Agenda and minutes

The Council passed its best wishes to Councillor Martin Veal for a speedy recovery.  On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Les Kew, it was

RESOLVED that Councillor Peter Edwards, as the most recent former Chairman present, be appointed as Vice Chairman for this meeting only.

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure, as set out on the agenda.

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 complete the green interest forms circulated to groups in their pre-meetings (which will be announced at the Council Meeting) 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 Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the 16^th May 2013 Council be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman informed the Council of the recent death of former Wansdyke and B&NES Councillor Doug Miles and asked the Council to stand in silence as a mark of respect.

The Chairman made the customary announcements regarding mobile phones and a comfort break.

There were no items of urgent business.

Statements were made by the following people;

·  Lyndon Hughes, Save our Larkhall toilets.  Mr Hughes presented a petition which had been handed to him by Twerton Residents regarding the closure of their toilets.  Speaking in support of the Larkhall toilets,  Mr Hughes ran through the potential problems that could be caused by their closure including hygiene issues, social consequences, economic impact etc.  In response to a question from Councillor Geoff Ward regarding cost savings, Mr Hughes responded that there was an anomaly as some paid rates, others didn’t and closure could bring about its own costs from vandalism, cleaning up etc.  In response to a question from Councillor Eleanor Jackson regarding recouping costs from business sponsorship or other community measures which had been raised at the Scrutiny Panel, Mr Hughes responded that he didn’t have details of this but initial indications were that local businesses were not particularly interested.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods.

·  David Redgewell, South West Transport Network.  Mr Redgewell spoke about Metro West (formerly known as Greater Bristol Metro) and electrification issues and the crucial role of the City Deal in this.  He stressed the need for the West of England Transport Board to push ahead with getting this into Phase one.  He outlined a number of other issues which are contained within the statement attached to the Minute book.  In response to a question from Councillor Eleanor Jackson regarding real time bus times, Mr Redgewell responded that there were teething problems across the whole of the Bristol/Bath region and the Partnership had been asked to sort these out.  In response to a question from Councillor Dave Laming regarding Network Rail’s view of a station adjacent to the A4 in Saltford, Mr Redgwell responded that he believed it was not considered realistic in Phase 5.  In response to a further question from Councillor Laming regarding railway tunnels, Mr Redgewell replied that he was aware that all Brunel tunnels had been listed by English Heritage last July which did not prevent development but ensured they were protected into the future.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to the formal adoption of the Growth Incentive proposals and the subsequent pooling of business rates across the West of England Enterprise Areas and Enterprise Zone.

The Council considered a report seeking approval to the formal adoption of the Growth Incentive proposals and the subsequent pooling of business rates across the West of England Enterprise Areas and Enterprise Zone.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To approve the pooling of business rates across the 4 West of England Authorities for the designated fiscal boundaries of the Enterprise Areas (together with the Enterprise Zone) for 25 years, as set out in the report on the basis of the Growth Incentive proposals;

2.  To approve the operation of the business rates pool and funding arrangements on the basis of the Tier 1, 2 and 3 parameters as set out in the report;

3.  To delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Group Leaders, authority to finalise the detail of the proposals, following central government due-diligence; and

4.  To delegate to the Divisional Director of Finance (S151), in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Resource lead Members, authority to finalise the detailed elements and operation of the pooling arrangements and associated elements of the Growth Incentive proposal including the necessary legal documentation.

[Note; The above resolution was carried with all Councillors voting in favour except for one abstention.]

The Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to produce an annual Youth Justice Plan. The Plan sets out work to be undertaken to prevent youth offending and re-offending across Bath and North East Somerset.

The Council considered a report introducing the Youth Justice Plan 2013-14 which the Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to produce annually.  The Plan sets out work to be undertaken to prevent youth offending and re-offending across Bath & North East Somerset.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Michael Evans, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To agree that the Youth Justice Plan can be accommodated within the Council budget approved in February 2013 and can be approved as part of the Council’s Policy & Budget framework; and

2.  To agree that the Youth Justice Plan can be approved as fulfilling the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and can be submitted to the Youth Justice Board.

