Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and requested that mobile phones and tablets be switched to silent

The Senior Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure

There was an apology for absence from Councillor Andrew Furse. Councillor Ben Stevens, who was due to attend to give a Cabinet Member Update, also sent an apology for absence.

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 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 Robin Moss, during discussion on the Fit for Life Strategy (Item 12), declared an interest as he was involved in the Keynsham Town Council Work Budget

The Chairman will allow discussion on the site visit of Keynsham Leisure Centre parking spaces for disabled and also on River Safety.

The Chairman indicated that he will allow no longer than one hour for debate on these issues.

1.The Chair had allowed the item on parking spaces for the disabled at Keynsham Leisure Centre to be taken as Urgent Business. A Briefing Note had been circulated to Panel Members and a site visit had been held just prior to the meeting.

The Chair stated that the problems were not insoluble but the Panel was not the decision-making body to rectify the matter but could give an over-arching view. Reference was made to anti-social behaviour at the upper rear entrance to the Leisure Centre. He requested that Members e-mail their comments to him within the next 5 working days so that he could liaise with Councillor David Dixon as the appropriate Cabinet Member and hopefully provide a decision for the next meeting. The Divisional Director of Environmental Services responded to some of the comments and stated that Councillor Caroline Roberts as Cabinet Member for Transport would also need to be involved.

Susan Charles (Access B&nes Group) made her statement on the matter expressing her concerns. Members commented on the problem. It was generally felt that at least a short term solution should be found, possibly by creating further spaces outside the Snooker Hall.

The Panel noted.

2.The Chair stated that the item on River Safety, which was due to be considered as Urgent Business, would be taken at the July meeting of the Panel.

Susan Charles (Access B&nes Group) had earlier made a statement under the item on Urgent Business relating to parking spaces for the disabled at Keynsham Leisure Centre

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record and they were duly signed by the Chair

The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions

The Panel noted the update report provided by Councillor Ben Stevens which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Comments and questions could be e-mailed to Councillor Stevens or left until the next meeting of the Panel.

The Panel is asked to:

·  Note the current position in relation to the Review of the Economic Strategy and the timetable for its report to Cabinet

·  Note the overall framework for Economic Strategy Review and provide feedback on the proposed priorities and objectives.

The Divisional Director of Community Regeneration gave a power point presentation on the Economic Strategy which had a vision of B&nes being “internationally renowned as a “beautifully inventive” entrepreneurial place with a strong social purpose and a spirit of wellbeing, where everyone is invited to think big -  a connected area ready to create an extraordinary legacy for future generations”. A hard copy of the presentation was circulated to Members.

The Panel considered the report of the Divisional Director of Community Regeneration which recommended the Panel to note the current position in relation to the review of the Economic Strategy and the timetable for its report; and to note the overall framework for Economic Strategy Review and provide feedback on the proposed priorities and objectives. The report appended the framework for the Strategy Review, the aims and priorities under the 2 cross-cutting Core Values, and the programme for reporting to Cabinet on the Review.

The Panel discussed the matter and Members made various comments. These included:

·  the importance of arts and culture

·  the support for rural industry and apprenticeship schemes was complimented

·  improvements to Broadband were appreciated which enabled people to work from home

·  planning policies did not always help small enterprise and small developments which enrich the community

·  adoption to climate change needed to be addressed

·  more work was required on zero carbon housing which could be woven into the planning process

·  controls were needed on waste management and recycling

·  the “circular economy” was important and Keynsham for instance needed employment to be created and communities strengthened

·  inventiveness and engineering such as that provided by Dyson was needed

·  green power was not always supported but people needed to embrace new technology and a high tech approach

·  the connectivity with small communities helps to create wealth at a local level

·  lower productivity in the area compared to the West of England did not mean it was lower quality

·  the area was becoming a global magnet for growth industries and where small businesses could grow

·  the existing Partnership Group was Bath education heavy and there needed to be more of a balance between Bath and the rural area

·  tourism was very important to the local economy but more was required to encourage visitors to stay longer than 1 day/night

·  it was acknowledged that Bath was a successful City and cities contained the wealth but the balance needed to be addressed in urban areas

·  in addition to small businesses, co-operative and “not for profit” enterprise needed support/funding

The Divisional Director of Community Development responded to some of the Members’ comments.

The Panel approved the recommendations in the report.

The Chair thanked the Divisional Director for his presentation and requested Members to send any further comments to him as soon as possible.          

This is a briefing paper on the work of Project 28 (the local young people’s substance misuse service) as requested by members of the Economic and Community Development PDS Panel. 

