpose of the organisation be amended to show that 2 representatives and no deputies should be appointed and that Councillor T G Knight be appointed as the second representative alongside Councillor A Mandry for 2015/16. On being put to the meeting it was declared AGREED, 25 members voting in favour, 1 member voting against and 1 member abstaining.

It was AGREED that Fareham and Gosport MIND (no.16) be removed.

It was AGREED that Fareham Housing Market Partnership (no. 19) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Fareham North West Community Association Management Committee (no.20), it was AGREED that Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley be appointed as the representative for 2015/16 in place of Councillor D Whittingham.

It was AGREED that Fareham Technology Forum (no. 21) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Hammond Memorial Hall Trust (no.24), it was AGREED that the description of the purpose of the organisation be amended to show that the current appointments are for a 4 year term and that it be noted that Reverend Stephen Girling has moved away and is therefore no longer appointed. The Council will be notified of his replacement in due course.

In considering the appointments to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association (no.25), it was AGREED that Councillor K D Evans be appointed as the deputy for 2015/16 in place of Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley.

It was AGREED that the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust (no. 26) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Hampshire County Council South Area Road Safety Council (no.27), it was AGREED that Councillor Mrs M Ellerton be appointed as the representative for 2015/16.

In considering the appointments to the Hampshire Partnership (no.29), it was AGREED that Councillor K D Evans be appointed as the deputy for 2015/16 in place of Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley.

In considering the appointments to the Health Review Panel (Portsmouth City Council) (no.31), it was AGREED that Councillor B Bayford be appointed as the representative for 2015/16.

It was AGREED that the Joint Authorities Gypsies and Travellers’ Panel (no. 35) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Local Children’s Partnership (no.37), it was AGREED that Councillor Miss S Bell be appointed as the representative for 2015/16.

It was AGREED that the Locks Heath Day Centre Group (no. 42) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Police and Crime Panel (no.46), it was AGREED that Councillor Mrs M Ellerton be appointed as the deputy for 2015/16.

In considering the appointments to the Project Integra Management Board (no.50), it was AGREED that Councillor Miss T Harper be appointed as the representative and Councillor Mrs K Mandry be appointed the deputy for 2015/16.

It was AGREED that the Strategic Partnering Board (Hampshire) (no. 62) be removed.

In considering the appointments to the Transport for South Hampshire Joint Committee (no.67), it was NOTED that the name be amended to the Solent Transport Joint Committee and that the status of the representative be amended to Observer.

It was AGREED to add the Hampshire and IOW Community Safety Alliance with a description of “The group looks at risks, priorities, emerging issues for CSPs and also influences the commissioning of funding and opportunities for collaborative working. Chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner” and that Councillor T M Cartwright be appointed as the representative with a status of Committee Member.

Subject to the amendments agreed as listed above, the Council RESOLVED that:

(a)       representatives for 2015/16 be appointed to the organisations as set out in the appendix to the report;

(b)       the outside bodies that have not met within the municipal year be deleted (No. 19); and

(c)       the guidance to members on their duties and responsibilities as appointees to outside bodies be noted.

The Executive Leader announced that the Planning Inspector, David Hogger had written to the Council to advise that he had found both the Local Plan Part 2: Development Sites and Policies and the Local Plan Part 3: The Welborne Plan sound.

The Executive Leader confirmed that there would be a special meeting of the Council on Monday 8 June 2015 to consider the adoption of the plans and that this meeting would replace the meeting of the Executive which had been scheduled for that date.

The Executive Member for Public Protection was pleased to announce as Chairman of Fareham’s Community Safety Partnership that the “Access All Areas” event would be held during July and August 2015 at locations across on the Borough.  Once again, the event will be supported by many partners and sponsors, including retailers, local clubs, the police and the fire and rescue service.  The scheme is designed to reduce anti-social behaviour and allow youngsters from 11 – 17 years old to participate in activities they may not otherwise have the opportunity to try.

The Executive Member was also very pleased to announce that funding of £21,000 had been received from the Police Crime Commissioner.  Last year over 2000 children took part and there was a corresponding significant drop in anti-social behaviour during this period.

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 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 20 April 2015 be received.

RESOLVED that the Schedule of Individual Executive Member Decisions and Officer Delegated Decisions 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 meeting held on Wednesday, 22 April 2015 of the Planning Committee be received.

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

There were no questions submitted for 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.

There were no motions submitted for this meeting.

Standing Order 9 requires the Council to establish or confirm the plans and strategies which are to comprise the Council’s overall policy framework within which the Executive will operate during the coming year.  The Council’s Constitution sets out the major plans and strategies reserved to the Council for approval.  The Council is therefore invited to confirm the policy framework for 2015/16 as comprising those plans and strategies identified in the table below:

RESOLVED that the policy framework for 2015/16 be confirmed as comprising those plans and strategies identified in the table below:

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The Council considered a report on the revised Standing Orders with respect to the appointment, dismissal and discipline of employees.

During a debate on the item, it was proposed by Councillor P J Davies that the wording of paragraph 3.1 (d) of the Standing Orders as attached at Appendix A to the report be amended to remove the words “as husband and wife” and replace them with “as a couple”. Having been duly seconded, the amendment was agreed.

RESOLVED that the Council notes the required amendments to the Standing Orders with Respect to the Appointment, Dismissal and Discipline of Employees and adopts the revised version, as attached at Appendix A to the report, subject to the amendment in paragraph 3.1 (d) to replace the words “as husband and wife” with “as a couple”.