Agenda item

Question 1 – It seems that much of this budget depends on income generation – when can Councillors expect more information on this?

Answer – The information about the Property Company went to Cabinet on Wednesday so Councillors should have received papers relating to this.  The Council has made two, very successful property investments in recent years and will be seeking more.  The income estimates contained in the presentation are conservative and more may be generated.

Question 2 – How will the Council derive income if it is selling its properties to a private company?

Answer – The Council will be the only shareholder in the Property Company so will be retaining ownership in this way.

Comment 3 – The Government states that Housing Associations need to be compensated for any properties they lose under the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme.  There does not seem to be provision for recompensing them.  Also, the Government has indicated that Councils should, themselves, sell off their ‘high end’ assets.

Answer – The Council is no longer a housing authority, with flats in the Royal Crescent and Circus for example, which may have been considered ‘high end’.

Comment 4 – It is good to see frontline services such as youth provision being protected.  However, there is concern that the Council is withdrawing as a licence holder for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.  This does result in a £20k - £30k saving, with costs passed to schools instead.  However, it could lead to this becoming a scheme in which the rich can participate.

Answer – Due to the detailed nature of this question, it was suggested that the enquirer speak with Cllr Michael Evans, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, following the meeting.

Question 5 – What is happening about the feasibility study relating to the junction between Bath Road, Peasedown St John and the A367?  There was another accident on this road last week.

Answer – Ward Councillors for Peasedown St John have brought the issue to Cabinet.  It has been raised today, at the previous Somer Valley Forum meeting and at Scrutiny.  It is now for the Cabinet Member for Highways to address.

Question 6 – How is the new Somer Valley Enterprise Zone being defined?  Is it just Midsomer Norton, or Peasedown St John as well?

Answer – Officers are still working on the Enterprise Zone – it is focussing on sites already allocated for employment, such as Old Mills but more can be allocated going forward. 

Andrew Pate commented that the Forum may wish to look at this in more detail at a future meeting as this was an area that they identified as a priority issue in their Action Plan. 

Question 7 – If the Council is buying properties to sell, how will this help with housing waiting lists?

Answer – The Council is intending to bring forward properties that already exist but are not habitable, such as those above shops.  It is an accounting process.  It can also borrow at a low rate to invest.  It is not disposing of properties to raise short term funds.

Question 8 – it is noted that a Metro Mayor may be able to increase business rates.  Would this be a Mayor for the greater Bristol area?

Answer – it would be a Mayor covering the four West of England authorities (Bristol; Bath and North East Somerset; North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).  The Government are pushing for Metro Mayors but no decision has been made as yet.

Question 9 – Would a Metro Mayor diminish the power of Local Authorities?

Answer – No – the aim is to attract funds to address big issues.

Question 10 – This presentation has been very clear and easy to understand – how do we help get this information across to young people?

Answer – this is a good point and we could look to extend the sessions to the Youth Parliament and do more engagement with young people in future years.

Question 11 – The £174k for the bridge in Radstock detailed on the presentation is a direct contribution from the developer, so not Council spend.  Are other figures like this included?

Answer – Developer contributions have always been part of the Council’s budget presentation and included in the overall capital programme.

Question 12 – How much CIL money does the Council expect to receive from the Bath Quays Development?

Answer – CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) only came into force in April 2015, therefore, the level is not high in this financial year but it will be rolled into next year, when more funds will become available.  It will be a substantial contribution.

Question 13 – The Chancellor indicated that a 2% rise in Council Tax could be spent specifically on Adult Social Care – is this something that B&NES would consider?

Answer – It is too early to answer as this announcement only came last week.  The detail is not yet available.  The impact of the Government’s settlement will influence what happens next.  The Government is talking about two things – being able to increase Council Tax without referendum and a ‘precept’ for Adult Social Care.

Question 14 – If the Council owns no social housing and the majority is with Curo, who will reimburse them through properties lost under the right to buy and will this lead to a reduction in social housing?

Answer – as far as we understand it, the Government will reimburse them.