Agenda and minutes

The meeting will commence with a short service of prayers.

The Mayor invited all Members of the Council and members of the public present to observe a minute’s silence, as a mark of respect and in memory of former Councillor Hugh Pritchard, who passed away last weekend.

There followed prayers led by the Mayor’s Chaplains, Reverend Mike Terry and Reverend Nicky-Sue Terry.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N R Gregory and D M Whittingham.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19 February 2016.

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 February 2016.

The Mayor thanked everyone who had supported his charity events during the municipal year.  The Mayor was very pleased to make contributions to the excellent work carried out by the Dave Wellman Cancer Trust and the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.

The Mayor welcomed Cadet Flight Sergeant Gabriella Lashmore to the Council meeting.  Gabby was thanked for her service and presented with a certificate to mark to end of her year as the Mayor’s Cadet.

An award was due to be presented to June Haye, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, in thanks and recognition of her Chaplaincy services to Fareham Borough Council.  Unfortunately June was not able to attend the meeting but the thanks of the Council were noted.

The Mayor welcomed Mary Kilbride to the Council meeting.  Mary has acted as Designated Independent Person to the Council since 2012 and was first appointed in 2003 as one of three Independent Persons for the Council’s Standards Committee.  To mark her retirement, Mary was thanked and presented with a plaque.  Mary Kilbride responded by thanking the Council for their support to her and her enjoyment of the role.

The Executive Leader provided an update on the progress of the South Hampshire Combined Authority and he confirmed that a great deal of work has been undertaken.  The Executive Leader is responsible for the spatial strategy and highways and transportation workstreams and there are a number of other workstreams being worked on.

It is not certain when the Government will make a formal announcement about this although there is a potential gap between the local Elections and the EU Referendum.  Once that announcement has been made, the Council will be able to debate the matter and undertake a public consultation before a final decision is made as to whether Fareham becomes a signatory and participant in a Combined Authority.

The Executive Leader echoed the comments of the Mayor and thanked Mary Kilbride for the work she has done for Fareham Borough Council over the years and the kind words she said about the Council. 

The Executive Leader thanked those Councillors who are not seeking re-election.  He noted that this is the biggest turnover in Councillors in Fareham and regardless of the outcome of the local Election, over a quarter of current Members will no longer be here.  The Executive Leader stated that these Councillors had given a combined total of 111 years of public service to the residents of Fareham which is a tremendous accolade to them.

The Executive Member for Public Protection announced that, as people were aware, Hampshire has a new Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney.

The Executive Member for Public Protection had the opportunity, as a member of the Police Crime Panel, to interview the new Chief Constable and confirm the appointment.  Olivia’s previous position was Deputy Chief Constable for Sussex Police, and she has extensive experience of shaping and leading strategic and organisational change within Sussex Police to meet financial challenges.  Olivia was also involved in the response to the Shoreham Air Crash last year, is also the National Children and Young People Lead and has spearheaded the launch of Operation Kite to address child sexual exploitation.  Previously to that role, she has worked for the Inspector of Constabularies and worked both in Sussex and Surrey Police in many varied roles.  She was also awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours List 2016.

The Executive Member for Public Protection was very impressed with Olivia’s answers to the panel, and especially her answer on the current Operational Change Programme, where she agreed there was still much work to be done. 

The Executive Member for Public Protection stated that he believes we have a very strong Chief Constable who will bring a wealth of operational experience and strategic leadership to the role.

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.

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 10 signatures was presented by Councillor Mrs K K Trott entitled “We the undersigned are petitioning Fareham Borough Council to make the Area B parking bay on Osborne Road residents only 7 days a week 24 hours”.

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.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 22 February 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on the 7 March 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive meeting held on the 11 April 2016 be received.

An additional Schedule of Individual Decisions was tabled at the Meeting under this item (attached as Appendix A to these Minutes).

To receive, consider and answer questions on reports and recommendations of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 17 March 2016.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the minutes of the Scrutiny Board held on the 17 March 2016 be received;

(b)  the Council notes the Scrutiny Board’s view of the outcome of the call-in arrangements for 2015/16.

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 24 February 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on the 23 March 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee held on 22 March 2016 be received.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on the 14 March 2016 be received; and

(b)  the Annual Audit and Governance report be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Audit and Governance Sub-Standards Committee held on the 13 April 2016 be received.

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

RESOLVED that the Council receive and endorse the proposed Work Programmes for all Committee meetings for the next municipal year, as set out in Appendix A.

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 under Standing Order 15 submitted for this meeting.

Council is asked to note that following the resignation of former Councillor Paul Whittle and the removal of Councillor D M Whittingham from the Conservative Group, the political balance of the Council is now as follows:

As there are no more committee meetings scheduled for the remainder of the municipal year, the calculation and allocation of seats to committees will be held over until Annual Council on 12 May 2016.

RESOLVED that the Council note the alteration to the political balance of the Council following the resignation of Paul Whittle and the removal of Councillor D M Whittingham from the Conservative Group.   The Executive Leader confirmed that Councillor D M Whittingham had been removed formally from any Committees on which he sits.

The Council is requested to appoint a representative for Locks Heath Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

The centre supports the local community by maintaining the centre, maximising its occupancy and making it accessible for local residents.

RESOLVED that Councillor Ms S Pankhurst be appointed as a representative to Locks Heath Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

To present awards for Long Service to retiring Councillors who have served in excess of two terms of office.

The Mayor announced that a number of Councillors had decided to stand down at the end of this municipal year.  The Mayor marked the end of the long and distinguished careers by presenting Councillors J V Bryant, Mrs M E Ellerton, T J Howard, T G Knight, D J Norris and D C S Swanbrow with Long Service Plaques. 

All Councillors responded with their thanks to the Council.