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.

The Chairman, Councillor Rob Appleyard declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as he is a Director of Curo.

Councillor Robin Moss made a statement to the Panel on the subject of the referendum on membership of the European Union (EU). A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book and online as an attachment to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

He said that a vote on our membership of the EU is less than 18 months away and there will be many emotive issues and images, not least of which concern the movement of people, whether that is within the EU as a whole or the wider migration of refugees from conflict, persecution & poverty that is currently such a problem for the east of the EU in particular.

He added that there are also economic & social issues that have a specific bearing on residents in B&NES that should and must be aired, and which need research a scrutiny. Some areas that specifically come within the remit of this Panel include:

i)  Economic investment and growth does in part come from companies wanting to invest within the EU.

ii)  Economic confidence relies on stability for forward planning.

iii)  Any regulation on immigration and the movement of labour may affect the ability to recruit staff to fill vacancies from the widest possible pool.

He asked that as part of the policy development element of the Panel’s role it should consider a risk assessment be undertaken as to potential implications of a referendum. This should include not only the potential result of any referendum but also what effect the actual process will have on business confidence, this should include talking directly to local businesses.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Moss for his statement and said that he would take advice from officers as to when the matter can be discussed by the Panel.

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

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Economic Development for his written submissions that had been circulated to the Panel and asked if there were any questions for him.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked if it was planned to make the current Enterprise Area bigger.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development replied that the Council is proposing a multi-site urban and rural enterprise zone that re-designates the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area into an Enterprise Zone and will include an additional portfolio of employment locations along the A367 Somer Valley Corridor district (the smaller towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock and the rural areas which lie along the A367).

The Divisional Director for Community Regeneration added that if successful the Council would receive additional Government benefits and that the funding would be spread across B&NES.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked if other areas are bidding to become an Enterprise Zone.

The Divisional Director for Community Regeneration replied that four expressions of interest within the West of England have been lodged and that only one will go forward to the Government for them to decide upon the proposal.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he welcomed the work on this matter and said that if successful it would benefit the whole of B&NES.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked what the timeline of the bid process was and if the Council could bid again should it be unsuccessful on this occasion.

The Divisional Director for Community Regeneration replied that the deadline for submissions to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) was August 28^th and that he expected a meeting of the LEP Executive to take place within the next 7 – 10 days ahead of a submission to Government by September 18^th.

With regard to the Housing Services update report Councillor Liz Richardson asked for clarification on the status of Right to Buy of affordable houses in villages with a population of under 3,000.

The Head of Housing replied that at present villages were excluded, however, the Government’s proposal would include homes within a village of a population of under 3,000. He added that no details had yet been released, but that Government statements stated that all properties lost on a right to buy basis must be replaced on a 1:1 basis by the Council. He said that this would be a challenge, particularly given the scale forecast.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if Affordable Warmth grants were available for older properties.

The Head of Housing replied that solid wall insulation is part of the scheme of grants available.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked what measures the Council takes regarding the enforcement of additional HMO Licensing.

The Head of Housing replied that the Council will enforce the minimum standards without exception.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he supported a strong line of this issue.

The Chairman asked what the budget was for the Affordable Warmth scheme.

The Head of Housing replied that the figure was around £120,000 and was made up of contributions from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The B&NES CIL Charging Schedule was adopted by the Council on 17th February 2015 and came into effect on 6th April 2015. Following the adoption, the CIL Strategic Spend Protocol was agreed by the Cabinet on 7th July.  The Protocol sets out the process for allocating and releasing strategic funds raised through CIL.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien said that she welcomed the forthcoming advisory note for Town & Parish Councils and asked if any training would also be provided.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that training would be provided and that it would also be discussed at the next Parish Liaison Meeting.

The Chairman asked if the Council is able to keep up to 5 % of CIL funds to cover administration costs, are the Parishes entitled to any of that money for their admin purposes.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that Parish & Town Councils would have to make their own arrangements with regard to administration costs.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked if the Panel should receive a future report relating to the framework for the unparished areas of Bath.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that the Divisional Director for Strategy and Performance was undertaking some work on this matter.

