Meeting documents

Councillor Crossley welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated those Councillors who had been successful in the Walcot and Lansdown by-elections the previous day.

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

There were no declarations of interest made.

There was none.

There was a question from Rae Harris on the Sydney Gardens Highway Improvements, which was taken when that item on the agenda was reached. An officer response was circulated.

The following people made statements to the meeting;

Councillor Betty Perry gave a statement regarding the Elderly Person's Homes reports. (This was taken when that agenda item was reached.)

Tanya Sykes and Jenny Clifford (PEOPLE scheme) each gave a statement regarding the Community Safety Budget allocation. (These were taken when that agenda item was reached.)

Rae Harris read a statement for Transport 2000 regarding Bus Quality Partnerships. (This was taken when that agenda item was reached.)

Alun Morgan from the Bathwick Residents Association made a statement regarding the Sydney Gardens Highway Improvements.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12th June 2002 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person), subject to a minor amendment to minute number 7(4)(a) to re-write the first sentence to read;

`On Equalities: a formal Executive Advisory Body be established comprising the relevant community groups.'

Councillor Todd introduced this item which presented the provisional revenue outturn for 2001/02, with some recommended technical adjustments. The report included an outline of known potential pressures for the current year, as a preface to a request to carry forward specific budget items to 2002/03. The report also presented the capital expenditure for 2001/02, with some proposed adjustments to capital budgets and proposals for financing the capital expenditure.

On a motion from Councillor Todd, and seconded by various other Executive Members (as each recommendation taken separately), it was

RESOLVED

(1) To note the provisional revenue Outturn for 2001/02 in Appendix 1 at £1.014m overspent, rather than the previously reported and expected £1.6m;

(2) To approve the final technical adjustments necessary to revenue budgets in 2001/02 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

(3) To approve the carry forward proposals in the tables in Appendix 3 to the report as exceptions to the budget management scheme;

(4) To agree that the resulting surplus should be set aside in the 2002/03 budget as a contingency for potential additional unavoidable costs in 2002/03;

(5) To note capital expenditure of £30.06 million summarised in Appendix 4 to the report; and

(6) To approve the Capital budget adjustments and funding in Appendix 5 to the report.

Councillor Todd introduced this item which updated the Council Executive on progress on the review of the financial plan and on the budget resolution instruction of February 2002.

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

RESOLVED to accept the report as a basis for the way forward, specifically the timetable and process for the Review and the key issues.

Councillor Tapper introduced this item which examined the local implications on residential care provision of the new Care Standards Act 2000 regulations and presented options for consultation concerning the re-provision of Bath & North East Somerset Elderly Persons Homes.

There were various contributions from other Councillors and members of the public.

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

RESOLVED

(7) That the preferred Model of Care for consultation is option 2b) - 3 Homes with Extracare Units;

(8) That the preferred sites for consultation are Greenacres House, Midsomer Norton, Carrswood Centre, Bath and Hawthorn House in Keynsham;

(9) To consult with residents, relatives and staff at Greenacres House Elderly Persons Home (Midsomer Norton) with a view to effecting an early closure;

(10) To receive a report in October 2002 for decision-making on the overall EPH Re-provision programme and the potential early closure of Greenacres House, Midsomer Norton; and

(11) To request that the relevant Overview & Scrutiny Panel consider the report and preferred options, as part of the consultation process.

Councillor Hedges introduced this report which set out the proposals for allocation of the Council's Community Safety Budget for 2002/3.

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

RESOLVED

(12) That funding is approved for a Community Warden Scheme for Bath at a cost of £70,000 (full year, recurrent);

(13) To allocate £21,000 non-recurrent funding from the Community Safety budget to provide a youth shelter and sports wall in the Twerton area, and to vire £2,500 from the Community Safety budget to the appropriate service budget to pay for maintenance;

(14) To undertake further consultation with residents and young people in the areas to identify a location for the facility;

(15) That no allocation be made in the current financial year to the Moorland Road CCTV request, due to insufficient funding being available;

(16) That priorities for CCTV are reviewed in the light of the national evaluation of effectiveness currently being undertaken;

(17) That funding is approved for Trading Standards Test Purchasing Operations of £3,000;

(18) That funding is approved for a Bobby Van of £8,412;

(19) That funding is approved for support for victims of racial harassment of £8,234 (2002-3);

(20) That funding is approved for a Retail Crime Initiative of £3,000; and

(21) That funding is approved for a Local Action Group environmental improvements fund of £6,300.

Councillor Metcalfe introduced this report which presented a 20 year Vision for the Principal Transportation Network in Bath & North East Somerset and invited the Executive to consider it as a basis for wide consultation. Councillor Metcalfe explained his intention that consultation on this would include bordering Authorities.

There were various questions and comments from members of the public and Councillors, some of which referred to more time needed for consultation, which was reflected in the resolution. Councillor Todd requested that parish Councils could pro-actively canvass opinion within their communities.

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

RESOLVED

(22) To agree the Halcrow report as a basis for wide consultation;

(23) To request the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to consider the report during Autumn 2002, and advise of any view they have regarding its contents and proposals by end of November 2002;

(24) To agree the proposals and timetable for consultation outlined in the report and appendix; and

(25) To invite the Joint Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee to consider the pressing need for a Long Term Transport Vision for the Sub-Region.

Councillor Metcalfe introduced this report about the development of a Quality Bus Partnership, in line with the Council's Local Transport Plan `key action' to `provide a credible alternative to car use for local trips.'

The Executive noted various contributions from other Councillors and members of the public.

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

RESOLVED

(26) To approve the draft Quality Partnership as set out in Appendix A to the report, and that additional consultation be undertaken over the next few days, in accordance with the wishes of the Executive Member;

(27) That, in pursuit of the above, oficers are instructed to commence work with First on the establishment of a detailed Showcase Agreement in accordance with the criteria set out in paragraph 4.4 of this report with a view to implementation this financial year.

Councillor Metcalfe introduced this report regarding a scheme for improving the traffic flow in the vicinity of Sydney Gardens. The report asked for consideration of initial responses from consultation and of the impending works of the Highways Agency on the A36 south of Bath at Limpley Stoke.

There was some discussion about whether plans for certain pedestrian crossings could proceed despite the deferral of the project implementation. in the light of this, Councillor Metcalfe asked that, through the consultation, any other pedestrian crossings that could be done this year, could be identified.

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

RESOLVED

(28) To defer the implementation of the project until the 2003/04 financial year, except for the introduction of a signalised crossing facility at Beckford Road/Sydney Road as part of a Safer Routes to Schools scheme, including the Bathwick St Mary's school;

(29) To acknowledge support for the principle of resolving the traffic impact and congestion in the vicinity of Sydney Gardens;

(30) To allocate sufficient funds in the 2003/04 Transport capital programme to complete the project; and

(31) To re-allocate the £350,000 to the projects set out in Appendix 1 of the report, and give delegated authority to the Head of Transportation, Access and Waste Management to agree the priorities for highway maintenance schemes within Bath, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transportation and Planning Policy

Councillor Curran introduced this report on the School Organisation.

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

RESOLVED to note the draft School Organisation Plan and refer it to Council to be considered at its meeting on 18^th July 2002.