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 21 October 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 21 October 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced to the Panel that the next meeting of the Panel, which is scheduled for 20 January 2025, has been moved to 10 January 2025, to allow the Panel the opportunity to pre-scrutinise the Town Centre Regeneration Plan before it is brought to the Executive at its meeting on 13 January 2025 for decision.

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 (Democracy) on the annual review of the Corporate Strategy 2023-2029.

The Panel considered a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy) on the Annual Review of the Corporate Strategy 2023-2029.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor G Furnivall addressed the Panel on this item. She requested that the proposed wording change to page 17 of the Strategy, state “…allow for equity of opportunity and access…” rather than equal access as this is a stronger statement which more accurately describes the required change. Members of the Panel were in support of this proposal.

Councillor Whittle requested that the information regarding the population estimate, which is proposed to be removed from page 7 of the strategy remain as he feels that this is valuable information for residents. The Policy, Research and Engagement Manager addressed the Panel and confirmed that this information could be incorporated elsewhere in the strategy.

Councillor Hamilton requested that where the strategy refers to Westbury Manor Museum on page 9, this be changed to Westbury Manor. Members were keen to acknowledge that this will form part of the Town Centre Regeneration but that the building will no longer be used as a museum.

The Assistant Director (Democracy) addressed the Panel on this item to confirm that following the last meeting of the Panel where the motion on support for LGBTQ+ people was debated, a lot of work has been undertaken to progress these proposals. It is proposed that a new project be added to the Corporate Strategy:

Ensure Fareham Borough Council services are accessible to all members of out community and staff by recognising and celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion and by providing systems and structures that allow for equitable opportunity and access.

Further information on this will be incorporated into the Executive report on the Corporate Strategy which will be presented at the meeting of the Executive on 3 December 2024.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(i)            notes the content of the report; and

(ii)          recommends that the Executive considers the proposed changes to the Corporate Strategy as outlined above when they consider this item at their meeting on 3 December 2024.

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 pf the Panel on 21 October 2024.

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 Director (Democracy) provided members with an update on the items that are to be coming forward to the next meeting of the Panel on 10 January 2025.

She then invited members to put forward any further items of scrutiny that they wish for the Panel to consider. Councillor Hamilton requested that an update on the review of the Civic Offices be brought to the Panel. The Policy, Research and Engagement Manger confirmed that this will form part of the Town Centre Regeneration report that will be taken to the January 2025 meeting.