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 3 November 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 3 November 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Executive Leader’s announcements made at this meeting.

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.

There were no petitions submitted at this meeting.

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

There were no deputations received at this meeting.

To receive any reference from the committees or panels held.

7(1) Planning and Development PDR Panel: 4 November 2014

Minute 8 – Presentation: Titchfield Village Parking Review

It was AGREED that the Executive note the Panel’s comments in considering the proposed changes to the 3 main parking areas in Titchfield:

The Square - To change 8 additional spaces that are currently unrestricted to 30-minute parking, which would increase the total number of 30-minute spaces to 13.

Barry’s Meadow Car Park (3-hour limit) – To remove the business permits currently issued for this car park which would free up  extra spaces for visitor use.

Community Centre Car Park (24-hour limit) – To change the internal layout of the car park which would create an additional 25-30 spaces.

Members commented on the proposal for the changes to the 3 parking areas agreeing that whilst it will not solve all of the problems it is a fair compromise.

A report on this item will be presented to the Executive at a future meeting.

7(2) Leisure and Community PDR Panel: 4 November 2014

Minute 7 – Citizens Advice Bureau Service Level Agreement – Update

Councillor Price addressed the Panel to comment that he felt the CAB was one of the best recognised organisations who provide free and impartial advice, and he feels that Fareham Borough Council should continue to provide support to them. He also requested whether the Executive could find a little more funding to assist the CAB with their way forward.

It was AGREED that:  

b)       the Executive notes the comments made by Councillor Price.

7(3) Public Protection PDR Panel: 11 November 2014

Minute 7 – Traffic Management Programme

AGREED:

d)    the Proposed Traffic Regulation Order Programme, as shown in Appendix B (Table 4) to the report, be recommended to the Executive for approval; and

e)    the work undertaken on the deployment of the Speed Limit Reminder signs, as detailed in Appendix D to the report, be recommended to the Executive for noting.

A report on this item will be presented to the Executive at a future meeting.

7(4) Scrutiny Board: 20 November 2014

Minute 7 – Community Action Team (CAT) Review

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the proposed Community Action Team (CAT) Review.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor N R Gregory addressed the Board during the consideration of this item.

The Head of Corporate Services presented the report and answered members’ questions thereon.

It was AGREED that the Executive be advised of the Board’s views on the proposed community action team review, as shown in Appendix B to the report, as follows:-

(a)     the role of the Chairmen of Community Action Teams should be consistent, with a local connection, as is observed with the existing arrangements;

(b)       the role of chairing Community Action Team meetings should be separated from the role of Councillors answering questions related to policy, or officers answering technical questions;

(c)         the principle of ‘hot topic’ meetings was supported;  

(d)         there should be a cyclical meeting for general business raised by residents and residents’ associations in the year that the CAT was not due to receive the Leader of the Council’s biennial presentation;

(e)        the principle of not continuing the police presence at meetings, unless for a specific police-related hot topic, be supported;

(f)          the principle of the biennial ‘Meet the Leader’ sessions be supported;

(g)         the principle of ten CAT areas be supported, but meetings should be publicised to wider areas when relevant to the topic for discussion;

(h)          publicity should be wide and broad enough to encourage wider attendance, particularly for Meet the Leader meetings so residents have the opportunity to attend these meetings more frequently;

(i)            the idea of multiple meetings in a community for a single topic, to maximise the opportunity to engage with local residents, be supported;

(j)            the Special Responsibility Allowance payable to members for being CAT Chairmen should be removed.

A report by the Director of Community.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the master plan for the Fareham CATs area.

A report by the Director of Community.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)       approves the Master Plan for the Western Wards Community Action Team area;

(b)       agrees that the designation of the land at Hook Recreation Ground be changed from “parks and amenity open space” to  “natural green space”, be no longer for formal sports provision and that the changing rooms be demolished within 12 months, if a suitable  alternative use for the building cannot be found; and

(c)       approves a project to improve the WC facilities and replace the main hall flooring at the Whiteley Community Centre at a budget cost of £100,000 with a maximum of £90,000 to be funded from the Whiteley Development Fund and the balance to be funded by the Whiteley Community Association.

A report by the Director of Community.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillors C J Wood and Mrs K K Trott addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive adopts the revised Leisure Strategy for 2014 – 2019, as set out in Appendix A of the report, subject to the inclusion of an additional appendix to show the provision of current leisure facilities throughout the borough.

A report by the Director of Environmental Services.

RESOLVED that the Executive endorses the recommendation made by the Streetscene Policy and Development Review Panel at its meeting on 23 October 2014, and agrees:

(a)  that no changes are required to the collection of recyclable materials currently co-mingled in the blue top recycling bins; and

(b)  that officers will assess any proposed collection policy changes against the new regulations prior to any recommendations being put to Members for decision.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  agrees the list of assets for disposal contained in the report, and in confidential Appendix B and requests officers to investigate the possibility of adding Locks Heath Memorial Hall to the list of assets to be considered for disposal, subject to there being appropriate alternative locations for existing clubs to use; and

(b)  agrees the funding arrangements for the Western Wards Leisure Centre.

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:

(a)       approves the updated capital programme as set out in Appendix A to the report;

(b)       approves the revised revenue budget for 2014/15 and the proposed revenue budget for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix B to the report;

(c)        approves the proposed fees and charges for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix D to the report;

(d)       agrees the use of Section 13A to provide a Council Tax discount to flooded properties in accordance with guidance issued by Government as set out in paragraphs 23 – 29 of the report; and

(e)       recommends to Council an unchanged Local Council Tax Scheme for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix E of the report.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

The comments of the Scrutiny Board were taken into account when considering this item - see minute 7(4) and at the invitation of the Executive Leader, the Chairman of the Scrutiny Board joined the Executive for this item.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillors A Mandry, C J Wood, Mrs K K Trott and P J Davies addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the five CAT areas be replaced with ten smaller neighbourhood areas;

(b)  the majority of CAT meetings be replaced with single agenda item meetings, that take place only when there is a 'hot topic' occurring in a neighbourhood at a relevant critical time;

(c)  “Meet the Leader” summer meetings be arranged for all of the new CAT neighbourhood areas each year, combining as appropriate, with senior representatives from the Police invited to be in attendance; and

(d)  the most appropriate experienced Chairman for individual meetings be nominated by the Executive Leader on a meeting by meeting basis.

A report by the Director of Community.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the following matched funding awards:

(a)  £5,000 subject to review, dependent on any contribution by Gosport Borough Council to Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club and subject to a Community Use Agreement being put in place;

(b)  £25,000 to Titchfield Amateur Boxing Club; and

(c)  £27,600 to the Catisfield Scout Group.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the progress made to date on the Daedalus Investment Project, as detailed in the report.

A report by the Director of Finance and Resources.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the terms provisionally agreed for the purchase of two garages located at Wynton Way, Fareham, as set out in confidential Appendix A.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public and representatives of the Press from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the matters to be dealt with involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 the Public and Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting, as the Executive considers that it is not in the public interest to consider the matters in public on the grounds that they will involve the disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

A report by the Director of Policy and Resources.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the details of all tenders received and contracts awarded, over the value of £50,000, during the six month period ending 6 October 2014, as set out in confidential Appendix A to the report.