Agenda and minutes

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

The Chair asked the Democratic Services Manager to read out 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 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.

Councillor Dave Wood declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 8 as Director of Avon Needs Trees.  [This disclosure was made at the start of that item.]

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

On a motion from Councillor Vic Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Karen Warrington, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the minutes of 21^st February 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair made the following two announcements about recent Council successes;

‘We were informed in early March that our ‘preparing for the future programme’, changing how we worked and the refurbishment of Keynsham Civic Centre, has been shortlisted for the national PPMA Excellence in People Management Awards 2023.  Congratulations to all involved! It’s great to see the hard work of the many teams who contributed to this successful project being recognised.

Last week the Council found out that the Roman Baths has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Museums and Heritage Awards for Learning Programme of the Year.     https://awards.museumsandheritage.com/2023-shortlist/

This is such wonderful recognition for our learning and participation team and workshop leaders who have created a truly unique experience for schools in the new Clore Learning Centre and Investigation Zone. The award ceremony will take place in May.’

And finally, in the light of some councillor colleagues not standing again, including some after many years, the Chair took this opportunity to say thank you on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset for their service to our community.  And as this was the last Council meeting for this electoral term, the Chair explained that he had arranged for a photographer to take a photo of members in the Chamber.  Some members will recall this was last done in 2017.

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.

The following members of the public had registered to address Council;

Deborah Collins made a statement about Active travel, a copy of which has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.  Councillor Vic Pritchard asked Ms Collins whether she agreed that an acceptable balance was needed between car travel and other forms of travel.  Ms Collins agreed that a balance was needed but the problem is that moving to car friendly policies in the short-term may be convenient, but this means traffic then increases and it becomes harder for everyone.

Onkar Saini made a statement about community engagement with regard to the Voter ID item later on the agenda, a copy of which has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.  Councillor Vic Pritchard checked which ward Mr Saini was standing in, and was informed it was Combe Down.

Naomi Johns, Director of the West of England Falconry centre, made a statement regarding the ecological emergency item and how that aligns with the work of the centre, a copy of which has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.  She briefly outlined the work of the charity and explained that they were forming relationships with key groups, looking for funding opportunities and to share research and raise awareness and would love to align with the Council too.  Councillor Guy asked if she would like to meet with a Cabinet member to take this further, to which Ms Johns replied that she would.

Fiona Gourley had registered to make a statement about the Village Agents’ scheme.  As Fiona had tested positive for covid and was unable to attend the meeting, David Harding presented the statement on Fiona’s behalf.  A full copy of the statement has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.

Bob Goodman made a statement about this Administration’s approach to residents, a copy of which has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.  In reference to comments made during his statement, Councillor Richard Samuel asked Mr Goodman if he was aware that this Administration had followed all financial procedures and policies that were in place when Mr Goodman was a councillor, and further whether he was aware that the Council deferred millions of pounds to the business community during the covid period, without a single complaint.  Mr Goodman did not agree with this position.  Councillor Colin Blackburn referred to Mr Goodman’s comment regarding inept consultation and asked if he had any examples of that, to which Mr Goodman referred to the recent Parks department consultation on Backstones Open Space.

Dana Lazarevic made a statement about institutional discrimination, a copy of which has been placed on the Minute book and is attached to these minutes.  Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked Ms Lazarevic if she was aware that only 15% of senior academic posts are held by women, to which Ms Lazarevic responded that she was aware  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

This report presents the progress on the climate and ecological emergencies work over the past year and sets out future work plans.

The Council considered a report which set out the progress on the climate and ecological emergencies work over the past year and described future work plans.

On a motion from Councillor Sarah Warren, seconded by Councillor Jess David, it was

RESOLVED to

1.  Note the positive progress and achievements over the last year on implementation of the council’s Climate Strategy.  This is summarised in the Climate Progress Report, at Annex 1, which includes a range of climate and nature case studies and the annual carbon performance dashboard for the whole area;

2.  Note the particular progress made in understanding renewable energy in Bath and North East Somerset and in the development of the delivery pipeline shown in the renewables section of the Climate Progress Report, at Annex 1.

