Agenda and minutes

There were 9 questions from the following people: Councillors John Bull, Patrick Anketell-Jones (2), Martin Veal (2), Francine Haeberling, Tim Warren, Eleanor Jackson (2).

[Copies of the questions and response, including supplementary questions and responses if any, have been placed on the Minute book as Appendix 1 and are available on the Council's website.]

There were 7 notices of intention to make a statement at the meeting. Four statements were about items on the agenda.

Amanda Leon (Radstock Action Group) made a statement [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 3 to the Minutes and on the Council's website] welcoming the changes to the proposals but saying that all the major objections were ignored by Cabinet.  She felt that the new proposals were concerned only with increasing the flow of traffic through the town, not with improving the town for those who live there.

George Bailey (Radstock Action Group) had prepared a statement which Amanda Leon read on his behalf [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 4 to the Minutes and on the Council's website].  He felt that the new proposals had come too far into the consultation period to enable effective consultation on them.

John Sprately made a statement saying that the computer modelling needed independent expert scrutiny.  He questioned some of the figures, costs and traffic times quoted in the proposals.  He stressed that local businesses and jobs were at risk.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Nathan Hartley, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9^th November 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

This is a standard agenda item, to cover any reports originally placed on the Weekly list for single Member decision making, which have subsequently been the subject of a Cabinet Member requisition to the full Cabinet, under the Council’s procedural rules

The Chair announced that the Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel had met on 5^th December to consider the Call-in of Cabinet Decision E2328 on Broadband Provision.  The Panel had agreed to make some recommendations to Cabinet and the Chair of the Panel had referred the Panel’s recommendations, for consideration by Cabinet.  He drew attention to the summary of the Panel’s recommendations, a copy of which had been put into the public gallery before the meeting [and are attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes and on the Council’s website].

Councillor Robin Moss, Chair of the Panel, introduced the Panel’s recommendations to Cabinet.  He observed that the Panel had unanimously supported the recommendations.  He felt that the strong response to the decision indicated that there had been inadequate consultation prior to the decision.

Councillor Cherry Beath thanked the Panel for their hard work, and all contributors for their considerable input to the debate.  She emphasised that there was no disagreement on the importance of this issue – only of the means to achieve the best outcome.  She believed that some of the suggestions warranted consideration, but would need proper technical advice before this could be done, so she made a proposal to Cabinet, the effect of which would be that Cabinet would reconsider the issue at a future meeting.

On a motion from Councillor Cherry Beath, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE recommendations made by the Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel from its meeting of 5th December 2011;

(2) To AGREE that further technical information would be required before reconsidering the issue;

(3) To ASK that a new report be presented to Cabinet in due course to enable Cabinet to make a further decision with all the information available.

There were none

There were none.

Publicly accessible toilet facilities are a fundamental need for everyone whenever they are “away from home”.  This Provision Strategy establishes a framework for future provision in a range of ways and by a range of providers and with a range of funding sources, to achieve an overall improved standard of quality, quantity and distribution.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] in which she made the case for the importance of public toilets for workers, shoppers and visitors to the area.

Councillor David Dixon, in proposing the item, said that the proposal was for a 15-year rolling strategy.  Cabinet were determined to safeguard the provision.  He agreed with Councillor Jackson that toilet provision was essential to the local community and to the economy.  He was particularly keen to engage with developers so that the provision or replacement of local toilets could be agreed as part of any development.  He emphasised that when toilets were being upgraded, they were being made compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.

Councillor David Bellotti referred to paragraph 3.9 of the report and emphasised that the strategy was subject to an annual revenue review.

Councillor Roger Symonds was pleased to note that the toilets in the coach park would also be improved, because for some visitors this was their first impression of Bath.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) to ADOPT the Provision Strategy for Public Toilets in Bath & North East Somerset, 2011-2026, with reviews to be carried out every 5 years.

To seek approval of the plans to engage the community in both sporting events and cultural projects and events, and to leave a lasting legacy

Councillor David Dixon, in proposing the item, said that 2012 would be an exciting year and the Council would be embracing all the challenges.  He outlined some of the planned events and activities and thanked Lynda Deane and Ann Cullis, who had worked so hard to prepare for the Olympiad.  He moved the proposals.

Councillor Cherry Beath seconded the proposal and observed that not all the planned events involved physical activity; many were cultural and educational.

Councillor Simon Allen was particularly pleased that the area would be heavily involved in the Paralympic events.

