Gosport Borough Council
Councillors:
27
Wards:
14
Committees:
10
Meetings (2026):
59
Meetings (2025):
50
Meeting
Community & Environment Board - Gosport
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
6:00 PM
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
6:00 PM
End:
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
10:00 PM
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
10:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
25 Feb 2026
25 Feb 2026
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Philip Raffaelli CB FRCP
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Miss Dawn Kelly
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Jonathan Brown
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for non-attendance
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor Chegwyn.
The Chairman welcomed Councillors Raffaelli and Burgess to the Board.
The Chairman welcomed Councillors Raffaelli and Burgess to the Board.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were none
3
Minutes of the meeting of the board held on 12 November 2025
Attachments:
- Document Minutes Public Pack, 12/11/2025 Community & Environment Board 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2025 were signed as a true and correct record.
4
Deputations- Standing Order 3.4
(NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 23 February 2026. The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes)
Minutes
There were none
5
Public Questions- Standing order 3.5
(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on 23 February 2026)
Minutes
There were none
6
Commemorative Bench Seat Policy
To seek approval for the adoption of the reviewed and updated Commemorative Bench Seat Policy.
The overall objective of the policy is to retain a consistent approach to the management of the commemorative bench seats in the Borough.
The overall objective of the policy is to retain a consistent approach to the management of the commemorative bench seats in the Borough.
Attachments:
- Document Commemorative Bench Seat Policy 2026 - Board Report 9Feb 17 Feb 2026
- Document APPENDIX 1 - Commemorative Bench Seat Policy 2026 17 Feb 2026
- Document 2026-02-09 GBC IIA (1) 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Public Spaces (HPS) seeking approval for the adoption of the reviewed and updated Commemorative Bench Seat Policy, the overall objective of the policy being to retain a consistent and equitable approach to the management of the commemorative bench seats in the Borough.
The HPS introduced her report by reminding members that the policy had previously been brought to Board in 2022 and this was a three yearly review. There were no major changes to advise of, just a simplification of the online booking form to make it more user friendly.
Members were advised that the work of plotting the benches was ongoing with many of the areas completed. Requesters are shown available areas which may not have been their first choice. It was hoped to bring new areas into use but officers were mindful of reaching saturation in some popular areas.
Officers explained that the cost of a bench could be between £600 and £2,000 which includes the bench, the plaque, delivery and ongoing maintenance. The difference in price reflects location and ensures continuity of style in areas such as Stanley Park.
Members discussed the potential life of a bench, and what could be done with the plaques from those deemed to be beyond repair. It was felt that the new recycled material benches could off a much longer lifespan and therefore would there need to be different terms for existing and new benches.
Members recognized that this was a sensitive and emotive subject and it was important to ensure that the policy was fair to all and address issues such as life of a bench, what to do with plaques once a bench has reached its end of life and whether an alternate solution could be found such as a memorial wall/stone for plaques.
RESOLVED: That the Board required the Officers to review the policy, address the issues raised at Board and bring it back to a future Community & Environment Board meeting.
The HPS introduced her report by reminding members that the policy had previously been brought to Board in 2022 and this was a three yearly review. There were no major changes to advise of, just a simplification of the online booking form to make it more user friendly.
Members were advised that the work of plotting the benches was ongoing with many of the areas completed. Requesters are shown available areas which may not have been their first choice. It was hoped to bring new areas into use but officers were mindful of reaching saturation in some popular areas.
Officers explained that the cost of a bench could be between £600 and £2,000 which includes the bench, the plaque, delivery and ongoing maintenance. The difference in price reflects location and ensures continuity of style in areas such as Stanley Park.
Members discussed the potential life of a bench, and what could be done with the plaques from those deemed to be beyond repair. It was felt that the new recycled material benches could off a much longer lifespan and therefore would there need to be different terms for existing and new benches.
Members recognized that this was a sensitive and emotive subject and it was important to ensure that the policy was fair to all and address issues such as life of a bench, what to do with plaques once a bench has reached its end of life and whether an alternate solution could be found such as a memorial wall/stone for plaques.
RESOLVED: That the Board required the Officers to review the policy, address the issues raised at Board and bring it back to a future Community & Environment Board meeting.
7
Any other items
Minutes
The Chair asked officers to pass on her thanks to the team who have been working in Foster Gardens and really turned them around, despite the recent flooding. Members discussed the best route to reinstate the pergola, including the idea of a “Friends” group who could then apply for grants for the work. The community group “Men’s Shed” have offered to be involved in the installation.
Andrew Pearce (AP) from Coastal Partners was asked by the Chair to give a light update on the current flood defence schemes.
Members were advised that the situation in Alverstoke remains the same as reported in June 2025.The Alverstoke Coastal Defence Scheme business case has been audited and the final stage sign off is awaited by the Environment Agency (EA). Plans to resource up are in place but until the final letter is received no start can be made. This will be a three year programme of works to include flood works and adjustments to cables.
Members were keen that once the final sign off had been received that residents were kept fully updated. AP advised that the project website would also be kept up to date.
