Decisions

To receive an update on the Local Plan examination, to note the contents of the Inspector’s Post Hearing letter and the ‘focused consultation’ on three technical evidence documents supporting the Fareham Local Plan 2037.

The Fareham Local Plan 2037 (the ‘Local Plan’) is at examination stage and the hearings concluded in early April.  In early June, the Council received a ‘Post Hearings’ letter from the Planning Inspector outlining her areas of outstanding concern and stating her findings on changes required to enable the Plan to proceed.

The Inspector’s Post Hearing letter provides her findings on a number of areas where the Inspector has some concern. In some places, she has provided a clear steer on changes which she feels are necessary to achieve a sound plan.  Some of these relate to sites, others to policy areas and one provides a choice to the Council. 

The Inspector’s Post Hearing letter contains her findings on three elements of the Local Plan housing supply which have implications for parts of the technical evidence base.  These three elements are the removal of two allocations, pushing the housing delivery at Welborne Garden Village back a year and reducing the overall contribution from Welborne across the plan period. 

The Inspector has asked that the implications of these changes are included in a revised Housing Supply Topic Paper and that, alongside a revised Affordable Housing topic paper and the Windfall Analysis Update paper (May 2022), the Council undertake a focused consultation on technical housing matters with those representors who either commented on the policy area or attended the hearing session on this matter.  The Inspector has requested that the Council comment on the consultation responses, instead of responding directly itself. Following the suggested three-week consultation and the receipt of the responses and Council comments, the Inspector will advise further on these matters.

The Inspector has requested a formal response from the Council on the Post Hearings letter and it is proposed to respond in early August after the focused consultation has concluded.

This report asks that Executive note the content of the Post Hearing letter and that the focused consultation on technical housing matters will begin shortly. This report also seeks delegated authority to respond in full to the Inspector’s Post Hearing letter. 

The report also sets out the likely next steps of Local Plan progression through to the end of the examination process and adoption.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the content of the Inspector’s Post Hearing letter;

(b)  notes the start of the focused consultation on the following three technical evidence papers:

                              i.        The Housing Supply Topic Paper;

                            ii.        The Affordable Housing Topic Paper; and

                           iii.        The Windfall Analysis Update; and

(c)  authorises the Director of Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, to formally respond to the Post Hearings letter.

To set out details of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and outline a way forward for the use of the Council’s funding allocation.

The government launched its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) this year, as part of its Levelling Up agenda.  It provides £2.6 billion of funding intended to reduce inequalities between communities. The funding covers the three year period up to March 2025, and Fareham Borough Council has been allocated a total of £1m.

As lead authority, the Council must submit a plan of how the funding shall be used, and the positive outcomes that can be expected as a result of the projects it funds.

The report sets out a set of proposals for how the funding could be used, namely:-

• A community-led approach to investment in the Fareham North West area to level up the provision of community facilities, sports facilities and amenity space, together with delivery of new affordable homes;
• Improving the facilities at Crossfell Walk play area in Fareham South;

·         A programme of business support, prioritising proposals that strengthen the retail offer in district and local centres, improve the attractiveness of district and local retail centres, or support the objective of achieving net zero carbon/increase investment in green growth

If the proposals are supported, and following a series of stakeholder engagement measures, the proposals will be submitted to the Government by the deadline of 1^st August 2022.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)   notes the purpose of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund;

(b)   endorses the priority themes for use of the Council’s funding allocation; and

(c)  agrees to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, following consultation with the Executive Leader, to prepare and submit the detailed plan for Fareham, to Government, by the 01 August 2022.

To endorse the establishment of a Forum to engage neighbouring communities and other interested parties in the ongoing development of Welborne Garden Village.

The establishment of the Welborne Community Forum will provide the opportunity for the local authorities, the master developer, residents, neighbouring communities and other interested parties to engage regularly on the delivery of Welborne Garden Village.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the establishment of the Welborne Community Forum, as outlined in the Executive Briefing Paper;

(b)  agrees to delegate the completion of the final Terms of Reference and any other procedural documents which may be required to the Director of Planning and Regeneration; and

(c)  agrees that the Executive Leader, Councillor S D T Woodward be appointed as Chairman and the Executive Member for Planning & Development, Councillor S D Martin as Vice-Chairman with the Chairman of the Planning & Development Scrutiny Panel, Councillor M Daniells, the ward Councillor for Fareham North, Mrs P M Bryant, and the ward Councillor for Fareham East, Mrs K K Trott, also appointed  to the Forum as Fareham Borough Council Members.

As detailed in the confidential report.

RESOLVED that a decision was taken in respect of this item as detailed in the confidential report.

As detailed in the confidential report.

RESOLVED that the Executive accepts the Tenant’s offer and proceeds to extend the lease term as detailed in the confidential report.