Issue details

This report presents an application for funding under the Council's Community Fund Programme.

Mr Adrian Stannard, a resident of Winnham Drive, Portchester, has applied for the sum of £9,250 from the Council’s Community Fund programme to pay for the resurfacing of a footpath leading from Winnham Drive to Portchester Road (between nos. 92 & 96).

The funds would be used to pay for works to improve the surface of the existing footpath.  Officers from Building Services have surveyed the footpath and recommended the laying of new edgings and a fresh tarmac pathway.  The works would be carried out by Fareham Borough Council contractors.

The footpath is regularly used by the public but believed to be in private ownership. Despite lengthy attempts to identify the current owners, Officers have been unable to do so.  Following advice from the Southampton & Fareham Legal Partnership an advertisement was placed in The News newspaper on 3rd September 2014.  Whilst a couple of responses were received they did not confirm the ownership status of the footpath.

In the interests of members of the public who use this footpath on a regular, often daily, basis and have done for a number of years, it is proposed to use these public funds to upgrade the path to a good standard.

Ward Councillors Bell & Walker have been consulted on the bid and have responded in full support of the application.