Councillor David Hamilton

From: from 12/05/25, Executive - Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 6.00 pm, - May 20, 2025

Recommendations Approved

Sheltered Housing Later Living Strategy

From: from 12/05/25, Executive - Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 6.00 pm, - May 20, 2025

To seek Executive approval for the draft Fareham Housing Later Living Strategy to go for six weeks public consultation.   The Later Living Strategy details the renewed approach to Fareham Housing’s sheltered housing service.  The term ‘later living’ replaces the outdated name of ‘sheltered housing’ to remove the old-fashioned connotations that surround it.   The strategy focuses on three priorities based on the building, the service and the route into later living housing.  It identifies the aims and actions, as well as the issues that need to be overcome.   Approval is sought for a six-week period of consultation before the strategy is brought back to the Executive for adoption.   At its meeting on 3 April 2025, the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered the strategy and no comments or suggestions were made.

Recommendations Approved

Fareham Housing Decant Policy - Adoption

From: from 12/05/25, Executive - Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 6.00 pm, - May 20, 2025

To update the Executive on the outcome of the Fareham Housing Decant Policy and seek approval for adoption.   The Fareham Housing Decant Policy details the legislation and process for when occupants are required to move accommodation in an emergency or to enable repairs, major works and development.  The policy applies to Council tenants, leaseholders, and in rare instances, private residents.   At its meeting on 3 February 2025, the Executive approved the policy for six weeks of public consultation.  This was undertaken from 21 February to 4 April 2025.  This report summarises the outcome of the consultation and details the changes made in response.  

Recommendations Approved

Irrecoverable Debts

From: Executive - Tuesday, 1st April, 2025 6.00 pm - April 01, 2025

The report proposes the approval of the write-off of certain debts over £5,000 which are considered to be irrecoverable.   Appendix A to the report lists the debts that are considered irrecoverable.  Every effort has been made to recover the debts and, in most cases, there is no further legal action that can be taken.

Recommendations Approved

Hampshire and the Solent Devolution MHCLG Consultation - Council response

From: Executive - Tuesday, 1st April, 2025 6.00 pm - April 01, 2025

To consider the Council’s response to the Government consultation regarding devolution proposals for Hampshire and the Solent.   Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Councils applied to join the Devolution Priority Programme to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority across these areas.  On 5 February 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) confirmed Hampshire and the Solent was one of six regions across England that has been accepted onto the programme.   A public consultation on the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority in the area is the first key step of the Devolution Priority Programme; the consultation is led by the MHCLG and is required before taking a decision on whether to proceed with the making of the necessary legislation to enable devolution.  It seeks views on the Proposed Geography, Governance Arrangements, Supporting the Economy, Improving Social Outcomes, Local Government Services, Improving the local natural environment,  and Supporting the needs of the local communities and reflect local identity.   The eight-week consultation, launched on 17 February 2025, seeks views from interested, including those who live and work in the area, on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for the local government areas in Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Isle of Wight Council and Southampton City Council.   As a non-constituent body, Fareham Borough Council does not have a direct role in the creation of the MCCA, but nonetheless recognises the significant potential that the devolution arrangements could have for the borough.   Consequently, it is appropriate for the Council to submit a consultation response to the Government in order to shape the development of the MCCA with a view to achieving the best outcomes for Fareham and the County as a whole.   The draft response is attached as Appendix A to the report and reflects the Council’s position that devolution is broadly and widely supported.  There are, however, aspects of the proposals where the Council believes that Governance and local representation could be strengthened, and this is reflected in the draft response.

Recommendations Approved