February 2014

Comment on Welborne

28 February 2014

Comment on the Welborne Plan

Fareham Borough Council is inviting people and interested parties to comment on the latest version of the Welborne Plan for six weeks between 5pm on 28 February and 5pm on 11 April 2014.

These comments are known as representations and will need to focus on whether the Plan meets ‘soundness’ criteria, such as, whether it meets national planning guidelines. Representations can also focus on whether the plan was prepared in line with legal requirements.

Fareham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Planning and Development, Conservative Councillor Keith Evans said “We have asked people’s opinions throughout the development of the Welborne Plan and this is another opportunity. Your representations will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate, which will independently examine the Welborne Plan later this year.”

If the plan is found sound by the Planning Inspector it will be adopted by the Council around the end of the year. The Welborne Plan will then be used to make decisions on future planning applications on the site.

You can complete the representation form in the following ways:

Online: View the Plan online and complete our online representation forms.
Email: to planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk the representation form (a PDF and MS Word version of the form can be found on the Council’s website at www.fareham.gov.uk/consultations).
By post: to Planning and Development, Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ.
You can view paper copies of the Welborne Plan in the Civic Offices and at all the libraries around the Borough.
If you have any questions on the Welborne Plan, or on making a representation, please contact the Welborne Team by email at planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk or by phone: 01329 236100.

ENDS

Food Hygiene Prosecution

24 February 2014

Successful Food Hygiene Prosecution

Fareham Borough Council has successfully prosecuted the owner of Kams Palace, for five offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations and two offences under Health and Safety legislation.

The prosecution at Fareham Magistrates Court follows a routine food hygiene inspection in February last year. Officers visited Kams Palace and found poor standards of cleanliness in the kitchen and storage areas. There were many food safety hazards including poor stock control, food stored in dirty containers, dirty equipment and evidence of mice. No evidence of food hygiene training for the employees was available.

A build-up of ice was found on the floor of a walk-in freezer. A steamer oven was not draining properly and staff were manually emptying large trays of overflow water. These defects posed a serious risk of injury to the restaurant’s employees.

Kams Palace Ltd pleaded guilty and were fined £11,000 and ordered to pay full costs to the Council.

Following the inspection the Company have re-trained their staff in food hygiene and the hygiene procedures and cleanliness have improved.

Executive Member for Public Protection, Conservative Cllr Trevor Cartwright said: “This is one of the largest restaurants in Fareham and they exposed their customers to an unacceptable risk of illness due to their poor food hygiene practices. Food businesses must ensure they comply with the relevant food hygiene legislation so that the food they serve is safe. Employers must also fulfil their obligations regarding their employees’ health and safety. This case highlights the important work carried out by the Council’s Environmental Health team in ensuring food businesses are complying with the law and maintaining the required standards of hygiene and safety”

ENDS

Pubs & Shops Pass with Flying Colours

18 February 2014

Local pubs and shops pass test by refusing to serve alcohol to youngsters

10 pubs and licenced shops across the Fareham area have all passed the test of not serving alcohol to underage people, as part of a test purchasing operation by Hampshire Police.

Underage volunteers, along with plain clothed police officers from the Licensing team, went into the shops and pubs on Saturday 1 February, to see if they would be sold alcohol.

All of the premises passed the test by asking the young people for I.D when trying to buy alcohol. They then refused service when they saw that they were underage. This is the first time that all the shops and pubs have passed the test over the past year.

Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, Conservative Cllr Arthur Mandry said: “This result shows that the hard work of the Community Safety Partnership has paid off. I would like to thank everyone for their commitment to reducing underage alcohol sales in the Borough. It’s also good to see that the premises who failed last year have improved their systems and taken our advice on board.”

Licensing Officer PC Jason Pearce said: “This type of testing will continue to help maintain these high standards and reduce alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour in Fareham. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support and hard work.”

If anyone knows of any licenced premises selling alcohol to those under the age of 18, please contact the licensing team on 101.

ENDS

Welborne Plan agreed

17 February 2014

Welborne Plan agreed

Welborne moved a step closer yesterday, when the latest version of the Welborne Plan was approved at a meeting of Fareham’s Full Council.

You can view the latest version of the Welborne Plan, known as the “Publication Plan”.

The public and other interested parties can comment on the Plan for six weeks between 28 February and 11 April 2014. These comments are known as representations and they will need to focus on whether the Plan meets ‘soundness’ criteria, such as, whether it meets national planning guidelines.

Later in the year, the Welborne Plan will be examined by an Independent Planning Inspector. If the plan is found sound by the Independent Inspector it will be adopted by the Council around the end of the year. The Plan will be used to make decisions on future planning applications on the site.

Fareham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Planning and Development, Conservative Councillor Keith Evans said: “This is an exciting set of proposals to create a new, attractive and cohesive community, with present day garden community principles to meet Fareham’s housing provision needs. The approval of the Welborne Plan is an important step towards achieving this.”

The latest version of its Development Sites and Policies Plan was also agreed at the same meeting. The Plan identifies sites outside of Welborne for different uses such as housing, employment, shopping, community facilities, such as community centres and open green spaces.

