Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Jack Latkovic  01225 394452

Media

Items
No. Item

39.

Welcome and introductions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  The Chair thanked Councillor Marie Longstaff for her time as the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning and welcomed Councillor Liz Richardson as the new Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning.

40.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out in the Notes

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Minutes:

Senior Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the evacuation procedure as set out in the Agenda.

41.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

42.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were none.

43.

To Announce any Urgent Business Agreed by the Chair

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Minutes:

There was none.

44.

Questions from Public and Councillors

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were 20 questions from Councillors.

[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.]

Appendix 1 pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Additional documents:

45.

Statements, Deputations or Petitions from Public or Councillors

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

David Redgewell, on behalf of the South West Transport Network, expressed his concerns that the Planning Committee, despite the Outline permission retaining a public transport corridor the detail consent, had removed the sustainable transport corridor TR09 (protected in the core strategies of BANES and Mendip Councils) which could prevent reuse of the railway line in the future between Radstock and Frome. South West Transport Network also supported Bathampton Park & Ride Site B. 

 

A full copy of the statement is attached to these minutes.

 

Sally Collins (Vice Chairman of Marksbury Parish Council) presented a petition, with 90 signatures, asking for a provision of a light controlled pedestrian crossing for the A39 at Marksbury.  Sally Collins read out a statement where she described the size of the village of Marksubry and expressed her concerns about the volume and speed of traffic through the village.  Sally Collins concluded her statement by urging the Council to provide a safe crossing, a safer route to the Marksbury School and to connect community in the village.

 

A full copy of the statement is attached to these minutes.

 

The Chair thanked Sally Collins for the petition and informed the meeting that petition, along with enclosed DVD and other documents would be sent to the relevant department within the Council for response. 

 

Colin Currie said that housing in Radstock and area had increased without adequate infrastructure.  Colin Currie expressed his concern on traffic congestion in Radstock and suggested that railway would ease traffic pressure.  Colin Currie concluded the statement by inviting the Council to resolve railway issue or Radstock and Kilmersdon would not benefit from economic regeneration.

 

Charles Draper (Chairman of the Bathwick Estate Residents Association) spoke about the need for a new pedestrian (toucan) crossing on Bathwick Street.  Charles Draper pointed out that there was heavy traffic through Bathwick Street and there is a huge gap from Cleveland Bridge to the next crossing hence the need for additional crossing. 

Appendix 2 pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Appendix 3 pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Additional documents:

46.

Minutes of Previous Cabinet Meeting pdf icon PDF 104 KB

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

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9th September 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

47.

Consideration of Single Member Items Requisitioned to Cabinet

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were none.

48.

Matters Referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny Bodies

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were none.

49.

Single Member Cabinet Decisions Taken since Previous Cabinet Meeting pdf icon PDF 87 KB

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

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Minutes:

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.

50.

Bath and North East Somerset Council Corporate Strategy 2016-20 pdf icon PDF 92 KB

This report presents the draft Bath and North East Somerset Council Corporate Strategy 2016-20 for approval. The Corporate Strategy has been shaped by and will deliver the ‘Putting Residents First’ manifesto commitments.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Robin Moss commented that a lot of aspiration had been put into the Strategy, which should be supported by all parties in the Council.  Councillor Moss questioned what would be consequences from 100% business rates coming into Local Authorities and reduction, or loss, of the Revenue Support Grant because of it.  Councillor Moss also said that some statistics on page 7 of the strategy (climate change – ‘by 2020 summers could be 25% dryer and winters 16% wetter’) might not be right.

 

Councillor Joe Rayment asked if he could be given a guarantee that nobody would be worse off from the Review of the local Council Tax support scheme (page 21 of the Strategy).  Councillor Rayment also asked where a figure of further 15% reduction in net budgets came from (page 22).

 

Councillor Dine Romero stated that she would expect at least double or more than 469 young people (aged 15-24) coming to Bath to study (page 8).  Councillor Romero suggested that an update to this paper could reflect a real change in population.

 

Councillor Tim Warren thanked officers for the hard work they put into this report and said that Corporate Strategy sets out the 2020 vision and direction of travel over the next 4 years.  The Corporate Strategy had been shaped by and would deliver the ‘Putting Residents First’ manifesto commitments.  The Bath and North East Somerset 2020 vision sets out our aspirations for the future including good health and wellbeing, economic growth, financial sustainability, an effective transport system and an efficient, well run Council. The vision had been developed in partnership with the NHS, police, local business, education, the fire service and the voluntary sector.  Once agreed by Cabinet the Corporate Strategy would become the overarching framework for Council business until 2020. It would also set the context for our financial strategy over the same period.

 

Councillor Tim Warren moved the recommendations.

 

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones seconded the motion.  This was a four-year delivery plan, which would also help inform how the Council plan our finances for the same period.  The strategy sets out aims and ambitions for the next four years. 

 

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that business rates proposals would not be due to take place before year 2020. 

Directorate Plans would replace the Medium Term Service and Resource Plans (MTSRPs). They would include the Directorate budget summary and details of growth and 2015 savings proposals. Directorate Plans would be submitted to all Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels in November as part of the normal budget development process.

A Review of the local Council Tax support scheme would be debated at the Full Council meeting on 12th November.

