Meeting documents

107 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Leader welcomed everyone to the meeting.

108 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair(person) drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda

109 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Malcolm Hanney declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 21 `Community Safety and Drug Action Team 4 monthly performance report', as Chairman of the Primary Care Trust. Councillor Malcolm Hanney also declared the same interest with regard to the announcement to be made under the following item from Councillor Francine Haeberling.

110 TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR(PERSON) - ANNOUNCEMENT FROM COUNCILLOR FRANCINE HAEBERLING REGARDING SUCCESSFUL BID FOR "INVEST TO SAVE".

Councillor Francine Haeberling made an announcement regarding the Council's recent success in a Government-wide "Invest to Save" bidding process run in the second half of last year. The aim was to identify innovative public service improvements that ultimately reduce costs.

Councillor Francine Haeberling explained that Bath & North East Somerset Social Services, supported by the Primary Care Trust, had been selected as one of only 12 innovative projects nationally and across government to be selected and one of only 2 awarded in the field of Social Care and Health.

Just under £1.5 million revenue over 3 years has been awarded to pilot an "in-reach nursing team", working around the clock to offer peripatetic nursing skills both directly to residents, and to supervise care staff in the implementation of nursing care plans, initially in a few selected care homes, building up to offering the service to all of the Council's new provision by the end of the 3 year period.

111 QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

The following people had given the appropriate notice of their request to ask a question of an Executive Councillor. The text of the questions and responses is contained in a Q&A document which is attached to the minutes electronically, once finalised.

Councillor Nigel Roberts had submitted a question regarding measures to reduce potential rat running in Odd Down, but was not present at the meeting. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded.

Councillor Charles Gerrish asked a question, plus a supplementary, regarding car parking in Keynsham. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded.

Councillor Dine Romero asked a question, plus a supplementary, regarding the provision of a grit bin in Alderly Road, Southdown. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded.

Councillor Caroline Roberts asked a question regarding implications of the increase in the seagull population. Councillor Vic Pritchard responded.

Councillor Lynda Hedges had submitted 6 questions regarding Lymore Ave playing fields, but was not present at the meeting. Answers were given by the Council Leader Paul Crossley and Councillor Jonathan Gay.

Councillor Hilary Fraser asked a series of questions regarding the pool temperature at Bath Leisure Pool. Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty responded.

112 STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

Ian Wyatt made a statement regarding the junction of the A37/A39 at Whitecross, Hallatrow. The visibility is below standard and he proposed that various measures should be considered including a traffic order, a yellow box and possibly a speed camera.

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins commented that he was aware of this problem. It was proposed that traffic lights would be provided at this junction, and he would look into whether any other of Mr Wyatt's suggestions would be appropriate.

Terry Reakes made a statement regarding funding to SWAN advice network, who had written to him requesting his support. He commented that the income transfer would devastate the service provision and that the organisation had no other core funding. He explained that SWAN did not feel they had been properly consulted and requested that this could be deferred for further consideration.

Councillor Francine Haeberling commented that herself and Councillor Vic Pritchard would take on board all comments when they came to make their decision.

Nicholas Stubbs made his statement under agenda item 15, where there is a fuller reference to it.

113 MINUTES: WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2003

On a motion from Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, seconded by Councillor Francine Haeberling, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 3rd December 2003 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).

114 MINUTES: WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2003 - SPECIAL MEETING (Report 9).

On a motion from Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, seconded by Councillor Francine Haeberling, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 10th December 2003 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person)

115 CONSIDERATION OF SINGLE MEMBER ITEMS NOW REQUISITIONED TO COUNCIL EXECUTIVE (Report 10).

There were no such items on this occasion.

116 REVENUE AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2004/05 (Report 11).

Councillor David Belloti made a statement regarding the £250,000 unallocated sum in the revenue budget and requested that some of this could be used for the Youth and Community Service. He mentioned some of the positive initiatives in this service, for example the Community Wardens who had been so instrumental in reducing crime, and asked that a higher priority could be given to such a fundamental service.

