Councillor Simon Martin

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

Housing Revenue Account 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 Housing Revenue and Repairs Account, with updates and implications for the HRA capital programme.   The Housing Revenue and Repairs Account is separate from the General Fund of the Council and covers the income and expenditure for the Council owned housing stock.   The £15.6M revised budget set by the Executive for the Housing Revenue and Repairs Account in February highlighted a number of pressures including responsive repairs costs remaining high alongside those for planned maintenance and other capital costs. Therefore, the revised budget was set with no expected transfers to the HRA reserves other than for leaseholders.   However, careful management of resources and phasing of the planned maintenance programme has meant that the HRA outturn position is stronger.   The final figures for the Housing Revenue and Repairs Account (HRA) in 2024/25 show net Expenditure for the year of £14.7M, against income of £16.1M. This has meant that it has been possible to make a £500k contribution to both the Capital Improvement and Development Fund and Debt Repayment Reserve to earmark them for future financial resilience. This has left a £274,985 surplus on the account which will be added to the HRA revenue reserve.   Overall, total HRA Reserves have increased by £1.649 million. However, HRA borrowing has increased by £3.85 million mainly to finance the new build projects in the capital programme.

Recommendations Approved

The Draft Fareham Borough Council Domestic Abuse Policy

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

To approve the draft Fareham Borough Council Domestic Abuse 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 Council’s Domestic Abuse Policy.  This policy details how we will readily meet those duties and work with Hampshire County Council and others to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.  It details how we will treat all reports of domestic abuse however and from whoever we receive them.  It also sets out how we will meet our commitment to treat the victims and survivors of domestic abuse with the dignity, respect, care and understanding they deserve.  

Recommendations Approved

The Draft Fareham Housing Right-Sizing Policy

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

The new Policy provides comprehensive information on the Council’s ‘Right-Sizing’ Policy, outlines the structure and the main changes from the previous scheme.  This will be published on the Council’s Housing webpages.    The Policy is not required by statute, though it is a common feature of many local authorities’ housing management practices, and the primary aim is to ensure the policy is in line with current legislative ‘best practice’ and to ensure the fair and transparent application of it while enabling us to make the best use of available stock.

Recommendations Approved

The provision of sanitary bins in male toilets - Boys need Bins

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

Recommendations Approved