Members are asked to note the good work carried out by Project 28 and the very successful outcomes it achieves for young people in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Developing Health and Independence Project 28 Manager gave a power point presentation on “Jessica’s Treatment Journey”. A hard copy of the presentation was circulated to Members. The presentation was introduced by stating that “DHI challenges social exclusion by supporting people to achieve their potential and contribute to the richness and wellbeing of their community. DHI is flexible, creative and person-centred in its approach, valuing each individual and their circumstances as unique”.

Jessica then outlined her experiences and the successful outcome from being part of Project 28.

The Panel considered a briefing report (as previously requested by the Panel) on Young People’s Substance Misuse Services – Project 28.

Councillor Cherry Beath congratulated Jessica as regards the way that she had turned her life around.

Members commented on the report and presentation and asked various questions to which the Project 28 Manager responded. The Panel were generally impressed and wholeheartedly supported the work that was being done.

The Chair considered that the presentation was very useful and informative and thanked the Project 28 Manager for her report and presentation.

The Panel approved the report and therefore noted the good work carried out by Project 28 and the very successful outcomes it achieves for young people in Bath and North East Somerset.

This is to update the Economic and Community Development PDS Panel on the potential for ‘green’ jobs in B&NES, on work underway to exploit those opportunities and to safeguard relevant existing local businesses and jobs.

The Panel are asked to note the update.

The Corporate Sustainability Manager gave a power point presentation updating Members on Green Jobs in B&nes. A hard copy of the presentation was circulated to Members.

The Panel considered the report of the Corporate Sustainability Manager on the potential for green jobs in B&nes, the work underway to exploit those opportunities and to safeguard relevant existing local businesses and jobs. It referred to a Green Deal Study that was commissioned in 2012 to identify how the Council and its partners could support local retrofitting delivery. If the retrofitting market developed at a rate sufficient to meet national carbon reduction targets, it could create an additional market value to B&nes of £10-20M/year and 120 additional jobs which is only a small part of the overall retrofit market.

Members asked questions to which the Corporate Sustainability Manager responded. Members made comments on the subject. It was stated that this was an opportunity to lead and be innovative and it fitted in well with the Economic Strategy Review. Low start-up costs for businesses would lead to more jobs. Reference was made to the Wessex Water site adjoining a Council landfill site and the benefits that could be derived. The Green Skills Academy between Norton Radstock College and the City of Bath College was welcomed. It was considered that entrepreneurs could not be dictated to and the Green Deal could store up problems for the future. There was sometimes a problem in obtaining a green gain and protecting a heritage asset. Solar panels on roofs was welcomed by one Member but it was queried whether the use of fields for solar energy could lead to the loss of agricultural use.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Sustainability Manager for her presentation and the Panel noted the report.

(NOTE: Councillors Cherry Beath and Dave Laming left the meeting after this item)

The strategy sets out the priorities for Bath and North East Somerset for physical activity which have been determined using existing provision, consultation, research, other strategies and plans and emerging trends and issues.  The strategy shows the Council’s commitment to improving opportunities to get more people active and healthy and enable greater involvement from all sectors to develop services which promote and facilitate an active lifestyle for all our residents.

A key function of the strategy is to form the basis for a procurement process for a new leisure contract, which is outlined in the built facility section of the strategy.

The PDS Panel are asked to comment and approve the draft ‘Fit for Life’ strategy for further public consultation.

The Public Health Development Manager gave a power point presentation on “Fit for Life” – An Active Living Strategy which set out the priorities for B&nes for physical activity which have been determined using existing provision, consultation, research, other strategies and plans and emerging trends and issues. The Strategy showed the Council’s commitment to improving opportunities to get more people active and healthy and enable greater involvement from all sectors to develop services that provide and facilitate an active lifestyle for all B&nes’ residents. The vision for the Strategy was “to get more people more active, more often, leading to improved health and wellbeing and the creation of stronger, safer communities for all”. A hard copy of the presentation was circulated to Members.

The report provided by the Public Health Development Manager was considered by Members and requested the Panel to comment and approve the draft “Fit for Life” Strategy for further public consultation.

Members asked various questions to which the Officer responded. Comments were made by Members on the Strategy document. These included:

·  it could be difficult to incentivise people to exercise and perhaps more could be done on this aspect

·  allotments had a role to play in helping people to keep fit and perhaps one could be provided for disabled people in Keynsham if there is sufficient demand and appropriate funding

·  the Council has a statutory duty to protect public health and wellbeing but people did not always have, or make, the time due to everyday commitments. This could be overcome by promoting sports clubs etc which could encourage people to associate more and motivate them to keep active on a routine basis

·  the potential global savings could be indicated in the document

·  people could derive a lot of benefit mentally as well as physically from participation with others in trying to maintain an active lifestyle

The Chair thanked the Officer for her presentation and approved the draft Strategy for further public consultation.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel (Appendix 1).

The Panel noted the future Workplan