Paul Whittle | Councillor for Portchester Wicor, Fareham

Fareham Coastal Study (Fareham Quay and Alton Grove to Cador Drive)

From: Executive - Monday, 2nd March, 2026 5.00 pm - March 02, 2026

The report updates members on the outcomes of the Fareham Coastal Defence study, delivered by Coastal Partners, Fareham Borough Councils Coastal Team. Coastal Partners undertake the ongoing monitoring, maintenance and management of Fareham Borough Council’s sea defences. Significant external funding was secured from the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (SRFCC) Local Levy (£457.5k) for Coastal Partners to undertake the Fareham Coastal Defence Study (the Study). In addition, Fareham Borough Council (FBC) approved £30k to support the work. Through careful monitoring and management of the project to its conclusion, the FBC contribution will not be required to complete the Study and will therefore remain within the Coastal Protection Reserve. The Study has now concluded with the identification of leading options to reduce flood and erosion risk at Alton Grove to Cador Drive, and at Fareham Quay. This has achieved the primary objective to “identify a leading option that aligns with the River Hamble to Portchester Strategy, addresses climate change, tidal flood risk and coastal erosion risk to both property and legacy landfill whilst delivering the maximum Standard of Protection possible”. At Alton Grove to Cador Drive, the (phased) leading option involves new erosion protection to legacy landfill areas in Phase 1, followed by new raised flood defences in around 20 years’ time in Phase 2. £13 Million of funding is estimated as required to construct this option. At Fareham Quay, the (phased) leading option provides new raised frontline erosion and flood protection to the recreation ground in the north in Phase 1, followed by replacement of the frontline erosion protection at the same height around the recreation ground in the south in around 20 years’ time in Phase 2. Property Flood Resilience measures are proposed to a small number of properties at risk on Fareham Quay itself during Phase 1. £13.4 Million of funding is estimated as required to construct this option. Although technically feasible leading options have been recommended for each frontage, the economic appraisal has shown that under current Government funding rules, none of the options considered would be economically viable (i.e. benefit cost ratios are less than one). The economic appraisal does also recognise ‘local benefits’ such as recreation, biodiversity and ecology, water quality and protection/remediation of legacy coastal landfill, however these do not form a strong enough business case for securing national sources of funding without a benefit cost ratio above one. To proceed to the next stage of a capital scheme (detailed design, planning & consenting), it will be necessary to secure further funding which under current national funding rules, is unlikely to come from Defra Grant in Aid. However, having completed the study FBC are now well positioned to take advantage of any future changes in the funding policy space and Coastal Partners continue to lobby for national change in relation to coastal landfill funding via the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG). Due to uncertainty regarding funding availability to implement all options, a position statement and adaptive coastal management pathways have been developed, to help decision makers plan for and prioritise future actions and engagement.

Recommendations Approved

Redevelopment of Redoubt Court, Fort Fareham

From: Executive - Monday, 2nd March, 2026 5.00 pm - March 02, 2026

To seek Executive approval of the funding arrangements for the redevelopment of Redoubt Court in Fort Fareham and the process towards the appointment of a contractor to deliver the scheme. The report outlines the proposed redevelopment of Redoubt Court and adjacent land, allocated for housing in the Fareham Local Plan. The scheme is proposed to deliver up to 21 new affordable homes providing modern, energy‑efficient accommodation to help meet local housing need. In addition to new homes, the proposal includes enhancements to the open green space, adjacent to Longfield Avenue, to improve community amenities for residents. Details of the estimated project costs and proposed funding arrangements are set out in Confidential Appendix A, which is restricted to support a fair and competitive tender process. The report also seeks Executive approval for delegated authority to appoint a suitable contractor, ensuring the scheme progresses in a timely manner.

