Agenda and minutes

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.

There was none.  The Chair announced that he would hear item 16 (Bath Freight Consolidation Contract) before item 12 on the agenda.

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 19 questions from Councillors and 7 questions from members of the public.

[Copies of the questions and responses, including supplementary questions and responses, 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.

Roger Berry (Managing Director, Healthmatic) in a statement apologised for an incident in July when a member of the public had been inadvertently locked in a toilet.  He assured the Cabinet that the engineer had arrived very promptly to deal with the situation.  The Healthmatic member of staff had undertaken training to ensure that there would be no repeat of the incident.  Healthmatic had since made donations to the charities DHI and Julian House.

Councillor David Dixon asked Roger Berry whether he had received any feedback from members of the public about the new facilities.  Roger replied that the overwhelmingly positive.  There had been only 3 complaints about the 20p charge for use.  There had been no complaints about queues, nor had he seen any queues despite having visited the various facilities at different times.

Penny Hay (Director of Research, 5x5x5=creativity and Senior Lecturer in Arts Education, Bath Spa University) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] asked Cabinet to endorse the application for UNICEF accreditation of Bath as a Child Friendly City.  She reminded Cabinet that the city was a magnet for child friendly initiatives and felt that the status could be of huge benefit to the area.

Councillor Ben Stevens asked Penny Hay to give an example of benefit to local children.  Penny referred to the Schools Without Walls project which had been very successful and in which children were active protagonists in their own learning.

Councillor Tim Ball asked Penny whether projects should be adult led or whether children should lead them.  Penny observed that the event planned for 1^st October was co-designed by young people and would not be delivered by adults.

Sue East (Head Teacher, St Andrew Primary) supported Penny Hay’s statement.  She had discovered that children did not always feel as connected to their city as might be hoped.  She urged Cabinet to take up the initiative.

Councillor Tim Ball asked Sue East whether she could ensure that the voice of children would come through clearly and that children were reached even in communities which did normally respond.  Sue East responded that those who worked with children did know how to hear their voice.

Councillor Dine Romero asked what was the most important factor that the Council should work on.  Sue East said that the Council should perform an audit on all of its services.  Some excellent work had been done in the Roman Baths because children had been consulted.

Councillor David Dixon asked Sue East and Penny Hay whether they would contact him about open spaces.  They agreed.

David Redgewell (South West Transport Network) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to ensure that there would be no delay to the Great Western Train franchise.  He congratulated the Cabinet on saving a number of bus routes and services,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 16^th July 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.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor Sally Davis, Chair of the Early Years, Children and Youth PDS Panel, and invited her to speak.

Councillor Davis in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] thanked all those who had taken part in the consultation exercise over the restructuring of the Early Years service.  She asked Cabinet to keep her Panel fully informed and involved in future consideration of the proposals and she presented the recommendations recently agreed by the Panel.

This report lists Cabinet Single Member decisions taken and published since the last Cabinet meeting.

The Chair drew attention to a replacement report, including some more recent decisions, [copies of which had been placed in the public gallery prior to the meeting and which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council’s website].

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.

The contract and funding for the Bath freight consolidation operation, which is jointly procured with Bristol City Council, ended on 31st July 2014.  A joint competitive tendering exercise was undertaken for a new contract to run for 3 years with an option to terminate the contract after 2 years. A decision is now required to award the contract.

David Redgewell said he was very pleased that the contract was to be renewed.  He remained concerned about the level of vehicles and emphasised the need to reduce the number of HGVs coming into the city.  He asked the Cabinet to encourage Wiltshire County Council to look at its distribution networks too, especially around Trowbridge.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement welcomed the paper and said that he supported the principle.  He observed however that there was no mention of what would happen if Bristol declined to renew.  He asked the Cabinet to consider making it a condition of awarding planning consent to companies that they would use this facility.  He suggested that Planning Officers be asked to make it a condition for businesses that they use this facility.  He asked for Keynsham to be included in the contract.

Councillor Anthony Clarke in an ad hoc statement was supportive but emphasised the need to persuade big businesses to commit to the scheme

Councillor Caroline Roberts introduced the item and explained to Councillor Gerrish that there was already good reason to have a high level of confidence that Bristol would adopt the same approach.  She agreed to consider the inclusion of Keynsham in the scheme, as part of the Keynsham Transport Strategy.  She emphasised the Cabinet’s commitment to sustainable deliveries and said that the number of companies involved had risen from 17 in 2011 to 34 in 2014.  It was a contributing factor in improving air quality and in reducing the dirt and damage to buildings.  She moved the proposals.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He was pleased that the contract was to be renewed.  He assured David Redgewell that Cabinet would consider the situation in Wiltshire too.  He assured Councillor Charles Gerrish that should Bristol change its mind, the Cabinet would give serious consideration to continuing; but he was confident that Bristol would commit.

Councillor David Dixon supported the proposals.  He was pleased that there was an alternative, rather than just to hit businesses with the planning approach.  He observed to Councillor Charles Gerrish that some Keynsham businesses had already committed to the existing scheme.  He agreed that the Trowbridge situation needed to be explored.