Terry Reakes asked the Executive Member for Resources about the impact of the rate increase, on vulnerable people in particular.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney introduced the report, and update report, which had been circulated at the meeting. He explained the integrated planning approach that had been taken and the links with the Corporate Plan. Councillor Malcolm Hanney thanked the key officers who had helped to prepare this, as well as the Corporate Plan Working Party, Overview and Scrutiny Members and the Executive Member for Economic Development. He mentioned the large spending in the areas of Education and Social Services and that a clear cross-party priorty had been given to these. With regard to the £250,000 unallocated sum, Service Plans needed to be developed to address how this money could best be spent within services. Councillor Malcolm Hanney mentioned the involvement of the Trade Unions, as observers at the Corporate Plan Working Party.

With regard to Terry Reakes' question, Councillor Malcolm Hanney responded that there was concern about the level of Council Tax, but explained that the rate of Government funding had reduced. At the same time, additional requirements had been placed on the Council from the Government, without funding to match.

With regard to Councillor David Belloti's statement, Councillor Malcolm Hanney acknowledged that there where areas where the Council was underspending relevant to Government guidelines, but referred to the priorities of Social Services and Education previously mentioned, and hoped that, where headroom had been created, Councillors would make cases for particular spending.

Councillor Colin Darracott, in seconding the motion, commented that there had been initial scepticism that the Executive would be able to agree on a joint budget; this had, however, been possible as all parties had shared the same objective that service priorities should drive finance and not the other way round. With regard to the Youth and Community Service, Councillor Colin Darracott explained that he had spoken to Councillor David Belloti about this and gave a commitment to follow this up. He acknowledged that further work now needed to be done in scrutinising each Service Plan.

Other Executive Councillors endorsed the comments above and thanked Councillors Malcolm Hanney and Colin Darracott for their work in producing this budget.

On a motion from Councillor Malcolm Hanney, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To take account of the report of the Resources Director in making budget decisions (appendix 5);

(2) To recommend the attached draft Budget Proposal for 2004/05 to the Resources & Customer Service Overview & Scrutiny Panel for its comment, and to Council for its approval;

(3) To recommend Council to instruct Executive Members to finalise their revenue and capital budgets for 2004/05 within the cash limits and amounts set by Council, for inclusion on the Weekly decision list no later than April 2004 (as part of the approval of Service Plans);

(4) To make a recommendation to Council regarding the determination of unallocated sums within the Revenue Budgets, in accordance with the information in the Update report; and

(5) to authorise the Head of Strategic Resource Planning, in consultation with the Executive Members (Resources and Economic Development), to make presentational improvements to the draft Budget Proposal prior to submission to Council, including any updating of final grant figures.

117 DRAFT CORPORATE PLAN (INCORPORATING DRAFT FINANCIAL PLAN) 2003 - 2007 (Report 12).

Councillor Malcolm Hanney introduced this item and explained that the Plan identified key priorities so that it was clear where resources were being targetted. Further work would be done from April to June in the Service and Resource planning process, which would feed upwards into the Corporate Plan.

Councillor Colin Darracott explained that this document should be read with the Framework document approved by Council in November 2003. He mentioned the amended wording that should have been included in the Urban Public Realm Improvement Priority regarding encouraging Housing partners to focus on improvement of the public realm in the management of their estates. All the issues needed revisiting in order to find ways of realistically measuring appropriate targets, so that there would be confidence in the data feeding into the Corporate Plan.

Councillor Rosemary Todd welcomed the inclusion of performance assessment in the future.

Councillor Paul Crossley, as Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership, mentioned the widespread partnership input to the Corporate Plan and explained that the next challenge was for all the public sector bodies to be working to the same shared priorities.

On a motion from Councillor Malcolm Hanney, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To receive the Corporate Plan 2003 - 2007, noting that this document incorporates the Financial Plan and recognizing that this Plan is intended to supersede the Framework document approved by Council in November 2003;

(2) To recommend to Council the Corporate Plan 2003 - 2007 (incorporating the Financial Plan) for adoption as a Policy & Budget Framework item, superseding the Framework document approved by Council in November 2003; and

(3) To authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and the Executive Member for Economic Development, to make presentational improvements to the Corporate Plan prior to submission to Council.

118 TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT 2004/2005 (Report 13).

Councillor Malcolm Hanney introduced the report and explained the importance of having a realistic forecast when going from a debt-free to a borrowing situation.

On a motion from Councillor Malcolm Hanney, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To approve the actions proposed within the Treasury Strategy Statement;

(2) To approve the borrowing strategy, as detailed in paragraph 5.6 of the report;

(3) To approve the investment strategy, as detailed in paragraph 5.7 of the report; and

(4) To recommend to Council the adoption of the Prudential Indicators, as detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

119 ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2003 (Report 14).

