Samantha Wightman
Council: Fareham
Committees:
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
69 meetings · Page 1 of 14
Executive Portfolio for Leisure and Community - Thursday, 20th November, 2025 1.30 pm
Decisions from Meetings
109 decisions · Page 22 of 22
Consultation response on proposed change to the National Planning Policy Framework
From: Executive Portfolio for Planning and Development - Thursday, 19th September, 2024 5.00 pm - September 19, 2024
To provide the Executive Member with an overview of the proposals contained with the Government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other proposed changes to the planning system. The Government is clear in its consultation on the proposed changes, that building substantially more homes is a national priority to meet housing need and to help tackle housing affordability. The proposed reforms seek to substantially increase the number of houses built across the country. One of the most substantial changes proposed within the NPPF is how housing need is calculated. The calculation of housing need is proposed to change from the current position of addressing demographic and societal trends, to one which primarily apportions a nationally derived housing target between local authorities. The proposed approach has very limited regard to local factors, nor allows for much flexibility in the minimum number of houses which must be planned for. The Government is also proposing that a five-year housing land supply must be demonstrated on an annual basis, even where local authorities have an up-to-date adopted local plan. Where authorities are unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, they will be subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This will increase the likelihood of planning permission being granted for new houses outside settlement boundaries. The proposed changes to the NPPF, also relate to the delivery of affordable housing, brownfield development, building infrastructure to grow the economy and supporting green energy and the environment. Many of the proposed changes relating to these areas appear acceptable in principle. The Government is also inviting views on increasing the application fees for householder planning applications, increasing other planning application fees, introducing fees for applications where there are currently no charges and asking whether local authorities should be allowed to set some, or all, planning application fees locally. These proposals are supported. The accompanying briefing paper considers the impact of the changes from the perspective of Fareham in its South Hampshire context. This report was considered by the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel on the 18 September and any matters raised by the Panel have been provided to the Executive Member to consider as part of their decision making. The consultation on the proposed changes to the NPPF closes on 24 September.
Recommendations Approved
Tenant Engagement Strategy - Adoption
From: Executive - Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 6.00 pm - September 03, 2024
To seek Executive approval for the adoption of the Tenant Engagement Strategy. This a new Strategy produced in response to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the new Consumer Standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing. The Tenant Engagement Strategy sets out the Council’s approach to improving how we listen to and work with our tenants. Following agreement at the Executive on 02 July 2024, the draft Tenant Engagement Strategy was circulated for public consultation from 16 July to 20 August. The report summarises the outcome of the consultation and any necessary changes as a result.
Recommendations Approved
Anti-social Behaviour Policy - Adoption
From: Executive - Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 6.00 pm - September 03, 2024
To seek approval from the Executive to adopt Fareham’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, following public consultation. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 requires Local Authorities to prepare an Anti-Social Behaviour Policy. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 sets out powers to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour. There are also powers under the Housing Act 1985 and Housing Act 1996 to assist in combatting Anti-Social Behaviour. In April 2024, the Housing Regulator introduced Housing Consumer Standards pursuant to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which brings in a requirement for Registered Social Landlords to ensure that tenants can live in safe environments. The proposed Anti-Social Behaviour Policy fulfils the requirements of the above legislation.
Recommendations Approved
Fareham Housing Repairs Policy - Consultation
From: Executive - Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 6.00 pm - September 03, 2024
To seek Executive approval for the draft Fareham Housing Repairs and Maintenance policy to go forward for consultation for a period of six weeks. The Housing Act 1985 (as amended) places a number of obligations on landlords regarding the upkeep of their properties. All social housing tenants also have the ‘right to repair’ and for these to be conducted within a specific timeframe. Recent legislative changes and the new consumer standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) have imposed further requirements around repairs, maintenance and planned improvements. It provides comprehensive information regarding the Repairs’ service responsibilities and processes, background and relevant legislation. A period of 6 weeks public consultation will be undertaken on the draft policy before it returns to the Executive for formal adoption. At its meeting of 11 July 2024, the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered the policy and no comments or suggestions were made, other than to clarify the consultation period. This was clarified and is set out in points 24-26 below.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 69
Average per Month: 3.0
Decisions Recorded: 109