Civic chiefs' frank response to calls for Fareham's iconic 50-year-old tower block offices to be demolished
Civic chiefs in Fareham have said their offices are here to stay after a councillor asked a public meeting if it could be knocked down.
Members of the executive in charge of Fareham Borough Council said the 50-year-old building would see maintenance and investment instead of destruction.
On Wednesday, the chairman of the council’s executive on January 7, Councillor Ian Bastable, told his meeting: “I want to make it clear to everybody we are committed to maintaining and investing in this building.
“This building is crucial to the town centre, not just to its shops and restaurants, but to the vibrancy of Fareham.”
Cllr Bastable, leader of the council, said the building offers great opportunities as part of the town centre regeneration plans, the government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans, and any future unitary authority.
He said that, as well as being the home to hundreds of council officers, it allows Fareham residents to come in and talk to real people.
He said: “We are committed to making the building an excellent place to work, and for people to deliver good services to the people of Fareham.”
The scrutiny committee had been discussing the civic office as part of a wider item on the council’s £87 million capital programme.
Some £369,000 has been allocated to repair the ten-storey building’s roof.
Councillor David Hamilton (Lib-Dem, Wallington and Downend), who had said it was a possibility the council could move into the shopping centre, said: “I do not and did not support the demolition of the building.
“I wanted to see thinking in detail for any decision, whatever decision that might be.
“The chair of the committee, Cllr Roger Bird, raised it to have a good debate and did not advocate demolition.”
Members of the executive panel unanimously approved the £87 million budget for the capital programme for the period 2025/26 to 2029/30.
Spending includes £11 million on new affordable housing developments, and £2 million on Hook Recreation Ground Solar Farm and another £2 million on Holly Hill Woodland Park restoration.
Smaller projects include spending £133,000 to buy CCTV and tracking for council vehicles.