3.  Note the Climate Action Plan and Route-map to 2030, at Annex 2.

4.  Note the updated Climate Strategy, at Annex 3.

5.  Note the development of the Ecological Emergency Action Plan, at Annex 4.

6.  Note that the ambition on nature recovery contained in the Ecological Emergency Action Plan will only be fully realised with external investment and through working in partnership; and

7.  Approve the Climate Annual Report and the new Ecological Emergency Action Plan.

[Notes;

1.  The above resolution was carried with 48 Councillors voting in favour, and 1 Councillor abstaining.]

The report sets out the current position on the Council’s draft Joint Community Safety Plan for consideration and feedback.

The Council considered a report setting out the current position on the Council’s draft Joint Community Safety Plan.

On a motion from Councillor Alison Born, and seconded by Councillor Vic Pritchard, it was then unanimously

RESOLVED to agree the Joint Plan.

This report sets out the proposed fees paid to the Returning Officer and the staff he employs to undertake various duties in connection with the local government elections on 4 May 2023.

The Council considered a report which set out the proposed fees to be paid to the Returning Officer and the staff he employs to undertake various duties in connection with these elections.

On a motion from Councillor Kevin Guy, and seconded by Councillor Karen Walker, it was then unanimously

RESOLVED to

1.  Agree the scale of fees payable to the Returning Officer and his staff as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

When Council adopted a revised Constitution in July, it was agreed that the Working Group would continue to meet to consider the further rationalisation work to be done on the Financial Regulations, Contract Standing orders and pick up any glitches identified since the new Constitution was adopted.  They met on 24th February and recommend these proposals to Council.

The Council considered a report recommended to them from the Constitution working group who had met on 24^th February.  This picked up the further rationalisation work needed on the Financial Regulations, Contract Standing orders and picked up a few glitches identified since the new Constitution was adopted in July 2022.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to

1.  Agree to move the whole of Section 3.9 - Financial Regulations and Budget Management Scheme - to the Library and amend section 3.7 as set out in Appendix 1, and described in paragraphs 3.1 – 3.5 of the report;

2.  Agree with the small amendment to the Code of Conduct to reinstate the link to the Councillor role descriptions, in line with Council’s earlier wishes, as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report;

3.  Agree the wording in paragraph 3.7 of the report be added to the public speaking rules within the Constitution (and the guidance) to clarify deadlines when a meeting is adjourned after the agenda has been published;

4.  Agree the necessary constitutional and scheme of delegation changes for approval regarding the statutory officers disciplinary process, as set out in paragraphs 3.9 – 3.11 and that the Director of People & Policy be given delegated authority to take all steps necessary to implement these;

5.  Agree the revised Contract Standing Orders, as explained in paragraph 3.12 and appendices 2 and 3 of the report;

6.  Note that the full review of the Contract Standing Orders will be brought back to Council once the legislation is in place;

7.  Agree the delegations to the Chief Executive as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning officer for those powers described in paragraphs 3.15 - 3.17 of the report; and

8.  Agree that these changes take effect from 1^st April 2023.

This report sets out plans to further develop the relationship with the city of Oleksandriya, by pursuing and formalising a friendship agreement between B&NES Council and the city.

Following the formation of a new local group, the Friends of Oleksandriya, this report sought to further develop the relationship with the city of Oleksandriya by putting in place a formal friendship agreement between B&NES Council and the city of Oleksandriya.

On a motion from Councillor Kevin Guy, and seconded by Councillor Chris Dando, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to

1.  Pursue and agree a friendship agreement between B&NES Council and the city of Oleksandriya;

2.  Agree to establish a working group to work with the Friends of Oleksandriya and Oleksandriya City Council to draft a friendship agreement; and

3.  Delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to negotiate, agree and sign the finalised friendship agreement on behalf of B&NES Council.

On a motion from Councillor Matt McCabe, seconded by Councillor Joel Hirst, it was

RESOLVED that

Council:

1. Notes that new Voter ID requirements, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, involve voters having to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper at all elections from May 2023 onwards.

