Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N J Walker and Councillor P W Whittle, JP.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Environment Policy Development and Review Panel held on 3 September 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Environment Policy Development and Review Panel held on 3 September 2013 be confirmed and signed a signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’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 and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

In accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct Councillor Howard declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8, Presentation – Parking Update (see minute 8 below).

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a report regarding a petition of 189 signatures, submitted by Ms Carol Folland, requesting the following:-

"We the undersigned urge the planners at Fareham Borough Council to put an immediate end to infill developments, particularly in the Locks Heath area now that the council has decided to build new estates such as Welbourne to address housing shortages in the area.  Infill just creates further congestion on the roads and infrastructure and puts even more cars on the already congested roads".

The Panel received a report from the Director of Planning and Environment regarding the submission of a petition which requested the Council to put an end to infill developments particularly in the Locks Heath area.

Members were referred to appendix A of the report which provided details of the planning policies most relevant to infill development. It was noted that the Draft Development Sites and Policies Plan (October 2012) is still in preparation and therefore this may provide an opportunity to consider if a specific policy concerning infill development would be a necessary addition to the existing and emerging policies.  The Panel discussed the matter in more detail, in particular the proposal that the petition be referred to the Development Sites and Policies Plan Member Working Group so that the petitioner’s views could be taken into account when considering other comments and representations submitted on the Draft Plan.

It was AGREED that :-

(a)       the petition be noted,

(b)       the petitioners be informed of the current and emerging planning policy in relation to infill developments, and

(c)       the request be referred to the Development Sites and Policies Plan Member Working Group for consideration alongside other representations and comments made on the Draft Plan, to consider whether a specific policy concerning residential infill development would be a necessary addition to the existing and emerging suite of policies.

To receive presentation, followed by a question and answer session, with representatives of the Economy, Transport and Environment Directorate of Hampshire County Council to inform the Panel as to how their activities inter-relate with, and impact on the services delivered by the Fareham Borough Council within the Strategic Planning and Environment portfolio. (Minute 8 of 14 May 2013 and Minute 7 of 16 July 2013 refers).

The Panel received a presentation from the following representatives of the Economy, Transport and Environment Directorate, Hampshire County Council  namely Keith Willcox, (Head of Strategic Transport), Heather Walmsley, (Major Schemes Project Co-ordinator) and Steve Faulkner, (Transport Planner)  which provided members with an update on transport issues relating to the Fareham/Gosport area and the inter-relationship with and impact upon the services delivered by the Strategic Planning and Environment portfolio of Fareham Borough Council. 

The presentation included information about recent changes in funding provision accessed through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the major schemes identified to date and more detailed information about the key Fareham Strategic sites of Welborne, Solent Enterprise Zone (Daedalus) and North Whiteley.  Reference was made to the Fareham and Gosport Strategic Transport Infrastructure Plan which:-

•         Reviews and updates relevant strategy documents, plans & reports in light of changing funding environment;

•         Provides a phased delivery plan for Fareham and Gosport for the next 10-20 yrs;

•         Will help inform the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s priorities for the emerging Strategic Economic Plan; and

•         Identifies strategic infrastructure proposals

Officers also provided an overview of the performance of the South East Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit – Fareham to Gosport Eclipse, which it was noted had achieved a number of transport related awards and nominations.   The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)          the officers be thanked for their informative and comprehensive presentation; and

(b)          arrangements be made for a copy of the presentation slides to be circulated to all members and deputy members of the Panel, for their information.

To receive a presentation from the Head of Regeneration which provides members with an update on parking issues, following implementation of the Fareham Town Centre Parking Strategy adopted by the Executive in December 2012.

(N.B. Members and Deputy Members of the Panel will be sent an outline of the information to be presented, prior to the meeting).

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Regeneration and the Head of Community Safety and Enforcement, which provided an update on the implementation of the Fareham Town Centre Parking Strategy adopted by the Council’s Executive in December 2012.

Councillor Howard declared a non-pecuniary interest in this matter on the grounds that he is a member of his local resident’s parking scheme.

Members were informed that the Strategy was formulated to contain a number of policies designed to help support the town centre in terms of parking on offer.  Its aims are to ensure that parking is provided efficiently in terms of designation, tariff and location.  Details were provided of the policies that are capable of implementation over a five year period from adoption and the proposed implementation plan.

A map showing all 18 town centre car parks within the town centre was circulated at the meeting.  It was noted that the car park, currently referred to on the map as the Multi Storey Civic Way Car Park, was now known as Fareham Shopping Centre Multi Storey Car Park.

The presentation included information about:-

·                     income trends 2010 to 2013;

·                     an analysis of data/trends relating to the average daily occupancy of inner pay on foot car parks and outer pay and display car parks, both before and after April 2013;

·                     the increase in the use of season tickets;

·                     new parking payment methods,

·                     other external influences on parking; and

·                     the proposal to review Parent & Child parking provision within  Fareham town centre

Members were reminded that Fareham Town Centre residents parking schemes had been in place since 2010, have become well established, prompting requests for the schemes to be extended to other areas. It was considered that the schemes have been most successful in reducing commuter and shopper parking in residential streets.

The Panel asked questions and made comments on various issues covered in the presentation.

It was AGREED that the officers be thanked for their very helpful presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment regarding the work programme for 2013/14.

Members were informed that a petition of approximately 350 signatures had been submitted by Councillor Forrest at the Council meeting on 10 October 2013 in the following terms - “We call on Fareham Borough Council to stand firm on its policy of strategic gaps to prevent over-development and to protect the open countryside between Stubbington and Fareham”.  It was agreed that in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme the matter should be referred to the Panel for consideration and an item be added to the agenda for the next meeting on 7 January 2014.

The Panel also noted and endorsed paragraph 2 (ii) of the report regarding the arrangements for an all-Member briefing by representatives of HCC Education Services to take place before the meeting on Tuesday, 7 January 2014.

Consideration was given to the Strategic Planning and Environment portfolio Work Programme 2013/14, (Appendix C), which highlighted those matters to be considered by the Executive.  Concern was expressed by some members that the Panel did not appear to have a significant input into initiating and developing policy matters and this was reflected in the work programme.  The Director of Planning and Environment explained that, for example, it had been an Executive decision to establish dedicated member working groups to assist in the preparation of the Welborne Plan and the Development Sites and Policies Plan and to report their conclusions directly back to the Executive. However members were assured that their comments and concerns would be taken into account.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)       an item regarding the petition submitted by Councillor Forrest  be added to the Panel’s work programme for the meeting on 7 January 2014;

(b)       arrangements proceed for an all member briefing to take place at 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Tuesday 7 January 2014, (prior to the next Panel meeting), for representatives of Hampshire County Council to advise members on County education strategy and proposals as they affect Fareham Borough;

(c)       consideration be given to including more policy matters in the Panel’s future work programme;

(d)       subject to the addition of the item referred to in (a) above, the programme of items for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved; and

(e)       the progress on actions since the last meeting, as set out in Appendix B, be noted.