Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies given for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Executive held on 11 January 2016.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive on the 11 January 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader reminded Members that George Osborne announced the results of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in November 2015. The main message was that the Government would continue its drive to reduce the National Debt and, as a result, it would be necessary to cut public spending. Details have since been received of the Local Government settlement and it comes as no surprise that the Council faces a significant reduction in funding for the period 2016 to 2020.  The financial arrangements for Councils are complicated, but we have been working through the figures to understand what this actually means for Fareham Borough Council.

In summary, we will have to reduce our annual budget by approximately £1 million by April 2018which is in the 2017/18 financial year.

Putting the figure of £1 million into context, since 2008, we have successfully identified £5 million in annual savings, and our net budget is now less than £9m compared to over £12 million a year at the start of the recession.  This has been achieved through careful planning, being creative and innovative, but also taking some difficult yet measured decisions about where we spend taxpayer’s money.  For example, our commercial property strategy has had a positive impact on Council revenue, and if it were not for this and our work with Vanguard to transform front line services, the budget gap would have been £1million higher.

Finding another £1 million by 2018 will be a challenge, but because of our prudent approach we do not have to make any savings for the financial year ahead, starting in April 2016, so there will be no need for any sudden decisions.  I have, however, asked the Chief Executive to start work on closing the budget gap, and to bring forward proposals for the Executive to consider later this year, so we are well prepared and can minimise the impact on our residents and our staff.

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

Councillor C J Wood declared a Non-Pecuniary Personal Interest when he addressed the Executive on item 11(5) – Award of Contract - Daedalus Airfield Operator, due to the close proximity of his parents’ property to the Daedalus site.  He remained present in the room for the discussion and voting.

There were no petitions submitted at this meeting.

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

The Executive received a written Deputation from Mrs Carol Massey in relation to item 8(2) Leigh Road Tennis Courts – Conversion to Car Parking.

To receive any reference from the committees or panels held.

7(1)     Scrutiny Board: 14 January 2016

Minute 7 – Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2015/16.

The Board was informed that since the publication of the report, the figures on page 39 that relate to littering and fouling have now changed with the proposed fee for Dropped Litter being £80.00 and the proposed fee for Fouling of Land being £100.00.

The Board recommended that further clarification be provided to explain what the unallocated fees that are shown throughout the report are for. The Director of Finance and Resources confirmed that he would provide more detail on these figures.

It was AGREED that, subject to the further clarification being added to the Executive report to explain the unallocated fees, the Executive notes the Board’s approval of the report.

This item was considered by the Executive at agenda item 11(2).

7(2)     Scrutiny Board: 14 January 2016

Minute 9 – Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the Board recommends to the Executive the proposals as set out in Appendix A of the report. 

This item was considered by the Executive at agenda item 11(1).

7(3)     Scrutiny Board: 14 January 2016

Minute 10 – Review of Licensing Policy

The Board considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on a review of the Licensing Policy.

The Board commented that the policy document was very clear and easy to read and understand.

A report on this item will be considered at a future meeting of the Executive.

A report by the Director of Operations.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  that the Council’s £6,469 share from the now defunct Fareham Community Savers initiative be added to the Youth Activities Grant Fund for the provision of open access youth activities in the Borough and is allocated in accordance with the agreed criteria; and

(b)  that First Wessex be asked to allow their share of the funding to be allocated for the provision of youth services in the Borough of Fareham

A report by the Director of Operations.

The comments of the deputation were taken into account in considering this item (see minute 6).

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that the redundant tennis courts adjacent to the Leigh Road entrance to the Park Lane Recreation Ground be converted to provide increased car parking provision.

A report by the Director of Operations.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor Mrs K K Trott addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  to note the progress on the current 2015/16 programme, considers planned work for 2016/17 identified in Appendices A to D to this report;

(b)  that the proposed Traffic Regulation Order Programme for 2016/17, as shown in Appendix B (Table 4) to the report, be approved; and

(c)  to note the work undertaken on the deployment of the Speed Limit Reminder signs, as detailed at Appendix D to the report.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regulation.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor R H Price, JP addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that the Executive Member for Planning and Development be authorised to make arrangements for three Member Working Groups for the Local Plan Review, Fareham Town Centre and Portchester District Centre Regeneration Strategies.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

The comments of the Scrutiny Board were taken into consideration for this item (see minute 7).

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor Mrs K K Trott addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to recommend to Council that:

(a)  rents be approved for Council Dwellings as set out in paragraph 10 with effect from 4 April 2016;

(b)  rents for Council garages be increased by 5% with effect from 4 April 2016;

(c)  discretionary fees and charges be increased to provide a minimum increase of 5%, where possible, with effect from 4 April 2016;

(d)  the revised budget for 2015/16 be approved;

(e)  the base budget for 2016/17 be approved;

(f)   the capital programme and financing for 2015/16 to 2019/20 be approved; and

(g)  annual budgets and assumptions are set with the aim of ensuring sufficient surpluses are held to repay debt on the date of maturity of each loan.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

The comments of the Scrutiny Board were taken into consideration for this item (see minute 7).

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

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the following proposals and recommends them to the meeting of the Council to be held on 19 February 2016:

(a)  the capital programme and financing of £36,959.00;

(b)  an overall revised revenue budget for 2015/16 of £9,174,600;

(c)  a revenue budget for 2016/17 of £8,829,400; and

(d)  a council tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2016/17 of £145.22 per band D property, which represents a £5.00 increase when compared to the current year.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor A Mandry addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive considered the following changes to the Community Funding:

(a)  increase the time, from one year to two that successful applicants have to wait before being able to submit another Community Fund bid;

(b)  allow applicants setting up a new project, or running an existing project, to apply for a one off grant payment covering revenue costs, for a specified period of time agree with the Council;

(c)  amend the Community Fund Use Agreement to make it more robust; and

(d)  audit 10% of all applicants who receive funding of less than £10,000 and every applicant who receives £10,000 or more.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the purchase of 136-138 Southampton Road, Park Gate, Fareham as a commercial investment on the basis of the heads of terms set out in the confidential Appendix A.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor C J Wood addressed the Executive on this item.   He declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest due to the proximity of his parent’s property to the airfield site.  Councillor Wood remained in the room.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  to award the contract to the bidder ranked in 1^st position (as set out in Confidential Appendix A), this being the best combination of cost effectiveness and service quality in terms of taking the airfield forward in line with the Council’s Vision; and

(b)  that the Director of Finance and Resources be given delegated authority to agree the detailed terms of the contract with the successful bidder.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive endorses the draft Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2016/17, attached as Appendix A to the report, and submits the report to Council for approval.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the update of the properties acquired in accordance with the Commercial Property Investment Acquisition Strategy.