Meeting documents

140 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

141 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

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

142 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Malcolm Hanney declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 14 (Children & Young People's Plan 2006 - 2009) as Chair of the Primary Care Trust.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

144 QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

There were no questions from public or Councillors.

145 STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

David Redgewell, Transport 2000, made a statement regarding perceived cuts to bus services.

Helen Woodley had registered to make a statement but chose not to do; she instead referred to the written statement she had circulated to Executive Members.

146 MINUTES: WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2006

On a motion from Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, seconded by Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).

147 CONSIDERATION OF SINGLE MEMBER ITEMS NOW REQUISITIONED TO COUNCIL EXECUTIVE (Report 9).

There were no such items on this occasion.

148 CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REFERRED BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BODIES (Report 10).

There were no such items on this occasion.

149 BATH PACKAGE MAJOR SCHEME BID (Report 11).

David Redgewell made a statement regarding the importance of taking a sub-regional approach.

Councillor Caroline Roberts called for more pressure to be put on First to keep the fares down on the showcase and Park & Ride routes.

Councillor Tim Ball queried whether the Executive Member had considered the use of bio-fuels.

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins introduced this report, explaining that it was a holistic approach that would provide a more efficient transport system, protect the environment and provide alternative transport options for the area over the next four years.

With regard to the use of bio-fuels, Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins confirmed his commitment to low emissions and undertook to raise this with First.

With regard to taking a sub-regional approach, Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins assured the Executive that he had regular meetings with neighbouring Authorities.

Councillor Paul Crossley, in seconding the motion, highlighted the rise in passenger figures of 8% which was commendable on a national level.

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty queried whether the whole package would be adversely affected if the proposals for Lambridge Park & Ride did not proceed. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded that, should a different site come forward, the funding would be applied to that site.

Rationale

Major investment in transport in Bath & North East Somerset is essential to meeting corporate priorities relating to reducing congestion and improving public transport.

Other Options considered

The principle alternative was not to submit a bid. This would have missed an opportunity to secure central government funding for transport developments in Bath & North East Somerset.

On a motion from Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) That a major scheme bid is submitted to Department for Transport to seek grant funding for the package of transport initiatives set out in the report; and

(2) That the Executive Member for Transport & Highways will approve any last minute amendments necessary to the final bid document.

150 APPROVAL OF JOINT LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006 - 2011 (Report 12).

David Redgewell from Transport 2000 made a statement calling for more work on sub-regional connectivity and for a joint board to be set up.

Councillor Caroline Roberts raised a number of issues including community transport, road safety concerns, speed cameras etc.

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins introduced the report and explained that it was the first joint plan of this nature, recognising that transport issues did not stop at the Authority's borders. He paid tribute to the officers and Members from all contributing Authorities and the close working partnership that had been established.

Councillor Paul Crossley stated that rail links would be key in the future. He also wondered whether further pressure could be put on the Airport Authority to provide more services.

Councillor Vic Pritchard raised the issue of congestion charging, queried whether it was appropriate for this area and wondered whether other innovative measures would be considered.

In summing up, Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins explained that he had had constructive conversations with the Airport Authority who were conscious of the need to improve transport links; he would continue this debate with them. He acknowledged the concerns of Councillor Pritchard regarding congestion charging and mentioned various other innovative measures.

Rationale

The Local Transport Plan is a statutory document and its submission is an essential requirement in obtaining transportation funding for the period 2006-2011.

Other Options considered

None

On a motion from Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Joint Local Transport Plan 2006-11 for the Greater Bristol Sub Region be submitted to full Council on 30th March 2006 for approval, as part of its Policy & Budget framework.

151 PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR 2006/07 (Report 13).

Councillor Doris Davis from Chew Magna Parish Council raised various issues regarding the bus service to Chew Magna and the Dial-a-Ride service.

Councillor Gitte Dawson made a statement regarding rural transport, Dial-a-Ride and school bus journeys.

Councillor Brian Barrett queried whether Paulton was included in the Dial-a-Ride service; Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins subsequently confirmed that it was.

David Redgewell expressed concern about any possibility of Sunday bus contracts being withdrawn.

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins explained that in order to balance the budget all spending on assisted bus services had been reviewed, resulting in a positive allocation of funds. With regard to the issue of providing school buses, Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins explained the prohibitive cost of doing this.

Councillor Paul Crossley commended the overall framework and acknowledged that the Council still needed to look more imaginatively at issues such as school buses.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney reminded the meeting of the Council's budget situation and the need to put forward proposals that matched the level of resources.

Councillor Jonathan Gay echoed the earlier comments regarding the considerable cost of providing school buses.

Rationale

Additional budget pressures identified in the Service Plan for Transportation & Highways for 2006/07 have resulted in a need to reduce budgets in a number of areas including the supported bus services budget. A Criteria and Value for money Ranking Framework has been developed to prioritise the supported bus service into 8 categories and this has been used to identify how the budget saving should be made.

