Meeting documents

1

Question from:

Councillor Nigel Roberts

Please could the Executive member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture give a breakdown of the type of sports clubs using the Odd Down playing fields and the location of the clubs.

Answer from:

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty

Odd Down; Freshford Sports; W.E.S.C.O; Livingstone Villa; Future United; Body AS; Odd Down Rangers; Oval Sports; Bath Post Office; Wolseley UK; Future United; Hadley Arms; Kingsmead; New Burnt House; Athletico Weston; Red Lion Madrid; W.E.S.A; Booyas United; Englishcombe Inn; Team DBA; Claverton Academicals; Whiteway; Jazz Sports; Tramways; Bear Flat; Milan Bath; Concept; F.C Belvedere; Pucklechurch

Unfortunately, we do not have addresses for the above clubs. All the bookings are made through the Bath & District Football League & the contact is David Holley (phone number provided to Councillor Roberts).

Several pitches have also been booked by Beechen Cliff School, Alexandra Park, Bath

Cricket teams who have booked at Odd Down playing fields so far this season:

Great Western Wine, Wells Road, Bath; Beechen Cliff School, Alexandra Park, Bath; The Cross Keys, Combe Down; Lansdown Cricket Club, Lansdown; Star CC, Weston, Bath; D.K Architects, Bath; Bear Flat CC, Bear Flat; The Ram CC, Combe Down

2

Question from:

Councillor David Hawkins

There is considerable resentment in Lansdown regarding lamp posts being constructed without adequate consultation with local residents, particularly in Belvedere.

1. Will the Executive Councillor order an immediate end to putting up these lamp posts in the ward?

2. Would he be prepared to meet with me in Lansdown to discuss the current range of lamp posts in the ward, with a view to removing those which directly obstruct local properties?

Answer from:

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE

1. The street lighting scheme in the Lansdown Road stretching from George Street/Paragon Junction to St Stephens Church has involved the replacement of 28 life expired columns with 29 new columns. The new columns are all erected; 70% are already lit. The electricity company will have the remaining columns powered up by the end of next week. Under the circumstances I would not agree to stop this work.

The locations of the new columns have been determined to give optimum lighting levels on the highway in accordance with British Standards and good design practice. Columns are not placed directly in front of windows. After they are lit further shields are added if there is any light intrusion.

Ward members were provided with a pack (in accordance with street lighting Policy document No 3) which gave details of the positions and design of the new columns and the locations of the old ones. I would make the point that the Council has not been "bullying" residents as claimed in a letter to The Chronicle, but responding courteously and helpfully to concerns raised by them.

During the course of implementing the scheme 20 enquiries have been received. 18 have been satisfactorily resolved through discussions with residents and Councillors. Where possible some columns have been relocated, in other cases shields have been added. In only one case has the Department been unable to meet the resident's request.

Consideration has been given to light intrusion: low profile glass bowls have been utilised on the lanterns and shields have been fitted to specific columns. The Council is very concerned to minimise light intrusion.

The overall impact of this scheme will be reviewed in 12 months time to ensure the principle objectives of road safety and crime reduction have been met.

2. In view of the facts set out above I do not think a meeting in Lansdown would be useful but I am quite happy to go through with him the facts surrounding the one column in Belvedere which has been the subject of letters to the Press and to look at the range of lamp posts in Lansdown.

3

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

You recently suggested in an answer to my colleague Cllr Ian Dewey that the Council was looking at moving to fixed days for household waste collections and negotiations with trade unions were on-going. Although it is common sense to agree with this in principle, I have the following question for the Executive Member.

Will the employees who collect the household waste on Bank Holidays be entitled to double time overtime payments, and time off in lieu?

Answer from:

Councillor Gerry Curran

The terms and conditions affecting refuse collection staff (who will cease task and finish and work on Bank Holidays in the future) are currently being negotiated. National conditions of service (the Green Book) are being used as the basis for these negotiations and these allow for Bank Holidays to be reimbursed at double time and time off in lieu. The outcome of the current single status negotiations will, in time, supersede any agreement reached before then.

