Agenda and minutes

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 Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Rob Appleyard declared an ‘other’ interest in item 9 – Citizens Advice Bureau – as a trustee of the organisation.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson declared an ‘other’ interest in item 9 – Citizens Advice Bureau – as having received advice services in the past.

Councillor Charles Gerrish declared an ‘other’ interest in item 9 – Citizens Advice Bureau – as a trustee of the SWAN Advice network

Councillor Michael Evans declared an ‘other’ interest in item 9 – Citizens Advice Bureau – as a trustee of the SWAN Advice network

On a motion from Councillor Eleanor Jackson, seconded by Councillor Bryan Organ, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of 12^th September 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, once a minor textual amendment had been done.

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

He passed the condolences of Council to Councillor Sally Davis following the recent death of her husband.

The Chairman also congratulated Councillor Francine Haeberling on her birthday.

There were no items of urgent business.

In accordance with the rules within the Constitution concerning Chief Officer’s action (Urgency – Part 4 (G) rule 3), it is reported that the Chief Executive has taken the following decisions since the last meeting of Council;-

1.  To approve, for a period of six months from the date of this meeting, the non-attendance at meetings of Council and its Committees, due to illness, of Councillor Batt;

2.  To authorise the acquisition of property potentially of use in connection with proposals for additional Park and Ride facilities; and

3.  To approve capital expenditure of £80k in connection with the enhancement of leisure provisions at South Wansdyke Sports Centre.

These decisions were deemed as urgent and were taken following consultation with Political Group Leaders and the Chair of the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel; Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer.

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

RESOLVED to note the urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive (in consultation with Group Leaders) since the last meeting of Council, in accordance with the Urgency rules within the Constitution (Part 4 (G), rule 3) which were;

1.  To approve, for a period of six months from the date of this meeting, the non-attendance at meetings of Council and its Committees, due to illness, of Councillor Batt;

2.  To authorise the acquisition of property potentially of use in connection with proposals for additional Park & Ride facilities; and

3.  To approve capital expenditure of £80k in connection with the enhancement of leisure provisions at South Wansdyke Sports Centre.

Statements were made by the following people.

·  David Redgewell made a statement about the duty to develop and maintain a Regional Transport Strategy and asked for the Cabinet Member’s help in preserving regional partnerships. The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  Gareth Herincx made a statement on behalf of the South of Bath Alliance and presented a petition of 1305 signatures entitled “Protect South Stoke Plateau from 300 new homes”. In response to a question from Councillor Paul Crossley asking if Mr Herincx was aware that last year, Councillor Tim Ball had presented a housing strategy to Council which contained no extension into the green belt but which had been defeated by this Council, Gareth responded that he was aware of that, and was also aware of the significant pressure from central government to build houses.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning and the petition was referred to the Core Strategy Planning Inspector.

·  Robert Hellard, Vice-Chair of South Stoke Parish Council, made a statement calling on the Council to recognise the statutory protections that exist on the South Stoke site. In response to a question from Councillor Tim Ball enquiring whether the Parish Council would consider part funding if consultants were brought in to expedite the South Stoke Conservation Area appraisal, Mr Hellard responded that although he couldn’t answer definitively for the Parish Council without a meeting, it was possible that they’d be able to contribute to achieve a prompt resolution of the problem.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning.

·  Leonie Robertson made a statement and presented a petition from parents, carers and staff of St Andrews Church of England Primary school highlighting the problems crossing Lansdown Road at the junction with Julian Road and Guinea Lane and calling for a zebra crossing to be installed as soon as possible.  In response to a question from Councillor Caroline Roberts enquiring if Leonie was aware that the local Ward Councillors had been seriously lobbying for this and they hoped to include it in the budget, Ms Robertson responded that she was aware, but they’d had promises before so were really keen to see it being put into action.  The statement and petition were referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

Concerning item 9 on the agenda

·  Lin Patterson made a statement as an independent former user of the CAB, concluding with a song!  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

An electronic and paper petition has been received regarding funding to the Citizens Advice Bureau, containing over 4000 signatures.  According to the Council’s petition scheme, if a petition with over 1000 signatures of people who live, work and study in Bath & North East Somerset is received and meets the criteria, it triggers a debate at Council.

The Council had received a petition with sufficient signatures (over 4500) to trigger a debate at Council.  The title of the petition reads -  ‘Please reconsider the plan to reduce the budget for advice services currently provided by CAB-BANES by 60% from next April.’

Richard Samuel, lead petitioner, spoke in support of the petition.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Ball asking by how much volunteer numbers would reduce if the cuts were implemented, Richard Samuel responded that the relationship between employed staff and volunteers was an absolute so there was no question that a reduction in staff would lead to a dramatic reduction in volunteers.  In a response to a question from Councillor John Bull about the tendering process, Mr Samuel responded that he was aware that the Council had to make difficult financial decisions and he had been working with the Council examining why the continuation of the service was being reviewed; however, he didn’t think that information was in the public domain.  In response to a query from Councillor Bryan Chalker as to whether the Bath CAB branch was the first to be established in the country in 1939, Mr Samuel responded that it was certainly one of the first.  A copy of the statement is attached to the Minute book and linked electronically to the minutes.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, (seconded by Councillor David Bellotti) and then amended by Councillor Vic Pritchard, (seconded by Council Tim Warren), it was

RESOLVED (unanimously) as set out below;

This Council:

·  Recognises and supports the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau and other organisations within Bath and North East Somerset who provide invaluable advice services to residents throughout the B&NES area, particularly during times of financial hardship.

