Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence given at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on 18 November 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 18 November 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that she attended the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel held on 18 January 2022 where an item on the agenda provided a presentation which outlined the provision of burial plots in the Council’s cemeteries.  A copy of the slides for the presentation have been forwarded to all members of the panel for information.

The Chairman also welcomed members of the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel who were in attendance for item 7 on the agenda.

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 received.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

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

There were no questions or comments in respect of this item.

To receive a presentation by the Public Spaces Operations Manager which updates the Panel on the impact that the Covid-19 Pandemic has had on the hire of sports pitches across the Borough.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillors Mrs Hockley, Mrs Trott and Ms Pankhurst addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received a presentation by the Public Spaces Operations Manager which provided members with an overview of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hire of Council owned sports pitches across the Borough and the effect on bookings since the return to normal of pitch hire availability.  The presentation also provided members with information on the recently adopted Playing Pitch Strategy. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

Members discussed the possibility of providing facilities for additional types of sport, such as athletics, cycling and petanqe.  The Public Spaces Operations Manager advised that additional facilities can be considered but would be subject to community demand, the availability of suitable land and the appropriate level of funding being available.

Members also discussed the Section 106 contributions that developers often make in lieu of providing sporting facilities as part of a new planning application. Concerns were raised that even if funding is provided to meet the increased demand for facilities, the Council does not have large areas of land that it can make available to provide them.

The construction of 3G sports pitches in the Borough was discussed by the Panel and concerns were raised in respect of the impact the plastic material used in their construction may have on the environment. The potential environmental impact of any new facilities on Fareham Borough Council land will be considered as part of any proposals brought forward to the Executive for decision.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Streetscene Panel.

Members considered and discussed the scrutiny priorities for the Streetscene Panel and noted that at the next meeting there would be a presentation to provide an update on the roll out of the new Garden Waste Strategy.  There will also be information and discussion on the implications of the new Environment Bill.

RESOLVED that the Priorities for the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel be noted.