4

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

As part of the Council's preparation of the bid for a super casino, have officers within your department visited the USA at anytime to conduct research on the casino culture in that country? If so, could he highlight the cost to the B&NES taxpayer?

Answer from:

Councillor Colin Darracott

No, officers have not visited the USA.

5

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

In the Bath Chronicle on Monday 22nd May, you stated in relation to the Council producing a monthly newspaper: "I do not think a monthly newsletter would be something we would be progressing at this point in time." However, the Corporate Issues and Partnerships overview and scrutiny panel were told that senior council officers would be preparing a second business case for a monthly newsletter based upon the Communications Audit by DTW.

It seems like you are against this idea, in addition to the Corporate Issues and Partnerships panel, and probably the vast majority of councillors and local taxpayers in the district. Could the Leader of Council end the madness of senior council officials spending time persevering with an idea nobody agrees with?

Answer from:

Councillor Paul Crossley

The Council is always looking at new ways to improve communications with the public. A monthly council news paper has proved very successful for a number of excellent, high performing authorities and is recommended by the Local Government Association as good practice. However in this instance I feel that now is not the point to be considering this or for Council officers committing time to produce a detailed proposal on a monthly edition of Council news

6

Question from:

Councillor Bryan Chalker

1. How many radio advertisements has the Council commissioned since May 2003?

2. How much has this cost?

3. I understand the Communications and Marketing Department is in the process of developing a new radio brand for the Council. Could the Leader tell me the total budget allocation for this re-branding, including the Officer time which is being used to make a range of presentations to council teams across the authority?

Answer from:

Councillor Paul Crossley

There is no council jingle and no jukebox jury selection panel. The intention was to create a bed of music to support all Council radio information campaigns. This will achieve the following:

1) To improve recognition of the Council as a provider of services. Currently council service departments provide radio information in a variety of styles/formats etc and there is no common link between any of the campaigns - they could be from different organisations. Under the revised style, listeners will be more easily able to recognise the information placed by the authority on the radio.

2) It is important that the listeners understand who is providing the service. Increased recognition means that members of the public are more alerted to information during broadcasts and therefore are more receptive to the content.

3) Radio is a very powerful medium and targets a range of consumers who often may not read local newspapers. Radio is a very accessible medium for people with poor vision for example. The style template makes it easier to create stronger, branded information campaigns that appeal to a wide audience.

4) Local radio is also a very powerful form of information. It can be very emotive and can deliver a message in a very cost effective way in comparison with press advertising. The cost of airtime for the thirty second HR advertisements that ran from January to April this year worked out at just over £4 per commercial message. This is exceptional value. Compare this to an advertisement in the local press where a single advertisement can cost hundreds of pounds and a comparable campaign could cost many thousands of pounds.

5) It is more cost effective to produce one music bed which can be used on all Council radio/audio information as opposed to Council departments creating their own style and paying for a number of music licences. Production costs either remain the same or decrease under the new style compared to the previous ad-hoc approach. This approach will save money in the long run.

6) The costs of airtime does not increase as a consequence of the new style. However the Council has had to pay a licence fee to use the music. The fee for the first two years is £3500. This has been met from existing budgets

7) The music is not technically a jingle. It is a piece of music that is designed to work with the content of the advertisement.

8) Managers are not sitting round to make a judgement on a piece of music as the article in the local press infers. Instead the decision was made by Chief Executive with the advice the Communications and Marketing Manager and the expertise of a radio producer. The meeting later this month and the subsequent presentations are to inform managers about when and how to use radio advertising.

9) A number of local authorities are now adopting a common style and format for radio advertisements

10) In the main the content that the Council provides is not advertising but public information about the availability of Council services.

11) It is impossible to identify how many information campaigns have been placed in local radio as there is not a discrete budget heading. In addition Bath FM in September 2005 have also reorganised all their records and cannot trace records back beyond that date. However a rough estimate by supplier would suggest that we spent on average less than £25,000 per year on radio advertising. This is increasing as the power of radio advertising is increasingly recognised.

