Decisions

To approve the draft Housing Allocations Policy for a six-week period of consultation.

Local housing authorities have a duty to make sure that homes, which they own or have nomination rights to, are let in accordance with a published allocation scheme. The allocation scheme must describe the procedure for letting homes and for determining the relative priority accorded to different categories of applicants.

The Council implemented a new Housing Allocation Policy in May 2013 following the introduction of the Localism Act 2011.  The Act gives councils greater powers to decide which groups of people, within their area should qualify for housing.  Although councils have a greater scope to decide who qualifies for housing in their area, some priority must still be given to the groups of people defined in law as falling into a ‘reasonable preference’ category.

As part of the on-going review of all Council services using ‘systems thinking’ methodology, our Housing Department (comprising Neighbourhood Services and Housing Options) undertook a detailed review of their functions to fully understand the demand on our current housing waiting list and the existing allocations process.  The systems-thinking review and extensive experiment into a new way of working gave us the unique opportunity to consider the design of our service, remove waste from our system and create a more bespoke, customer-centred approach to solving housing problems.

The purpose of the Council’s housing service is to “understand each customer’s housing problem and help them solve it” and the proposed changes to the Housing Allocation Policy will enable the service to achieve its purpose.  Other changes have been incorporated to reflect changes in legislation and statutory guidance since the last update in 2013.

If approved, this draft policy will be published for a six-week period of public consultation.  Following this period, and once any necessary amendments are incorporated, it is intended that the Housing Allocations Policy will be presented to the Executive for adoption (replacing the current Housing Allocations Policy).

An Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) of the policy will be undertaken before it is recommended for adoption.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves that the draft Housing Allocation Policy, as provided at Appendix A to the report, be published for a six-week period of public consultation, subject to the additional wording at paragraph 10.2 of “or otherwise occupied under a licence arrangement”.

To consider the Interim Nitrate Mitigation Solution for Fareham Borough Council.

This report details the present situation in the Planning Service in relation to advice from Natural England, the statutory advisor on protected sites, that developments in the Borough must be nitrogen neutral in order to mitigate a likely significant effect on internationally important protected sites in the Solent.  As a result, planning permissions have been curtailed for a number of months.  The report details a package of measures which together form an interim mitigation solution which would move the Council towards a position of issuing planning permissions.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the approach to mitigation as set out in paragraph 16 of the report;

(b)  notes that the Planning Committee will be advised of the mitigation approach agreed by the Executive, as a material planning consideration in their determination of planning applications; and

(c)  notes that the detail of the potential mitigation measures will be provided to the Executive where they have material resource implications to the Council, along with details of any developer contributions.

This report presents the results of the public vote to select a favoured design for the landmark piece of public art, known as a Gate Guardian, that will be erected at Daedalus, by the Peel Common roundabout.  It will then seek approval for the most popular design to be procured using developer contributions.

The Daedalus site, on the outskirts of Stubbington, is a growing hub for aviation, education, engineering and innovation.  Alongside its development for business, there is a parallel commitment to providing quality community activities and facilities, establishing an attractive location that has benefits for the community and industry alike.

As part of the IFA2 project, National Grid has confirmed to funding a package of these community facilities at Daedalus.  They will include a play area, a large area of open space for recreation and conservation and, most relevant to this report, a landmark piece of public art to encapsulate the ambition of the site.

This sculpture, measuring approximately 4 metres in height, will be known as a Gate Guardian, and is intended to evoke a sense of local pride while providing a strong point of reference for visitors to Daedalus.  It is proposed that the Gate Guardian will be located in a highly visible location, adjacent to the busy Peel Common roundabout.

The Executive approved the concept of a Gate Guardian in September 2018. Since this time, a strict Procurement process has been undertaken to identify the best five designs that were submitted to the Council during a competitive tender exercise.  These ‘final five’ shortlisted designs were then presented to the public for a month-long vote, which invited people to choose their favoured design.

The public consultation, which attracted 2,280 votes through various consultation methods, identified a clear favourite, receiving almost half of all votes cast.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees to procure the shortlisted design favoured by the public, Daedalus in Flight by Peter Clutterbuck, selected during the comprehensive public consultation.

To seek the Executive approval to refresh and update the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership Agreement for 2012.

Fareham Borough Council (FBC) formed part of a shared service with Havant Borough Council (HBC), Gosport Borough Council (GBC) and Portsmouth City Council (PCC) in April 2012 to deliver a shared Flood and Erosion Risk Management Service.  The agreement was formed under Section 113 of the Local Government Act with the aim to deliver a more efficient and effective service by co-ownership of objectives and an equitable fee structure, providing:

·         A robust resilient and adaptable service by sharing of resources;

·         Financial savings and efficiencies;

·         Increasing the ability to secure government funding for future coastal initiatives and schemes;

·         The delivery of numerous outcomes to protect over 30,000 properties;

·         Services delivered differently in order to adapt to change and think more commercially.

Due to changes in legislation and the need to proactively evolve, the service requires a new agreement between the Partner Authorities.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves entering into the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership Agreement 2019 set out at Appendix A to the report.

This represents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund Programme.

An application for Community Funding has been received from Friends Through Pain for the sum of £905.48 to purchase 2 laptops, 1 printer and 1 laminator, to enable the group to process grant applications, create presentations, produce their newsletter and promotional materials, and maintain accounts.

The group’s current laptops were donated several years ago by Fareham Borough Council.  Due to their age, and the limitations of the equipment, they are no longer fit for purpose.  The group is requesting the replacement of both computers, as one is kept by their Treasurer for the accounts and the other is used for promotional purposes.

The group is a social support network for those in the Borough suffering persistent chronic pain brought on by a variety of medical conditions.  They meet at Stubbington Baptist Church on a monthly basis, to hear information from speakers and enjoy social support, in addition to having the occasional day trip.  The Founder represents the group through her voluntary work with Queen Alexandra Hospital and Southampton General Hospital by running workshops, increasing knowledge and providing an interface between medical professionals and patients with the challenge of chronic pain.      

The group currently has 20 members, although many others benefit from the workshops.  The workshops accommodate 20 people each time they are run, which is at least once per year on a needs basis.

The group’s annual accounts at the close of September 2018 listed a balance of £2660.50.

Both Stubbington Ward Councillors, Councillor Forrest and Councillor Mrs Heneghan, are fully supportive of this application.

That the application for £905.48 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund, submitted by Friends Through Pain, be approved.