The Avon Pension Fund Committee discharges the responsibilities of the Council in its role as the administering authority of the Avon Pension Fund in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2008 (as amended) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2009 (as amended).

The Committee reports annually to Council on the work it has undertaken in the previous twelve months and reference is also made in the report to the future work programme.  This report is for the 12 months to 31 March 2013.

The Council considered the Avon Pension Fund annual report which describes the work the Committee has undertaken in the previous twelve months and makes reference to the future work programme.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Fox, seconded by Councillor Charles Gerrish, it was

RESOLVED to note the report.

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 for 2012/13.

The Council considered a report giving details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan for 2012/13.

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

RESOLVED

1.  To note the 2012/13 Treasury Management Annual Report to 31^st March 2013, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice;

2.  To note the 2012/13 actual Treasury Management Indicators; and

3.  To note the Debt rescheduling actions highlighted at paragraphs 5.13 – 5.15 of the report.

[Note: The above resolution was carried with all Councillors voting in favour except for one abstention.]

The Council considered an updated motion which had been circulated.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor David Martin, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To note the work already undertaken by the Council in relation to Fracking within Bath and North East Somerset and neighbouring areas, including the Council’s response to Somerset’s Minerals Preferred Planning Options, agreed by Cabinet in April 2013, and the Council commissioned report by the British Geological Survey;

2.  That this Council understands that the use of shale gas and coal bed methane has the potential to make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy needs in the coming decades during the period of transition from use of fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and could enable Britain to become more energy independent.

3.  That this Council recognises the responsibility that the Council has to protect the unique hot springs and the World Heritage Site for future generations, as set out in the County of Avon Act 1982 and the Royal Charter of 1591;

4.  That this Council welcomes the additional safeguards as set out by the Secretary of State in December 2012.

(Ref: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/written-ministerial-statement-by-edward-davey-exploration-for-shale-gas )

5.  That this Council, therefore, has serious concerns about the potential impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, as well as geothermal exploitation, within Bath and North East Somerset, in particular relating to:

a.  the vulnerability of the hot springs which supply Bath's spa water and the potential risk to the supply of hot spring water;

b.  its potential impact in an area significantly covered by Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site;

c.  the importance of protecting the reservoir water supply in the Chew Valley.

6.  To note the dangers such as those outlined in the British Geological Survey report, including the serious risk that deep well Shale Gas exploration and inappropriate geothermal energy exploitation poses to the hot springs;

7.  That this Council believes that it should seek to adopt whatever measures available to control, and if appropriate prevent, the use of potentially damaging unconventional gas exploration and extraction, as well as inappropriate geothermal energy exploitation, within Bath and North East Somerset.

8.  To request that the Leader of Council and Chief Executive formally register the concerns of Council with the Department for Energy & Climate Change relating to unconventional gas exploration and extraction and geothermal exploitation within Bath and North East Somerset and neighbouring areas regarding their impacts on the Bath Hot Springs, the environment, the reservoirs of North East Somerset and other water supplies throughout the wider area;

9.  To request that Cabinet ask Officers to continue to work on this issue within the Placemaking plan and to produce a report, in advance of the completion of the Placemaking plan, on the study/ies that informed the development of the planning policy framework for dealing with the potential impact of unconventional  on the potential impact and risks of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, as well as geothermal exploitation within Bath  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Councillor Paul Crossley made a statement updating the Council on a series of commitments and actions the Council is undertaking that demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.  A copy of the full statement is available online and on the Council’s Minute book.

In response to a question from Councillor Dave Laming about why the Council appeared to be against secondary double glazing, Councillor Crossley responded that he and Tim Ball had been working with English Heritage, Bath Preservation Trust and the Planning department to bring forward a policy for this that works with listed buildings.  It has been done in Scotland and accepted by Scottish Heritage and they were working towards finding a solution that was acceptable to English Heritage.