Issue - meetings

There is a short report attached. There will be a presentation at the meeting.

The Panel received a presentation on the ‘Bath Clean Air Plan Update’ from Cathryn Brown, Team Manager - Licensing and Environmental Protection and Chris Major, Group Manager – Transport and Parking which covered the following:

·  Background

·  Recent Progress

·  Proposed charges

·  Proposed zone

·  Public consultation

·  Queen Square

·  Support packages

·  Financial assistance scheme

·  Exemptions

·  Concessions

·  Financial forecasts

·  Programme

·  Further information

·  Other local authorities

·  Summary

A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

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

Councillor Craig thanked the officers for their hard work and raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Some concerns about Queen Square and potential queuing traffic - glad to hear of the ongoing monitoring of this area.

·  More information on anti-idling measures and enforcement. The officer explained that this enforcement is dependent upon funding from central government and would be progressed when this funding is provided.

·  What are the plans regarding a Coach Strategy, especially with regard to Bog Island? The officer explained that this strategy is linked to the wider Transport Delivery Plan which will be brought to the Panel and to Cabinet but that it was currently in the very early stages of development.

·  How are financial assistance schemes accessed if people to not have use of the internet. The officer explained that travel advisors and community liaison officers will signpost people to information.

·  Is there support if people live outside the boundary but work in Bath. The officer explained that businesses that regularly enter the zone (that are able to provide proof) may be eligible for financial assistance.

·  Sole traders should also be considered. The officer explained that it was the aim to contact all businesses and welcomed input from Councillors if they know anyone that has not been contacted. People can register an expression of interest online. Councillor O’Brien added that contacting businesses in the whole of BANES was important as there may be a lack of understanding in places. She urged officers to use town and parish councils to pass on information.

Councillor Rigby thanked officers for all their work. She stated that she was glad to hear that ongoing communication was part of the plan. Councillor Rigby asked if baseline targets are set now for data monitoring as part of the success is getting evidence to move on to the next stage. The officer explained that there is a monitoring and evaluation plan in the full business case and that baseline data will come from various sources including auto traffic counters. There will be updates as we go along. It is more difficult to monitor behaviour change but there will be some quantitative data relating to this.

Councillor O’Brien stated that there has been abuse of the anti-idling and also weight restrictions and asked if the authority will have more powers of enforcement when the CAZ going through. The officer stated that yes, officers will be authorised with enforcement powers following a report to Cabinet in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27