Agenda item
Future Agenda Items
· Placemaking – November
· Health
· On-going development of Area Profiles
Minutes:
10.1 TT introduced Richard Baldwin. RB said the previous discussion leads into possible Agenda items for the two, forthcoming meetings. Due to the timeframe, there will be a presentation on Placemaking at the November meeting. He is also in discussion with Dawn Clarke, Director of Nursing and Quality, to see whether she, or a suitable representative is available to speak in either November or February about community health issues.
10.2 In terms of Area Profiles, consideration needs to be given on how to develop core data and use this to make educated decisions.
10.3 There is also the North East Somerset Area Conference to consider and how might we want that to look.
10.4 LM said that she would like to see Economic Development included in November’s Agenda. The Radstock and Westfield Economic Forum has been disbanded and nothing has been heard regarding a replacement. The creation of more local jobs is an issue for everyone in the area. DD said a Radstock and Westfield Advisory Group will be established, similar to the one that exists for Keynsham. This group will need to feed into the Forum.
10.5 BMc said employment is an important issue. The new Economic Development Strategy was adopted two months ago and more information is needed. He was not impressed with the data circulated with the Agenda – the Forum doesn’t need comparison with the rest of the UK but a more local context. He would like someone from the Research and Intelligence Team to attend a future meeting. He would also like to see shared data with the other Forum areas to see what the picture is like for them.
10.6 EJ said lots of relevant, detailed and interesting data is provided for Scrutiny Panels relating to school places, housing need etc. For example, Radstock and Westfield have a comparatively low average age with a number of young families compared with Bath, which has an ageing population. This has implications for policy and ensuring our young families get the resources they need. It should be possible to pull together information from the Regeneration Team for the Forum meetings.
10.7 DD said these points will be taken on board and the area profiles further developed. It may be possible to arrange for Economic Development and Regeneration to present in February.
Action – DD/AW
10.8 BMc asked if DD was looking after the other areas too. DD said that Sara Dixon looks after Keynsham and Chew Valley; he will look after Somer Valley and Bathavon.
10.9 JB said he would like a discussion on tourism in the Somer Valley. It is the 200th Anniversary of the publication of William Smith’s map in 2015, which is very relevant to this area. SS said she would like Tourism as a topic as well. Bath Tourism Plus is only concerned about Bath. DD said both the managers of Bath Tourism Plus have recently left so this may have to wait but could potentially be part of the North East Somerset Conference.
10.10 LM said she would like a date for an update from Economic Development, not just for Radstock and Westfield but the whole Forum. DD said he would speak with John Cox and feed back to the Forum.
Action - DD
10.11 DD said, at present, it may be that the November meeting would look at Placemaking and Health, with the February meeting including Economic Development. BMc said the Agendas should not be limited to two topics per meeting only and that it is for the Chair to prioritise.