Fred Birkett - Councillor for Fareham (Fareham Park)

Councillor Fred Birkett

Conservative Fareham Park Executive Member for Housing

Email: fbirkett@fareham.gov.uk

Council: Fareham

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Executive (Committee Member) Council (Committee Member) (Reserve) Housing Advisory Panel (Guest) Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel Planning Committee Housing Scrutiny Panel Economic Development & Regeneration Advisory Panel (Committee Member)

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Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

60 meetings · Page 1 of 12

Executive Committee Member

Executive - Monday, 2nd February, 2026 6.00 pm

February 02, 2026, 6:00 pm
Economic Development & Regeneration Advisory Panel Committee Member

Economic Development & Regeneration Advisory Panel - Thursday, 15th January, 2026 6.00 pm

January 15, 2026, 6:00 pm
Executive Committee Member

Executive - Wednesday, 7th January, 2026 6.00 pm

January 07, 2026
Executive Committee Member

NEW, Executive - Thursday, 18th December, 2025 4.30 pm

December 18, 2025
Council Committee Member

Council - Thursday, 18th December, 2025 6.00 pm

December 18, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

106 decisions · Page 20 of 22

Melvin Jones House

From: Executive - Monday, 4th November, 2024 6.00 pm - November 04, 2024

To obtain approval to include Melvin Jones House and St Marys Road Flats as a new and additional appendix (Appendix A to the report) to the Fareham Housing Regeneration Strategy.   To approve in principle the redevelopment of the Melvin Jones House and St Marys Road Flats site, having regard to the options and estimated costs cited in Appendix B to the report.     The Regeneration Strategy was adopted at the March 2021 Executive meeting and details the factors that will be considered when identifying and progressing housing regeneration opportunities.  Appendix C (Appendix A to the report) is the third of the individual site-specific appendices produced for Executive approval.   Melvin Jones House and St Marys Road Flats is a Fareham Borough Council owned sheltered housing scheme constructed in 1972.  Due to its age, many of the major structural elements of the building are nearing the end of their life, resulting in increased and more lengthily maintenance. Internally, the accommodation consists of small, poorly designed units which fall short of modern standards of living.   Regeneration options have been explored, and the recommendation is to replace the existing buildings and garages with new, energy efficient, affordable homes.

Recommendations Approved

Communications and Engagement Strategy

From: Executive - Monday, 4th November, 2024 6.00 pm - November 04, 2024

To seek approval to consult on the Draft Communications and Engagement Strategy, which sets out proposals for how the Council will communicate and engage with our diverse audiences.   The creation and implementation of a new Communications and Engagement Strategy is a key project to be delivered under Priority Six of the Corporate Strategy 2023 – 2029 which aims to ensure we are ‘a responsive, inclusive and innovative Council’.   The Communications and Engagement landscape has changed during recent years, with many more people consuming news and engaging online.  However, a core group of people prefer to engage using more traditional methods.   To ensure we continue to meet the needs of our diverse audiences a draft Communications and Engagement Strategy has been developed.   This is based around a series of proposed aims, supporting priorities and projects with which to guide better communications and engagement with both external and internal customers of the Council.   Approval is sought to consult on the draft strategy.

Recommendations Approved

Food Waste Collection Service

From: Executive - Monday, 4th November, 2024 6.00 pm - November 04, 2024

To consider the introduction of a food waste collection service across the Borough in March 2026.   It is anticipated that the introduction of weekly food waste collections will be mandatory for English Waste Collection Authorities from 31 March 2026.  Preparations are already underway to meet this requirement in Fareham.   A moderate financial and delivery risk has been identified if supply chain issues delay the availability of new food waste vehicles and kerbside caddies.  Given that capital grant funding has already been received, and secure storage is available, it is recommended that the five food waste vehicles and 47,500 kerbside cassies required are purchased as soon as possible, in advance of the finalised Environment Act Regulations and Statutory Guidance being in place.

Recommendations Approved

Proposals for alterations to security arrangements at Faraday Business Park

From: Executive - Monday, 7th October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 07, 2024

To seek Executive approval for a budget to alter the security arrangements at Faraday Business Park, Daedalus.   The proposed alterations comprise the installation of a new set of security gates which will have the ability to span Spitfire Way, the sole vehicular access into the northern zone of Faraday Business Park, together with an accompanying security hut.  It is proposed that the gates are initially operated on an ‘as and when’ required basis, rather than full-time, although there will be an option for this change in future is required.  The proposed works will require planning consent.

Recommendations Approved

Hook Lake Coastal Management Study

From: Executive - Monday, 7th October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 07, 2024

The report summarises the key findings of the Hook Lake Coastal Management study, undertaken by Coastal Partners, Fareham Borough Council’s Coastal Team.   As sea level rises, important intertidal habitats along the coast will be lost as they are constrained by hard sea defences and are unable to migrate landwards as they would naturally do.  Replacing and recreating the habitat that is lost is a legal requirement that will help to offset these losses both today and in the future from new defence schemes. Without a clear plan for compensatory habitat in place for the future, regulators may be unable to consent any new flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) works in the Solent.   The Hook Lake Coastal Management Study, the first stage in the potential delivery of a habitat creation scheme at Hook Lake is now complete.   The study has shown that the site has many of the characteristics which are needed for the development of a successful intertidal habitat creation scheme and has the potential to create 45ha of intertidal habitats (saltmarsh and mudflat) in the short term and up to 60ha of intertidal habitat in the longer term (100 years).   In addition to establishing that a technically feasible scheme is possible, the study has also identified some key challenges that significantly impact the financial viability of a scheme at Hook Lake, including compensation for freshwater habitat losses, biodiversity net gain requirement and mitigation for increased flood risk to Hook Park Bridge.     The Hook Lake Project Board has overseen the progression of the project to date and comprises all relevant stakeholders including Hampshire County Council (HCC) and the Environment Agency (EA).  Given the findings of the first stage Study, the Project Board has now recommended that the project is not moved on to the next stage of detailed design until and unless it is understood if these challenges can be resolved.  On the 09 April 2024, Storm Pierrick caused significant damage to the embankment wall at Hook Lake.  The Environment Agency have identified they are likely to notify of their intent to withdraw their long-standing maintenance of the embankment and to not repair the sluice if damaged because it is unaffordable and technically unviable.   Consequently, the embankment will be increasingly vulnerable to breach over time.  To communicate the Study findings, outline responsibilities and explain potential next steps for managing the site, Coastal Partners have developed a position statement in collaboration with HCC and the EA which will be made available on the Coastal Partners website (see Appendix B).

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 60

Average per Month: 2.4

Decisions Recorded: 106