2. Notes with concern that this new requirement creates a new barrier to residents exercising their democratic right to vote and may lead to some Bath and North East Somerset residents being disenfranchised.

3. Notes that a list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID has been published and that this includes fewer forms of ID held by younger and marginalised people.

4. Notes that voters can obtain a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ from the Council if they do not have an ‘accepted’ form of photo ID.

5. Notes with concern the additional costs and administrative burden this will place on Electoral Services, and the risk of abuse towards poll workers from anyone denied a vote due to lack of ID.

6. Believes that this legislation is unnecessary, undemocratic and an egregious example of attempted voter suppression.

Council therefore:

7. Calls on Cabinet members and Council services to make every effort to communicate these new requirements, to avoid any resident being disenfranchised.

8. Calls on the government to urgently expand the list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID and to fully fund the costs to Councils of implementing this policy; and

9. Requests that the Leader communicate Council’s views to government and to our local MPs.

[Notes;

1.  During debate, an amendment was moved by the Independent group, to remove point 6 of the recommendation.  This was lost, with 8 Councillors voting in favour, 38 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.

2.  During debate, an amendment was moved by the Conservative group, welcoming the strengthening of the electoral process but acknowledging this could discourage some voters.  This was lost, with 11 Councillors voting in favour and 36 Councillors voting against.

3.  The successful resolution was carried with 37 Councillors voting in favour, 10 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.]

On a motion from Councillor Joanna Wright, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that

Council notes that:

1. Government figures show that HGV traffic nationally is increasing. The most recent figures (September 2021) show that whilst car traffic had decreased, there was an 8.9% increase in HGV traffic in just one year.

2. The growth of HGV traffic on many of our local roads generates noise and air pollution and undermines residential safety. It can have a real impact on the quality of life of residents living on affected streets, including sleepless nights and mental health problems. It affects cyclists and pedestrians, especially older or vulnerable people and families with small children.

3. One significant cause of HGV traffic along unsuitable roads is the use by lorry drivers of Google Maps and/or sat navs that are only intended for car use. In extreme cases, HGVs are routed up narrow, unsuitable routes and become stuck (one example is Brooklyn Road, Lambridge).

4. Locally, a large volume of HGV traffic is caused by new development. Residents frequently report frustration that the appropriate routing of construction traffic is not given sufficient care and attention as part of the planning process, and may feel like an afterthought, when from their perspective it should be front and centre.

5. Bath and North East Somerset Council does not require a ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ to be submitted at the same time as a planning application for major development.

Council resolves to:

6. Ask the Cabinet Member for Transport to write to Government Transport Minister Mark Harper asking for his view on the Local Government’s Association’s call for HGVs to be required to use commercial satnavs; and expressing this Council’s support for such a measure.

7. Ask officers to review the ‘National and Local Information Requirements – Planning Applications (including Outline, Reserved Matters and Variation of Condition)’ document and to pass this matter to the relevant Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel to consider the value of making the submission of a ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ a mandatory validation requirement for planning applications for major developments that should be accompanied by appropriate enforcement. This will allow our officers, councillors and the public to have access to more information when determining the suitability of planning applications.
8. Subject to the PDS review and funding being identified, produce a ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ guidance document for developers that highlights the importance of routing construction traffic away from narrow, unsuitable and residential roads in order to ensure that this is an integral feature of any planning applications and is actively considered at the earliest possible stage in the planning process.

[Notes;

1.  The above successful resolution contains wording proposed by the Conservative group – the italicised section in point 7 “that should be accompanied by appropriate enforcement” – which was accepted into the substantive by Councillor Wright.

2.  The above successful resolution contains additional wording proposed by the Liberal Democrat group to refer this matter to Scrutiny – the bold wording in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

The Chair made reference to the public and councillor questions and responses which had been circulated prior to the meeting and will be added to the Council’s Minute book and online record.

Councillors Richard Samuel, Andy Furse and Gerry Curran made farewell statements to Council, in the light of this being the last Council meeting for each of these councillors, highlighting significant moments and thanking staff and their councillor colleagues for their support.