Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.

Apology for absence was received from Councillor Steve Hedges due to poor health.  The Panel wished Councillor Hedges a quick recovery.

Members who have an interest to declare are asked to:

a)  State the Item Number in which they have the interest

b)  The nature of the interest

c)  Whether the interest is personal, or personal and prejudicial

Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself.

There were none.

There were none.

At the time of publication no notifications had been received.

The Chair informed the meeting that public speakers would have the opportunity to address the Panel when those items of their interest are on the agenda. 

To confirm the minutes of the above meeting as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd September 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The draft Service Delivery Medium Term (Service & Resource) Plan (MTSRP) is presented for consideration by the Panel:

·  To set out the overall Medium Term plans at Departmental level, before more detailed Service Action Plans are considered at Divisional level in January;

·  To enable comment on the strategic choices inherent in the medium term plan;

·  To enable issues to be highlighted for further consideration in January by the Panel; and

• To enable issues to be referred to the relevant Portfolio holder at an early stage.

The Panel is asked to:

·  Comment on the medium term plan for Service Delivery;  

·  Identify any issues requiring further consideration at the January meeting of the Panel; and

• Identify any issues arising from the draft plan it wishes to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for further consideration.

The Chair invited Henry Brown (Federation of Bath Residents’ Association – FOBRA) to address the Panel with his statement.

Henry Brown said that he welcomed what was proposed in the Medium Term Service & Resource Planning (MTSRP) but that he had few comments and suggestions to add to it.  He had concerns that litter enforcement would require additional resources for its implementation.  He was also concerned about the pricing of parking charges in Bath and expressed his concern, in terms of transport development, that bus subsidy would be reduced.  Henry Brown suggested that the Highways and Transportation elements of Environmental Service and Planning Services should be managed as one service (due to many issues that could easily fit within remits of both services) and that there are similarities of function between Police Community Support Officers had similarities with the parking Civil Enforcement Officers, so they should be operating more as one service.

Glen Chipp responded that litter enforcement would require more resources but the service would keep ensure that costs incurred were marginal.  The effect of the parking charges over last 2 years had been monitored and that there was little elasticity (i.e. demand had not fallen due to higher prices). Impacts of any increases would continue to be monitored, in particular whether the pricing policy made people use Park and Ride more.  Glen Chipp also said that the service would not be looking at reducing bus subsidies but there would be a reduction in the cost of posts.  In terms of Highways and Transportation being two separate services, he explained that policy development would be within Planning Services whilst implementation of those policies would be within the Environmental Services remit.

The Chair said that the subject of Litter Enforcement had been scheduled for discussion at the January 2011 meeting of the Panel. 

Councillor Wood said that the parking enforcement issue, how the team operates, seems to be confusing to many people.

Matthew Smith replied that one member of the Enforcement staff was now based in Keynsham whilst other staff member were mobile.  He also said that it would be helpful if Councillors report any issues that require parking enforcement services so that he could ensure that appropriate arrangements are made.

David Redgewell read out the statement in which he highlighted the following issues: buses – dismantling of essential public transport services; how do you get to work if buses are cut; more traffic jams; bus wars; jobs affected by bus cuts; rail stations improvements; electrification; and regeneration.

A full copy of the statement from David Redgewell is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

David Redgewell also said that festivals and events in Bath should be also paying for the carbon footprint.  He added that the money should go to bus services instead to festival and events in Bath that were controlled by the Future Bath Plus.

Glen Chipp introduced the report.

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

The Chair said that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Matthew Smith introduced the report.

Henry Brown (Federation of Bath Residents’ Association – FOBRA) addressed the Panel.  He asked when the decision on grit bins would be taken.  He also said that the Snow Code was a handy guide however the suggestion towards the end of the guide that states people should not help themselves from grit bins was a bit confusing.  Henry Brown commented that there was no dedicated supply of salt for Bath city centre and asked if that could be arranged.  He concluded his statement by suggesting that Council staff that would not have much to do during the severe weather conditions (i.e. Parks staff) and they should be issued with snow shovels to help clear pavements.

Matthew Smith responded that grit bins would be issued once agreement with the relevant Cabinet Member on any outstanding requests.  There was, and still would be, a national shortage of salt.  The perception that all salt stock goes to rural areas was wrong because most of it was, and would be, used for keeping the principal network clear and treating pedestrian areas in the city centre.  Council staff that would not have much to do during the severe weather conditions would be sent to help where needed, as in the past.  However, the public must understand that many of Council staff might also be affected by the severe weather conditions in terms of not being able to get to work.

George Bottin (Highway Maintenance Engineer) said that 388 existing grit bins had been filled up.  The Council would soon produce a leaflet with the advice on winter maintenance and how people could use the grit from grit bins.

Councillor Gerrish commented that residents should not use the grit for their own purposes (i.e. gritting the back garden, driveways, etc).  He added that locations of grit bins would always be subject of complaint from individuals.

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Symonds asked about the criteria for gritting routes.

George Bottin said that key pedestrian areas had been identified for gritting, in particular footpath areas.  Gritting around schools and maximising the transport had been also added to the criteria.  All gritting routes would be available on Council’s website.

Councillor Steel said that she was pleased with the improved communication.  She suggested that some private roads that were also parts of the public footpaths should be also considered for gritting.

