Robyn Lyons

General Fund Revenue Outturn

From: Executive - Monday, 7th July, 2025 6.00 pm - July 07, 2025

This report provides the Executive with details of the actual revenue expenditure for 2024/25 for the General Fund.   The revised revenue budget set by the Executive for the General Fund in February was predicting a contribution from reserves of £285,700 in order to balance the budget. Although budget monitoring had been indicating some pressure points during the year there have also been some positive outcomes within services such that the overall outturn position will be an underspend, of £437,893, after the proposed carry forwards, which will be added to the Council’s reserves.   The main reasons for this were higher than expected income in some areas, such as shopping centre rents, car parking, and investment and commercial properties There was also lower than expected spend in some areas, particularly employee costs due to staff turnover, the local plan and for the homelessness service. However, there continues to be a pressure on the budgets in the year in particular for vehicle costs for the waste collection and street cleansing services.   This contribution to reserves, rather than the expected draw down of reserves, will help towards the funding gap identified for 2026/27 in the Medium-Term Finance Strategy and will reduce the savings that need to be made from the Opportunities Plan.   However, there remains a need to be cautious as the Council’s overall reserves position will not yet be sufficient to go through to the end of the Finance Strategy period. Contingencies are also needed the levels of Government’s financial support remain uncertain and it is likely that the Fair Funding Review will come into force during the 2026/27 financial year along with a business rate reset, both of which are not expected to have a favourable outcome for lower tier authorities.

Recommendations Approved

Motion referred from Council - Protection of Disability Benefits and addressing tax burdens for Fareham Residents

From: from 2 June 2025, Executive - Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 6.00 pm, - June 03, 2025

To consider the motion presented to Council at its meeting on 17 April 2025 by Councillor C Bainbridge in respect of protecting disability benefits and addressing tax burdens for Fareham residents.   The detail of the motion is set out in full in the report, along with commentary provided as background.

Recommendations Approved

Corporate Peer Challenge Outcome

From: from 2 June 2025, Executive - Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 6.00 pm, - June 03, 2025

To provide an update on the recent Corporate Peer Challenge and to seek approval to publish the Local Government Association’s (LGA) feedback report.   As part of the Council’s commitment towards continuous improvement and to meet its Best Value Duty, the Council hosted the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Peer Team between 10-12 March 2025. The aim of the challenge was to provide assurance, share good practice with the wider sector, as well as receive valuable challenge and advice to support improved service provision. The draft feedback report produced by the Peer Team, presented in Appendix A, shared very positive findings about the Council. It also provided recommendations to help support continuous improvement at the Council If approved, the report will be published by the Council on the website and by the LGA on their own website.

Recommendations Approved

Battery Powered Mobility Aids (draft for Consultation)

From: from 2 June 2025, Executive - Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 6.00 pm, - June 03, 2025

To approve the draft Fareham Housing Battery Powered Mobility Aids Policy for consultation and approve delegated authority to the Director of Housing, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, to make any minor changes to the Policy prior to public consultation.   The new Policy provides comprehensive information on the safe storage, charging and use of battery powered mobility aids.  It also details the process for obtaining permission for one.  The Policy outlines the relevant legislation and fire safety guidance, furthering the context for the procedures.  

Recommendations Approved

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

Recommendations Approved