Meeting documents

John Everitt, Chief Executive

41. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Leader welcomed everybody to the meeting, introduced the Council Executive Members and explained the procedure that would be adopted for the meeting.

42. EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

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

43. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest made.

44. TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR(PERSON)

There were none.

45. QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

The following questions were asked and answers given;

Rae Harris - question regarding future arrangements for various Transportation and Planning liaison groups, Capital Programme monitoring and the Decision register.

Councillor Mike Ringham - question regarding traffic warden costs.

Councillor Mike Ringham - question regarding this year's Christmas market

Councillor Gordon Wood - question regarding the cost of the CIS Press Articles web page.

Councillor Gordon Wood - question regarding cost of the Snowhill and Keynsham Queens Road Community consultation.

Councillor David Hawkins - question regarding improvement in refuse collection after the Audit Commission Waste Management Report

Councillor Vic Pritchard - question regarding policy regarding Older Person's Homes in the light of the Care Standards Act.

In the light of the intense public interest in the subsequent item on the Priority Access Point, the Conservative group withdrew their three remaining questions on car park operating surplus figures, Executive policy in press and media and potential wage increases if ACAS recommendations are adopted. The Councillors concerned agreed to receive written answers to these questions.

The following four questions from Councillor Stiddard were taken at the start of the afternoon session of the meeting, to allow the debate on the Priority Access Point to proceed;

Question on progress on the St John's Court development in Keynsham.

Question on Councillor Symonds attendance at the launch of the Mosaics trail in Keynsham.

Question on implementation of the recommendations arising from the Snowhill and Keynsham Queens Road Community consultation.

Question on the Spa Care Line.

46. MINUTES: MONDAY 29TH JULY 2002

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 29th July 2002 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person)

47. STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

The following people had given due notice of their intention to address the Executive meeting and so made statements to the Committee regarding the Northgate Priority Access Point;

David Redgewell from Transport 2000 (in support if PAP)

Leo Taylor from the South West Public Transport Forum (in support of PAP)

Russell Barrington-Crowe from First Bus (in support of PAP)

Barry Maunder from Envolve (in support of PAP)

Richard Hall from Bath Chamber of Commerce (against PAP)

David Redgewell concerning Rail franchises. (This statement was taken at the start of the afternoon session).

48. NORTHGATE PRIORITY ACCESS POINT - CONSIDERATION OF EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS (REPORT 9).

"SHORT TERM

Extending the criteria under which local trader delivery vehicles can pass through the priority access point

Following the successful launch of the home deliveries scheme of perishable goods to use the Priority Access Point during the experimental period, I intend to extend the scheme for all small goods delivery vehicles operated by businesses within the central shopping area including Walcot Street. I am sure this will be of assistance to the business community and I have asked officers to open discussions with representatives of the Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Independent Traders to agree criteria and submit a firm proposal for me to determine. I have asked for this to be ready within three months.

Car Parking and general signage

I fully accept that this can be improved. I have asked officers to arrange with representatives of the Bath Chamber of Commerce and Independent Traders to conduct an on-site review of all parking signs to decide appropriate improvements to existing signs and/or locations for new signs. I hope the review can be completed and action agreed by the end of September so that installation can be completed by next March.

Promotion of Bath as a Shopping Centre of Excellence

The Council has allocated £20,000 to mount an appropriate marketing and promotion campaign for completion by next spring. Officers will be consulting with Bath Chamber of Commerce, Independent Traders and others during September on the direction and format of the campaign. It is planned, subject to agreement with traders that Walcot Street will be given special attention.

Walcot Street

Other Council initiatives, the walking route scheme report is due for consideration by the end of September. The Arts Project is on-going and collectively these and other projects are designed to raise the profile of the street. Officers will be consulting regularly on these initiatives with Walcot businesses.

MEDIUM TERM

Parking Strategy and Policy Development

The Council and the Bath Chamber of Commerce have agreed to establish a working group to undertake a review and formulate a parking strategy relevant to the needs of the city and the wider community. The first meeting is taking place on the 12th September.

The Council's review of Resident's Parking is nearing completion and officers have identified the opportunity for creating additional short-term parking provision in streets near the central shopping core. I look forward to receiving the report later this autumn for decisions.

Alternatives to the PRIORITY ACCESS POINT street layout

A range of issues have been raised from a number of quarters in respect of the alternative street layouts. The area in front of the Guildhall has been initially identified for particular attention. Officers will be commencing the preparation of designs for public consultation as soon as the Priority Access Point experimental Traffic Regulation Order has been confirmed as permanent.

Revising the operating hours of the Priority Access Point

Alternatives as listed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel can only be considered once the experimental Traffic Regulation Order has been legally confirmed. Following completion, I am proposing to consult with officers on the most appropriate method for conducting a review of the operating hours.

The First Bus Quality Partnership

It is planned that a first bus showcase route through the city centre will be developed for a launch in the spring of 2003, which will run through the Priority Access Point.