 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet approved the Bath and North East Somerset Council Corporate Strategy 2016-20.

51.

Freshford & Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Plan pdf icon PDF 92 KB

Following the successful examination and referendum, this report seeks to make and bring into force the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Plan, so that it will be used by the Local Planning Authority to help determine planning applications within the Neighbourhood Area.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Liz Richardson said that she was passionate about Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP) and highlighted that this was the first plan to crosses boundaries of two Councils - Bath & North East Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council.  Councillor Richardson welcomed that there was a 50.12% referendum turnout of the overall Freshford and Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Area electorate.  A majority (74%) were in favour of using the Freshford and Limpley Stoke NDP to help decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area.

 

Councillor Liz Richardson moved the recommendation.

 

Councillor Charles Gerrish seconded the motion by saying that he was delighted that the Cabinet were able to approve this Neighbourhood Plan.  The new Freshford & Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Plans would be used by this Council and Wiltshire Council, as the Local Planning Authorities, to help determine planning applications within their areas.

 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that:

 

The Cabinet make and bring into force the Freshford & Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Development Plan as part of the Development Plan for the Freshford & Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Area, in accordance with Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”) (as amended by the Localism Act, 2011).

52.

Clutton Neighbourhood Plan pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Following the successful examination and referendum, this report seeks to make and bring into force the Clutton Neighbourhood Plan, so that it will be used by the Local Planning Authority to help determine planning applications within the Neighbourhood Area.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Cherry Beath welcomed the Clutton Neighbourhood Plan and added that she would hope more area would be able to get their plans.  Councillor Beath expressed slight concern that some parts of Bath could not get their Neighbourhood Plans.

 

Councillor Liz Richardson said that there was no area in England that could not be given a Plan.  Nevertheless, Councillor Richardson said that she would investigate an issue raised by Councillor Beath.

 

Councillor Liz Richardson said that she was pleased that Clutton Neighbourhood Development Plan had successfully passed the referendum.  She also said that significant community resources had been included into the Clutton Neighbourhood Plan preparation, including substantial volunteer time.

 

Councillor Liz Richardson moved the recommendations.

 

Councillor Vic Pritchard seconded the proposals by saying that he was delighted that the Cabinet would have the opportunity to approve the Clutton Neighbourhood Plan in the area.  Once the Neighbourhood Plan is made, Clutton Parish Council would receive 25% of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments for development within their Neighbourhood Area, in line with the CIL Regulations (rather than the typical 15%).

 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that:

 

The Cabinet make and bring into force the Clutton Neighbourhood Development Plan as part of the Development Plan for the Clutton Neighbourhood Area, in accordance with Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”) (as amended by the Localism Act, 2011).

53.

Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring, Cash Limits and Virements – April to September 2015 pdf icon PDF 140 KB

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2015/16 to the end of September 2015.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Furse expressed his concern that there had been significant overspend in Children and Community Services and underspend in Transport Services due to vacancy management. 

 

Councillor Dine Romero asked if the burden expected from the Care Act would come out of the revenue reserves.  Councillor Romero also questioned £0.5m in year savings from Public Health.

 

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that this report monitors how the Council has performed against the financial targets set in February 2015 through the Budget setting process. The Budget Management Scheme requires that the Cabinet consider the revenue and capital monitoring position four times per year.  Councillor Gerrish also said these were still early days to assess impact created by the Care Act.  The money put for this year revenue reserves couldbe used for Care Act issues in future years.  The issue of the Public Health would remain uncertain until the Government’s Spending Review is complete.  Children Services and Transport Services issues had been considered via joined up activities between services.

 

Councillor Charles Gerrish moved the recommendation.

 

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the motion. The report shows that the revenue outturn position was currently forecast with a slight underspend of £8,000 and it was pleasing to see the improvement over the last report which forecast an overspend of £835,000.  The Council’s financial position, along with its financial management arrangements and controls, were fundamental to continuing to plan and provide services in a managed way, particularly in light of the medium term financial challenge.  The revenue budget for 2015/16 includes delivery of £9.7m of savings and it was good to note completion during the period of some capital schemes including the Royal Victoria Skate Park, the Great Dell Walkway and a number of school improvements.

 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed that:

 

1)  Strategic Directors should 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)  This year’s revenue budget position is noted.

3)  The capital expenditure position for the Council in the financial year to the end of September and the year-end projections are noted.

4)  The revenue virements listed for approval are agreed.

5)  The changes in the capital programme are noted.

54.

Quarter 2 Treasury Management Performance report 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 490 KB

In February 2012 the Council adopted the 2011 edition of the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice, which requires the Council to approve a Treasury Management Strategy before the start of each financial year, review performance during the year, and approve an annual report after the end of each financial year.

 

This report gives details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan 2015/16 for the first six months of 2015/16.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that this was a routine report which sets satisfactory position of the Council. 

 

Councillor Charles Gerrish moved the recommendations.

 

Councillor Anthony Clarke seconded the motion by paying tributes to Councillor Gerrish and to officers for this report.

 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed that:

 

1)  The Treasury Management Report to 30th September 2015, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice, is noted;

2)  The Treasury Management Indicators to 30th September 2015 are noted;

3)  This Treasury Management Report and attached appendices are reported to November Council and December Corporate Audit Committee.