Decisions

To seek approval of Fareham Borough Council’s response, as outlined in paragraphs 13-38 of this report, to Transport for the South East’s Consultation Draft Transport Strategy for the South East.

In October this year, Transport for the South East (TfSE) produced a Consultation Draft Transport Strategy for the South East.  The consultation 12-week period started on the 07 October 2019 and will close on the 10 January 2020. In order to provide useful context, this report firstly explains who Transport for the South East are, and then what the purpose of the Consultation Draft Transport Strategy for the South East is.  This report sets out the main elements to the consultation documentation and the Council’s response to this.  This report asks that the Council submit these comments to Transport for South East through responding to their consultation questionnaire.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves:

(a)  the Council’s response to Transport for the South East’s Consultation Draft Transport Strategy for the South East Consultation Questionnaire as outlined in paragraphs 13-38 of this report; and

(b)  subject to the amendment at paragraph 29 to include more detailed reference being made for opportunities for provision of rail stations, including at lower cost, that the Director of Planning and Regeneration be authorised to make any necessary minor amendments following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development prior to the submission to TfSE’s submission deadline (10^th January 2020), provided they do not change the overall direction, shape or emphasis.

To seek approval for the detailed designs to be submitted as part of the planning application for the remodelled Ferneham Hall.

The concept design (Appendix A) and budget cost for the remodelling of Ferneham Hall and the preferred operator for the new community arts venue were agreed by the Executive on 26 September.

Overseen by the Ferneham Hall Project Member Working Group, the development of a design that best matches the Council’s agreed vision has rapidly progressed.

Following extensive work, a detailed design to be submitted as part of a planning application was approved by the Member Working Group on 3 December 2019.

The Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel commented on the designs on 16 December 2019.

The proposed detailed external design (Appendix B) is presented for approval.  Work is ongoing on some of the technical aspects of the design.  Therefore, there may be minor alterations to this design ahead of its submission as part of the planning application.

If approved, the design, potentially subject to minor alterations, will be submitted as part of a planning application later in January 2020. The estimated determination date will be in March 2020, following a period of public consultation.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  noted the comments of the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel; and

(b)  approves the principle of the detailed design for the remodelled Ferneham Hall, as outlined in Appendix B to the report, and that this, including any minor alterations be submitted as part of a planning application.

This report provides an update on the Council’s 5-year financial forecasts and makes recommendations regarding the revised revenue budget for 2019/20 and 2020/21.

This report gives the Executive the opportunity to consider the Council’s 5-year financial forecasts as set out in the Medium-Term Finance Strategy (MTFS), revised service budgets for 2019/20 and proposed service budgets for 202/21.

Revised General Fund Revenue Budget 2019/20

The revised general fund revenue budget for 2019/20 amounts to £12,709,300 for service budgets with other budgets totalling -£3,390,100 giving an overall position of £9,319,200 which shows an increase of £652,800 from the base budget for 2019/20.

General Fund Revenue Budget 2020/21

The proposed general fund budget for 2020/21 total £11,582,500 for service budgets along with -£1,976,000 for other budgets giving an overall position of £9,606,500 which is an increase of £940,100 against the original budget for 2019/20.

5-Year Financial Forecasts

The 5-Year financial forecasts for 2019/20 to 2023/24 is predicting a funding shortfall by 2021/22.  The Opportunities Plan approved last year is still predicted to address the shortfall and build in some capacity for future pressures and uncertainties.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

Financial Forecasts (MTFS)

(a)  approves the Medium-Term Finance Strategy for the period 2019/20 to 2023/24, as set out at Appendix C to the report;

(b)  agrees to submit the updated Pay Policy annexed to the Medium-Term Finance Strategy at Annex C, to Council for approval;

Revenue Budgets

(c)  approves the revised 2019/20 general fund revenue budget, amounting to £9,319,200, as set out in Appendix A and B to the report; and

(d)  approves the base 2020/21 general fund revenue budget amounting to £9,606,500 as set out in Appendix A and B to the report.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to undertake safety improvements to the West Gate entrance to the Solent Airport at Daedalus and to provide additional parking immediately adjacent to the children’s play area being delivered at the Western end of Daedalus Common.  

The proximity of both the new Daedalus Common (and associated parking) and the adjoining children’s play area to the West Gate of Solent Airport requires that we improve the security of the airfield to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.  There is also an opportunity to provide additional parking provision immediately adjacent to the children’s play area.

The programming of developments requires that we put in place a package of works to ensure the safety of those using and visiting the airport and to enhance the visitor experience.

It is recommended that a package of works be implemented in spring 2020.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves a capital budget of £250,000 to fund improvements to airside security at the West Gate entrance to the Solent Airport and provide further parking for the children’s play area to the West of Daedalus Common; and

(b)  agrees to delegate the award of contract to the Director of Planning and Regeneration following consultation with the Executive Leader.

To advise the Executive of the outcome of user consultation and review of beach hut site rents.  The review has resulted in a proposal to increase rents which, if agreed, will take effect form 1 April 2020.

The report advises the Executive of the outcome of a Review of beach hut site rents. The Executive was last asked to consider site rents and other issues in 2014 and the current review has been carried out in a similar way.  The Review has resulted in a proposal to increase beach hut site rentals above the current annual rate of inflation, based on market comparables.  The proposal is fully in accordance with the principles set out in the Council’s Medium-term Finance Strategy.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees an increase in beach hut site rents by 5% per annum.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to provide economic hangars at Solent Airport at Daedalus to support General Aviation.

To provide economic hangars at Solent Airport to support managed hangarage, improve the utilisation of the existing general aviation hangars and allow further development on the western side of the site facilitating delivery of Swordfish Business Park.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  the appropriate prudential; borrowing up to the maximum sum detailed in the confidential appendix and a capital budget to fund the construction of economic hangar provision at Solent Airport at Daedalus; and

(b)  to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to award the contract for the construction of the new hangars after a procurement exercise in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2019.

This report considers the Capital Strategy for 2020/21, prior to its submission to Council for approval.

Regulations require the Council to prepare and formally approve a Capital Strategy.  The document for 2020/21 is attached as Appendix A to the report for consideration by the Executive before being submitted to Council for approval.

The Capital Strategy gives a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing, asset management and treasury management activity contribute to the provision of services along with an overview of how associated risk is managed and the implications for future financial sustainability.

The main highlights in the Capital Strategy are:

i)             The level of capital expenditure estimated for 2020/21 is £31.8 million.  The current estimate is that £11.9 million of this will be met by new borrowing.

ii)            A high-level review of future funding requirements has identified a capital funding requirement of £196 million.

iii)           The Council’s commercial property portfolio has an estimated value of £69.9 million.

A separate report proposing the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy for 2020/21 will be presented at the February meeting of the Executive.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  endorses the draft Capital Strategy for 2020/21, attached as Appendix A to this report;

(b)  approves the capital programme for the period 2019/20 to 2023/24, amounting to £92.5 million as set out in Annex 1 of the Capital Strategy; and

(c)  agrees to submit the Capital Strategy for 2020/21 to Council for approval.