Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T M Cartwright.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Executive held on 2^nd June 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 2 June 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader confirmed that today’s announcement about the successful funding bid for the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan and Local Growth Deal was very good news for the Solent area.

Whilst the final funding bid of £237 million was not fully met, the Solent LEP has had confirmation of £124.8million committed funding for 2015/16 and an agreement of provisional funding for the following four years.

The Executive Leader stated that this is excellent news for Fareham as the funding enables the commencement of works on Stubbington Bypass, Peel Common and the whole package of improvements relating to access for Fareham and Gosport, it will also provide funding for creating a new “all moves” junction 10 on the M27 and improvements to Whiteley Way.

It is anticipated that the Growth Deal will attract an estimated £360 million of private sector funding meaning that the total investment package for the Solent area will approach £500 million and will result in the creation of around 5,000 new jobs, 10,000 new homes, 296,000 sq m of employment floor space, 2,500 apprenticeships and 600 businesses supported with the flagship elements for this being situated in Welborne and Daedalus which is very good news for Fareham.

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

The Executive Leader declared a non-pecuniary interest for item 9(1) Response to Consultation – Stubbington Bypass as he is the Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment.

He remained present throughout the meeting, took no part in the discussion and did not vote on the decision.

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.

There were no references given at this meeting.

A report by the Director of Community.

RESOVLED that the Executive agrees to:

(a)       establish a steering group to develop a vision for new and improved sports facilities and enhancements to the public open space at Cams Alders Recreation Ground, as set out in paragraph 27 of the report; and

(b)       appoint Councillor M J Ford, JP to act as chairman for the group.

A report by the Director of Community.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to nominate Sarisbury Green for the Centenary Fields Programme.

A report by the Director of Community.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)       agrees the governance and decision-making structure as set out in appendix A to the report; and

(b)       agrees the composition of the Project Member Working Group and  appoints Councillor T M Cartwright as Chairman with Councillors B Bayford, D C S Swanbrow and R H Price, JP as members of the group with Councillor Mrs K K Trott as deputy for Councillor Price.

A report by the Director of Planning and Development.

The Executive Leader declared a non-pecuniary interest for item 9(1) Response to Consultation – Stubbington Bypass as he is the Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment.

He remained present throughout the meeting, took no part in the discussion and did not vote on the decision.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillors A Mandry and T G Knight addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)    notes the public consultation currently being carried out by Hampshire County Council on highway proposals for Improving Access to Fareham and Gosport, as outlined in the attached Appendix A;

(b)    agrees the proposed consultation response as set out from paragraph 11 of the Executive Briefing Paper;

(c)     delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development to finalise the response to Hampshire County Council, incorporating any minor additions or amendments; and

(d)    agrees that the response be sent as soon as possible to Hampshire County Council, and in any event prior to the end of the Consultation period on 4 August 2014.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

At the agreement of the Executive Leader, comments on the Welborne Infrastructure Funding Strategy were received on behalf of the site promoters and were taken into account in determining this item and an additional recommendation was received (as appended to these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)          notes the Infrastructure Funding Strategy report attached at Appendix A to the report and agrees that it be published to support the Council’s overall strategy for the delivery of Welborne;

(b)          agrees the update to the Council’s position statement on infrastructure funding for Welborne attached at the Appendix B to this report; and

(c)          that the Director of Finance and Resources, after consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and the Director of Planning and Development, be authorised to make any appropriate amendments to Infrastructure Funding Strategy Position Statement Update, prior to publication, provided that these do not change the overall direction, shape or emphasis of the document, and do not raise any significant new issues.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

During the debate on this item, the Executive Member for Leisure and Community placed on record her thanks to the staff of the Tourist Information Centre for all their hard work and commitment.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)       to reduce the annual budget for Community Grants to £80,000 per year;

(b)       that the annual funding for the Tourist Information Centre be removed from 2015/16, delivering a saving of £36,000 per annum; and

(c)       that the Council becomes a destination partner with Tourism South East at a cost of £1,500 per annum.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the progress made to date on the Daedalus Investment Project.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)       that completion of the expenditure programmes contained in this report be approved; and

(b)       that the report be noted.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)       that the balance on the Housing Revenue and Repairs Accounts as at 31 March 2014 be carried over to 2014/15; and

(b)       that the following budget be carried forward:

                    i.       £3,400 Environmental Improvements.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)       that the capital programme for 2013/14 be approved and financed as set out in Appendix B to this report;

(b)       that the individual expenditure incurred, amounting to £382,106 be financed retrospectively from the surplus capital resources; and

(c)       that the actual capital expenditure for 2013/14 be noted.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2013/14.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

That the Executive agrees to:

a)    host a tree planting ceremony and reception with a contingent from Pulheim as guests of honour;

b)    plant a Liquid Amber tree, and erect a commemorative plaque in Westbury Manor garden; and

c)    present the Mayor of Pulheim with a commemorative scroll for the 30th anniversary of Fareham and Pulheim twinning.