George Bottin agreed with this comment and added that private owners also have the responsibility to grit private roads.

Councillor Symonds asked if the bus routes had been included in the gritting routes.

George Bottin replied that vast majority of bus routes had been included.

The Chair suggested that the officers should involve associations like FOBRA, Parish Councils and Ward Councillors in consultation where to put grit bins.

It was RESOLVED to note the update and for the officers to take the comments made by the Panel on board.

This briefing note is to bring the Safer & Stronger Communities O&S Panel up-to-date with the implementation and initial outcomes of the food waste recycling collections from 4 October 2010.

Carol Maclellan (Waste Services Manager) introduced the report.

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Steel said that some of the waste collection vehicles were too big for certain roads and caused traffic jams.  She asked if there was any intention to employ smaller size vehicles for waste collection.

Carol Maclellan replied that some of the vehicles had access issues and the service would be looking to improve that.

Carol Maclellan said that the food waste collection had been operating in those areas served by ‘green boxes’ (which was 86% of the district)  and not yet areas of multiple flats,.  In phase 2 of the project the service would investigate how to roll out waste collection service in multiple flats areas.

Councillor Symonds congratulated the service on the successful implementation of the food waste collection.  He asked if the amount of the waste collected was as projected.

Carol Maclellan replied that the amount of the food waste collected was exactly as projected.

Councillor Simmons asked what savings had been and would be achieved.

Carol Maclellan responded that this year the service had to put some money into the food waste collection.  However, the Council would avoid £1.8m of expenditure to waste disposal over 5 years period.

Councillor Steel asked if the timing of when the vehicles did their run during the day was evaluated.

Carol Maclellan said that routes have had to be changed and staff delivering the service has to get used to local conditions.  She also said that the Council developed a policy specifying access and timing for busy and school roads.  Carol Maclellan asked that anyone who sees that those vehicles used busy and school roads at inappropriate times should report this to the Waste Services so that route timings can be amended.

Councillor Symonds asked if schools had been included in food waste collection.

Carol Maclellan said that schools are on separate schedules.  Schools were also part of the phase 2 project and the service would bring their proposals forward on that matter.

It was RESOLVED to note the report and to congratulate the Waste Services on successful implementation of the food waste collection.

It has been suggested that the Safer and Stronger Community Panel undertake a review of commercial waste services with the aim being to find out what services traders in Bath and North East Somerset would like and how to encourage more commercial businesses to recycle.

It has been proposed that the Panel may wish to undertake this in the form of a ‘Single Day Inquiry’. This would be the first time that Bath & North East Somerset Overview and Scrutiny has undertaken a single day inquiry but they have proven to be very effective at other local authorities.

The Safer and Stronger Community Panel is asked to:

·  Note the report and agree the proposal for the Panel to trail a single day inquiry investigation

·  Nominate 2 Councillors from the Panel to act as key contacts for the co-ordination of the single day inquiry

• Make any initial suggestions for invitations to the inquiry day.

Carol Maclellan introduced the report.

Alix Boswell (Overview and Scrutiny Manager) informed the Panel about the structure around single day inquiry (as per the report).

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Gerrish said that he welcomed this review because it would fit well with the Business Improvement District plan.

Councillor Symonds moved, with Councillor Wood seconded, that the panel should have a single day inquiry on this matter.  The Panel unanimously agreed.

It was RESOLVED that:

1)  The Panel unanimously agreed to have a single day inquiry investigation on Commercial Waste Collection;

2)  2 Councillors that would act as key contacts for the co-ordination of the single day inquiry are Councillors Brian Simmons and Roger Symonds; and

3)  The following contributors be invited:

a.  Business Associations

b.  Chamber of Commerce

c.  Restaurants

d.  Hotels

e.  Current waste and recycling collection providers

f.  Residents Associations

g.  Both Universities

h.  Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations and

i.  Anybody else with the interest in this matter.

4)  The local MPs and neighbouring authorities be informed.

Councillor Charles Gerrish – Cabinet Member for Customer Services

Councillor Gerrish updated the Panel on the following:

• Report on the Victoria Bridge safety – following the tests carried out it was resolved that structural integrity of the bridge was compromised and the bridge was declared unsafe for use.  Councillor Gerrish said that he would explain in detail the bridge issues with the Bath cycling community.
• Cabinet Member response to Panel’s recommendations on Bus Services made at the last Panel meeting (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes) – Councillor Gerrish said that he would be looking to set up the Public Transport Liaison Panel during this financial year.
• Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP) 3 – level of the public response during the consultation was quite impressive (100% more than for the JLTP 2).  Councillor Gerrish, together with the appropriate officers, sent the response on the draft report to the West of England Partnership.  The aim was to have the JLTP 3 ready for the Full Council meeting in January 2011.

The Chair thanked Councillor Gerrish for the update.

The Chair also passed the apology from Councillor Vic Pritchard (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, Housing and Community Safety) as he was engaged in the Christmas Lights switch-on ceremony today.

This report presents the latest future workplan for this Panel. The Panel are asked to review and note this work programme.

It was RESOLVED that the Panel noted their future workplan with following additions:

• Litter Enforcement – January 2011
• Cycling Infrastructure and Improvements – January 2011