Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies given for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 09 October 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 09 October 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Local Government Finance Policy Statement 2024/25

The Executive Leader announced that he has written to Suella Braverman, KC MP and Caroline Dinenage, MP regarding the recent publication of the Local Government Finance Policy Statement for 2024/25 urging them to encourage colleagues at the DLUHC to reconsider the stated position prior to the publication of the draft Local Government Finance Settlement later this month, specifically in respect of homelessness and emergency accommodation and also the council tax referendum threshold.

The Policy lacks flexibility for local authorities to raise costs to help them meet the rising costs relating to homelessness and for the council tax referendum threshold, the current method penalises those local authorities, such as Fareham, who set a low council tax.

Welborne Junction 10 Funding

The Executive Leader announced that he will be addressing Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet tomorrow regarding the expected increase in the cost of the M27 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme which is now likely to exceed the funding available taking into account inflation and the increase in construction costs.

The Executive Leader reminded the meeting that the Junction 10 scheme was critical  to the delivery of Welborne Garden Village and that the Right Hon Michael Gove, MP had recently given an assurance that it would not be allowed to fail as a result of any funding gap. 

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.

The Executive Leader made reference to a petition which had been received asking the Council to “Preserve Knowle Road trees and hedgerows”.  Whilst this petition is valid in that it has received over 50 signatures, there can be no further action with regard to it as it relates to a Welborne planning decision which cannot be over turned.

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

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive any references from the committees or panels held.

There were no references from other Committees made at this meeting.

A report by the Director of Housing.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to public consultation for a period of six weeks on the draft Housing Allocations Policy, as provided in Appendix A to the report.

A report by the Head of Finance and Audit.

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

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Finance Monitoring Report.

A report by the Head of Finance and Audit.

RESOLVED that the Executive notes the Treasury Management and Capital Monitoring report for 2023/24

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 the public and representatives of the press be excluded 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 Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

A report by the Chief Executive Officer.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that the debts listed in the confidential Appendix A to the report be written off as irrecoverable.