Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 22 June 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 22 June 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed Sarah Robinson to the Panel and congratulated her on her new appointment of Assistant Chief Executive Officer.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Assistant Director (Finance & ICT) on the Council Tax Support Fund Policy.

The Council considered a report by the Assistant Director (Finance & ICT) on the proposals for the Council Tax Support Scheme.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends that the Executive endorses the recommendations in the report at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the Capital Treasury Management Outturn for 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the Capital and Treasury Management Outturn for 2022-23.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the content of the report and has no comments to pass to the Executive at their meeting on 9 October 2023.

To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Outturn for 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Finance and Audit on the general fund and housing revenue account outturn for 2022-23.

At the Invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Trott addressed the Committee on this item.

The Chairman enquired as to whether the war in Ukraine has had any impact on the Council’s budgets. The Finance Manager confirmed that the war has had an impact on the homeless budget due to some families in need of support. However, he also confirmed that the majority of the Ukrainian families have been housed via private arrangements.

Members asked a variety of questions regarding parking charges and income, and whether the increase in revenue from the car parks has reached pre-Covid levels. The Finance Manager confirmed that growth on the car parks has been slow to rebuild and that the Council does not anticipate that the figures will match pre-Covid figures.

Members enquired as to the whether the Council predicts that the car parking revenue will increase as the town centre develops, with the new entertainment’s venue Fareham Live opening in 2024. The Finance Manager confirmed that the parking charges will be reviewed once Fareham Live is in operation.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the content of the report and has no comments to pass to the executive at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

To consider a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the annual review of the Corporate Strategy 2017-2023 and the Local Service Agreements 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Annual Review of Corporate Strategy 2017-2023 and the Local Service Agreements 2022-2023.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(i)            Note the content of the report; and

(ii)          Recommends that the Executive endorses the recommendations set out in the report to the Executive at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

To consider a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Corporate Strategy 2023-2029.

The Council considered a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Corporate Strategy for 2023-2029.

Members commented on the disappointing level of response from the public, and asked officers for suggestions on how this could be improved going forward. The Senior Policy, Research and Engagement Office addressed the Panel and informed them that the Engagement team have already started to address this. She advised them of a new Facebook page “Lets Talk Fareham” which has proved to be popular and has received positive responses to. They have also started to introduce Pop Up Consultation Events which again have been positively received. She stressed that the importance of public engagement is to ensure that that it is meaningful engagement.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(i)            Note the content of the report; and

(ii)          Recommends that the Executive endorses the corporate Strategy 2023-2029 at its meeting on 9 October 2023.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual members during the same time period.

The Panel considered the Executive items of business which falls under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio, including Executive Member decisions and Officer delegated decisions, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel 22 June 2023.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Policy and Resources Panel.

The Assistant Chief Executive Officer addressed the Panel on this item and gave members the opportunity to put forward any suggestions of items that they would like to scrutinise. There were no suggestions put forward.