Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Mrs Needham and Mrs Mandry, and an apology of absence was also received from Mr Jonathan Butts.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 19 June 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of Daedalus Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 19 June 2023 be confirmed and 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 the 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 Regional and City Airports Ltd on the Annual Report of the operation of Solent Airport.

The Panel received a presentation from Marshall Barrand, Project Director from Regional and City Airports Ltd (RCA) on the Annual Report of the Airport performance for 2022/23.

Members asked questions following the presentation, with many of the questions focusing on the strategy to attract a greater variety of aviation customers to the airport and the likely impact of the introduction of Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL).

Several members also asked questions regarding international flights and whether these are anticipated to increase in the coming years. Mr Barrand addressed the Panel to explain that there is no way to predict this, and it will very much depend on the facilities on offer at the airport and the purpose of the flights. He explained that the majority of the international flights at present are business related travel, with many of the tenants at the airfield having companies abroad that they will fly to.

RESOLVED that Marshall Barrand be thanked for his informative presentation.

To consider a report by Oxford Innovation on the 2022/23 Annual Report of the operation of Fareham Innovation Centre.

The Panel received a presentation from Stephen Brownlie, Centre Director and Daniel Belton, Innovation Director of Fareham Innovation Centre on the performance of the Innovation Centre from 2022/23.

Members asked questions following the presentation on what work is being undertaken to encourage businesses to remain within the Borough once they move on from the Innovation Centre. Mr Brownlie confirmed that they work closely with the Head of Strategic Sites to identify any suitable business premises within the Borough where these companies can relocate to.

Councillor Mrs Bayford enquired about the waiting list for workshop spaces, and what is being done to address this problem. The Head of Strategic Sites confirmed that investments to address this at Daedalus are being considered and may come forward in the Capital Programme in due course.

RESOLVED that Stephen Brownlie and Daniel Belton be thanked for their informative presentation.

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager on the Opportunities Plan 2023-2027. (The presentation is appended to these minutes).

Members noted the information in the presentation and the projects that are being considered in year one of the plan and asked questions on the proposals that have been put forward.

RESOLVED that having asked questions and made comments on the proposals for consideration, the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive that falls under the remit of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel. 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, specifically in relation to Daedalus, including Executive Member decisions and Officer delegated decision, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel.

The Panel considered the decisions at item 9(1) and 9(2) of the agenda.

RESOLVED that the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel considered the following items of Business.

The Panel confirmed that it had questions on this item, so the Panel resolved to move into private session.

RESOLVED that the public and representatives of the press for this item on the grounds that the matters to be dealt with will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

After Members had asked questions of Officers on this item, they resolved to move back into public session.

No comments were received.

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

The Head of Strategic Sites addressed the Panel on this item and advised the members that, following consultation with the Chairman, it has been agreed that there will be a new standing item on the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel agenda, which will be titled Daedalus Update. It has been acknowledged that Daedalus is constantly changing and evolving which can be difficult for members to keep updated on. Therefore, it is proposed that this item will be a verbal update by the Head of Strategic Sites to give members an overview of any changes, progress etc on the Daedalus site.