Agenda and minutes

Councillor Paul Crossley, Leader of the Council, took the Chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Before the meeting started, the Chair led a short period of contemplation in tribute to the late Gabriel Batt, a Councillor of this authority, and to Sheila Shepherd, who had once been a Mayor of Bath.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Questions submitted before the deadline will receive a reply from an appropriate Cabinet member or a promise to respond within 5 days of the meeting.  Councillors may ask one supplementary question for each question they submitted, up to a maximum of two per Councillor.

There were 31 questions from the following Councillors: Nathan Hartley (2), Eleanor Jackson (3), John Bull, Brian Webber (3), Anthony Clarke (4), Colin Barrett, Geoff Ward (3), Patrick Anketell-Jones (3), Vic Pritchard (5), Liz Richardson (3), Charles Gerrish (3).

There were 9 questions from the following members of the public: Karen Walker (2), Lesley Mansell (2), Marian McNeir (4), Andy Stewart.

[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.]

Councillors and members of the public may register their intention to make a statement if they notify the subject matter of their statement before the deadline.  Statements are limited to 3 minutes each.  The speaker may then be asked by Cabinet members to answer factual questions arising out of their statement.

Duncan Hounsell (Liberal Democrat Organiser, Saltford) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council's website] highlighted the work of the volunteers who support the Saltford Brass Mill.  He asked Cabinet to provide funds to repair the Mill so that it could be re-opened to the public.

Councillor David Bellotti asked Duncan Hounsell if he would be delighted to know that the Council had accepted the responsibility to repair the roof and rewire the Mill so that it would be safe, to enable the friends of the Mill to continue their work.  Duncan Hounsell said that he was delighted to hear this.

Sue Hamilton (Councillor, Westfield Parish Council) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to ensure that Westfield would be provided with a supermarket following the recent rejection of a planning application.  She presented a petition of 736 signatures in support.

Ron Hopkins (Resident, Westfield) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] supported the call for a supermarket in Westfield.

The Chair referred both statements from Sue Hamilton and Ron Hopkins to Councillor Tim Ball and asked him to provide information relating to timescales and processes.

Robert Morgan in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] asked for issues which he had previously raised with the Council to be addressed.

Anna Morgan in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council's website] supported her husband’s appeal for fairness in the Council’s dealings with them as Guildhall market stallholders and presented a petition of 69 signatures in support.

The Chair assured Robert and Anna Morgan that consideration was being given to their statements and that they would receive a response within 10 working days.

Cllr Lesley Mansell (Chair, Radstock Town Council) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] asked for consultation to take place about the proposals to move Radstock Library into the Radco premises.

Councillor David Dixon asked Lesley Mansell whether she had heard his previous statement that he intended to consult Radstock Town Council over this matter.  Lesley Mansell said that she had heard this but she felt that consultation should have been undertaken earlier.

Cllr Lesley Mansell (Chair, Radstock Town Council) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council's website] asked for the hydrotherapy pool in the Writhlington Connections Centre to be repaired and refurbished so that it could re-open.

Councillor Simon Allen asked whether Lesley Mansell was aware that the pool had been used inappropriately for hydrotherapy,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12^th February 2014 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

This is a standing agenda item (Constitution rule 14, part 4D – Executive Procedure Rules) for matters referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny bodies.  The Chair of the relevant PDS Panel will have the right to attend and to introduce the Panel’s recommendations to Cabinet.

Single Member Cabinet Decisions Taken since Previous Cabinet Meeting

The attached report lists the Single Member decisions taken and published since the last Cabinet meeting

Cabinet Decisions Taken in the last year under the Council’s Urgency Provisions (Rule 16)

There were none

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.

The Highway Structural Maintenance Programme 2014/15 is submitted for Cabinet approval.  The programme follows the policies of both the Joint Local Transport Plan and Joint Local Asset Management Plan in accordance with Government guidelines.

David Redgewell (South West Transport Network) in an ad hoc statement observed that no Equality Impact Assessment had been published and asked for a copy to be provided to him.  The Chair referred this matter to Councillor Caroline Roberts.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, in proposing the item, explained that the programme comprised a number of funding sources: the Department for Transport grant; an additional grant for severe weather repairs; a block of an extra £2.4M contributed by the Cabinet.  She referred to the extra £200K allocated to flood mitigation, particularly in Chew valley.  She reminded Cabinet members that the proposals did not include the cost of repairing the extensive flood damage to Kelston Road, which would need to be considered separately.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.  He noted that it was proposed to spend £6.8M on repairing pot holes and felt that local taxi drivers would welcome this.  He warmly welcomed the innovative use of micro-asphalt surfaces on existing concrete roads.

Councillor Ben Stevens welcomed the street lighting programme and was particularly pleased to see the Widcombe footbridge lighting included.

Councillor Dine Romero added that she too was delighted to see that Haycombe Drive resurfacing had been included in the programme.

Councillor Paul Crossley observed that Councils across the country were facing huge challenges because of the severe weather.  In this authority’s area, the Kelston landslip had presented a major challenge.  But he welcomed the programme which would deliver great improvements across the area and he congratulated the highways team for their hard work in preparing the programme.

