The Fareham Borough Council Executive met on 1 September 2025, and approved a number of key decisions, including the adoption of the Air Quality Strategy 2025-2030, the Fareham Housing Allocations Policy, the Fareham Housing Battery Powered Mobility Aids Policy, and the Fareham Housing Later Living Strategy. The Executive also approved funding for land acquisition at Wynton Way and self/custom build plots at Sea Lane, and approved the draft Fareham Borough Council Vulnerability Policy for public consultation. Finally, the Executive supported a motion on protecting local climate and nature through devolution.

Executive Leader's Announcements

Councillor Simon Martin, Executive Leader & Executive Member for Policy and Resources, announced a redesign of the council website, praising Damteq, a local design agency in Segensworth, for their work. He also announced that Cremer Mall on West Street, Fareham would be lit in gold throughout September to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, recognising the work of charities such as Children with Cancer UK, Neuroblastoma UK, the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), and Sophie's Legacy. Councillor Martin also acknowledged Councillor Fred Birkett, Executive Member for Housing's recent climb of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Sophie's Legacy.

Protecting Local Climate and Nature

The Executive supported a motion, presented by Councillor Chrissie Bainbridge, on protecting local climate and nature by making devolution work for climate and nature. The motion had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 2 July 2025, and they recommended that the Executive support it. The motion called for:

• Statutory climate and nature duties for strategic authorities
• Climate and nature outcomes in the settlement framework
• Incorporating climate and nature data into decision making
• Embedding a 'climate and nature in all policies' approach
• Coordinated action between strategic authorities and unitary councils
• Strengthening community engagement

The motion also requested that Fareham Borough Council write to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, expressing the wish that local gains in climate resilience and nature recovery are not lost in the local government reorganisation process.

Housing Allocations Policy

The Executive adopted the Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy, which updates the previous policy from 2020. The policy sets out the priorities and procedures for allocating social housing in accordance with the Housing Act 1996¹ and other relevant legislation. The policy includes updates to reflect government guidance to exempt veterans, care leavers, and those fleeing domestic abuse from local connection qualifications. It also excludes applicants with a combined household income of over £60,000 per annum from the Housing Waiting List. The Executive also delegated authority to the Director of Housing to make any minor amendments needed and to produce and publish an Easy Read version of the policy.

Vulnerability Policy

The Executive approved the draft Fareham Borough Council Vulnerability Policy to be put forward for a six-week public consultation. The policy aims to ensure fair and equitable outcomes for vulnerable residents when accessing council services. It sets out a definition of vulnerability and how the council will identify and support vulnerable residents. The Executive also agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Housing to make any minor changes to the policy prior to public consultation.

Battery Powered Mobility Aids Policy

The Executive adopted the Fareham Housing Battery Powered Mobility Aids Policy, which describes the safety requirements surrounding ownership, the process for requesting permission, and the requirements for safe storage, use, and charging of battery powered mobility aids in council housing. The Executive also agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Housing to make minor amendments to the policy as needed.

Acquisition of Land at Wynton Way and Funding for Self/Custom Build Plots at Sea Lane

The Executive approved funding arrangements for the acquisition of land at Wynton Way from Hampshire County Council for the delivery of affordable housing. They also approved updated funding arrangements for the delivery of serviced self/custom build plots at Sea Lane, Hill Head. The Executive delegated authority to the Director of Housing to agree the final land acquisition cost and terms of purchase for Wynton Way, to appoint an architect to develop a detailed design for the scheme, and to appoint a building contractor to deliver the homes. They also delegated authority to the Director of Housing to establish the best route to sale for the Sea Lane plots and to determine the level at which offers will be accepted.

Later Living Strategy

The Executive adopted the Fareham Housing Later Living Strategy, which details the renewed approach to Fareham Housing's sheltered housing service, with the term 'later living' replacing the outdated name of 'sheltered housing'. The Executive also agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Housing to make minor amendments to the strategy as needed.

Air Quality Strategy

The Executive approved the Air Quality Strategy 2025 – 2030 for adoption. The strategy sets out the council's objectives and actions for improving air quality in the borough, following the revocation of the two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in 2024. The Executive also agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Neighbourhoods to make any final amendments prior to publication. The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection advised that the front cover photograph of the Air Quality Strategy 2025-2030 would be changed and not as shown in the Appendix.

The strategy aims to meet the UK standard target levels, rather than the lower World Health Organization targets.

The strategy objectives are:

• Tackling the Climate Crisis
• Protect Biodiversity
• Improve Air Quality
• Raise Public Awareness
• Promote Sustainable Infrastructure and Travel
• Strategies and Policy Guidance

The Executive heard that the consultation on the draft strategy received 66 responses, with 77% of respondents supporting or strongly supporting the objectives outlined in the strategy. However, several respondents indicated that they did not believe the strategy alone would effectively address air pollution within Fareham.

Land at Daedalus and Crofton Avenue

The Executive approved the purchase and sale of respective parcels of land at Daedalus and Crofton Avenue, as detailed in the confidential report. They also delegated the agreement of final terms to the Director of Planning and Regeneration following consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.