Agenda item

The draft Place Directorate Medium Term Service & Resource Plan (MTSRP) is presented for consideration by the Panel:

(1)  To ensure all members of the Panel are aware of the context for Service Action Planning and budget setting.

(2)  To enable comment on the choices inherent in the medium term plan.

(3)  To enable issues to be referred to the relevant Portfolio.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel, a copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

‘There are plenty of good reasons for coming along this afternoon and addressing the issues raised by the Medium Term Service Plan and Budget debate. In the plan we have proposals to reduce the amount of money spent on road maintenance, although previous cutbacks mean inferior materials are used now, and potholes are continually re-appearing. Yet thousands of pounds will be needed to top up the HCA grant for an unwanted new road through the centre of Radstock. We have pledges to re-negotiate contracts, though I am fairly sure Malcolm Hanney made these as tight as possible. We also face job losses which inevitably will reduce services to the public, though given the level of interrogation you face when you report a missed collection, I am pretty sure that already they only take action when it is their fault. You sing to Mr Pickles’ tune on weekly collections, when the re-cycling is only necessary once a fortnight according to the Timsbury budget fair meeting.’

‘Speaking on behalf of the Labour Group I want to draw you attention to the potholes in the policy, and name just a few of our objections:

Charging for car parking in B&NES car parks in important rural retail centres and Keynsham, which we know from sound research, will devastate the fragile high street economy.

The Labour Group will oppose all such moves because Cllr Bellotti’s argument that this will get people out of their cars is fallacious given the present state of the bus service. Shoppers will simply go to Frome or Brislington or Cribbs Causeway….

Failing to provide adequate lighting in streets and car parks, so that people dare not go out at night could have a crippling effect on the night time economy.

Cuts in the Planning Department are always a mistake because applications are then not handled within the time limits, cases go to the planning inspectorate for non-determination and we land up with an unsightly, unwanted and uncontrolled development, or even worse, costly judicial reviews.’

‘Trying to find toilets in Bath before 9am and after 6pm is a nightmare. Cutting public conveniences is not only a false economy, it means we are deterring tourists. The ‘grey pound’ is vital to our retail economy but the council is driving it away. The Labour Group is committed to campaigning for more toilets, not less.’

‘Much here is half digested bright ideas – haven’t the Lib Dems heard of elderly people being ripped off by private sector pest control people? - Whereas the B&NES officers who dealt with rats and wasps in Radstock recently won only highest praise. This sort of thing generates far more goodwill towards the Council than glossy publications.  Much is woolly wishful thinking, as on revenue projections. Most is Bath centric and this is unacceptable.’

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that a range and complexity of services were included within the Plan, especially within Environmental Services. He reminded the Panel that where they wish to either increase expenditure or reduce savings targets, alternatives should be proposed. 

He stated that all Local Authorities were facing a significant change in the way they operate and that B&NES needs to be innovative and support the priorities it has set itself. He added that a balance had to be struck between the statutory services required under national legislation and the ones deemed to be discretionary.

He suggested that services across the West of England should be more integrated.

He highlighted the three main priority work areas for the Service as follows:

·  Core Strategy

·  Gypsy & Traveller Site Provision

·  Placemaking Strategy

He also spoke of the need to review the management structure of Planning and Transport to ensure that the structure reflects the current priorities of Place Directorate. This would involve close working with Environmental Services to deliver efficient management of services.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he felt too much officer time had been spent on the Gypsy & Traveller work because it lacked a clear process to be followed from the start.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that the rules regarding site provision for Gypsies & Travellers changed part way through the process and therefore it became apparent that we needed to start again. He added that with regard to the Core Strategy the Council was now entering a short, sharp period of time when cross party support was going to be vital.

Councillor David Martin asked what implications were there for the service in relation to the Localism Act and Neighbourhood Plans.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that there had been some indication from local groups that they wish to make progress in this area.

Councillor David Martin asked why external contractors were being used to process planning applications.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that the application fees accounted for around half of the budget re: the planning process and as such when the capacity reached a certain level it allowed them to employ external contractors rather than have a full team of staff in place. This was regarded as a flexible budget approach.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services highlighted some of the elements from within his area of the Plan.

Public Protection

·  Save £320,000 over the next two years.

·  Reorganise Licensing and Environmental street-based inspection and enforcement staff into multi-functional teams which focus on geographical areas to better co-ordinate staff resources and match times of demand.

Neighbourhoods Services

·  Cease providing pest control services where these are provided by Private Sector.

·  Cease in-house plant production.

·  Concentrate the resources available for public conveniences at locations where there is little alternative provision. This will result in a reduction in a number of Public Conveniences provided.

Waste Services

·  Introduce “residents only” permits at Recycling Centres;

·  Adjust opening times at Recycling Centres to reflect low use at certain times of the week and create financial headroom.

·  Revert back to not collecting refuse at Bank Holidays and catch up in subsequent weeks.

·  Confirmation of Government funding to support weekly collections is expected.