·  Recognises the importance of high-profile generalist advice services which are easily accessible to people from all backgrounds from across the area and can act as a ‘triage’ service as necessary.

·  Is concerned that the level of proposed budget reductions to the Council’s tendered advice services puts at risk the generalist service currently available to residents.

·  Is concerned at the fragmented nature of advice services available to residents and at the potential for duplication within the advice services currently offered and supported by the Council.

·  Is concerned at the lack of a published strategy by the Council in relation to advice and information services.

Council resolves:

1.  To request that Cabinet ask officers to produce and publish an Advice and Information Services Strategy which details the Council’s approach, including its aims and objectives, to the provision of both general and specialist advice and information services over the coming years.

2.  To request that the Advice and Information Services Strategy addresses any issues with duplication and overlap of Council commissioned advice services and details the resource requirements necessary to deliver the Strategy.

3.  To request that the recommendations of the Advice and Information Services Strategy are taken into account in the Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2014/15, with consideration given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

As set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the Bath and North East Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board is responsible for developing a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy which will deliver the Board’s aim to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Strategy offers the Health and Wellbeing Board the opportunity to create shared leadership across the health and social care systems to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes locally.

This report seeks Council approval of the final strategy.

The Council considered a report seeking approval for the final Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.  To approve the Bath and North East Somerset Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, subject to the addition of the following words (italicised) into Theme 2, page 5 section entitled ‘Improved Services which support and encourage independent living and dying well’ - “Community Transport plays a key role in reducing health inequalities of communities”; and

2.  To note the Equality Impact Assessment carried out on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

[Note; The underlined wording in resolution 1. above was proposed as a minor adjustment by Councillor Vic Pritchard and accepted by the mover and seconder of the motion.]

Council is asked to consider a proposal for continuation of the Local Council Tax Support scheme (LCTS) into its second year, with the policy to incorporate uprating of national personal allowances and benefits as necessary.

The Council considered a report regarding the Local Council Tax Support scheme and its continuation into its second year.

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

RESOLVED (50 for, 6 against)

1.  To agree that the existing Council Tax Support Scheme, as set out in appendix 1 to the report, is approved for 2014/15 with adjustments made to reflect national uprating and other necessary technical changes; and

2.  That these adjustments be delegated to the S151 officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources.

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 2013/14 for the first six months of 2013/14

The Council considered a report giving details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan 2013/14 for the first six months of 2013/14.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Nigel Roberts, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.  To note the Treasury Management report to 30^th September 2013, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice; and

2.  To note the Treasury Management Indicators to 30^th September 2013.

To be moved by Councillor John Bull on behalf of the Labour Group.

The Council considered a motion from the Labour group.

On a motion from Councillor John Bull, (seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman), and then amended following a proposal by Councillor David Bellotti, (seconded by Councillor Andy Furse), it was

RESOLVED

That Council:

1.  Recognises that paying the Living Wage can have benefits but believes that it is a ‘LIVING INCOME’ that is most important for every individual and family;

2.  Notes that since the last general election the minimum wage has risen from £5.80 per hour to £6.31 per hour;

3.  Notes that no council employee receives less than £6.45 per hour;

4.  Notes that since the last general election the tax threshold has risen and will stand at £10,000 p.a. in 2014 making everyone in work £700 p.a. better off;

5.  Notes that both political parties in Government are considering their manifestos for 2015 including raising the tax threshold to the minimum wage;

6.  Notes that it is the Government’s view that employers should be encouraged to pay above the minimum wage providing they are profitable  and when it is not at the expense of jobs;

7.  Notes that the cost of implementing a living wage would be around £320K. Further budget savings would be needed to be made to cover this cost and that would probably lead to some job losses and service cuts.

Therefore Council resolves:

1.  Not to implement the Living Wage at this time, but to work towards it as and when the Council can afford it;

2.  To support the Government policy of raising the tax threshold;

3.  To remove spinal points 4, 5 and 6 of our pay scales putting the staff on those spinal points onto spinal point 7 as this would help our lowest paid, subject to consultation and agreement with staff and unions including how it is implemented and subject to the 2014/15 budget procedure;

4.  To keep low pay under annual review during each future budget round.

[Notes;

1.  The original Labour motion, which was subsequently amended, asked the Council to agree in principle that all employees should be paid the Living Wage, to refer this to the Employment Committee, to consider any financial implications in the MTSRP process, to sign up for accreditation as a LW employer, to use its influence to urge other local employers to follow suit and, in the meantime, to remove spinal points 4, 5 and 6 and transfer any staff on those grades onto spinal point 7.

2.  Voting on the amendment from Councillor David Bellotti was carried with 34 for, 5 against and 11 abstentions.

3.  Voting on the substantive motion was 48 for, 2 against.]

One question was submitted by Councillor Nicholas Coombes to Councillor Dine Romero.  A response was circulated, placed on the Minute book and has been linked to the electronic record.