Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 3rd May, 2006
1. Question from Scott Morrison
Bath Friends of the Earth read with interest the statement by Councillor Colin Darracott (quoted in the Chronicle) that "in 30 years time there will be no oil and probably not many cars".
We applaud the Executive Member's far-sighted vision.
We wish to ask whether he has commissioned any research yet that would investigate the impacts that such a dramatic change might have on the city's economic development, and upon levels of council tax?
Scott Morrison, Coordinator Bath Friends of the Earth
Answer from Executive Councillor Colin Darracott
No, I have not commissioned any research directly linking the impact of hydrocarbon scarcity on the economy of the city or on Council Tax levels. However, in all our strategic thinking about regenerating and restructuring the city, and especially the issues relating to access and movement, we are mindful of the need to adapt to a world without unlimited and cheap supplies of petroleum and natural gas.
The Council is also developing strategies to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. For example, The Council recognises that a shift from fossil fuels to low carbon and renewables is essential for our future prosperity so we are looking at how we can encourage the use of alternative fuels. A biomass feasibility study is just starting, looking how to divert all the district's waste wood (tree waste, garden waste, waste timber from carpentry and construction work) into carbon neutral heating fuel.
2. Question from Cllr Brian Barrett
Travel Cards for Blind Persons and Others with Disabilities and their Accompanying Helpers
Unless a fee is paid, a number of doctors' surgeries in B&NES are refusing to sign the forms certifying that a blind person, or one having other disadvantages, needs an accompanying person when travelling on public transport. They are, in effect, treating these applications in the same way as passport applications.
Could the Executive member say ;
1) how many cases of this kind have been reported to his Public Transport Team;
2) what steps, if any, the Council can take to ease this charge on such disadvantaged persons For example, would certification by Magistrates or Councillors be acceptable?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE
1) Aproximately 3 phone calls have been received from residents on this subject.
2) The Council does not have powers to make doctors surgeries or health clinics to certify free of charge. It would not be appropriate for anyone other than a healthcare professional (i.e. a GP or a qualified nurse) to certify whether a person has a particular disability because some disabilities are not physically apparent. Only residents under 60 years of age are required to have their bus pass application form certified by a healthcare professional. In view of the concern of the practice of charging we will write to all local doctors surgeries and health clinics and draw their attention to the fact that this matter has been raised with the Council.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Brian Barrett
Why does the reply say "approximately" 3; and why are partially sighted under-60s being charged?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE
I am happy to remove the word "approximately" from my reply and did in fact ask the officer to remove this word before publication of the reply.
All we can do is say to the health professionals that the matter has been raised with us. We cannot compel them to provide this service for free.
3. Question from Cllr Nigel Roberts
At several of the Bath South Area Committees, there has been a discussion about the status of the mast on Stirtingale Playing fields in relation to the covenant on the land.
Please could the Executive Member give a statement on the current situation?
Answer from Executive Councillor Colin Darracott
In 1939, before the Council acquired an interest in the land, one of its statutory predecessors entered into an agreement with the owners relating to the development of it. It is a matter for the planning authority to determine whether the mast is in breach of the provisions of that agreement and, if so, whether it would be expedient to take enforcement action.
I may be able to get more information together during the week (timescales were restricted this time due to the long weekend.)
4. Question from Cllr Nigel Roberts
The Old Fosse Road traffic calming has been due for completion in the past three years.
Please could the Executive Member give us an update on the progress of the scheme and likely start date?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins
There is an item in the 2006/07 Capital Programme for completion of this work. The weight limit and speed cushions are to be publicly advertised in the near future and construction will begin once the consultation process has been concluded satisfactorily.
5. Question from Cllr Caroline Roberts
What is the exec member for transport doing to sort out the problems caused by the introduction of the new pay as you leave car park system and what will be the extra cost of this, bearing in mind one barrier has already been ripped off by an angry driver?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins
There were teething problems with the introduction of Pay on Foot particularly at the Charlotte Street car park. The department is working closely with the suppliers, CCTV room operators and Parking Attendants to correct the problems. The supplier's engineers have checked the system and will attend site to maintain it during the first year as part of the contract. Also, during the first year Parking Attendants are on site during peak hours.
The cost of a barrier is £236.00
Supplementary Question from Cllr Caroline Roberts
Do you think the measures should have been in place before introducing the new system and what revenue has been lost by not taking fees?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE
It is only possible to guess what the lost revenue might have been. I agree that a new system before implementation should be 99% operational from day 1. I will try to answer any further questions if put in writing.
