Contact: Deb McManus, ext 6824 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the attached Project Appraisal for environmental improvements at Town Quay, Fareham, at an estimated cost of £60,000 including some external funding, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aims 1 and 4 (Maximising Life Opportunities and Building Strong and Safe Communities) by increasing use and enjoyment of this important public area close to Fareham town centre, and promoting local pride in the town within the community;

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by enhancing the distinctiveness and environmental quality of this Conservation Area in Fareham and ensuring it remains a place where people want to live, work and visit; and

(iii) Aim 3 (Achieving Economic Prosperity) by supporting economic activity in the town centre through providing an additional attraction.

2.2 The County Council's Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme is managed to implement landmark projects to raise the quality of life for all who live/work in and visit urban areas. All projects are designed to demonstrate the benefits of making the best use of land and property, high quality design, long life solutions and materials, and appropriateness to the local sense of place.

2.3 The proposed work follows a first phase of improvements to Town Quay carried out in partnership with Fareham Borough Council.

2.4 In line with securing partnership funding a £30,000 contribution has been negotiated towards the cost of the scheme from Fareham Borough Council. Savings have also been achieved by contribution funding toward the feasibility and consultation exercises. This would have otherwise been funded through capital expenditure.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Other areas of work within the Conservation Area were considered and can be brought forward for implementation in subsequent phases, subject to funding availability. These will follow the proposed work in Upper Wharf because of:

(i) unresolved issues relating to the A32 currently make it difficult to conclude design development work in other areas;

(ii) Upper Wharf offers the opportunity to coordinate works with the construction of two new residential buildings being erected immediately adjacent to the improvement area, and therefore maximise public benefit from the investment. No other area is able to offer this `added value' at this stage;

(iii) recent public consultation identified the Upper Wharf area as the priority. Other areas were also considered to be important by the public and development of future phases of work will take this into account; and

(iv) alternative design approaches for Upper Wharf have been considered but did not meet the strategic objectives and principles of the ROUA programme.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T G Knight

737Decn/DMcM