Issue - meetings

The Chair invited the Head of Heritage to introduce the item and give a presentation.

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

Councillor Box asked about the costs around local charity events such as the Chew Valley 10k run. She asked that, in developing the strategy, could consideration be given to reducing the costs of road closures around such events. The officer explained that fees and charges need to be seen in the context of the Council budget as a whole but that the authority was definitely minded to consider this issue.

Councillor Collins asked about opportunities in the visitor economy around the wider area of BANES. She also asked about creative work spaces. The officer stated that alot of work has been delivered by the regeneration team (creative works strategy). He stated that there is a plan to use culture to regenerate areas and mentioned ‘locally loved, nationally known’ plan to create culture loved by local people.

Councillor Beaumont mentioned the successful exhibition held in Keynsham. The officer agreed and also mentioned the Keynsham Music Festival which is one of Europe’s largest free festivals. Councillor Wait stated that, as a trustee of the festival, he has found the relationship with BANES to have got worse and commented that the costs to hold such events makes it very difficult. BANES charge to use the park. He stated that he was pleased to say there had been an improvement this year and he embraced the idea of culture moving away from just the city. The officer explained that he had met with an organiser of the event in Keynsham. He acknowledged the issue but stated that this has to be seen within the context of the wider Council budget.

Councillor Johnson stated that he was surprised to see a political element in the presentation. He shared the frustrations of other members regarding the costs of events held in Paulton in that BANES could be negative regarding issues such as road closures/barriers/health and safety. He added that the local library has to pay interest rates. He stated that he had no problem with the strategy but that maybe it did not get to the root causes of problems. The officer stated that this is not political and that the presentation was just a descriptive narrative. He stated that it was vitally important for the strategy to deliver for the whole region and that there will be an emphasis on the Somer Valley and Radstock. We are in the consultation period, and it is vital we hear these issues.

Councillor Walker stated that Peasedown St John has potentially 250 more houses coming. The community library was run with a grant to start with, how will it continue to be supported. She also agreed with the points raised above about the costs of putting on local events. The officer stated that there could be conversations with parish councils around the implications of fees. This will be a key part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148