Through a combination of the allocation of capital funding provided by Central Government and the re-allocation of a small amount of Council revenue funding, it has been possible to bring forward proposals to expand the provision of Dial-a-Ride across most of the rural part of the authority area. This will help to meet a number of policy objectives in relation to improving rural accessibility and combating social exclusion.

Other Options considered

The need to make an overall saving in revenue budgets, places limitations on the number of alternative options available.

On a motion from Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To agree the proposals as set out in Appendices B and C;

(2) That funding is reallocated within the overall public transport budget to facilitate the expansion of Keynsham & District Dial-a-Ride to serve the Chew Valley, Whitchurch and surrounding villages and the expansion of Midsomer Norton & Radstock Dial-a-Ride to serve Peasedown St John and surrounding villages, and that the feasibility of a Dial-a-Ride service in Bath be investigated (para 4.23); and

(3) That, in respect of the remaining Chew Valley Bus Challenge capital receipts provided by central Government, this be used to purchase a new bus for operating the Chew Valley bus service 672/674 and the remainder be used to purchase minibuses to facilitate the expansion of Dial-a-Ride in the Chew Valley area.

152 THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S PLAN 2006 - 2009 (Report 14).

In introducing this report, Councillor Jonathan Gay referred to the over-arching nature of the Plan and its key role in contributing to the Council's Improvement priorities. He explained that aspects of the Plan touched every portfolio and hoped that it would become a living, working document with which all Executive Members were familiar.

Councillor Paul Crossley commended the Plan and the importance for all Members to understand the five outcomes.

Rationale

The Council is required to work with partners to produce a Children & Young People's Plan 2006-9.

Other Options considered

None, as this is a statutory requirement.

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

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To endorse the Children & Young People's Plan 2006-9 for publication on April 1st 2006 and refers it to the full Council meeting on 30 March 2006 as part of its Policy and Budget framework;

(2) To ask the Chair of the Children & Young People's Strategic Partnership to report progress on the implementation of the plan;

(3) To ask the Chair of the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership to present a further report detailing how performance with the implementation of the Plan will be measured, in particular identifying key performance indicators with respect to the "five outcomes" and their consequent places in the hierarchy of balanced scorecards; and

(4) To note that targets yet to be confirmed will be finalised in consultation with the Executive Member for Children's Services and the Leader prior to submission to Council (recognising that some targets dependant on discussion with partners may be finalised soon after this date).

153 EQUALITIES POLICY (Report 15).

David Redgewell from Transport 2000 commented that transport issues were not adequately covered within the Policy.

Councillor Tim Ball paid tribute to the staff who had produced this and hoped that there would a process of Member/Officer review to keep it current.

Councillor Paul Crossley agreed to take forward the issues that David Redgewell had raised. He thanked officers for their work and welcomed that equalities considerations were becoming mainstream.

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty hoped the training would be arranged at times that would encourage full attendance.

Rationale

The Equal Opportunities Policy brings the Council in line with current legislation and supports its employees and Elected Members in understanding their rights and responsibilities

Other Options considered

None.

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

(1) To approve the policy for recommendation to Council as part of its Policy and Budget Framework; and

(2) To endorse the view that Elected Members be encouraged to participate in Equalities training.

154 REVENUE AND CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING, CASH LIMITS AND VIREMENTS (Report 16).

Councillor Brian Barrett noted that it was not proposed to implement the recommendations regarding the Great Drain at this time and asked when it was proposed to do so.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney described the current position set out in the report as reasonable, considering the significant overspend that had been predicted earlier in the year. It was important to recognise the steps being taken to manage and reduce risk.

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty agreed that the situation with the Great Drain needed careful monitoring. She explained that a risk analysis had been carried out and it was considered that a proper maintenance schedule would keep the situation under control.

Rationale

This report is presented as part of the reporting of financial management and budgetary control required by the Council.

Other Options considered

None

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

RESOLVED

(1) To note the revenue expenditure and income position for the Council for the financial year to date as at the end of December and the year end projections detailed in Appendices 2 & 3 of this report;

(2) To approve the funding for the shortfall in Heritage Services income on the basis detailed in Appendix 1 paragraph 1.10 & 1.11;

(3) To approve the establishment of two earmarked reserves in 2005/06 as set out in the main report;

(4) To note the current position of available capital resources as shown in Appendix 1 paragraph 1.16. This is consistent in slowing down the programme to available resources and using the opportunity to raise capital receipts to substitute for unsupported borrowing;

(5) To approve the virements listed in Appendix 4 and note the changes in the capital programme listed in Appendix 6;

(6) To approve the allocations from the Member's Discretion capital provision in 2005/06, as shown in Appendix 1 paragraph 1.17; and

(7) To note that a further report will be made to the Council Executive including proposed carry forwards of under and overspends from 2005/06 to 2006/07.