Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 5.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

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.

There were none.

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

On a motion from Councillor Karen Walker, seconded by Councillor Shaun Hughes, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of 4^th May 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair made a statement about the status of the meeting, explaining that the meeting was being held as part of the contingency arrangements put in place.  She explained that, due to the need to remain cautious and preserve an element of social distancing, there was only a quorum of Councillors in the Chamber.  She added that a virtual ‘informal’ meeting of the full Council had taken place last night to inform this meeting.

If there is any urgent business arising since the formal agenda was published, the Chair will announce this and give reasons why it has been agreed for consideration at this meeting. In making this decision, the Chair will, where practicable, have consulted with the Leaders of the Political Groups. Any documentation on urgent business will be circulated at the meeting, if not made available previously.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

A statement was made by Margaret Vaughan, on behalf of the Friends of the Recreation Ground, Bath.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  Councillor Shaun Hughes asked Ms Vaughan if she was aware that, of the 1614 responses to the consultation, less than 2% said to delete the policy from the plan.  Ms Vaughan replied that she was aware but did not consider this relevant to the points made in her statement.

The Council, in its statutory role as the local planning authority, has a duty periodically to review its local plan to assess if it requires updating. That review process has been undertaken and Council is now asked to agree the attached Local Plan Partial Update pre-submission draft for public consultation under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Council, in its statutory role as the local planning authority, has a duty periodically to review its local plan to assess if it requires updating. That review process has been undertaken and Council is now asked to agree the attached Local Plan Partial Update proposed-submission draft for public consultation and then submit it to the Secretary of State for public examination.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Vic Pritchard, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to agree that;

1.  The B&NES Local Plan Partial Update proposed submission draft and the Policies Map changes (as contained in Attachment 1 to this report), and publish them for consultation;

2.  That the consultation period should be 27th August to 8th October 2021;

3.  That delegated authority is granted to the Head of Planning to make minor amendments and correct any errors to the Local Plan Partial Update proposed submission draft, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing, and to undertake the public consultation;

4.  Following the public consultation, and subject to any changes made as a result of 3) above, that delegated authority is granted to the Head of Planning to submit the B&NES Local Plan Partial Update to the Secretary of State for examination;

5.   Grant to the head of planning delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing, to address any issues as they arise during the examination, but to bring any proposed modifications to the Local Plan Partial Update to Full Council to agree and to consult on if required by the Inspector.

The Local Authority has a statutory duty, in consultation with named partners Health, Police and Probation, to produce an annual Youth Justice Plan. The Plan sets out how services are to be organised and funded and what functions they will carry out to prevent youth offending and re-offending across Bath and North East Somerset.

The Council considered the annual Youth Justice Plan, setting out how services are to be organised and funded and what functions will be carried out to prevent youth offending and re-offending across Bath and North East Somerset.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

1.1  Agree the Youth Justice Plan fulfils the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and can be submitted to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

1.2  Adopt the Youth Justice Plan as part of the Council’s Policy and Budget Framework that can be accommodated within the Council budget.

1.3  Note that the Youth Offending Service Management Board is responsible for ensuring delivery and ask the relevant Development and Scrutiny Panel to oversee performance.

This report gives details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan for 2020/21.

The Council considered a report giving details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan for 2020/21.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Manda Rigby, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that;

1.  The Treasury Management Report to 31^st March 2021, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice, is noted; and

2.  The Treasury Management Indicators to 31st March 2021 are noted.

This presents to Council a draft code of conduct for approval, following discussions with the Standards Committee members.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to approve the draft Code of Conduct attached at Appendix 1.

This report seeks Council’s approval of the appointment to the new position of Head of Legal & Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Karen Walker, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to approve the appointment of Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer to Michael Hewitt on a salary of £80,108 per annum from 23 July 2021.

On a motion from Councillor Robin Moss, seconded by Councillor Alastair Singleton, it was

RESOLVED

Council notes that:

1  Commonwealth veterans have a long and proud history of service in the British military.  From older conflicts such as World War II to more recent service such as in Iraq and Afghanistan, Commonwealth veterans have served with distinction alongside British-born veterans. 

2  While serving across the Armed Forces, Commonwealth citizens are exempt from UK immigration controls.  However, this exemption is removed as soon as they leave the military. 

3  Personnel who have served for four years are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK but must pay visa application fees that have risen from £155 to £2,389 since 2003.  This figure does not include associated legal fees.  Many Commonwealth veterans face spiralling debt and uncertain immigration status.

4  Whilst their applications are ongoing, Commonwealth veterans are unable to seek employment or claim benefits.

5  The Government has undertaken a consultation on proposals to waive fees for non-UK military personnel applying for indefinite leave to remain.  The consultation ran for six weeks and closed on 7 July 2021.

Council believes that:

6  It is wrong that, unlike, their UK national colleagues, Commonwealth personnel and their families can only continue to live in the country they’ve served at significant financial cost.  This is unfair and should end. 

Council agrees therefore:

7  To make our lead officers aware of the difficulties experienced by Commonwealth veterans and to ensure that those who are currently experiencing financial or immigration problems, are not disadvantaged whilst their applications are ongoing.

8  To ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary outlining this Council’s support for all Commonwealth veterans who have served a minimum of 4 years being granted automatic and free of charge leave to remain in the UK and that any veteran who completes 12 years of service be automatically given British Citizenship.

9  To ask the Leader of the Council to write to our local MPs asking them to press the Government for a change in the legislation affecting those that have served diligently and honourably for this country.

[Notes;

1.  The above resolution was carried with 14 councillors voting in favour and I councillor voting abstaining.]

Councillor Vic Pritchard withdrew this motion.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, and seconded by Councillor Karen Walker, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that

Council

1.  Believes everyone should have the right to be safe from violence and harassment on our streets.

2.  Recognises that the killing of Sarah Everard has, again, brought the issue of behaviour towards women and girls and their safety to the forefront.

3.  Acknowledges it’s not just women who are at risk but that any individual may be vulnerable to attack for various reasons.

Council also notes:

4.  There are already many excellent initiatives and campaigns by local and national organisations aimed at safeguarding the welfare of individuals e.g. ‘Got Ya Back’ and ‘Ask Angela’

5.  Violent incidents are thankfully rare in B&NES and our police force already work closely with Council officials to combat sexual harassment and other types of aggression.

6.  However, every occurrence of intimidation or attack is one too many.

Council therefore:

7.  Resolutely rejects behaviour and actions which may cause women and girls from any background to have to modify their activities in order to feel safe.

8.  Champions the right of women and girls to be protected from violence and harassment in public places within B&NES.

9.  Believes that this principle should be embedded in our Council strategies going forward.

10.Supports schemes such as ‘Ask Angela’ and calls on licensed businesses to participate and to take active steps to ensure harassment and sexual intimidation is taken seriously through participation in this scheme.

11.Calls on Council departments and other bodies responsible for public spacese.g. housing associations, parish councils, transport providers, to improve the security of public spaces by encouraging them to review lighting (in streets, car parks and parks) CCTV provision and other pertinent means to improve safety.

12.Calls on schools, colleges, universities and youth organisations to renew their efforts to promote a ‘safety and respect for all’ agenda amongst their students.

13.Requests an update on progress on these matters to Council on 18 November 2021.

There were no items.