In answer to a Members question AP advised that he had been copied into the letter from an Alverstoke resident and was preparing a response. He agreed to share that response with the Board members.
AP advised Members that the Hill Head to Portsmouth harbour Beach Plan was a 10-year programme to improve the resilience of our open coast beaches. £1.4 million of EA funding had been secured and resource can now be allocated. It was hoped that this project would reduce beach levels around the River Alver sea outfall, so it blocks less frequently and therefore reduces flood risk in the Alver Valley. Members were reminded that although this is on GBC land, operational responsibility to clear the outfall is with the Environment Agency (EA). The project would take approximately 2 years, and although there is no operational plan yet, due to the challenge of co-ordinated licenses and consents the project is straightforward and will involve moving excess material to deposit sites suffering from erosion. It is hoped that the works will last up to 10 years.
Members were aware that the promenade at Alverbank West has collapsed and the beach has now fallen below the sea wall toe. The site has been fenced off, the car park closed and a diversion and alternate parking in place. Coastal Partners is working with the EA to see if material can be moved from the River Alver sea outfall to provide protection to this area while options are considered. AP advised members that there had been a substantial rise in wave energy this winter caused by frequent storm activity.
AP advised that a contractor is about to be appointed to ascertain the extent of the damage, with the primary objective being to stabilize and make safe. Updates will be brought to the next meeting.
In answer to a Member’s question, AP referred back to the Stokes Bay feasibility report noted by the Board in June 2025. This confirmed that a major replacement scheme for the bay would costs in excess of £20 million. Therefore, a lower cost scheme to maintain the sea wall had been recommended. However both schemes would be a low priority for fundingby central government. Alternative funding was still being sought to maintain the sea wall and once the new Government funding Policy is released in April 2026, the picture might be clearer and any decisions reported back to the next meeting.
Members were advised that the sea wall at Seafield is in poor, end of life condition. A contractorhas beenappointed andis dueto addresssome ofthe defectsand issues in the first week of March for approximately 4 weeks. The footpath will need to be closed to allow access for vehicles and delivery of equipment.
AP agreed to bring information back to the Board in the summer regarding the Seafield Coastal scheme.
AP agreed to circulate his notes from this meeting to Board members for the minutes.
Andrew Pearce (AP) from Coastal Partners was asked by the Chair to give a light update on the current flood defence schemes.
Members were advised that the situation in Alverstoke remains the same as reported in June 2025.The Alverstoke Coastal Defence Scheme business case has been audited and the final stage sign off is awaited by the Environment Agency (EA). Plans to resource up are in place but until the final letter is received no start can be made. This will be a three year programme of works to include flood works and adjustments to cables.
Members were keen that once the final sign off had been received that residents were kept fully updated. AP advised that the project website would also be kept up to date.
In answer to a Members question AP advised that he had been copied into the letter from an Alverstoke resident and was preparing a response. He agreed to share that response with the Board members.
AP advised Members that the Hill Head to Portsmouth harbour Beach Plan was a 10-year programme to improve the resilience of our open coast beaches. £1.4 million of EA funding had been secured and resource can now be allocated. It was hoped that this project would reduce beach levels around the River Alver sea outfall, so it blocks less frequently and therefore reduces flood risk in the Alver Valley. Members were reminded that although this is on GBC land, operational responsibility to clear the outfall is with the Environment Agency (EA). The project would take approximately 2 years, and although there is no operational plan yet, due to the challenge of co-ordinated licenses and consents the project is straightforward and will involve moving excess material to deposit sites suffering from erosion. It is hoped that the works will last up to 10 years.
Members were aware that the promenade at Alverbank West has collapsed and the beach has now fallen below the sea wall toe. The site has been fenced off, the car park closed and a diversion and alternate parking in place. Coastal Partners is working with the EA to see if material can be moved from the River Alver sea outfall to provide protection to this area while options are considered. AP advised members that there had been a substantial rise in wave energy this winter caused by frequent storm activity.
AP advised that a contractor is about to be appointed to ascertain the extent of the damage, with the primary objective being to stabilize and make safe. Updates will be brought to the next meeting.
In answer to a Member’s question, AP referred back to the Stokes Bay feasibility report noted by the Board in June 2025. This confirmed that a major replacement scheme for the bay would costs in excess of £20 million. Therefore, a lower cost scheme to maintain the sea wall had been recommended. However both schemes would be a low priority for fundingby central government. Alternative funding was still being sought to maintain the sea wall and once the new Government funding Policy is released in April 2026, the picture might be clearer and any decisions reported back to the next meeting.
Members were advised that the sea wall at Seafield is in poor, end of life condition. A contractorhas beenappointed andis dueto addresssome ofthe defectsand issues in the first week of March for approximately 4 weeks. The footpath will need to be closed to allow access for vehicles and delivery of equipment.
AP agreed to bring information back to the Board in the summer regarding the Seafield Coastal scheme.
AP agreed to circulate his notes from this meeting to Board members for the minutes.
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