Meeting documents

148 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

149 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

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

150 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Malcolm Hanney declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in items 10 (Bath Western Riverside Project) and 11 (Community Safety and Drug Strategy) as Chair of the Primary Care Trust.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

152 QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

A question was received from Councillor Caroline Roberts regarding the RUH contribution towards parking and safety, and a supplementary question then asked. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded to both. [Copies of the Q&A document have been placed on the Minute book.]

153 STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

There were no statements, deputations or petitions to this meeting.

154 MINUTES: 9TH FEBRUARY 2005

On a motion from Councillor Rosemary Todd, seconded by Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th February 2005 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).

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

There were no such items on this occasion.

156 CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REFERRED BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BODIES

There were no such items on this occasion.

157 BATH WESTERN RIVERSIDE PROJECT: PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (Report 10).

Councillor Caroline Roberts welcomed the progress that had been made but mentioned the concerns of local residents in Newbridge regarding the impact that this project would have on other local transport projects, and looked forward to the expected consultation process.

Councillor Colin Darracott acknowledged the concerns and regretted that it had not been possible to open this up to the public yet, but that this had been delayed by the Local Plan Inquiry process.

Councillor Darracott explained that the two key documents they would be asking Council to approve would be the Master Plan and the Principal Development Agreement. He mentioned the three briefing sessions for Members that had already taken place and that more would be scheduled. Councillor Darracott also explained that he would arrange a meeting with Councillor Caroline Roberts and other Ward Councillors to update them as much as possible.

Councillor Francine Haeberling asked two questions regarding affordable housing and retail. In response, Councillor Colin Darracott explained that there was provision for affordable housing; the Special Planning Guidance contained a 30% figure. With regard to retail, Councillor Darracott explained that they were receiving a retail presentation from Grosvenor Developments Ltd and confirmed that there must be sequential development and not direct competition with the City Centre.

Rationale

The recommended way forward was considered the only practical means of progressing an extremely complex set of negotiations in a compressed timeframe. Checks and balances are incorporated into the process through the involvement of the Executive Member and the Parameters Group, and any decision to enter a formal PDA with Grosvenor (and Crest) will be taken by Council.

Other Options Considered

Officers considered seeking full Executive approval for individual elements of the PDA; however, it was considered that this would involve further delays and be counter-productive.

On a motion from Councillor Colin Darracott, seconded by Councillor Francine Haeberling, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the Executive Member for Economic Development and Director of Major Projects jointly be authorised to finalise negotiations for a Principal Development Agreement (PDA) with Grosvenor Developments Ltd in respect of Bath Western Riverside; and

(2) That the final terms of the PDA be reported to the Executive and Council for approval prior to exchange of the agreement.

158 COMMUNITY SAFETY & DRUG STRATEGY (2005 - 2008) (Report 11).

Councillor Vic Pritchard introduced this report which had been produced by the Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, and recognised the contribution all facets of the Council make to Community Safety. He drew Members' attention to the Strategic Priorities listed at Appendix 1, item 4.

Councillor Paul Crossley explained that this had been to Overview & Scrutiny and most of their comments had been incorporated. He hoped that this would be highlighted when the report was presented to Council.

Rationale and Other Options Considered

The Council is required by statute to agree a three year Community Safety & Drugs Strategy with its partners.

On a motion from Councillor Vic Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To delegate authority to the Executive Member for Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services to make necessary textual amendments prior to submission to Council, and, having regard to this;

(2) To agree the Community Safety & Drugs Strategy 2005-08 (Appendix 1 to the report) for recommendation to Council for adoption as a Policy and Budget Framework item.

159 LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS - SECOND GENERATION (PSA2) (Report 12).

Councillor Paul Crossley introduced the report by explaining that he was pleased to note that the Government had been honouring agreeements when targets were met. These new targets were potentially more challenging and complex as they involved partnerships with other agencies.

Councillor Rosemary Todd suggested that this might be a route to explore funding for the public realm, as Wiltshire County Council were doing, and she hoped that information sharing with Wiltshire could take place.

The Corporate Projects Manager explained at what stage and how elected Members would be able to contribute to the Agreement.

Rationale

This report has been prepared because PSA2 provides significant opportunities to deliver both the Community Strategy and the Corporate Plan.

Other Options Considered

Local PSAs are not compulsory and the option remained of not submitting a proposal or entering negotiations. It is understood that few, if any, Authorities declined to engage in PSA negotiation in round one.

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

RESOLVED

(1) That officers be requested to begin the process of engaging with service areas and partners to build a PSA2 proposal to meet Bath & North East Somerset's 30^th September 2005 date for initial submission;

(2) To agree that this submission be driven by local priorities as set out in paragraph 4.9 of the report, and in particular, the Corporate Improvement Priorities and Community Strategy ambitions;

(3) To agree the suggested process for developing the PSA2 submission, as set out in paragraph 4.11 of the report; and

(4) To note the financial implications set out in paragraph 3 of the report, and earmark up to £50,000 of the Performance Reward Grant to fund any additional work required.

160 REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT (Report 13).

Councillor Malcolm Hanney acknowledged the efforts that had taken place across the Council to bring spending under control.

Rationale

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

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

RESOLVED

(1) To agree that the expenditure and income position for the Council in the financial year to the end of December and the year end projections detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be noted; and

(2) To agree that the virements listed in Appendix 3 of the report are approved.

161 CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT (Report 14).

Rationale

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

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

RESOLVED

(1) To note the current position of the 2004/2005 capital programme; and

(2) To note the current position of available resources.

162 RESOURCES 4 MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 15).

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

RESOLVED to note the range of performance issues faced by Resources and the 2004/05 performance indicator position.

163 EDUCATION 4 MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 16).

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

RESOLVED

(1) to note and approve the progress and achievements of the Education Service, particularly the progress towards the Corporate priorities of improving the learning environment and, through the reduction in `NEETs' (not in education, employment or training), improving life chances for the vulnerable; and

(2) to also note the fact that the Council may soon have no schools with serious weaknesses or in special measures as judged by Ofsted.

164 SOCIAL SERVICES 4 MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 17).

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

RESOLVED to note the report.

The meeting ended at 10.30am

Chair(person)

Date Confirmed and Signed