Agenda and minutes

There were none.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer or a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

To Follow – At the time of agenda publication no reports or presentations were available, these will be published and circulated to the Panel and public as soon as is possible.

At the meeting the Panel are due to receive presentations in respect of this agenda item and discuss the matter in more detail.

The Director for Economy & Growth introduced this item to the Panel. He said that he welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue and acknowledged that this comes at a time of national headlines reporting the closure of many large retail businesses.

He informed the Panel that this could be due to a number of factors, including;

·  Use of technology / online purchases

·  Higher costs to businesses – Minimum wage, Rates etc.

·  Less cash in the economy

·  Change in the tastes of the public

·  Chains opening too many outlets

He explained that the Panel would receive three presentations (Matthew Morris (GVA), Alison Herbert (BID) and Rob Dawson (Council’s Business Growth Team) and discuss how the local area can be supported.

Matthew Morris, GVA – Retail and Town Centre Trends

A summary of his presentation is set out below.

Retail Spending

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that shoppers were now not simply looking to make pure retail visits they are looking for a leisure experience. She added that since a number of coffee shops have opened in Keynsham that footfall has increased.

Matthew Morris agreed that over the past ten years that food and drink outlets have been the saviour of high streets.

Sales by location

Malls    2014 size  2019 size  Growth (2014-19)

  £22.9bn  29.7bn  29.6%

Local /   2014 size  2019 size  Growth (2014-19)

Other  £54.5bn  59.6bn  9.5%

Retail  2014 size  2019 size  Growth (2014-19)

Parks  94.7bn  97.8bn  3.3%

High  2014 size  2019 size  Growth (2014-19)

Streets  107.2bn  108.0bn  0.7%

Traditional retailing v non-store retailing

Since 2012 growth in retailing has increased between 2 – 4.2%, in comparison growth in non-store retailing which has increased between 9 – 16.4%. A forecast for future years shows a similar trend.

Grocery retail sector – Market shares

Between 2012 – 2017 there has been a degree of change to shopping at one of ‘big four’ supermarkets with Aldi (+2.5%) and Lidl (+1.3%) seeing an increase in custom.

2018 – A tough year on the high street

Jamie’s Italian – 12 restaurants close

Toys R us – closure of UK business

New Look – up to 60 stores to close

Carpetright – 92 of its 409 stores to close

Marks & Spencer – 100 stores to close by 2022

Carphone Warehouse – 92 shops to close

Mothercare – 50 stores to close

Poundworld – closure of all stores

House of Fraser – 31 of 59 stores to close

Retail Trends Influencing Planning Applications

?  Re-purposing of out of centre space and vacancies created by store closures – see M&S, Lower Bristol Road, Bath example

?  Move from large high end out of centre retail park proposals to more modest value orientated proposals

?  Aggressive ‘asset management’ of retail parks

?  Slower pace of re-purposing town centre space in the face of change / decline

How can the public sector respond to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update(s) provided.

Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.

Joint Spatial Plan – The Council are hoping to hear this week when the examination in public will take place.

Local Plan – Options continue to be assessed alongside LDF discussions.

Housing – 1,250 houses have been completed as of the end of April 2018. Infrastructure work continues to support these developments.

Waterspace Project: Finalist for Living Waterways awards, announcement due in September. Community Workboat now operating with Canal and Rivers Trust, community activities programme (including litter picks) underway.

Bathscape Project – The project was awarded a development grant from HLF in November 2016 and submitted a Round 2 application in June 2018 to fund delivery between 2018 and 2023. A grant announcement is expected in September.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked if there were any revenue concerns with this work in comparison to the cutting of grass areas / verges.

Councillor Goodman replied that there were no revenue concerns.

Councillor Liz Richardson commented that the West of England Joint Spatial Plan as submitted by the West England Partnership had been commended at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Excellence in Plan Making Practice 2018.

Councillor Goodman acknowledged this and said the award was well deserved.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked if a breakdown of the housing numbers quoted could be given to the Panel.

Councillor Goodman replied that they were due to released next week and that he would ask for the Panel to be notified.

Councillor Appleyard asked if the development of the former MoD sites have had an impact on these figures.

Councillor Goodman replied that they have alongside those at BWR.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he remained concerned over the provision of Local Needs Housing and whether the right types of houses were being built for residents.

Councillor Goodman replied that this would be addressed under the Local Plan.

The Chairman asked if he had any concerns regarding the availability of migrant workers following the decision to leave the EU.

Councillor Goodman replied that he felt that a labour / skills shortage already exists and that this would be likely to continue following the decision.

Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.

Bath Enterprise Zone

·  Bath Quays North – Ongoing discussions with the LPA in relation to the Outline Planning Application for comprehensive redevelopment of Avon St coach and carpark. Application to be debated at August 2018 Development Management Committee.

·  Bath Quays South – Strong market response received during soft marketing phases for Council delivered commercial office. Commercial Estate Investment SMD paper approved.

o  Enabling works commenced on-site. Trees and vegetation removed and archaeology concluding with no significant finds.

o  Legal discussions progressing with TCN: lease anticipated September, surveying work ongoing to the building.

·  Bath Quays Bridge – Tenders returned for works associated with BQS sub-structure and river wall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting officers.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if there was any local legislation the Council could look to introduce relating to Short Term Rentals.

The Chairman said that he was aware that three separate motions on this matter were due to be presented at Council next week.

Councillor Liz Richardson suggested the Panel conduct a small amount of research to find out if any limits had been set around the country.

Councillor Colin Blackburn commented that all elements of the Panel’s remit are affected by this issue and that they should seek to be proactive.