Agenda item

In 2011 Bath’s Business Improvement District (BID) was launched by Future Bath Plus to strengthen the management of the city centre.  The scheme works in partnership with the Council and Police to deliver a high quality Bath night time economy that is safe and enjoyable for all.

This report invites the Panel to hear about how the BID consolidates work already underway with the Taxi and Street Marshals, Police, CCTV and radio links. 

The Police will also provide a 2011/2012 performance update to highlight the progress made over the last twelve months in particular;  improved victim satisfaction, reduction in crime and results on the work with prolific offenders.

The Panel will be invited to an open question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

The Chairman invited Andrew Cooper (Bath City Centre Manager) to give a presentation about Business Improvement District - Nightwatch.

Andrew Copper highlighted the following points in his presentation:

·  What Nightwatch are?

·  Who is participating?

·  How the scheme is working?

·  Going forward

A copy of the presentation from Andrew Cooper is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

Andrew Cooper said that the scheme is a similar scheme to the scheme that shops have to combat daytime shoplifting.  Nightwatch scheme is bringing pubs and clubs together to combat the Anti-Social Behaviour in night time.  It is happening now due to enthusiasm of few who are paying for additional marshals on the streets and also as a result of the involvement of technology.  Night marshals are working together with the Police.  Pubs and clubs are also meeting and sharing information. 

There is a digital network across the city to enable multiple channels.  One channel is dedicated to pubs and clubs which is also listened by the Police and Nightwatch.  The technology is also linked to the CCTV.  There are 620 businesses in the BID area of which about 40 licences signed up to this scheme.  Marshals patrol in taxi ranks and also from pub to pub.  What we try to do now is to provide uniform for staff of Nightwatch.

Street urinating is still a big issue.  It is not issue only for Bath but for almost all cities.  The aim now is to take on board all licensing premises in the BID area. 

The Panel made the following points:

The Panel asked if some of the licensing premises have the obligation to sign up to the scheme.

Andrew Cooper confirmed that is the case.

Some Panel Members commented that the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in their Wards, which are in the city, is on the decrease, especially during the night time.

Some Panel Members said that it would be interesting to know BID's take on Police Reform and Social Responsibility, in particular in connections with night revenue on premises.

The Panel asked Geoff Spicer (Chief Superintendent) about the statistics on public’s confidence in the Police.

Geoff Spicer replied that Avon and Somerset Police is one of the top performing in the country.

The Panel asked about the level of the CCTV coverage in the city.

Geoff Spicer replied that he is absolutely happy with it.  Highly qualified CCTV operators are working together with Police officers and have access to Police records.

The Panel asked about the ASB statistics.

Geoff Spicer responded it depends what the request for statistics is- is it on victims or what satisfaction is about the ASB.  There was definitely a reduction in ASB cases.

The Chairman thanked Geoff Spicer on the presentation and congratulated him on his promotion to Chief Superintendent.

Sue Dicks informed the Panel that she made contact with the Museums and also with some Council buildings (Guildhall), one-stop shop, other organisations and businesses (Police, Fire, Pump Room, Art Galleries, etc) about the display of yellow stickers (mark of the Community Safety Zone for people with learning disabilities).  Sue Dicks will be looking to establish this scheme across the city and she will meet with Pippa Farrell (from ‘Your Say’ Advocacy Service) in June to discuss further actions with the deadline set to be August.

The Chairman thanked everyone who participated in this debate.

It was RESOLVED to note presentation from Andrew Cooper and updates from Geoff Spicer and Sue Dicks.