Councillor Caroline Roberts summed up by pointing out that the authority had now begun to catch up on the longstanding backlog of repairs and maintenance.  She assured the Cabinet that if more funds were made available from government, they would be used to make further improvements.

On a motion from Councillor Caroline Roberts, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the Funding Allocation breakdown across Highway Assets for 2014/15;

(2) To NOTE the anticipated carry forward from 2013/14 to 2014/15;

(3) To APPROVE the Highway Structural Maintenance Programme for 2014/15, for which provisional funding approval was included within the Council’s February 2014 budget report; and

(4) To DELEGATE authority to the Divisional Director, Environmental Services and the Service Manager, Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to alter the programme as may prove necessary during 2014/15.  Any alterations will be within the overall budget allocation and take into account any additional funding streams that become available.

The strategy sets out the priorities for physical activity which have been determined using existing provision, consultation, research, other strategies and plans and emerging trends and issues.  It shows the Council’s commitment to improving opportunities to get more people active and healthy and enable greater involvement from all sectors to develop services which promote and facilitate an active lifestyle for all our residents.  A key function of the strategy is to form the basis for a procurement process for a new leisure contract, which is outlined in the built facility section of the strategy.

Councillor David Dixon introduced the item by welcoming to the meeting Chris Scullion and Emma Savage, who had set up two teams to engage the community in healthy activity and who were examples of the thrust of the new leisure strategy.  He felt that the emphasis should be on getting people to be a little active now and then.  He referred to paragraph 5.19 of the report, which explained that the four main themes of being fit for life were active lifestyle, active travel, active design and active environment.  He asked Cabinet to approve the strategy for further consultation.

Councillor Simon Allen seconded the proposal.  He referred to paragraph 5.17 of the report which listed the challenges people face which might prevent them from becoming or staying fit for life.  He reminded Cabinet that the strategy linked into the Health and Wellbeing Board and in the area of health inequalities there was a particular common interest.

Councillor Tim Ball supported the policy and agreed that sometimes planning policies can be unhelpful in this regard.  He welcomed however the emerging design of the Fox Hill development, which would have ample open space planned into the area.

Councillor Paul Crossley welcomed this very important paper, including the working with the NHS.  He regretted that 26% of reception children were overweight but felt that the Council and its partners had begun to take some very positive steps to design in safety, access and facilities which would encourage healthy living.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Simon Allen, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE the draft ‘Fit for Life’ strategy for further public consultation.

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 local authorities and Conservation Boards are required to produce Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within their boundaries and to review them at least every 5 years, describing how the AONBs will be protected to maintain their special character. The two Management Plans are presented for Cabinet approval.

Councillor Tim Ball, in proposing the item, welcomed the two very good management plans for the Mendips and Cotswolds areas.  He said that management plans were required to protect public rights of way, landscape and habitat.  He warmly recommended the plans to Cabinet.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal and agreed that the management plans would be critically important to protect the two important local assets.

Councillor Ben Stevens observed that the outstanding surroundings were part of Bath’s appeal to tourists and visitors.

Councillor Tim Ball summed up by warning however that the beauty of the area might be threatened by shale gas extraction and the Council would robustly defend its local landscape and habitats.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE the Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan 2014 – 2019 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the AONB and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and in the determination of planning applications; and

(2) To ENDORSE the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2013 – 2018 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the AONB and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and in the determination of planning applications.

To seek full approval for capital schemes at primary schools for inclusion in the 2014/15 schools capital programme and for future schemes identified as priorities for inclusion in the programme including contributions to new schools required as a result housing developments.

Councillor Michael Evans in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 12 and on the Council's website] asked Councillor Dine Romero to explain whether she was concerned about anticipated development outside of that envisaged in the Core Strategy.  He also observed that there had been an independent assessment of the Place Making process, and asked what this would cost local residents.

Councillor Dine Romero in proposing the item, promised to respond to the points raised by Councillor Evans after the meeting.  She explained the points of the programme in turn and asked the Cabinet to support the 6 capital investments, including the allocation of £500K for priority improvements which might arise without notice during the year.

Councillor David Bellotti seconded the proposal.  He welcomed the proposals for 3 main reasons:  the £500K extra for school repairs; the £987 being held in reserve for emergencies (such as roof repairs) as they become known; and the funding from government to upgrade school kitchens to enable to provision of free hot meals to every infant child.

He responded to the question posed by Councillor Evans about the consultancy report by assuring Cabinet that consultants were only used by the Council when the skills and experience were not available from within the Council.  He further observed that the number of consultants had been declining and that it was monitored by means of a regular report from Strategic Directors of all the consultants they had used.

Councillor Paul Crossley supported the programme which he felt met the dual needs to upgrade buildings in a poor condition and to accommodate rising numbers.  He explained that the concern expressed by Councillor Evans about development outside the Core Strategy was not relevant because the programme was about existing school buildings; new schools were being planned to accommodate new communities but were not included in the current proposals.