Enforcement of the PRIORITY ACCESS POINT TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER

Enforcement has been the subject of much criticism throughout the experimental period and is a matter which needs to be improved within a permanent scheme. The Government have recently consulted authorities on enforcement of bus lanes by camera technology which will be the best method for the Priority Access Point. Early in the New Year the Council will take on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement powers which will enable us to make use of any new powers the Government agrees to on bus lane enforcement."

49. RECESS

The meeting adjourned for press interviews and lunch at 12.45pm, and recommenced at 2.30pm.

50. BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET SUPPORTING PEOPLE SHADOW STRATEGY (REPORT 10).

Councillor Tapper introduced this item on a draft version of a comprehensive Supporting People Shadow Strategy which is part of the delivery of the Supporting People programme.

On a motion from Councillor Tapper, seconded by Councillor Hedges, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To agree the Supporting People Shadow Strategy for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM); and

(2) To authorise the Acting Strategic Housing Manager to make minor non-policy alterations to the Strategy, prior to its submission to ODPM, in consultation with the Executive Members for Community Safety, Housing & Consumer Services and Social Services.

51. RACE EQUALITY SCHEME (REPORT 11).

Councillor Tapper introduced the Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan.

On a motion from Councillor Tapper, seconded by Councillor Hedges, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To adopt the Corporate Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan into Council policy as living documents that can be updated when necessary in accordance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and Secondary Legislation; and

(2) To refer the Scheme and Action Plan to the relevant Overview & Scrutiny Panel for further input and ongoing development by Elected Members.

52. COUNCIL'S ACCOUNTS 2001/2 (REPORT 12).

Councillor Todd introduced this item and then moved, seconded by Councillor Dawson, and

RESOLVED

(1) to approve the Statement of Accounts for 2001/02 in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations;

(2) to thank the accountancy staff for their work.

532002. 2002/2003 CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT (REPORT 13).

Councillor Todd introduced this item and explained that, from the next quarter, the report would show the anticipated spend profile too.

On a motion from Councillor Todd, seconded by Councillor Dawson, it was

RESOLVED that the Executive

(1) Notes the current position of the 2002/2003 capital programme;

(2) Approves the incorporation of additional funding to the 2002/2003 programme as detailed in paragraph 4.1 of the report;

(3) Notes the current position of available resources;

(4) Notes items which may need to be included in the programme in the near future as detailed in paragraph 5.3. of the report.

54. COUNCIL REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2002/03 (REPORT 14).

Councillor Todd introduced this report and explained the areas of significant overspend, including those in her portfolio. It was then moved by Councillor Todd, seconded by Councillor Dawson (who also explained the area of overspend pertinent to her portfolio) and

RESOLVED

(1) To note the expenditure and income position for the Council in the financial year to the end of June and the year end projections detailed in Appendix 1 of this report; and

(2) To approve the virements listed in Appendix 2 to the report.

55. MODERNISING BUDGET - ALLOCATION OF EXPENDITURE (REPORT 15).

Councillor Todd introduced this report and then moved, seconded by Councillor Dawson, and it was

RESOLVED that the funding arrangements outlined in para 4.3 of the report be approved.

56. LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET OF THE GOVERNMENT'S "PRO-ACTIVE" APPROACH TO NATIONAL TARGETS (REPORT 16).

Councillor Dawson introduced this report which set out the latest position on discussions between the Council and central government on the four key national theme areas for Local PSAs which the Government has announced as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review.

On a motion from Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Metcalfe, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the contents of the update report be noted;

(2) That the Council continues to pursue a Local Public Service Agreement containing the theme areas adopted by the Executive on 29^th July 2002;

(3) That any proposals for changes to the scope of cirme reduction theme areas which might arise from discussions as a result of central government's "pro-active" approach to PSAs be determined by the relevant protfolio holders;

(4) That a letter be sent to Richard Gibson at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) (copied to the Local Government Association):

(a) Thanking him for the prompt response to the concerns raised in this Council's letter of August 7^th 2002, and looking forward to resolving outstanding issues swiftly;

(b) Expressing surprise at the remarks in his letter dated 8 August with regard to access to UCA funds by this Council as part of the PSA process, pointing out that the approach represents a significant departure from the terms set out in the "New Challenges" document.

57. PERFORMANCE REPORT - HOUSING SERVICES (REPORT 17).

RESOLVED to note the contents of this report

58. PERFORMANCE REPORT - TRANSPORT, ACCESS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT (REPORT 18).

RESOLVED to note the contents of this report

59. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT - ENVIRONMENTAL (REPORT 19).

RESOLVED to note the contents of this report

60. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT - CUSTOMERS (REPORT 20).

RESOLVED to note the contents of this report

61. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

During the course of the meeting, the following points were raised regarding the administration of the meeting;

(1) Councillor Crossley agreed a request that a longer time than 5 minutes should be allowed for Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Panels to present their reports, the exact time at the Leader's discretion;

(2) Councillor Crossley agreed that a loop system should always be provided for Executive meetings; and

(3) Councillor Crossley noted comments regarding the suitability of venues and times of Executive meetings.