Councillor Paul Crossley introduced the report.

Councillor Francine Haeberling, in seconding the motion, noted the comments of the Auditor that this Council continued to be high performing, but added that this was not a reason for complacency.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Francine Haeberling, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To note the issues raised by the auditor; and

(2) To recommend the proposed action plan to Council.

120 LONG TERM OFFICE ACCOMMODATION STAGE 3 REPORT (Report 15).

Nicholas Stubbs from Stubbs Rich Architects, representing the owners of Site 9 Riverside Business Park, made a statement requesting the Council to give consideration to office accommodation on the Bath Quays South site in the short to medium term.

Councillor Colin Darracott thanked Mr Stubbs for his statement and suggested a meeting with him. Councillor Colin Darracott referred to the involvement of the Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel and explained that more information on other sites would be made available to them. He explained that logistically Western Riverside was the best option.

On a motion from Councillor Colin Darracott, seconded by Councillor Malcolm Hanney, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the preferred location of the new office building will be within the Western Riverside Redevelopment Area;

(2) That work should continue on Bath Quays South as a fallback position;

(3) That the Head of Property and Legal Services be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Resources Director and the Executive Member for Economic Development, to begin discussions with all interested parties in order to progress the preferred solution as quickly as possible;

(4) That the urgency of progress is maintained by authorising stage IV of the project, which will provide a further progress report to the June 30^th Executive; and

(5) That further input from the Executive will be invited.

121 AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY (Report 16).

Councillor Roger Symonds made a statement which he circulated amongst the Executive Members. He urged the Executive not to approve this Strategy today and to allow the Overview and Scrutiny Panel to consider it further. Councillor Roger Symonds explained why he did not feel this would deliver affordable homes for local people. He did not feel the actions were specific enough, nor that the consultation had been sufficiently wide-ranging. Links should have been made to the Community Strategy.

Councillor Hilary Fraser echoed the comments above and the strong feelings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel that further work was needed before this could be agreed.

Councillor Brian Barrett commented that the targets contained within this Strategy were not ambitious enough.

Councillor Vic Pritchard explained that the Strategy that had been put to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel had been intentionally in skeleton form to allow them to input their views, although they had not done taken the opportunity to do so. In the light of the strength of feeling regarding the need for further work to be done, Councillor Vic Pritchard explained his intention to defer adoption of this Strategy for further consideration, thus enabling further consultation to take place, with Overview and Scrutiny and other Members.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney agreed that it was important to get this right. The right links needed to be made to the Local Plan.

Councillor Jonathan Gay expressed his strong view that this should be re-considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Councillor Rosemary Todd commented that, as this was such a key element of the Corporate Plan, she hoped all Members of Council would be consulted.

On a motion from Councillor Vic Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

122 EARLY YEARS DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDCARE PARTNERSHIP DELIVERY PLAN 2004 - 2006 (Report 17).

Councillor Jonathan Gay introduced this report and outlined some of the key objectives contained in the Plan.

Councillor Paul Crossley, in seconding the motion, explained that the Sure Start scheme was starting in his Ward; it was an imaginative project which was going well.

On a motion from Councillor Jonathan Gay, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To support the Plan's core objectives, which are to;

(a) Ensure that a quality Early Years Education opportunity is available for every 3 and 4 year old child if their parent/carer requires a place;

(b) Provide a choice of quality childcare for children up to the age of 16;

(c) To support every child's right to play;

(2) To support the Plan for recommendation to Council in March 2004 as a Policy and Budget Framework item.

123 PSA PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 18).

Councillor Paul Crossley introduced this report and explained that work was underway to get all 12 PSA targets on green. He expressed the Executive's commitment to the principle of rewarding good work.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Francine Haeberling, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To note the progress; and

(2) To provide an incentive to those services, individually or jointly, achieving the stretch target in 2006/07, from the PSA award money

124 COUNCIL PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 19).

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Malcolm Hanney, it was

RESOLVED to note the report.

125 CUSTOMER FOUR-MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 20).

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Malcolm Hanney, it was

RESOLVED to note the report.

126 COMMUNITY SAFETY AND DRUGS ACTION TEAM FOUR MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 21).

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Malcolm Hanney, it was

RESOLVED to note the report.