Leigh Usher

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

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

Recommendations Approved

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

Community Fund application - Locks Heath Cricket Club

From: Executive Portfolio for Leisure and Community - Thursday, 1st May, 2025 2.30 pm - May 01, 2025

The report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Funding Programme.     An application has been received from Locks Heath Cricket Club for £4,999 from the Community Fund towards the construction of a new scorebox to house their electronic scoreboard and additional storage. Planning permission for this project has been approved by Fareham Borough Council’s planning department.   Locks Heath Cricket Club currently have over 170 boys and girls in their junior section, 4 senior teams and over 35 ladies in their adult section. The club is a community-focused organisation, regularly engaging with local schools to promote the benefits of cricket and offer free taster sessions to introduce young people to the game.   The cricket club currently have insufficient storage, limiting capacity to store equipment for their younger members to meet increased demand from local children who wish to join the club. The new storage facility would allow provision of resources for young people without the financial burden of purchasing their own expensive gear. The score box will also provide shelter for the volunteer scorers, many of whom are elderly.   The total cost of the project is £23,460.78. Locks Heath Cricket Club are looking for £4,999 from the Community Fund, with the remaining £18,460 being funded by fundraising through sponsorship, fund raising events and ‘buy a brick’ sponsorship. The club continue to fundraise to support this project.   As of 1 April 2025, Locks Heath Cricket Club held £31,914.93 in their accounts including the ring fenced £18,460 towards this project. In the accounting year 1 November 2023 – 31 October 2024 there was an income of £42,262 and expenditure of £35,620.   Ward Councillor, Councillor Murphy supports Locks Heath Cricket Club’s application. No response has been received by Councillor Englefield at the time of this report.      

For Determination