Councillor Crossley felt that the provision of free hot meals to infants was a landmark policy change and he warmly welcomed it.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor David Bellotti, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE for inclusion in the 2014/15 Capital Programme DfE funding of £353,269 for works to school kitchens required to enable the provision of free school meals for all infant pupils from September 2014;

(2) To APPROVE for inclusion in the 2014/15 Capital Programme Basic Need development funding of £150,000 to enable feasibility studies and option appraisal for adding capacity at the schools identified in Section 5;

(3) To APPROVE for inclusion in the 2014/15 Capital Programme Basic Need funding of £400k for the provision of additional classrooms at Saltford Primary School required by September 2014;

(4) To APPROVE provisionally the principle of the allocation of Basic Need funding for  school places and land as required on the MOD sites at Ensleigh and Warminster Rd subject to a further report to Cabinet when the level of contribution is identified;

(5) To AGREE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

The Council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient school places for every child resident in the area who requires a place. The Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan 2013 – 2017 projects pupil numbers over the next four years up to admissions in September 2017 based on births and resident population data and outline pupil numbers up to 2029 together with how and where these might be provided.

Andy Stewart (Chair, Broadmoor Lane Residents Association) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 13 and on the Council's website] expressed concern about plans to expand Weston All Saints Primary School.  His group felt that there was no need for more places; a number of traffic issues would be created; and there was no call from parents for expansion.  He felt that a better solution would be to make the new Ensleigh school a 2-form intake.

Councillor Dine Romero in proposing the item, thanked Andy Stewart and promised a response within 5 working days.  She reminded Cabinet that it was only possible to forecast with any certainty those children who were within 4 years of entry; but there were many other factors which must be taken into account.  She was aware that if there was no need for expansion, that would be a valid reason for refusal of the application.  She felt however that Weston All Saints Primary School had already needed to take a bulge class for the previous 3 years so a case could be made for enlargement and the highways issues would be part of the considerations.

Councillor Romero referred to the plans for a new 210-place school at Ensleigh, whose timing was still uncertain.  As a result, she felt that expanding Weston All Saints might prove to be the optimum solution but that this was still being considered and would be fully consulted before any decision was taken.

She moved the Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan for adoption by Cabinet.

Councillor Katie Hall seconded the proposal.  She felt that the Strategic Plan would give the majority of parents their first or second choice school.  She warned against too much over-supply of places but acknowledged that school intakes would always be an imprecise science.  She was however convinced that the numbers quoted in the report were sound.

Councillor Paul Crossley said the Cabinet believed passionately that children should be able to go to their local school if they wished - it was safer and better for community.  The Cabinet had been very successful in meeting first and second preferences.  He was confident that the Plan would meet the educational needs of families into the future.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Katie Hall, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE the proposed strategy for the provision of school places within the 2013 – 2017 plan period; and

(2) To APPROVE the proposed strategy for the provision of school places over the longer term within the Core Strategy plan period.

In line with Government requirements the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has, in consultation with public and private sector partners, drawn up a Strategic Economic Plan for the sub-region. As part of the process of submitting the Plan to Government it is seeking the agreement of key partners to the aims and objectives set out in the document.

David Redgewell (South West Transport Network) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 11 and on the Council's website] referred to governance issues and the openness and transparency of the decision making process of the Local Economic Partnership. He emphasised the importance of Phase I of Metro West and appealed to Cabinet to ensure that it would be properly funded.  He also asked Cabinet to ensure the funding for Saltford and Corsham Stations by asking the government to secure Phase II of Metro West without delay.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement said that the huge investment being made was impressive.  He observed that the bulk of the growth and expansion in Bath would be in the enterprise zones and asked if consideration had been given to developing a management plan to avoid gridlock.

Councillor Ben Stevens, in proposing the item, said that the economic plan asked for government investment to drive it forward.  He referred to paragraph 5.7 of the report, which listed the 9 priority interventions which would directly benefit Bath & NE Somerset residents.  He drew attention in particular to the £34.7M intervention being requested to enable the Bath Innovation Campus.

Councillor Stevens responded to a point made by David Redgewell by saying that scrutiny of the LEP was very important, but that during the early phases of some plans businesses can only speak confidentially.  He observed that the plan made little reference to tourism but assured the Cabinet that it would remain as a very important element of Council’s the economic plans.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal and observed that the Plan was a continuation of the economic powerhouse of the region.  He laid great importance on ensuring a balanced community in which to live, work and play.  He particularly welcomed the emphasis on superfast broadband.  He responded to David Redgewell’s point about accelerating Phase II by assuring the meeting that the Council was committed to re-opening Saltford station if this could be made feasible and if local people would support it.  The same would apply to Corsham station.

Councillor David Bellotti was very happy with the plan.  The aim was to seek to give added value by working together – not to combine Councils into some sort of combined authority.  He agreed that the LEP must be transparent in its dealings and pointed out that all the financial details, including the complete record of decisions taken, were already in the public domain.  He assured Cabinet that he would not ask for seed funds which the Council could not repay.  He emphasised that all decision making came back to Cabinet before being agreed at the LEP.  He observed that this was the only Strategic Economic Plan so far which had been agreed by all its MPs and all its constituent authorities.

On a motion from Councillor Ben Stevens, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the aspirations set out in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 136.