The Chairman asked if members had a role in deciding on projects.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that members would be able to comment on projects as part of the Medium Term Plan process.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if Parishes & Towns in the locality of a major development would get the first bite of CIL funding.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that they would look to align local works and infrastructure where they could.

Councillor Barry Macrae replied that infrastructure was key and that the Cabinet should listen to joint approaches for funding.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the arrangements for deciding on how CIL funds should be spent and asked to review the matter next May.

The B&NES Placemaking Plan is due to be considered by Cabinet in November 2015 for public consultation and submission for independent examination. This report sets out the key issues to be included in the plan.

The Chairman commented that a lot of brownfield sites are being used for student accommodation and he asked what engagement has the Council had with the universities.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that there is a specific line in the document that states the need to engage with them.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he was worried the number of decisions / reviews that the Council makes on these issues as areas such as Midsomer Norton have already stated what they want to happen in their areas.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, the Cabinet Member for Finance & Efficiency replied that the Placemaking Plan is the detail around the Core Strategy.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked whether student accommodation could be built within the Green Belt of the campus.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that it would have to be exceptional circumstances for development within the Green Belt.

The Chairman asked if other wards should be given protection in relation to HMO’s given that student numbers are now uncapped for the universities.

Councillor Colin Blackburn said that he felt that the City was being turned into a dormitory and that a campus could be set up in a different area of the Council to spread the benefit.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he felt that the Council was giving too much consideration to students over residents and families and that a sense of community must be retained.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien stated that she appreciated the work on this matter in relation to Keynsham.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the scope and purpose of the Placemaking Plan and the opportunity to make detailed comments on the contents of the Plan as part of the formal consultation process.

This Strategy will be publicly consulted on during September and October 2015, with a view to publishing a final draft by the end of the year. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Panel are asked to consider and comment upon the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The Lead Local Flood Authority Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, makes Bath and North East Somerset Council a Lead Local Flood Authority and we are responsible for managing flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses in the area.

He added that a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy has been drafted and will be publicly consulted upon during September and October 2015, with a view to publishing a final document by the end of the year.

He said that officers were also seeking advice on who within the Council they can approach for a steer on the appropriate level of promotion of the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for the management of surface water.

The Chairman asked if planning officers take into account the potential for surface water when deciding on new developments.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that evidence is gathered pre-application and during an application. She added that policy wording may need amending.

The Senior Engineer for Drainage said that the Sustainable Drainage Policy was within the Placemaking Plan.

The Chairman asked if the views of officers associated with this matter should be more enhanced in the planning process.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that their views are equally important, but said that they would likely face a challenge from developers on the viability of proposals. She added that Case Officers would make recommendations if they felt that work was required following a discussion.

Councillor Liz Richardson said that she felt that all developments within the Bath and Chew Valley basins should be built with SuDS and that the Environment Agency should be more involved in the process.

The Senior Engineer for Drainage said that the Environment Agency would be consulted on any development within a flood zone.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that as it was desirable to live and build in B&NES that planning consent must be adhered to.

Councillor Fiona Darey said that she agreed with this comment.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that a balance of views must be found and that he would like to see a firm statutory position from the Council.

The Chairman asked what role officers played in emergency planning.

The Lead Local Flood Authority Manager replied that they do have a role in the process in that they produce various plans that include flooding. He added that as a Lead Local Authority we have Flood Representatives that report incidents to us. He said that the Environment Agency has also put Flood Wardens in place in Chew Magna and this could be extended to other areas.

Councillor Liz Richardson said that she was aware of an exercise to practise flood drills without the actual use of water within the Chew Valley.

The Chairman asked if the Council would be able to deal with an incident should one occur at Twerton Lock.

The Lead Local Flood Authority Manager replied that a major incident plan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

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.

The Panel’s workplan was agreed as printed.