Agenda and minutes

1.1.  The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting and explained the order of business for the meeting.

1.2.  The Chair set out the aims of the Forum which were to improve collaboration and engagement.  It is important that all consultations and engagement are fed through the Forums to ensure its effectiveness.  The Forums will need to set out their priorities and develop an action plan however it is important to be realistic about what can be achieved.  They will need to focus on common issues across the Forum area rather than specific parish issues.  All members have an important part to play and it is for members of the group to ensure they report back to their organisations.  Communication must be two way.

1.3.  The Chair continued by explaining that there may be issues that the Forum need to resolve themselves rather than looking at others to do this for them.  It is important to be positive and look for solutions rather than focussing on the problems.  It is essential that the Forum works together to achieve the same goals, there is a voice for the Chew Valley and it is important that members use this Forum constructively.

1.4.  The Chair welcomed the guest speakers, Neil Best from Planning Policy and Rab Smith from Transportation Planning.

1.5.  Roundtable introductions were made.

1.6.  Agenda item 9 was brought forward to allow the Police to leave the meeting as they were on operational duties. 

2.1  Apologies were received from Councillor Paul Crossley, Councillor Brian Simmons, Jo Swift and Councillor Richard Curry.

3.1  The notes were agreed as an accurate record.

4.1  There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

5.1  Sara Dixon provided a verbal update on working groups, membership, and promotion of meetings.  The will meet a minimum of four times a year with an annual general meeting to be incorporated into these arrangements.  The Terms of Reference (TOR) have been agreed and circulated to Forum Members.  The Forum may set up working groups, to take projects forward and the TOR allow for this to happen.

5.2   Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) have dedicated senior officers to help the Forums resolve outstanding issues.  They are Louise Fradd (Strategic Director for Place) and Derek Quilter (Divisional Director for Project Management).

5.3  The arrangements for the meetings will be published on the B&NES Council meeting calendar. The agenda and minutes papers will also be available from the same websites page. http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=527&Year=0

5.4  At the last meeting it was reported that the Forum was still waiting confirmation from some of the public sector partners.  This now has been resolved.  We are pleased to welcome our colleagues from the Police, and also Avon Fire and Rescue. 

6.1  A verbal update on how local issues could be raised was provided by Sara Dixon.  There was a discussion about how members of the public could be encouraged to attend future meetings and have the opportunity to raise local issues.

6.2   It was agreed that the meeting would be split into two halves.  The first halve will be an informal open session (Ask the Forum) where members of the public would be able to ask questions to the Police, Council, Curo or any other Forum member.  Organisations, such as the Police, could provide a brief update if required.  This will follow a similar format to the Chew Valley and Somer Valley Forums.

6.3  A discussion took place regarding the future of PACT meetings.  Consideration was given to amalgamating PACT meetings with the Ask the Forum session.  This was a decision for the Police, they agreed to report back to the next meeting. 

(i)  Community safety report

Update from the Police, opportunity to highlight any issues or concerns within the Forum area.

(ii)  Health issues – Your Health, Your Say (attached briefing)

Opportunity to have your say about local health services

1.1  Police Update

An update report was given by PC Lisa Hawtin and Inspector Sarah Treweek:-

·  Keynsham High Street has seen an increase in shoplifting in the last six months. There has been a focus on this issue and there have been two arrests of prolific shoplifters.

·  Action - Dave Dixon (B&NES Council Officer) agreed that he will speak with PC Lisa Hawtin and the Keynsham Chamber of Commerce regarding the Business Crime Partnership. 

·  Anti-Social Behaviour issues in Manor Wood had seen damage to trees and plants in the area. PCSOs have targeted this and with some education having being given this issue is now resolved.

·  Eight burglaries were reported in the last six months, the Police have identified suspects for six of the incidents and enquiries continue into the two that are outstanding. 

·  A warrant was issues locally and a seizure of drugs was made.

·  There has been work in preparation for Halloween and Bonfire Night, there have been signs produced to display in windows, extra officers have been put on duty and shops have been educated in the selling of eggs, flour and fireworks to people under the age of eighteen.

·  The future of PACT meetings will be discussed at the next PACT meeting on the 16^th October.

·  The Police will be relocating to the new stop shop in Keynsham in the new year.  Date to be confirmed.

·  Concerns were raised regarding the volume and speed of traffic on the A39.  A request was made to increase the mobile speed cameras.  

7.2  Fire and Rescue Update

An update report was given by Jason Edwards

·  The Fire Service has future plans for redevelopment at the Hicks Gate Roundabout for a new station to provide improved area coverage.  Keynsham Town Centre fire station will be redeveloped.