Recommendations Approved

Private estate management arrangements - Response to consultation

From: Executive - Monday, 2nd March, 2026 5.00 pm - March 02, 2026

To provide the Executive with an overview of the proposals contained with the Government’s consultation on Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, and to seek approval for the submission of the consultation response attached at Appendix A to this report. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a consultation document called “Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements”. The consultation focuses on tackling the growing issue of unadopted amenities on privately managed housing estates in England, where roads, drainage systems, green spaces, and other communal infrastructure are maintained by private estate management companies rather than public authorities. The government is concerned that this trend has led to unfair charges, poor transparency and limited homeowner rights, creating significant consumer detriment. The government recognises the importance of new housing supply to meet national demand and proposes to deliver reform in parallel with wider housing ambitions, including building a record number of new homes, while making sure that public services are sustainable. The consultation sets out that the government aims to: · reduce reliance on private estate management and increase adoption of amenities by public authorities · implement common standards for adoptable amenities to improve quality and consistency · explore mandatory adoption for certain public amenities, while considering exceptions for premium or exclusive features · remove perverse incentives that make non-adoption attractive to developers · improve data transparency, homeowner protections, and dispute resolution mechanisms · consider prohibiting embedded management arrangements and promoting resident-controlled management · assess financial sustainability of estate management charges and introduce affordability safeguards · seek evidence on impacts for homeowners, developers, local authorities, and management companies. The consultation aims to better understand the root causes and incentives that have led to the rise of unadopted amenities and what options for reform exist. It is recognised that the options for reform being explored through the consultation are far-reaching and have implications for housing supply and local authority budgets. The consultation is open to a number of organisations not just local authorities, including housing developers, highways authorities, utility companies, resident- controlled management companies, private management companies and Registered Providers of Social Housing. The consultation is being considered by the Planning Strategy Advisory Panel on the 25 February and any matters raised by the Panel will be provided to the Executive to consider as part of their decision making. The consultation closes on 12 March 2026.

For Determination

Biodiversity Duty Report

From: Executive - Monday, 2nd March, 2026 5.00 pm - March 02, 2026

The purpose of this report is to introduce the Council’s first statutory Biodiversity Duty Report, required under the Environment Act 2021, which mandates public authorities to consider, act on, and report biodiversity actions every reporting cycle. The report provides the Executive with an overview of actions already undertaken over the reporting period (2024–2025) and planned actions for the next period, in line with DEFRA guidance for local authorities. The report seeks approval to publish the Biodiversity Duty Report by the statutory submission deadline of 20th March 2026. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a strengthened 'biodiversity duty' requiring all public authorities in England to consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity. The Act requires all local authorities and local planning authorities in England to publish a report detailing actions they have taken and plan to take to comply with their statutory biodiversity duty. The end date of the first reporting period should be no later than 1 January 2026, and the report must be published within 12 weeks of the period’s end. Therefore, for a reporting period ending 1 January 2026, the publication deadline is 26 March 2026. The Biodiversity Duty Report (Appendix A) accompanying this paper follows the DEFRA template to report on actions undertaken in the reporting period 2024 to 2025. The report also covers proposed future actions to ensure alignment with recent initiatives including the submission of the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy LNRS).

Recommendations Approved

Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

From: Executive - Monday, 2nd March, 2026 5.00 pm - March 02, 2026

This report sets out the Statement of Licensing Policy (Licensing Policy) that details the Council’s approach to promoting the four licensing objectives when making decisions under the Licensing Act 2003. The Policy is reviewed every five years and has taken account of changes in legislation, regulations and guidance since it was last reviewed. The renewed Policy is attached as Appendix A to this report and is being presented to the Executive for approval, before adoption at full Council. The Council has an existing Licensing Policy which has been reviewed without there being any substantive policy changes. It sets out the standards and criteria for applications received according to the Licensing Act 2003 and how those applications will be determined and the licensing objectives promoted.

Recommendations Approved

Councillor Paul Whittle

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended ^{Note this may include planned future meetings.}

Decisions from Meetings

Fareham Coastal Study (Fareham Quay and Alton Grove to Cador Drive)

Redevelopment of Redoubt Court, Fort Fareham

Private estate management arrangements - Response to consultation

Biodiversity Duty Report

Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

Summary

Councillor Paul Whittle

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

Decisions from Meetings

Fareham Coastal Study (Fareham Quay and Alton Grove to Cador Drive)

Redevelopment of Redoubt Court, Fort Fareham

Private estate management arrangements - Response to consultation

Biodiversity Duty Report

Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

Summary

Meetings Attended ^{Note this may include planned future meetings.}