Highways Maintenance

·  Achieve financial efficiencies through the renegotiation of the highway maintenance contract to secure a rate freeze.

·  Verge maintenance programme to be restored.

·  LED street lights programme due for completion in March 2013. This will reduce some of our energy costs.

Parking Services

·  Freeze charges in the majority of our existing off-street car parks.

·  Increase income to cover the cost of maintaining car parks and parking enforcement across by the district by introducing parking charges into car parks which are currently free of charge;

·  Revise charge rates at premium on street locations and increase charges in evenings in order to provide additional funding to invest in environmental and highway initiatives and support the local economy.

The Service Manager for Public Protection, Food & Trading Standards addressed the Panel.

• Air and Water Quality – The team are involved in the Low Emission Zone work, declaring air quality action zones  required by law where air quality is poor and air quality presents issues.

• Food Safety and Standards – Annually 1 million people suffer from foodborne illness in the UK at a cost to the economy of £1.5bn – the number of food businesses in B&NES now exceeds 2000, up 24% in the last 3 years, and up 6% in the last 6 months. For the team infectious disease notifications are increasing which the team investigate. Prevention is a key part of this role because a high % of food poisoning is caused in the home

• Health & Safety – Workplace accidents continue to increase  - major injuries reported are up by more than 50%

• Licensing – This service is required to be cost neutral. The team issue some 3,500 licenses pa,

• Trading Standards – Work on under-age sales, and have a key role in safeguarding the vulnerable in particular rogue trader and doorstep crime initiatives. In B&NES we have experienced a 100% increase in rogue trader incidents and distraction burglaries in October.

Savings target – A 30% cut is required through external challenges however the Panel should be aware that Licensing are required to be cost neutral which means that savings made from the process should be returned to the applicant. Savings are not therefore equitable across the service.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he was worried by this proposed level of cuts. He asked what would happen if the Council were challenged over its level of resources.

The Service Manager for Public Protection replied that the Council would maintain its legal duty of service. She added that a neighbouring authority had been criticised recently for its lack of resources.

Councillor Geoff Ward asked how the Council would deal with a potential outbreak of food poisoning.

The Service Manager for Public Protection replied that it could potentially struggle if one occurred.

Councillor Geoff Ward asked given the number of new food outlets and the proposed reduction in officers, how would inspections be carried out.

The Service Manager for Public Protection replied that new and poorly rated businesses would be prioritised to minimise the risk of exposure.

The Service Manager for Neighbourhood Services addressed the Panel.

·  Pest Control – This service will be re-shaped / reduced and will be means tested.

·  Parks Management – This service will be streamlined. The Nursery will embark on a different way of plant procurement. Community involvement will be further encouraged.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if the Council would consider entering a mutual grass cutting process with Curo.

The Service Manager for Neighbourhood Services replied that he had recently met with the Chief Executive of Curo regarding the confusion over the ownership of some areas of land to ensure both parties were clear. He added that consideration was being given to the possibility of some land swaps to aid this matter.

The Chairman asked if the Panel could be informed which public conveniences were being proposed for closure.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services replied that he could not provide that information at the present time as the list was at a tentative stage currently.

Councillor Brian Webber asked if it was an advantage to the Council for Bath to be classified as a World Heritage Site despite the costs associated with developing a Management Plan.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that he believed it was an accolade to be proud of and was seen as a benefit to the Council.

The Service Manager for Transport and Performance Improvement addressed the Panel.

·  MOT Service – Expand this work area for fleet vehicles and the public.

·  Utilise the in house passenger fleet / possible additional dial-a-ride service.

The Head of Parking Services addressed the Panel.

·  Car Parks – introduce parking charges into car parks which are currently free of charge.

·  On Street Parking – Introduce parking charges in Victoria Park.

·  Staff – Smarter deployment

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he still concerned at the lack of a proper Parking Strategy.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services replied that the service now understands its business better than it did 18 months ago. He stated that the service had currently maxed out on its income potential, hence the proposals within the plan.

The Waste Services Manager addressed the Panel.

·  Recycling Centres – The sites at Welton and Pixash Lane would close for 2.5 days each week. Staff at these sites would then work on rotation.

Councillor Geoff Ward proposed the following recommendation:

The Planning, Transport & Environment Panel have concerns over some of the proposals with the Medium Term Service & Resource Plan and it asks the relevant Cabinet Member(s) to look again at these particular areas;

(i)  Public Protection – What risk would there be to the public and the Council if the staffing levels were reduced as proposed?

(ii)  Public Conveniences – Would the number of available toilets be deemed adequate enough and in the most suitable locations to residents and visitors if the closure proposals were approved?

(iii)  Car Parks – Does the proposal to remove the free parking provision in some areas of the Council pose a significant risk to the viability of local businesses?

Councillor Brian Webber seconded the recommendation.

Three members of the Panel voted in favour of the recommendation, four voted against it and there were no abstentions. The recommendation therefore was not carried.

The Chairman thanked everybody for their participation in the debate.