Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Democratic Services Officer will read out the emergency evacuation procedure as set out in the notes.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Dave Wood.

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 4.4 Appendix 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 were no declarations of interest.

There was no urgent business.

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

There were 11 questions from Councillors and 21 questions from members of the public.

[Copies of the questions and responses, 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.

Members of the public and Councillors made statements as follows:

·  David Redgewell – Public Transport Network.  Mr Redgewell stressed the need for a review of the bus network, with public consultation.  He pointed out that there are still villages that do not have a bus service.  He also highlighted problems with the cleanliness of the Bath bus station.

·  Guy Simpson – Road Safety Improvements – Macaulay Buildings, Widcombe Hill (copy attached as an appendix to these minutes)

·  Cllr Jess David – Financial Pressure on Leaseholders (copy attached as an appendix to these minutes)

·  Cllr Fiona Gourley – Heritage Lottery Funding for the Fashion Museum (copy attached as an appendix to these minutes)

To be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 13^th March 2025 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.

No single member items were requisitioned to Cabinet.

This is a standing agenda item (Constitution rule 3.3.14) for matters referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny bodies.  The Chair of the relevant Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel will have the right to attend and to introduce the Panel’s recommendations to Cabinet.

No matters were referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels.

To note the list of Cabinet Single Member decisions taken and published since the last Cabinet meeting (no debate).

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.

The report updates the Cabinet on the progress made in delivering the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2023-27 in 2024-25.

Cllr Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

• This is the first time we have integrated the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into the annual report.
• There is a need for regular review and refinement of the KPIs.  Cllr Elliott stated that it would be important to dedicate some time to this and that he would welcome the involvement of the Corporate PDS Panel in this process.
• The report demonstrates transparency, even where indicators are negative.
• The Council is making efforts to influence outcomes through partnerships and lobbying.
• Cllr Elliott gave the following examples of ways in which the Council is delivering for residents:

• Housing:
  • 712 net new homes have been completed (40% increase).
  • Progress on brownfield developments such as Bath Quays North and Western Riverside.
  • 18 new social-rent apartments at Argyle Works.
  • 16 supported-living units at Englishcombe Lane.
  • Emphasis on energy-efficient housing as a social good.
• Environment & Cleanliness:
  • Recycling and recovery rates are above 94%.
  • £1 million has been invested in Neighbourhood Services.
  • Initiatives: chewing-gum task force, red reusable recycling bags.
  • Fast-response street teams funded with an extra £¼ million.
• Transport & Infrastructure:
  • Park & Ride hours extended to 23:30 backed by obtaining the 2nd highest customer satisfaction among 96 local authorities.
  • Over 200 transport schemes are now tracked in real time by the Transport Action Map.
  • Roadworks: 103,000 m² of carriageway has been resurfaced, and 5,000+ potholes have been repaired.
  • Serious injury collisions have decreased.
• Children & Young People:
  • The Early Years attainment gap has reduced from 39% to 32%.
  • There has been an 80% increase in stepped-down child protection plans.
  • Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Probation have praised Children’s Services and the Youth Justice Service.
• Public Health:
  • The Community Wellbeing Hub unites 37 partners and has supported 15,000 residents.

• Climate & Nature:
  • £1.5 million Climate Action Fund grant has been secured.
  • There has been a 50% increase in renewable energy capacity.
  • An 80-MW renewable energy pipeline is coming.
  • 23 ha of grassland has been restored through tree and meadow projects.
  • Initiatives: heat-pump installations, estate decarbonisation, electric fleet roadmap.
• Jobs & Skills:
  • The median wage rose by 4% to £40,218 (above national/regional averages).
  • 115 residents moved into work via the Employment & Skills Pod with 77 residents now earning a Real Living Wage.
  • 70 staff were upskilled, and 14 unemployed learners are now in full-time jobs.
  • The Council has promoted the Good Employment Charter.
• Culture & Tourism:
  • The Roman Baths have received over 1 million visitors and returned a record surplus to the Council.
  • Six heritage sites won regional awards.
  • Bath Christmas Market generated a £41.5 million turnover and supported over 500 jobs.

Listening to Residents

• 30 public meetings/events have been held.
• 10,600 responses have been received across 30 online consultations.
• £¼ million has been invested in a new customer contact system.
• Although the resident engagement indicator has dropped from 20% to 11% there are plans to trial new communication and engagement methods.
• It is acknowledged that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

The report seeks endorsement of the Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030).

Cllr Matt McCabe introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

• The document has been prepared by the World Heritage Site (WHS) Advisory Board, supported by the Council and Cabinet, following a public consultation process.
• Cllr McCabe praised the expertise of the Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Marion Harney and supported by WHS Manager Adrian Neilson.
• Bath is of outstanding value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with global significance.

• This is the first combined management plan and covers both the City of Bath and the Great Spa Towns of Europe inscriptions.
• Climate change is now a headline priority along with Development Management, Public Realm, Traffic, Transport and Mobility, Promotion, Interpretation, Inclusion and Presentation, Natural Setting and Nature Recovery.
• This is the first time that UNESCO/ICOMOS were consulted as key stakeholders which represents a closer working relationship.
• This is the most participative review to date, involving the Advisory Board and Management Plan Steering Group over one and a half years.
• This is the first Bath WHS plan to be fully online, allowing for real-time updates and adaptability.
• The document is written in plain English to be more inclusive and uses local photography rather than stock images.
• The document sets out a clear, collaborative vision for Bath’s future.

Cllr Paul Roper seconded the motion, thanked those people who have been involved in producing the document and noted that there had been nearly 400 responses to the consultation.  He acknowledged those people who, in the past, had recognised the value of Bath’s architecture and had worked hard to protect it.  The double inscription held by Bath is one of only 22 in the world. 

RESOLVED (unanimously)

To endorse the Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030) following Cabinet endorsement on 14 November 2024 for an 8-week public engagement/consultation between December 2024 and January 2025.

To receive a presentation from the Highways, Traffic and Passenger Transport Service (Place Directorate) covering the work undertaken by the service.

Cllr Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, introduced Chris Major, Director of Place Management.  He then gave a presentation regarding the work of the Highways, Traffic and Passenger Transport Service.

The presentation covered the following issues:

·  The different services provided – Highways Maintenance and Drainage, Design and Projects, Traffic Management and Network, Parking Services and Passenger Transport.

·  Links to the Corporate Plan and Council Vision.

·  Working with Councillors to deliver priorities.

·  How the Service listens to residents, including the National Highways and Transport Satisfaction Survey.

·  Increasing investment in Highways, Transport, Planning and Economic Development.

·  Delivery of major projects such as the Cleveland Bridge repairs and monitoring.

·  Improving Road Safety.

·  The award-winning contract – Clutton Depot Redevelopment.

·  Ongoing challenges, including the declining condition of national roads and harsh weather events.

·  The effects of climate change.

·  Looking ahead to future priorities including increasing investment in highway and footway maintenance.

A copy of the presentation slides is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

Cllr Manda Rigby thanked Chris Major and his team for their hard work in providing this excellent service.

The Chair informed members that this would be Cllr Tim Ball’s last Cabinet meeting as he is stepping down from his current role.  He thanked Cllr Ball for the valuable work he has undertaken as a Cabinet Member over several years.