·  Ongoing campaigns - Smoke Detectors all have a life span, this is dependent upon the type that is being used. Battery life plays a key part in many detectors all detectors have instructions that are specific to when they should be replaced.  Anyone wishing advice contact Jason Edwards.

7.3  The Clinical Commission Group (CCG) has recently set up a public and patient participation group called Your Health, Your Voice.  They are keen to make the group as representative of the local population as possible.  There is limited space on these groups and it has been agreed that the Chair’s from each Forum will initially attend these meetings on behalf of the area.  The Vice Chair’s will be a substitute. 

7.3.1  Alyson Lampard from Whitchurch Parish Council asked for a question to be raised at the CCG meeting.  Whitchurch falls under the responsibility of the Bristol CCG.  How will the CCG address the boundary issues where the Local authority and CCG boundaries do not align? 

(i)  Core Strategy Update – presentation by B&NES Planning Policy

The Core Strategy forms part of the Development Plan for the area and will be used in the determination of all planning applications submitted to the Council alongside other key strategies.

(ii)   Draft Keynsham Transport Strategy ‘Getting around Keynsham’ – presentation by B&NES Transportation Planning

The draft Keynsham Transport Strategy will provide a framework to support the delivery of the future developments identified in the Council’s Core Strategy. 

8.1   Core Strategy

8.1.1  The Chair introduced Neil Best, B&NES Council Planning Policy Team Leader who presented an update on the Core Strategy.

8.1.2  The Core Strategy is available online at.

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy-examination

8.1.3  The attached presentation that accompanies these minutes covers the full presentation that was provided at the meeting.

8.1.4  Question and answers raised during this item were as follows:-

Q -The recent press release from the Secretary of State included a point that said local authorities do not need to meet housing numbers where there are green belt issues. This leaves areas that have worked to increase the numbers feeling unfairly treated.

A - The policy has not changed, green belt is a consideration but we have failed in arguments to central government that were put when setting out the core strategy. We feel that the wording gives false hope to change and would expect any further challenges on the numbers to fail.

Q – At the hearings the developers were putting in a lot of effort on the review, is there going to be any legal challenge that will re-open the argument?

A – There will be a five year review of the policy five (from the date of adoption). In addition there is a review around the Bristol / West of England partnership that is about 18 months away (in 2016) if B&NES is part of this then they do have duty to co-operate.  The current B&NES administration is looking towards Wiltshire and Somerset rather than Bristol.

Q - What is meant by the term affordable housing?

A – Refer to Policy CP9 page 120 of the Core Strategy.

Q – The local development framework sets out a need to provide Travellers sites, where do we stand on this at this time?

A - B&NES Council is currently preparing a response to the Government consultation. There needs to be clarity over the definition for a permanent site, when they are deemed to be a transient group is not clear. A more detailed response can be brought back at a later date.

Q – How will CIL money be passed onto parishes?

A - If a parish has a Neighborhood plan in place they can receive 25% of the levy, if not, 15%.

Q – Developers are moving quickly to fall into Section 106 and avoid CIL.

A – Developers are risk adverse and they know about section 106 and how it works so some will be looking to try to get plans finalised before change comes in. Section 106 will remain for certain developments once CIL arrives.  Full Council will be discussing CIL in February 2015.

Q – Does CIL have to be spent in the area that where the development takes place?

A – There is flexibility where the CIL payments are spent.  The detail has not fully been agreed at this stage.

1.1  Draft Keynsham Transport Strategy ‘Getting around Keynsham’

8.2.1  The Chair introduced Rab Smith, B&NES Transportation Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(i)  Priorities for the local Forum – initial discussion

This will build on the work already undertaken by the Forum and develop a shared agreement of priorities and actions

9.1Sara Dixon referred to the priorities agreed at a previous Chew Valley Area Forum meeting last September.  The Forum will need to produce an Area profile and agree an action plan.  Sara agreed to bring back a report to the next meeting.

10.1  Mark Hayward explained that the Council Budget Fair meetings are taking place on the 4^th and 6^th of November and the members of the Forums are invited to attend any of the meetings.

·  Thursday 27^th November 2014, 6.30pm, Keynsham New Community Room, One Stop Shop,  Civic Centre, Keynsham

·  Wednesday 18^th February 2015, 5.30pm, Wansdyke Room, Saltford Community Hall, Saltford (NOTE EARLIER TIME)

·  Thursday 27^th November 2014, 6.30pm, Keynsham New Community Room, One Stop Shop,  Civic Centre, Keynsham