Councillor Tim Ball supported the proposals.  He responded to Councillor Charles Gerrish that the imposition of planning conditions was not an option because the government minister had recently stripped Councils of many of its planning powers.

Councillor David Bellotti emphasised the importance of the proposals for the health of people in the city.  He commended the businesses which had already signed up to the contract.

On a motion from Councillor Caroline Roberts, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AWARD the new contract for three years, with an option to terminate after two years.  If either authority took the decision to terminate the contract after two years, the other authority would have the option to continue for a further year; and

(2) To ASK the Strategic Director of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The Advice & Information Strategy, revised following consultation and feedback from members of the public, service providers and other stakeholders,  now needs to be approved by Cabinet

Councillor Vic Pritchard in an ad hoc statement said he was pleased that the strategy had reached this point.  He observed however that the Action Plan was not included with the published papers.

Peter Duppa-Miller in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 13 and on the Council’s website] asked the cabinet to consider use of the Town and Parish Councils as information points, particularly for self-service information.

Councillor Simon Allen apologised that the action plan was not yet available.  He explained that there had been two periods of consultation on this issue.  In particular, views had been sought from the Apex providers, CAB, SWAN, Age UK, DHI and the Carers Centre.  This group had been asked to draw up the action plan in conjunction with the Council, as stated in the report.

Councillor Allen said that the strategy was very ambitious because there were a large number of separate sources of information.  He thanked Peter Duppa-Miller for the offer of help from Parish Clerks.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor David Bellotti seconded the proposal.  He recognised that people wanted and needed to be able to get information from a single point.  He wanted to avoid the Council becoming no more than a signpost to other sources of information.  He felt these proposals would achieve that.

Councillor Paul Crossley observed in response to Councillor Vic Pritchard that at paragraph 8.5 the report stated that the action plan would be developed in consultation with the partners.  He asked the Democratic Services Officer to ensure that the action plan would in due course be published.

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

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE the consultation feedback received and subsequent amendments made to the draft document; and

(2) To AGREE the Strategy.

In 2010 the Council approved its current Economic Strategy, including a commitment to review and refresh the document after a period of three years.  In conjunction with key partners it is proposed to publish the Strategy & Action Plan in October.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement welcomed the strategy as a very good response to changing economic times.  He made the following observations about the issue:  the danger of intensifying economic activity in a small area, thus putting demand on the infrastructure, meant that the Cabinet should consider an urban plan, not just a transport strategy; the nature of high-growth business was changing rapidly; Midsomer Norton was falling behind the pack and although the paper was forward-looking, it was focused too much on the city of Bath.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement supported the comments made by Councillor Anketell-Jones about Midsomer Norton.  Her PDS Panel had asked for an economic report on that area.  She pointed out that over 60% of the working population in that area commuted into Bath or Bristol for their work.

Councillor John Bull in an ad hoc statement expressed disappointment that the strategy did not differentiate between towns geographically.  He reminded the Cabinet that new jobs would require new work locations and was concerned that there were no such proposals, which would be a real hurdle to overcome.

Peter Duppa-Miller in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 14 and on the Council’s website] referred to paragraph 5.12 of the strategy and re-iterated the view of the Town and Parish Councils Association that this was a strategic issue.  He strongly urged the early implementation of Theme 12, which he said must deliver reliable, high-speed broadband to every home and business tin the rural area.

Councillor Ben Stevens introduced the item by reminding the Cabinet that this was a commitment given in 2010.  The document set out the local economic priorities.  The 2008 recession had caused a reduction in jobs but this had been reversed.  There was a particular emphasis on high-tech opportunities.  High-speed broadband was a critical plank in the strategy, as was the development of the market towns.  He would welcome a conversation with Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones if he felt the strategy was not flexible enough towards businesses.

Councillor Stevens felt that Midsomer Norton was a very successful market town with a thriving High Street and that proposed initiatives in that area would contribute to this.  He observed that steps had been taken to encourage the use of some sites in Paulton but many companies were looking particularly for sites along the A4 corridor.

Councillor Stevens referred to the 3 key schemes, listed in paragraph 5.2 of the report.  He moved the proposals.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He emphasised that solutions were coming forward for the Cadbury site in Keynsham and for Midsomer Norton.  The whole area was proving to be very attractive to new companies.

Councillor Tim Ball congratulated Councillor Ben Stevens for the excellent strategy.  This was one part of the Core Strategy which would back up all the Council has been doing.  He was keen to see the growth in businesses, houses and jobs in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To determine the future model for Early Years and Children’s Centres to be delivered within the reduced budget available, following Council budget decisions in February 2014.  To consider whether to support a ‘Right to Provide’ request from Children's Centre staff who would like to explore establishing a ‘staff mutual’ to deliver a range of services.

Vicky Drew in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 15 and on the Council’s website] referred to the fact that Children’s Centres were being shut all over the country and appealed to Cabinet to avoid closing any in the area.