People will be able to comment on it at the same time as the Welborne Plan and it will follow a similar independent examination process.

ENDS

Fareham’s Play Rangers

13 February 2014

Play Rangers return for Half Term fun

Fareham’s Play Rangers, will be returning for a three days of free fun activities for 0 – 12 year olds this Half Term.

The Play Rangers give local children the opportunity to join in group games and craft activities in parks and green spaces across the Borough.

No booking is required, just turn up at any time during either the morning or afternoon sessions on any of the following dates:

Monday 17 February:
9.30 – 11.30am at Bellfield Play Area, Titchfield
1.30pm – 3.30pm at Outside Fareham North West Community Centre, Hillson Drive

Tuesday 18 February:
9.30 – 11.30am at Outside Fareham Leisure Centre
1.30pm – 3.30pm at Stubbington Recreation Ground, Bells Lane

Wednesday 19 February:
9.30 – 11.30am Outside Portchester Community Centre, Westlands Grove 1.00pm – 3.00pm at Broadlaw Walk, Off Bishopsfield Road, Fareham

Executive member for Leisure and Community, Conservative Cllr Connie Hockley, said: “I’m delighted the Play Rangers are back again for half term. With activities including scavenger hunts, parachute games, football and messy art, there’s plenty to keep the kids active and entertained this holiday.”

Event supervisors, Y Services for young people, will be on hand to lead safe play, however parents are responsible for their children at all times and children under 8 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More information on the Play Rangers can be found at http://www.fareham.gov.uk/leisure/parks_and_open_spaces/playrangers.aspx .

ENDS

Wallington Conservation Area

11 February 2014

Help to conserve the Character of Wallington Conservation Area

Fareham Borough Council is asking residents for their comments on the conservation of Wallington Conservation Area in a consultation running until Monday 3 March 2014.

People can comment on the draft updated Character Appraisal and Management Strategy for Wallington Conservation Area which identifies the features that contribute to the architectural and historic interest and character of the conservation area.

Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Environment, Conservative Cllr Keith Evans said: “Your comments will help us decide how best to conserve the character and appearance of Wallington Conservation Area, and I would encourage as many people as possible to comment on it to ensure that we get it right. ”

Details of the consultation can be found on the Council website www.fareham.gov.uk/consultations where a copy of the document can be downloaded and comments can be made online. A display will be sited in the Foyer of Fareham Borough Council Civic Offices during the consultation period, where a copy of the draft document and a paper comment sheet can be picked up.

The display, and an officer who will be able to help with enquiries, will also be at Wallington Village Hall on:

Wednesday 12 February, 2pm – 4pm

Friday 21st February, 10am –12pm

ENDS

Fly a Flag

10 February 2014

Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth

On Monday 10 March 2014, Fareham Borough Council will take part in an historic flag raising event, to mark Commonwealth Day.

500 Commonwealth flags will be raised throughout the British Isles at 10am by local authorities and dignitaries, community groups and charities. Fareham’s flag will be raised at the flagpoles in West Street (opposite The Vanguard Pub) by the Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Susan Bayford.

Flags will also be raised on the UK’s four highest National Peaks – Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Mount Snowdon and Slieve Donard. Abroad, flags will be raised at the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula, at the Halley VI Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf, as well as King Edward Point and Bird Island in South Georgia. A specially written Commonwealth Affirmation will be read out at each ceremony with a message from the Queen.

The Mayor of Fareham, Conservative Councillor Susan Bayford, said: “I’m delighted to be representing Fareham in its participation in this great event. I’d encourage people to come along as we join others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding.”

Organiser and Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek, said: “This will be the largest single raising of the Commonwealth Flag in the history of the Commonwealth. The success of this year’s event bodes well for 2015 and the future and I am convinced this annual occasion will grow in size and stature over the next few years.”

To help raise awareness of the day, an interactive map has been created showing where the individual flag raising events are taking place: www.esriuk.com/flyaflagmap

ENDS

Innovation Centre at Daedalus

5 February 2014

Planning application submitted for new Innovation Centre at Daedalus

Fareham Borough Council has submitted plans to build a brand new business space at Daedalus, Fareham – leading to around 150 new jobs.

If approved, the £5.3m Innovation Centre project will see new office space and workshop facilities for new businesses, with support to help them grow and succeed. The location will add a unique new facility to the Enterprise Zone to encourage advanced manufacturing, with a focus on the engineering, aerospace, aviation and marine industries.

The proposed development is part of large scale investment at Daedalus, which includes improvements to the runway and new hangar space. As well as that, in Autumn, Fareham College will open a new Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) on site.

Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “These latest plans could see state of the art business facilities at Daedalus and the creation of highly skilled local jobs. I’d encourage people to go along to the next Crofton Community Action Team Meeting (CAT) and have their say on the plans.”

The plans for the Innovation Centre will be on display at the Crofton Community Action Team meeting on Tuesday 11 February 2014 at Holy Rood Church, Gosport Road, Stubbington, from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Residents will be able to have their say and ask any questions. The application will be considered at a planning committee meeting in March. If approved work on the project could start in May. Developers Bouygues have been chosen to construct the Centre.

ENDS

Local Issues