Councillor Paul Crossley said that he would be inviting all Councillors to join him in the challenge to contribute towards the grand total of 2,012km in running, cycling, swimming, walking and other activities.  He also expressed how delighted he was that Bath would be looking after the British Paralympics Team for the next 5 years.  He observed that this would require renewed efforts to ensure the accessibility of local venues.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ENGAGE in the National celebrations of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the ambitions of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Government to leave a legacy for future generations;

(2) To EMBRACE all the plans outlined in this Report and support the activities proposed positively;

(3) To ENCOURAGE all Councillors to enthuse and engage their own communities in the planned programme of events and challenges and participate fully in the opportunities and benefits offered by 2012;

(4) To ENCOURAGE all Council staff to adopt an Olympics message in their email signature from January 2012 and to participate in the activities associated with this Report, in line with the Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy;

(5) To APPOINT the Leader of the Council as the Olympics Champion and as the figurehead for 2012 locally.

Approval to submit as invited by DfT a bid with the WoE for a major scheme within the Local Sustainable Transport Fund

Councillor Charles Gerrish made an ad hoc statement supporting the recommendations and welcoming the inclusion of the proposed cycle route from Batheaston to Bath Spa.

Councillor Roger Symonds, in proposing the item, acknowledged the huge amount of work already done by Councillor Gerrish when he had been the responsible Cabinet member.  He advised Cabinet that the proposals had been adopted, that morning, by the West of England Partnership subject to approval by Cabinet tonight.  He was delighted that the Partnership had already reached the shortlist of 9 applicants for funding.  He emphasised that sustainable economic growth was a crucial part of the bid and referred to paragraph 5.5 of the report in support of this.  He felt that it was this emphasis on growth which would make the bid attractive to government.

Councillor Nathan Hartley seconded the proposal.  He congratulated Councillor Symonds and the authors of the bid for their hard work.  He emphasised that it would be essential to work with local partner authorities in the matter of transport.

Councillor David Bellotti warmly supported the proposals, subject to approval in the budget.  He referred to Appendix 3 of the report, and emphasised that the inclusion by Cabinet of 20mph schemes had made the bid viable.

On a motion from Councillor Roger Symonds, seconded by Councillor Nathan Hartley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ACCEPT the £750,000 awarded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Key Component bid;

(2) To APPROVE the West of England joint bid for £25.5 million (WEST) from the DfT Local Sustainable Transport Fund, SUBJECT to approval of the Council’s matched funding elements as part of the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme in February 2012.

This report will provide an update on the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration Scheme and the Workplaces Programme. The previous report approved by Cabinet in December 2009, required a return to Cabinet with an update prior to the appointment of a Construction Delivery Partner. The stage has now been reached for this appointment to be implemented together with the submission of a full planning application for the scheme.

The Keynsham Regeneration Project team showed a 3-dimensional visual impression of the proposed development.  The Chair thanked the team for their presentation.

Gill Hellier (Keynsham resident) made a statement welcoming the redevelopment plans for Keynsham and asking the Cabinet to approve the proposals, along with the road improvements.

Sheila Crocombe (Keynsham resident) made a statement [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 6 to the Minutes and on the Council's website].  She made particular mention of the first floor space and One Stop Shop and said that she was disappointed that the new space would be a replacement Council Chamber.  She hoped that Cabinet would consider the needs of the thriving Keynsham Film Club, which needed a projector and screen.

Roger Busby (Keynsham Civic Society) made a statement [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 7 to the Minutes and on the Council's website].  He felt that the designs did not reflect the historic market town and did not meet the needs for sustainability, particularly because the roofs were not inclined enough to take advantage of the solar power options.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked Mr Busby whether he was aware that the proposed buildings included state of the art energy saving elements.  Mr Busby said he was aware of this, but that he had been referring to the lack of a District Energy Scheme.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement welcomed the proposals and was pleased to see the savings which had been achieved.  He acknowledged the merits of the preferred option for funding. He felt in paragraph 5.6 the report should refer to “negotiations” with the current head tenant, not “discussions”.  He also expressed some concern over the lack of clarity about interim Library facilities.

Councillor Tony Clarke made an ad hoc statement congratulating the Cabinet for pushing forward with the scheme, which he felt would bring about a significant improvement in the built environment.

The Chair asked all Cabinet members to confirm that they had read Appendix 4 (Leasing Strategy) and the Public Interest Test document which accompanied it.  All confirmed this.  The Chair then proposed that Appendix 4 was exempt from publication, by virtue of paragraph 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  This was seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath and Cabinet agreed unanimously.  The Chair reminded Cabinet members that if they wished to refer to the Appendix during the debate, they must first vote to exclude the public from the meeting.  All Cabinet members agreed that they did not wish to refer to the Appendix.

Councillor David Bellotti, in proposing the item, said that the existing accommodation was expensive, wasteful and inadequate.  He explained that the plans were in due course to have One Stop Shops at Lewis House Bath, Hollies Midsomer Norton, and in Keynsham at the newly built offices.  He explained that the proposals had been amended to reduce the cost and maximise the income by involving police, health, citizens advice  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.