7

Question from:

Councillor Caroline Roberts

Would the Executive member please let me know when the work of the community wardens is likely to be reviewed, and when and where are they likely to be deployed in other areas of Bath other than the city centre?

Answer from:

Councillor Vic Pritchard

The work of the Community Wardens was reviewed less than a year ago and no formal review is planned as yet. However the Wardens Steering Group will be meeting at least quarterly to look at the progress of the Wardens and their current/future deployment. At present there is no suggestion that Community Wardens be deployed anywhere else in Bath, however the scheme is also run in Midsomer Norton/Radstock and Keynsham.

8

Question from:

Jan Molyneux

Would the Executive acknowledge that in respect of the housing site at Paulton Printing Works, both the original proposal and the Inspector's consideration of the issues were based on the assumption of the printing works continuing in operation and that the figure of an additional 200 dwellings recommended by the Inspector therefore does not take account of the now greater potential capacity as part of a mixed use redevelopment of the site of the works which is now defunct?

Answer from:

Councillor Gerry Curran

The Local Plan proposals for the site included the redevelopment of the south east part for residential development (capacity around 150 dwellings) with the remainder of the site to remain in business use, not necessarily printing. The Local Plan Inquiry Inspector recommends that there is scope for additional residential development on the remainder site provided this is linked to the provision of local employment opportunities for the existing printing works or for other occupiers. The employment land proviso is included to avoid exacerbating the existing high levels of out commuting from the village. In total the inspector recommends that the overall site can accommodate around 350 dwellings within the Plan period ( ie 2011).

The officer report to Council Executive on 7th June 2006 acknowledges the subsequent closure of the factory and the opportunities for redevelopment of the site including the provision of around 350 dwellings in the Plan period. The long term proposals for the site, including the residential capacity and the nature and amount of new employment provision, will be determined by a comprehensive planning approach for the site and will need to reflect the objectives of the Council's emerging vision for Bath & North East Somerset.

9

Question from:

Jan Molyneux

In the light of the Local Plan Inspector's recommendation that the boundary of the BWR site (GDS1:B1 in the Local Plan) be amended to exclude the existing commercial sites of the Renrod Motor Group and Bath Press, on either side of Lower Bristol Road, will the Executive accept this recommendation and, rather than leaving this to be taken into account as part of the consultation process (para 4.7 of the officer's report, which seems purely for administrative reasons) with the consequence of further unnecessary delays, they instruct the Head of Planning that the current application for full planning permission for development of part of the Renrod Wellsway BMW site (submitted in December 2005, but not yet determined) should now be progressed? (The new car showroom is urgently needed to maintain the two franchises of BMW and Mini and the proposed new building at this corner site will greatly improve the appearance of the location on this approach to the city centre.)

Answer from:

Councillor Gerry Curran

The Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan is proceeding towards adoption in accordance with a predetermined statutory process. This necessitates public consultation and consideration of the inspector's recommended changes by The Council prior to adoption of the plan. The schedule for this process is set out in the report to the Executive on the Local Plan Housing Chapter.

The Head of Planning Services is responsible for the management planning applications including the consideration of the appropriate time to report the proposals to the relevant Development control Committee.

10

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

Could the Executive Member answer the following questions relating to Johnson Sweepers.

1. When are the 4 machines going to be replaced, which you indicated would happen in November?

2. What has the downtime and repairs cost the Council since November 2005?

3. What money has been spent on hiring in vehicles to compensate for the downtime?

4. Has the Council paid for the hire vehicles, even when off the road?

To assist, the previous question I asked (with answer) is below:

Previous Question from Cllr Colin Barrett

a. Could I please have the downtime for the Johnson sweepers over the past three months?

b. Could I have the repair costs for the current financial year to date?

Previous Answer from Executive Councillor Gerry Curran

There are 6 mechanical sweepers in the fleet of various sizes. The total hours in downtime, including normal servicing for these machines over the last three months is 408 hours, which is approximately 12% downtime.

The total costs for all of the machines YTD are £63,635.

