Issue - meetings

Directorate Plan for Place

Meeting: 24/11/2015 - Planning, Housing and Economic Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (Item 30)

30 Directorate Plan for Place pdf icon PDF 119 KB

This report presents the Place Directorate Plan to the Panel for initial consideration and feedback as part of the Council’s service planning and budget development process.

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Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director for Place introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that a new Corporate Strategy was agreed by Cabinet at their meeting on 4th November 2015 and that it sets out the vision and the Council’s direction of travel over the next four years. She added that it is shaped by and will deliver the ‘Putting Residents First’ manifesto commitments.

 

She stated that during November, the draft Directorate Plans will be presented to the Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Panels and that each Panel should only concentrate on the parts of the plan relevant to their own remit.

 

She said that a number of Budget Fair meetings have been scheduled during November in order to provide people with the opportunity to hear about the Council’s financial plans for the next four years. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and feed into the discussions on the budget proposals at the meetings.

 

She informed the Panel that in terms of workforce it is possible that there may be a small number of posts reductions as a result of the proposals put forward and there may also be requirements to amend working patterns. She added that there will be a shift in skills requirements towards a commercial skills focus in order to maximise income generating opportunities and there will be a refocus of skills usage to ensure most efficient and effective use of staff resources. 

 

She stated that initial Financial Planning work to look at the future scale of financial challenge for the Council originally estimated that the likely savings, or additional income required, would be around £38M for this 4-year period. The position has been reviewed in light of both local and national decisions and announcements resulting in a reduction in the estimated financial planning target to just over £30M.

 

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked with regard to the delivery of 2,880 new homes by 2018/19 whether developers would be penalised if they had not built the properties they had gained permission for.

 

The Strategic Director for Place replied that this was not a major problem in the District, but unfortunately the Council does not have any powers to penalise developers.

 

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if different social housing providers could be encouraged to take part in the planned delivery of 720 affordable homes by March 2019.

 

The Strategic Director for Place replied that they do work with various providers, but it is the case that Curo is the largest provider in the area.

 

The Head of Housing replied that it is the choice of the developer who they work with and that the Council works with a number of providers through the Homes West Partnership. He added that he would welcome further competition to the market.

 

Councillor Colin Blackburn stated that he was concerned over some of the proposed cuts and asked how income would be generated.

 

The Strategic Director for Place replied that she had identified a number of key risks within the report and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30

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Meeting: 16/11/2015 - Communities, Transport and Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (Item 37)

37 Directorate Plan for Place pdf icon PDF 120 KB

A report on the Directorate Plan for Place and appendices are attached.

 

Please note there is a cover report for this Plan and the Resources Directorate Plan which is the next item. The cover report is duplicated for each Plan.

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Additional documents:

Minutes:

Louise Fradd, Strategic Director for Place introduced the item. She explained that this month (November 2015) the PDS Panels will be looking at the initial plans. She further explained that Appendix 4 sets out the main financial implications and forms the beginning of a 4 year budget plan.

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

 

Councillor Romero asked about the Waste Strategy and has concerns about an increase in landfill tax. The Director explained that the Waste Contract is coming to an end and there will be a review of Waste Services, she assured the Panel that recycling is a key target and will continue to have prominence.

 

Councillor Romero stated that this Panel is charged with looking at transport options so she suggests that the bullet on the East of Bath Park and Ride should be changed to an aspiration. The Director agreed that it should be reworded in line with the motion agreed at Council. Councillor Carr suggested the wording should not presume an outcome (eg. Park and Ride).

 

Councillor Bull asked about the reduction in ‘Economy and Culture’. The Director explained that this is linked to changes in grants. She further explained that the Council is looking at bringing all grants together, this will be phased and events that will help the economy will be targeted. Councillor Carr commented that we should only cut grants to events that are capable of self-sustaining rather than just keeping the ones that make money. The Director assured the Panel that the Council does work with organisations in this way.

 

The Panel discussed Transport Services, the Director explained that part of the Strategic Review would be to identify bus routes that originally needed a subsidy but are now commercial so do not need this anymore. This will mean there is an overall saving for the authority. Councillor Jackson raised a concern about cutting rural bus routes, the Director explained that this is only about cutting subsidies to routes that are now viable.

 

In response to a query from Councillor Butters regarding the WIFI network, the Director explained that she is finalising the business case now and the first phase is to install receivers and obtain an income from advertising the second phase is to rent out the Councils own infrastructure/ducts to service providers.

 

Councillor Butters gave an example of a bus service currently subsidised by Wiltshire Council which is desirable for this Council to continue, he flagged up that this authority may need to step in if another Council withdraws a service. The Director stated that each decision is taken on its merits.

 

Councillor Bull mentioned the loss of Government Grant and asked if this may mean two weekly waste collections in the future. The Director referred to the planned Waste Review where many different options will be considered, she explained that a major issue is replacing the vehicles.

 

Councillor Romero asked if the Panel could see the detailed business plans. The Resources Director reminded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37

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