Councillor Liz Hardman in an ad hoc statement reminded Cabinet of the huge consultation process which had taken place earlier in the year and asked what part the feedback had played in the thinking leading up to the current proposals.  She observed that 70% of the respondents had been parents.  She encouraged Cabinet to give an opportunity for the proposed staff co-operative to be put in place.

Councillor John Bull in an ad hoc statement said that Children’s Centres were still faced with cuts of £1M.  The business case for a staff mutual would take 18 months to prepare and he asked Cabinet to allow time for this to happen.  He suggested that funds could be used from the Council’s reserves to suspend any plans until the end of the financial year, so as not to make any changes which would be impossible to reinstate at a later date.

Councillor Michael Evans in an ad hoc statement emphasised that it was not possible to use funds which should be available to future generations.  He pointed out that it had never been intended that the Sure Start initiative would provide universal access to services.  He recognised the ability of a staff mutual to access certain external funding which the Council as a public body was prevented from accessing.  He gave credit to the Cabinet that it had been able to avoid closing any Children’s Centres.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement acknowledged the diminishing funds available, but emphasised that people wished to see Children’s Centres protected.  She strongly supported the proposals put forward by the Early Years, Children and Youth PDS Panel and the proposal from Councillor Bull that Cabinet should suspend any changes during the current financial year.

Councillor Dine Romero introduced the item.  With reference to the possible staff mutual, she would need to know that any business case would be viable.  It could possibly be in place by summer 2016 but would need time to mature before being floated off from the Council.  She thanked those who had contributed to the debate, including those who had responded to the consultation and particularly to the staff of the Children’s Centres.  She felt that there were two conflicting pressures: reducing resources and meeting the needs of children.  She proposed to meet both.  She emphasised that no Children’s Centres had been or would be closed.  She recognised the importance of outreach work and, as a result, the number of Health Visitors was being expanded.  She was confident that the needs of families would continue to be met.

Councillor Romero said she wanted to explore further the possibility of a staff mutual and that some additional transitional funding would be required while this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

UNESCO made comments on the World Heritage Sites Management Plan in 2011. A full response to these comments is to be made, together with information on potential major developments in Bath, to clear the way for production of a revised management plan in 2016.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement welcomed the information dossier which he said seemed to stretch back a long way.  He asked whether the Bath Pattern Book had yet been published and observed that there appeared to be no strategy for limiting the heights of buildings.

Councillor Ben Stevens introduced the item by reminding Cabinet that they would be asked to endorse the document for submission to UNESCO.  He commended Tony Crouch, World Heritage Manager, for his hard work in securing the designation of Bath as a World Heritage City.  He reminded the Cabinet that protecting the world heritage site and developing the area were not mutually exclusive.  He moved the proposal.

Councillor Tim Ball seconded the proposal.  He congratulated Councillor Stevens and Tony Crouch for the excellent report.  He agreed with Councillor Stevens that protection of the world heritage site was very important but that Bath must not become a sleeping city.

Councillor Paul Crossley said that the Council was seeking designation as a Great Spa Tours of Europe.  He acknowledged the point made by Councillor Anketell-Jones and said that building heights was one of the issues needing resolution.

Councillor David Dixon reminded the Cabinet that Berkeley House in Snowhill had in its day won awards for design.  He felt that the Council must demand the very best design, not simply restrict the heights of buildings.  Bath was a living, vibrant city.  He had recently been delighted to use his Discovery Card to take the excellent Tower Tour in the Abbey – which he had not known about previously.

Councillor Ben Stevens summed up by committing to check that the Bath Pattern Book had been published.  He acknowledged the importance of architectural quality in all development across the area.

On a motion from Councillor Ben Stevens, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ENDORSE the submission of the dossier to UNESCO.

This report gives details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan 2014/15 for the first three months of 2014/15

Councillor David Bellotti introduced the item.  He was delighted to observe that current borrowing was at £70M, which was £50M less than he had inherited from the previous administration.  He moved the proposals.

Councillor Tim Ball seconded the proposal.  He said that the report showed how well the Council was delivering its programme, within the current economic restraints.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE the Treasury Management Report to 30th June 2014; and

(2) To NOTE the Treasury Management Indicators to 30th June 2014.

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2014/15 to the end of July 2014

Councillor David Bellotti introduced the item by observing that for the previous 3 years, the Council had ended the year within its budget and he anticipated the current year would be no exception.  He referred to paragraph 2 of Appendix 1, which showed the list of capital projects being delivered by the Cabinet’s ambitious programme.  He moved the proposals.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal and noted that the current level of overspend was only 0.5% which would be rectified by the end of the financial year.  He observed that some of the current overspends were demand-led and so very difficult to control.  He reminded Cabinet that investments had been made across the whole of the council’s area.

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

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ASK Strategic Directors to continue to work towards managing within budget in the current year for their respective service areas, and to manage below budget where possible by not committing unnecessary expenditure, through tight budgetary control;

(2) To NOTE the revenue budget position;

(3) To NOTE the capital expenditure position for the Council in the financial year to the end of July and the year end projections;

(4) To AGREE the revenue virements listed for approval; and

(5) To NOTE the changes in the capital programme.