For information, 4 of these machines are due for replacement in the next financial year, officers are currently evaluating a number of different machines and looking at the operational life to be placed upon these machines in the future.

Answer from:

Councillor Gerry Curran

1. I previously indicated that 4 of the machines are due for replacement in the 2006/07 financial year. This will be done when the leases expire, around the end of 2006.

2. The downtime and repairs cost to the Council since November 2005 is £32,467 which includes normal servicing and maintenance

3. The cost of hiring in vehicles to compensate for the downtime is £2,786

4. The Council has paid for the hire vehicles but not when off the road.

11

Question from:

Councillor Shirley Steel

I'd like to thank you for your attention regarding CCTV provision at Stones Cross. It is excellent news there will be a camera here.

Could I have an update on the timescale for its implementation please?

Answer from:

Councillor Vic Pritchard

The implementation dates for the Stones Croft CCTV equipment is that it should be live as of the 3rd of July, we are awaiting the mains power supply and, as soon as this is available the service will go live.

12

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

Your Liberal Democrat colleague, Cllr Gail Coleshill, recently suggested in the Bath Chronicle and The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal (Thursday 1st June, 2006) that there were not enough resources in your Department "to make a good case to the Government's Regional Strategy".

Could the Executive Member:

1. Indicate whether Councillor Coleshill has indicated this concern to you previously?

2. Indicate whether you will be acting upon her concerns indicated in the local press and requesting more money from the Executive Councillor for Resources for additional staff?

Answer from:

Councillor Gerry Curran

1. Yes. I have in turn indicated those concerns to the Executive on a previous occasion.

2. No, I will not be requesting more money from the Executive member for Resources since we all recognise that we must live within our means; and, as the Executive member for Resources, says elsewhere, Service Areas must live within their budgets.

13

Question from:

Councillor Colin Barrett

Your Liberal Democrat colleague, Cllr Gail Coleshill, recently suggested in the Bath Chronicle and The Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal (Thursday 1st June, 2006) that your Department needs more officer time to spend on increasing the economic prosperity of the area to the South of Bath - Peasedown, Radstock, and Midsomer Norton.

Could the Executive Member:

1. Indicate whether Councillor Coleshill has indicated this concern to you previously?

2. Indicate whether you will be acting upon her concerns indicated in the local press and requesting more money from the Executive Councillor for Resources for officers in your Department to increase the economic prosperity of South of Bath - Peasedown, Radstock, and Midsomer Norton?

Answer from:

Councillor Colin Darracott

The Councillor will be aware that we Executive Members get many requests to channel resources into particular work, and yes I am aware of the Councillor's concern about resources for the area south of Bath. There is a small dedicated team for the area within the Economic Development Service, based at The Hollies. As he will know, we are restructuring within the Economic Development service , and I hope the necessary resourcing will be achieved this year. He may also be aware that Business Plan and Spatial Planning work is underway as part of a wider Bath & North East Somerset Vision Study being carried out by Ernst & Young to establish a basis for future economic development of the area. I am very concerned that the Council needs to be properly resourced to be able to develop strategies relating to the Regional Spatial Strategy, transport and movement policies and perhaps above all climate change policies.

14

Question from:

Councillors Chris Watt and Shirley Steel

Following the previous meeting held between ourselves and the Executive Member with Sainburys - Midsomer Norton management, could the Executive Member indicate what progress has been made in respect to allowing Sainburys to expand their car parking to include the Council owned car park behind The Hollies?

Answer from:

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE

Various options are being considered for this car park including use by the neighbouring Sainsbury's Store. Discussions will continue.

15

Question from:

Councillor Sharon Ball

What is the Council doing to protect small businesses and residents from the growth of giant supermarkets?

In my experience, large supermarket chains undercut local businesses through aggressive pricing funded by tough supplier contracts and poor staff care. The profits then leave the local area, and local residents and businesses are poorly served.

What is the predicted impact of new large supermarket chains opening in the Bath area?

When is the advice leaflet on Bath Western Riverside expected to be delivered to residents?

