Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 July 2024.

Councillor Mrs Bayford addressed the Panel on this item and referred to item 8 of the previous minutes where a request was made for a visit to the Innovation Centre. The visit had taken place and she thanked officers for arranging this.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 July 2024 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.

The Panel received a presentation from Stephen Brownlie and Anna Bravington from Oxford Innovation on an Annual Report of Fareham Innovation Centre. (A copy of this presentation is appended to these minutes).

Councillor Mrs P Hayre enquired as to whether the support that is offered to the businesses in the Innovation Centre is provided at a cost to them. Stephen Brownlie confirmed that it is paid for as part of the licence agreement.

The Panel passed on their thanks to Stephen and Anna for their visit to the Innovation Centre that afternoon.

RESOLVED that, the Panel: -

(a)  Note the content of the presentation; and

(b)  Thanked Stephen Brownlie and Anna Bravington for their informative presentation.

The Panel received a presentation from Marshall Barrand of RCA on the annual report for Solent Airport. (A copy of this presentation is appended to these minutes).

Councillor Mrs Bayford enquired as to how to the relationship with the residential areas is going. Marshall Barrand addressed the Panel to confirm that there are still complaints being received from some residents and that the Airport will be introducing a stage 2 complaint process to allow individuals the right to respond.

The Chairman enquired as to whether there has been any thought to targeting events such as those held at Goodwood, to bring in more revenue. Marshall Barrand confirm that some marketing is currently being looked into to target such events.

Councillor Mrs Mandry enquired as to whether Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance will use Solent Airport for fuelling now that they are relocating to Southampton. Marshall Barrand informed the Panel that they will be offered a discount to fuel at Solent Airport.

RESOLVED that the Panel: -

(a)  Note the content of the presentation; and

(b)  Thank Marshall Barrand for his informative presentation.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Daedalus capital and revenue outturn for 2023/24.

The Chairman stated the objective of the Daedalus site was to be self-funding, and enquired as to whether this has been achieved yet. The Technical Finance and Development Manager addressed the Panel and confirmed that unlike in the early years where it had made deficits, the Daedalus site is now creating a surplus.

The Panel requested greater clarity on other expenses be reported in future outturn reports to the Panel.

RESOLVED that the Panel noted the content of the report.

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

The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Panel on this item and referred to members to item 8 of the previous minutes which listed upcoming items for the Panel to consider. He confirmed that at the next meeting of the Panel there will be an update on the Airport Investment Programme.

Councillor Mrs Needham requested an overview to the presented to the Panel which provides an update on the progress that has been made at the Daedalus site since it was acquired 10 years ago. The Director of Planning and Regeneration confirmed that this can be brought to a future meeting of the Panel.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public and representatives of the press for the remainder of the items on the agenda, on the grounds that, the matters to be dealt with under 11(1) and 12, involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

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

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 decisions that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel.

The Panel considered the decision at item 10(1).

There were no comments received.

The Panel received a presentation from the Daedalus Programme Lead (Airside) on the procurement of the future operator of the Airfield.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Nother addressed the Panel on this item.

RESOLVED that the Panel noted the content of the report.