Councillor Fred Birkett

Simpler Recycling - Recycling Collection Services

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

To consider the introduction of new recycling collection services across the Borough in March 2026.   The Environment Act 2021 and its associated Regulations, known as Simpler Recycling, requires the Council to collect household food waste weekly, collect glass from the kerbside and extend the range of dry missed recyclables collected from households by 31 March 2026.   In November, Members approved the proposals for introducing food waste collection services from 30 March 2026.  This report considers what dry recycling collection services will be offered to Fareham’s households.   Hampshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, has advised that the current waste disposal infrastructure cannot currently process paper, card, metal, glass and plastics in a way that is compliant with the new Simpler Recycling requirements.  As such, Fareham Borough Council has four options to consider for dry recycling collections.  The recommended option is to make no changes to the dry recycling collections until the new waste disposal infrastructure is operational in Winter 2027.  This is supported by Defra, has minimal impact on the Borough’s potential to improve recycling performance and incurs no additional costs.    

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

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

Recommendations Approved

The Draft Fareham Housing Tenant Alterations and Improvements Policy - Adoption

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 Tenant Alterations and Improvements Policy for adoption.   Under section 97 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended, all eligible tenants have the right to make alterations or improvements to their homes.  While tenants must have the permission of the landlord to carry out any such alterations or improvements, the law also stipulates that this permission cannot be ‘unreasonably withheld’.   The draft Fareham Housing Alterations policy provides comprehensive information on the alterations process, background and relevant legislation.  This document updates the information on our website and brings it together in a single policy.   At its meeting on 9 January 2025, the Housing Scrutiny Panel approved the document to go to Executive with changes to the process chart in Appendix C to improve clarity.  Following Executive agreement on 3 February 2025, the draft Tenant Alterations and Improvements policy was circulated for public consultation from 17 February to 31 March 2025.

Recommendations Approved

Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour Policy Update

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

The report provides an updated Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour policy and proposes a centrally managed process for the very small occasions when the Council implements this policy.   The Council’s complaints policy explains how customers can make a complaint and the procedure that will be followed.  A consistent approach to handling complaints came into effect on 01 April 2024 in line with the obligation on the Council to follow a two-stage process set out in the Housing Ombudsman Code of Complaint Handling, mirrored in the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s draft Complaint Handling Code.   Whilst the Council is committed to dealing with all complaints fairly, on occasion, our employees have to deal with unreasonable, persistent or vexatious behaviour from customers.  On these, fortunately rare, occasions this behaviour can take up a lot of officer time.   The LGSCO provides guidance to help authorities and other bodies within their jurisdiction to develop a proportionate approach when responding to unreasonable complaint behaviour, based on their view of good practice in dealing with these customers.   The Council’s updated policy is presented for approval.  Changes include the introduction of a managed approach when considering applying this policy and to managing the process for review after it has been applied.

Recommendations Approved