Agenda and minutes

Question 1 – Where will the investment for the Batheaston Park and Ride Scheme appear?

Response – There is a level of funding included in this year’s budget as well as funding in future years.

Question 2 – Investment has been mentioned for flood prevention work in the Bath Quays area of the river.  What funding is being put into the river upstream from Pulteney Bridge?

Response – The Environmental Agency have carried out initial works into the flood elevation works.  The Council will be making a contribution to support this project. 

Question 3 – How will cuts to services over the next four years affect communities such as Twerton, Whiteway and others where there is a lot of social need and economic deprivation?

Response – The plans that are being put forward are unlikely to have an impact on frontline services. However the current Draft Directorate Plans highlight a number of initiatives which will help improve the lives of those most in need, including:

·  Continuing our nationally recognised Connecting Families programme to support workless families to gain training and employment. 

·  Continuing to invest in the Welfare Support team, which provides support for those in need and also helps to develop skills and sustainable employment.

·  Continued investment in sustainable energy initiatives including Energy @ Home to provide insulation and energy saving measures and tackle fuel poverty.  People who live in specified areas of need (which includes Twerton and Southdown) may qualify for a free home energy assessment through the scheme.  This will help 50-60 households in or at risk of fuel poverty and vulnerable. 

·  Delivering new Early Help Strategy for children, young people and families - promoting early identification of need and swift intervention.

·  Providing advice and information through an integrated approach using our One Stop Shops and libraries, working closely with the Connecting Families initiative.

·  The Council will continue to provide free access to the internet and training in libraries, including for those that can’t access Government services online at home. Securing education, training and employment opportunities for our Care Leavers.

Question 4 – The proposals that will allow the Council to raise council tax by 2% to cover the greater needs in social care is insufficient. What is the plan to cover any shortfall? 

Response –The projections made will have a minimum impact on health and social care services. It is impossible to predict an increase in pressures and needs in this area but the requirements that have been set out are the best estimates that can be made. The recent ‘your care, your way’ consultation is looking into better methods to improve the delivery of care for our communities.  No decision has yet been made to increase the council tax.

Question 5 – It is pleasing to see the change programme has helped to deliver a position where there will not be an impact on front line services.  What are the areas in this budget that will see spending cuts?

Response- There are savings in children’s services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Comment / Question 1 – The first page of the presentation shows a picture that has no cars.  Health and wellbeing is important and this is more effectively achieved if people need to make shorter journeys. Walking, cycling and using the bus are all better options to achieve better health benefits and we should look to local centres with ten minutes or less walks to eliminate the need to use the car. 

Response – The Council’s Transport and Fit for Life Strategy identifies the need to ensure we create a healthy and active community.  This is also brought together in the Placemaking plan, the principles of which are to create places, shifting away from piecemeal development.  The Cil monies will help make improvements. 

Comment / Question 2 – B&NES appears to have a Core Strategy, a Transport Strategy and Placemaking Strategy that have been adopted.  Does this mean that B&NES are ahead of its West of England partners? 

Response – Yes, B&NES are the only local authority that has adopted its Core Strategy. 

Question 3 – Out of the 85,000 new homes by 2036 how many are expected to be in B&NES?

Response – Approximately 13,000.

Question 4 – How is the new homes figure reached, does this come from existing need or is this due to the economic growth? 

Response – The Government has gone through a process to identify the projected housing needs (85,000) for the region, 30,000 will need to be affordable homes.  

Question 5 – There can be a very conservative approach that is taken with the options that are created. When looking at the locations across the whole area has there been consideration given to wider examples elsewhere in Europe?

Response – The importance of placemaking where there is an expansion of needs and therefore more people/ local authorities are incorporating local plans to fit in with the set criteria.

Question 6 – Are the principles of the B&NES strategic transport plan being adopted in principle by the three other local authorities? 

Response – The plan has been adopted by the Council.  Additional commitments from the JSP will need to be incorporated.

Question 7 – What creative organisations are being asked to take part in the consultation? 

Response –The WofE JSP are keen to hear the views from all sections of the community.

Question 8 – What are the revised dates for the Placemaking plan? 

Response – The plan goes to Cabinet on 2 December, although this will mean the consultation takes place over the Christmas period it has been extended to eight weeks to allow for this.