With the submission of Crest Homes planning application is Crest Homes aware of the position of the Bath Western Riverside Supplementary Planning Document?

Answer from:

Councillor Colin Darracott

Development of supermarkets is controlled through the planning system. The Council's planning policies as set out in the emerging Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan do not currently allocate a site for the development of an additional supermarket. However, the City & Town Centre Study undertaken in 2004 for the Council identifies the scope for additional food store provision in the City during the period up to 2011. The Local Plan acknowledges this and that it may require additional provision in the south of the City. Whilst no site is currently allocated for a food store, proposals for additional provision may come forward and these will be considered against relevant planning policies. For proposals within existing centres planning policies seek to ensure that the scale and type of the proposed shop is consistent with the existing shopping function of the centre and that it integrates well into the existing shopping pattern. For proposals outside existing centres, consideration will be given to a number of factors, including the need for the proposed development and its impact on the vitality and viability of existing centres. I am as worried as the Councillor about the effect of large supermarkets on local and locally supplied businesses. Work is underway on commissioning of a retail strategy to build upon the recent business planning work undertaken across Bath & North East Somerset and this will cover future superstore development. In the meantime I am not aware of an imminent application for another supermarket, although I am aware of speculation that others wish to enter the Bath market.

With regard to the Bath Western Riverside leaflet, further amendments were required to the previous draft which has slightly delayed its production. However, the leaflet is now ready to be printed for circulation.

Crest Nicholson is aware of the main principles of the Bath Western Riverside Supplementary Planning Document and the Council's process and programme for consultation and adoption. Crest Nicholson will receive a full copy of the draft SPD once approved for consultation by the Executive, targeted for 7 June 2006

16

Question from:

Councillor Tim Ball

What is the cost of processing Council Tax bills, from the calculation of amount owed to collection?

Would the Executive member not agree that cost efficiency is vital to ensuring resources are available to invest in priority areas such as improving this Council's Council Tax collection rate?

Does the Executive member see it as cost efficient to allocate council resources to sending out a Council Tax Bill for 1p?

Would the Executive member investigate putting in place measures where a Council Tax bill is only sent where the bill would contribute more in Council Tax than it costs in administering the Bill?

Answer from:

Councillor Malcolm Hanney

We do not have a unit cost per bill..Last year's net Council Tax expenditure was £888 K. Divided by 75,000 annual bills and around a further 75,000 extra bills throughout the year is a cost of £5.92. But we also issue reminders/finals etc... so this is not really any use!!

The latest CIPFA benchmarking statistics do show that:-

IPF Benchmarking 2005

Cost per Chargeable Dwelling

B&NES = £12.51

All Members Average = £15.82

B&NES 21% lower than average = approx. £235k

The Council has a legal obligation to notify customers how there account has been calculated and the balance outstanding under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and as set out in the Administration and Enforcement Regulations.

Given the legal requirements mentioned above this is not an option. However, the Head of Revenue & Benefits will investigate best practice with other authorities in these instances and will recommend changes if applicable.

17

Question from:

Councillor Steve Hedges

Would the Executive member not agree that the Street Marshal scheme provides an effective public service that supports the night time economy? As this scheme is threatened to come to an end due to lack of funding does the Executive member not agree that it is part of this Council's responsibility in securing community safety to support this scheme? What is the Council doing to support this scheme?

Answer from:

Councillor Vic Pritchard

The Council currently supports this scheme, with the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), by providing funding for their radios. However, it is not usually the Council's responsibility to pick up funding shortfalls for private schemes.

Cllr Hedges appears to be suggesting the Council should increase its funding commitment to this scheme. In February 2006 members of the Council, including Cllr Hedges, approved a budget which contained significant financial challenges for all Executive Members.

A funding commitment to the Street Marshal scheme, should it be identified by the CSP as a priority, would have resource implications. Considering the financial constraints imposed on the Council by the Government shortfall in grant funding and the Council's extensive capital project commitments I need to refer this part of the question to the Executive Member for Resources for consideration.

Answer from:

Councillor Malcolm Hanney

Service Areas must live within their budgets.