6. Question from Cllr Gail Coleshill
As taxi tokens have already been removed I'm sure the Executive member for Transport would agree that a speedy introduction of the expanded dial a ride service is essential to plug the gap left by their removal. Therefore I ask the Executive member for Transport on what date will the new expanded dial a ride service come into operation?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins
It is not yet possible to give a specific date for the introduction of the expanded Dial-a-Ride service. Detailed plans are currently being prepared jointly by Council officers and the Trustees of both Dial-a-Ride schemes. These plans focus upon the procurement of additional vehicles, the recruitment of additional staff and operational matters. The lead time from ordering new vehicles to receiving delivery is currently 3 to 4 months. It is therefore anticipated that the earliest the expanded service can be introduced is September.
7. Question from Cllr Tim Ball
How much money is being spent on outside consultants in the Highways department?
Answer from Executive Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins
In 2005/06 the Transportation & Highways Service spent £123,000 on various commissions for specialised advice and design and site supervisory services.
In addition, the Council employs Mott MacDonald as term transportation consultants. Previously, the Council was having to employ large numbers of Agency staff to provide the expertise and capacity to carry out the work of the Service, in particular the implementation of the Capital Programme. To meet this need in a more efficient way a decision was taken after full competitive tendering to employ Mott MacDonald as partnership consultants on a three year term contract. Whilst the contract does not guarantee any level of workload, it was envisaged at the time of tender that the value of the contract would be between £0.5 and 1.0 million per year. In 2005/06 fees due to Mott MacDonald totalled £776,000.
8. Question from Cllr David Dixon
I am sure the Executive member for Tourism will join with me in welcoming the development of the Gainsborough building, turning a presently unused building into a top quality spa hotel. What is the predicted economic impact of this development and would the Executive member for Tourism not agree that this development would not be taking place if it were not for the Spa project?
What discount will Bath & North East Somerset residents receive on Spa tickets?
Answer from Executive Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty
Yes, we are delighted with the proposals for the Gainsborough building and we understand their plans include approximately 100 bedrooms.
The use of the old Technical college as a deluxe Spa hotel is, in my view, a direct result of the Spa having been built and I welcome this. Economic regeneration was always one of the drivers which prompted the decision to apply to the Millenium Commission for funding. This will provide an increase to the stock of bedspaces in the city helping to increase the number of staying tourist visitors and the sustainability of Bath's tourism economy.
The impending opening of the Spa has brought an upturn in interest from hotel operators and clearly the proximity to the Spa is one of the reasons why this development will be an exciting addition to the city's and the region's tourist offer. The prospect of increased opportunity in the hotel sector will also encourage providers to invest in improvements to products and services - recently the Bath Spa Hotel has spent some £1.3 million upgrading its leisure / spa facilities.
We are about to complete final details for the operation of the Spa and anticipate that the operator will offer admission discounts to Bath & North East Somerset residents to both the main Spa and to the Cross Bath. Final details will be announced by the operator prior to opening - but we hope that the discounts will be: 15% discount to Bath & North East Somerset residents, with a 50% discount applicable to residents who use the Cross Bath and book at least 48 hrs in advance. Disabled users and their carers will benefit from a 50% discount in all Baths plus a further 50% discount in the Cross Bath. Young persons between 12 and 16 will benefit from a 25% discount in the Cross Bath when accompanied by a responsible adult.
9. Question from Cllr Sharon Ball
Could the Executive members for Economic Development & Planning give an update on the consultation on Bath Western Riverside?
Answer from Executive Councillors Colin Darracott and Gerry Curran
Further to the response given to Councillor Ball's three questions at the 4 April Executive (see attached) the following update is provided:
the leaflet on Bath Western Riverside referred to in the previous response has now been designed and completed and is now in proof stage ready for issue.
the distribution area and distribution arrangements for the leaflet are being progressed. Arrangements are already in place to distribute the leaflet to all residents within the BWR and Downstream South areas. However a wider distribution area will be achieved by publishing via the press and distributed to Council information points, libraries, etc. The content of the leaflet will also be available on the BWR website.
arrangements for the Future for Bath community engagement exercise are also being progressed and the ideas previously proposed by Councillor Ball are being considered as part of this process.
there will be further consultation pursuant to Supplementary Planning Document preparations and all relevant planning applications.