Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Jo Morrison  01225 394358

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Items
No. Item

33.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chairman will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 8.

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Minutes:

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

34.

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 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lisa Brett declared an ‘other’ interest as the Chair of the National FGM Centres Advisory Board.  This declaration was made at the item.

35.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OR FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

These are matters of information for Members of the Council. No decisions will be required arising from the announcements.

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Minutes:

The Chairman made the customary announcements regarding mobile phones, webcasting and Councillors accessing meeting papers on their ipads.

36.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

If there is any urgent business arising since the formal agenda was published, the Chairman will announce this and give reasons why he has agreed to consider it at this meeting. In making his decision, the Chairman 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.

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Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

37.

MINUTES - 21st JULY 2016 pdf icon PDF 99 KB

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

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Minutes:

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of 21st July 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

38.

QUESTIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Statements were made by the following people:

 

Fiona Powell made a statement concerning the proposed East of Bath Park & Ride and urging Councillors not to develop the site on the Bathampton Meadows within a World Heritage site. Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  In response to a reference in Fiona’s statement about the need for decision makers to be educated, Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if Fiona was aware that Development Management Committee Members had received training on world heritage site status and implications.  Fiona responded that she had not been aware, and was just checking. The Chairman thanked Fiona for her statement which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

 

Annie Kilvington made a statement against the proposed East of Bath Park & Ride, outlining the air pollution aspects. Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  Councillor Alison Millar asked Annie to expand on her point regarding bias.  Annie explained the technical aspects of pollution monitoring and that this year B&NES had changed from using the local bias, which it had done for the last 10 years, to the DEFRA bias, leading to depressed figures. The Chairman thanked Annie for her statement which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

 

Susanne Hagen made a statement against the proposed East of Bath Park & Ride, calling for evidence to support the proposals. Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  In response to a question from Councillor Tony Clarke about whether Susanne was aware that many Councillors had been invited, and taken up the offer, to visit the Batheaston Park & Ride site before, Susanne replied that she was keen to make sure everyone had seen the site.  Councillor Millar asked why Susanne had described a field as a tourist attraction, to which she explained how visitors to her hotel from all over the world seemed to enjoy many aspects of the meadows as much as visiting the city.  In response to a question from Councillor John Bull as to whether Susanne was aware that it would be Cabinet, not Council, making the decision, Susanne replied that she was aware.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked whether Susanne was aware of any update to the suggestion to improving signage to the Lansdown Park & Ride, she responded that she had heard on the previous Tuesday that this was one of their suggestions which would be implemented. The Chairman thanked Susanne for her statement which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

 

Tim Williams made a statement against the proposed East of Bath Park & Ride, outlining the air pollution aspects. Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  In response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Questions & statements pdf icon PDF 67 KB

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39.

Kelston Parish meeting: Conferring of Parish Council powers to borrow money pdf icon PDF 80 KB

This report requests the Council to confer such parish council powers on the Kelston Parish Meeting as requested by the Parish Meeting.

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Minutes:

The Council considered a report requesting parish council powers to be conferred on the Kelston Parish Meeting at their request.  In the light of extra information received after the publication of the agenda, an update report and revised recommendations had been circulated.  The update information is set out below;

 

The Council was informed on 14th September 2016 that the 69 “Target properties” in Kelston and 39 “Target properties” in North Stoke have been identified for the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme.  These are all of the properties in the two Parishes areas and include some businesses. These must be included in the Phase 2 Programme tender for Connecting Devon and Somerset, which is due to start in January 2017 and be completed by the end of 2017. Kelston is in the North Somerset and B&NES part of the tender.

 

The programme ensures that the installation of the broadband is free. While the Parish Meeting can still request the conferring of powers to borrow money for their own broadband solution, this is another option available for delivering high speed broadband to Kelston. CDS have made it clear that applicants who receive the £500 grant for the Broadband Voucher Scheme for those below 2Mbps will still be able to benefit from the Phase 2 works as and when it is rolled-out.

 

In addition, Kelston Parish Meeting have requested that the Council confer full parish council powers to them, not just for borrowing. 

 

On a motion from Councillor Paul Myers, seconded by Councillor Alison Millar, it was

 

RESOLVED unanimously

 

1.  to make an order under Section 109 (1) of The Local Government Act 1972 Act (1972 Act) to confer on the Kelston Parish Meeting the powers of a parish council which are required to deliver the Kelston broadband project as set out in the report;  and

 

2.  to delegate to the Monitoring Officer the finalising of the Order in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Kelston Parish Meeting.

40.

World Heritage Site Management Plan pdf icon PDF 84 KB

The draft replacement City of Bath World Heritage Site (WHS) Management Plan (2016-2022) has been progressed to a stage where it is ready to be passed to central government for submission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (‘UNESCO’ - the body overseeing world heritage).  The Council is asked to endorse the draft plan and approve the submission.

 

[Due to the size of the Plan itself, it is accessible via a link in the report.]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report seeking endorsement of the draft replacement City of Bath World Heritage Site Management plan and a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development that it is approved for submission to UNESCO.

 

On a motion from Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was

 

RESOLVED unanimously

 

1.  To endorse the draft replacement City of Bath World Heritage Site Management Plan and recommend to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development that it is approved for submission to UNESCO.

 

2.  To note that further minor editorial changes may be made to the document, as agreed with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, prior to submission.

41.

Corporate Audit Committee Annual report pdf icon PDF 64 KB

The Corporate Audit Committee has specific delegated powers given to it from Full Council and as such is required to report back annually to Council under its Terms of Reference.  This is the Annual Report of the Committee which details its work over the last year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the annual report of the Corporate Audit Committee which details its work over the last year.

