Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T M Cartwright, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Executive held on 04 June 2018.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 04 June 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader advised the Executive that on Tuesday 26 June the Secretary of State announced a programme to stimulate new council housebuilding, by allowing Councils in areas with the highest affordability pressures for homes, including Fareham, to bid for an increase in its borrowing cap.  This means that, if successful, the Council would be allowed to take on more debt to build new council houses.

£1billion of new borrowing is being made available, with half of this open to bids from Councils outside of London.  The programme is for 3 years from 2019-2022 and successful bids would enable loans to be drawn down from April 2019.

As the delivery of affordable homes is a corporate priority for the Council, the Executive Leader has asked officers to prepare a number of bids to be submitted by the deadline of 7 September 2018.  

The Minister also announced that Councils would be able to increase housing rents again from 2020.  This would allow rents to increase by Consumer Price Index +1% each year and could increase rental income for the Housing Revenue Account by £400,000 per year.  This is another positive step as rents will be able to support our investment in new council houses.

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

Councillor Miss S Bell, Executive Member for Leisure and Community, declared a Personal Interest for item 8(2) – Citizen of Honour Award Scheme – Special Group Achievement Category, as she is the Council appointed representative to the One Community board.

There were no petitions submitted at this meeting.

To receive any deputations, of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive any reference from the committees or panels held.

Planning Committee - 20 June 2018

Minute 10 – Neighbour Notification Policy

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on the proposed revisions to the Council’s policy on the publicity of planning applications.

RESOLVED that the Committee:-

(a)  notes the proposals the Director of Planning and Regulation is making to the Executive in respect of publicity for planning and similar applications; and

(b)  recommends to the Executive that the proposed Community Notification Scheme (CNS) be endorsed, when it considers this item at its meeting on 09 July 2018.

A report on this matter is at item 9(1) of the agenda

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor Mrs CLA Hockley addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  Ferneham Hall remains in its current location within the Civic Quarter;

(b)  the vision for Ferneham Hall, attached as Appendix A to the report, is approved;

(c)  the business plan created by AEA Consulting is refreshed and updated, excluding details of the Ashcroft Arts Centre, to ensure that all of the relevant data is available to make an informed decision going forward;

(d)  a procurement process be undertaken to identify a Leisure Trust operator as a partner, prepared to support the development of the new facility, including securing external sources of funding where appropriate, then managing the new facility in the future;

(e)  Ferneham Hall is closed in late 2019 to enable construction works to be undertaken;

(f)   the construction works are undertaken in three phases.  The first phase would include the remodelling of Ferneham Hall, demolishing the Octagon Lounge and opening up the foyer area.  The second phase would focus on the secondary theatre.  The third phase would be the dance studio;

(g)  in principle, the costs of phase one of the project be funded from the Community Infrastructure Levy and external funding where possible, with full project cost to be reported to the Executive later this year.  Funding of the latter phases of work would be subject to a further report, once an operator has been selected;

(h)  delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Executive Member for Leisure and Community, to utilise an initial sum of £100,000 to enable expenditure on fees covering aspects such as surveys, building redesign, further market research, the preparation of a planning application and project management.

(i)    a member working group be established to oversee the design and construction of the project, chaired by the Executive Member for Leisure and Community, to include four other members: Councillors TM Cartwright, MJ Ford, T Davies and Mrs KK Trott.  The final design and costs will require the approval of the Executive prior to seeking planning permission; and

(j)    options for naming the new venue be presented to a future meeting of the Executive.

A report by the Head of Leisure and Corporate Services.

Councillor Miss S Bell, Executive Member for Leisure and Community, declared a Personal Interest for this item, as she is the Council appointed representative to the One Community board. Councillor Miss Bell confirmed that she has not attended any of the board’s meetings as yet.

Councillor Miss Bell remained in the room, taking part in the debate and the decision for this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves:

(a)  the creation of the Special Group Achievement Award to recognise community groups, voluntary organisations and charities that have made outstanding contributions to the lives of residents;

(b)  the proposed arrangements for deciding and granting the Special Group Achievement Award, as set out in the report from paragraph 5; and

(c)  that the first Special Group Achievement Award be presented to One Community.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regulation.

The recommendation from the Planning Committee was taken into account when determining this item (see minute 7 above).

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the Community Notification Scheme as set out within Appendix B to this report;

(b)  agrees that this Scheme comes into effect from Monday 23 July 2018; and

(c)  agrees that any representations received without a valid full name and postal address being provided, will not be taken into account when determining planning or similar applications.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regulation.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves a budget of £275,000 to facilitate procurement of a dedicated resource to masterplan and programme manage delivery of the phases comprising the Fareham Civic Quarter Regeneration project and to undertake surveys and technical reviews for the progression of more detailed designs and programming for the Fareham Civic Quarter Regeneration project.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the carry forward of £335,900 to fund the completion of the General Fund expenditure programmes in 2017/18, as contained in the report;

(b)  approves that an overspend of £478,000 from the HRA Capital account is rolled forward to correct budget phasing to support the future programme in 2018/19; and

(c)  notes the contents of the report.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves that the General Fund capital programme for 2017/18 be approved and financed as set out in this report;

(b)  agrees that the additional expenditure incurred, amounting to £133,275 be financed retrospectively from surplus capital resources; and

(c)  notes the treasury management activity for 2017/18.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor J Forrest addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the terms agreed with Hampshire County Council as shown on the confidential Appendix A attached to this report.