On a motion from Councillor Brian Simmons, seconded by Councillor Andy Furse, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to note the Annual Report of the Corporate Audit Committee.

 

42.

Agenda Motion from the Conservative Group - Protecting women and girls in Bath and North East Somerset from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To be moved by Councillor Martin Veal

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a motion from the Conservative group which was moved by Councillor Anthony Clarke, seconded by Councillor Lisa Brett and

 

RESOLVED that

 

Council notes:

 

·  That performing FGM in the UK and taking a child abroad to undergo FGM are both illegal: Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 and The Serious Crime Act 2015 (which has significant provisions to tackle FGM).

 

·  The World Health Organisation has condemned FGM for many years. In 2016 the United Nations defined FGM as child abuse.

 

·  It is estimated that 103,000 women aged 15-49 with FGM, born in countries in which it is practised, were living in England and Wales in 2011. In addition there were an estimated 24,000 women aged 50 and over with FGM born in FGM practising countries and nearly 10,000 girls aged 0-14 born in FGM practising countries who have undergone or are likely to undergo FGM.

 

·  Experts, including professionals and the third sector, believe that FGM will only be eradicated in the longer term by changing practice and custom in communities where it happens. This requires working with and empowering members of these communities to change their views towards FGM.

 

·  That FGM can cause a range of serious health problems including severe pain and emotional /psychological trauma, in some cases, death.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

·  Commit to raising general awareness of FGM throughout the B&NES area;

 

·  Encourage all schools in the area to teach sex and relationship education and raise awareness of violence against women and girls, including FGM;

 

·  Encourage health establishments, youth groups and the wider community to raise awareness of FGM;

 

·  Ensure the multi-agency approach to this serious issue, along with the comprehensive integrated violence against women and girls strategy, is supported and prioritised within existing resources;

 

·  Ensure mandatory reporting by professionals, if FGM is suspected or disclosed;

 

·  Acknowledge the thousands of years of cultural and traditional beliefs which lie behind FGM and pledge support for individuals seeking to reform their own community practices;

 

·  Welcome the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee, on 15th September which;

 

o  Recommends mandatory PHSE

o  Recommends introducing stronger sanctions for failure to meet mandatory reporting responsibility

o  Recommends that the FGM unit is given the remit, powers and budget to become the sole source of government policy for safeguarding at risk girls and eradicating FGM

 

·  Call on our local Members of Parliament to also welcome this report and to pressure Ministers to implement the recommendations.

 

[Notes;

 

1.  The underlined wording in the resolution was proposed by Councillor Joe Rayment and accepted into the substantive motion by the mover and seconder of the motion.

 

2.  The above resolution was passed with one Councillor abstaining, and the remaining Councillors voting in favour.]

43.

Agenda motion from the Conservative Group - Modern Slavery pdf icon PDF 58 KB

To be moved by Councillor Martin Veal

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a motion from the Conservative group which was moved by Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Lisa Brett and

 

RESOLVED unanimously that

 

This council notes:

 

·  That Prime Minister Theresa May has committed the UK Government to leading international efforts to defeat modern slavery, and last year as Home Secretary introduced the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

 

·  That Slavery and Human Trafficking are crimes in the UK and considered illegal (Modern Slavery Act 2015).

 

·  That worldwide it is predicted by the Global Slavery Index that there are 45.8 million people in some form of slavery (study in 167 countries, 2016).

 

·  That slavery takes many different forms (forced labour, human trafficking, servitude, slavery) and may be present in a range of sectors (sex industry, service and hospitality industry, farming etc)

 

·  That The UK Government estimates there are some 13,000 victims of trafficking in the UK:

 

o  In 2015 3,266 victims were identified and assisted (a 40% increase from 2014.

o  In 2015 289 offences linked to slavery and trafficking were prosecuted.

o  Over the last 5 years local Anti-Slavery organisation Unseen (based in the South West) has worked with over 200 victims of trafficking and slavery.

o  Slavery and trafficking are likely to be occurring in our locality and we have a duty to work in partnership with other agencies to raise awareness of this issue, identify and protect those vulnerable persons involved as well as tackle those perpetrating and facilitating this crime.

o  Under the Modern Slavery Act (2015) businesses are required to look at their own supply chains and submit an annual statement.

 

Council resolves to:

 

·  Commit to working towards the eradication of human trafficking and slavery in BANES.  We strive for a community where awareness of all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery is commonplace and that across all sectors people work collectively and steadfastly to eradicate its existence in our community, identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime and identify and support victims.

 

·  Raise awareness of Modern Slavery amongst all employees and partners how it presents and what they need to do should they come across it.

 

·  Ensure a multi-agency approach to this issue and to engage with and support the work of The Anti-Slavery Partnership locally and regionally.

 

·  Implement the Transparency in Supply Chain provisions of the Modern Slavery Act to prevent Modern Slavery from occurring in its own supply chain, noting that the Council’s Contract Standing Orders already recognise the importance of preventing Modern Slavery.

 

·  Call on local Members of Parliament to press the Government to ensure our police force, border staff and Local Authorities receive adequate resources to stamp out modern slavery.

 

[Note:  The underlined wording in the resolution above was proposed by Councillor Liz Hardman and accepted into the substantive motion by the mover and seconder.]

44.

QUESTIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Alison Millar made a statement (taken earlier in the meeting with the agreement of the Chairman) concerning the proposed Park & Ride site on Bathampton Meadows.  She commented that no solid business case had been made to convince people of the need for this, and that anticipating future need did not constitute special enough circumstances to justify building a Park & Ride on green belt land.  She suggested the funding could be used for other projects that would benefit the whole of the city.

 

The Council noted the question from Councillor Will Sandry and response, which had been circulated to the meeting.

Questions & statements - Cllrs

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