Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The Chairman informed the meeting that he had late request from the Bath Network for People with Learning Disabilities to speak about Hate Crime.

The Chairman said that he will exercise his powers as the Chair under Part 4 (A) (g) of the Constitution Procedural Rules and add new item to the agenda called Hate Crime against People with Learning Disabilities.  The Panel will have the opportunity to hear the statement from the Bath Network for People with Learning Disabilities (Network), ask factual questions to the Network, debate this matter and make their recommendations (if any).

The Panel unanimously AGREED with this proposal.

The Chairman informed the Panel that this item will be on the agenda once the Network representatives are present.

To confirm the minutes of the above meeting as a correct record.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendment:

·  Page 11, paragraph 9 should read: ‘Alex Raikes (Support Against Racist Incidents) said that 3^rd/voluntary sector funding process is quite stringent process on who gets the funding’.

This report invites members to contribute to the Council’s response to a consultation by HM Courts & Tribunals Service regarding the proposed merger of four Local Justice Areas to create one Somerset bench and Local Justice Area.

The Economic and Community Development Panel is asked to agree that:

·  It notes the issues and concerns raised in this report

·  It identifies any additional issues and questions in relation to the proposed merger

·  These comments be considered as part of the Council’s formal response to the merger proposal.

The Chairman invited Andy Thomas (Group Manager for Partnership Delivery) to introduce this item.

The Panel made the following points:

The Panel asked who will be responsible for signing off the response from the Council and by when the response has to be sent back.

David Trethewey (Divisional Director for Policy and Partnership) responded that the response will be drafted in consultation with this Panel and Cabinet (or the relevant Cabinet Member/s).  The Council might also engage Group Leader if they wish to send strong message back.  The deadline for sending the response back is the 13^th April.

Members of the Panel debated this issue and felt that the consultation is not meaningful without the appropriate Equality Impact Assessment.  The Panel also felt that they were given inadequate information and that they were denied the opportunity to scrutinise, question and cross-examine Avon and Somerset Justice Issues Group representatives (who proposed the merger) as none of them could attend this meeting.  Some Members of the Panel said that in principle they would be not against the merger but there were no evidence that local safeguarding measures are in place.

It was RESOLVED to send the following message:

The Panel is unhappy that they have been given inadequate information, and no opportunity to neither scrutinise, question nor cross-examine Avon and Somerset Justice Issues Group representatives on the proposed merger.  The Panel is also unaware that any local safeguarding measures are in place.

For those reasons, and because the Equality Impact Assessment has not been completed, the Panel is unable to make their recommendation on this proposal.

This report provides an update on the Community Safety Strategic Assessment and sets out how it is informing and shaping the emerging approach to delivering community safety in Bath and North east Somerset.

The Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel is asked to agree that:

·  It notes the key findings of the Community Safety Strategic Assessment and encourages partners to incorporate these into their detailed action plans

·  It comments on the developing approach to community safety in the context of changes such as the new Health and Wellbeing Board and the Police and Crime Commissioner process.

The Chairman invited Andy Thomas and Jon Poole (Research and Intelligence Manager) to introduce this report and give a presentation to the Panel.

Andy Thomas and Jon Poole highlighted the following points in their presentation:

• Community Safety: Key Changes
• The current crime picture (crime data to the End of January 2012)
• Evidence of Local Need
• New approaches

A full copy of the presentation from Andy Thomas and Jon Poole is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

The Panel made the following points:

The Panel asked about the link between the hate crime and night time economy.

Andy Thomas replied that sometimes workers in the late-night food sector have been at risk of victimisation.  The Council had worked with the Police on additional patrolling earlier in the evening to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the night-time economy and this had had positive impacts on hate crime.

Andy Thomas also informed the Panel that the Council will continue to contribute at current levels to an integrated Night Marshalling scheme, working with the Business Improvement District.

It was RESOLVED to note the report and presentation and for the officers to circulate briefing material on ‘IMPACT’ (integrated team across agencies tackling prolific offenders).

This item has been added on the agenda as per Chairman’s request.

The Chairman invited Bath Network for People with Learning Disabilities (Network) representatives to address the Panel with their statement.

Paul Rogerson and Nigel Lung read out the statement in which they highlighted the work of the Network.  There are three Networks in BANES meeting once a month and their purpose is to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities.  One of the main problems that people with learning disabilities encounter are that they are victims of Hate Crime.  Almost all members of the Network have been bullied, having things stolen from them, being called names and had their homes damaged.  The Network members decided to do something about this and launched their first community safety zone in 2010 in Radstock.  A community safety zone is a group of shops or business premises which have agreed to offer safe place for someone with a learning disability to go into when they are experiencing and/or feel afraid of hate crime. The Network set their goals to set safety zones in Bath and Keynsham.  Keynsham successfully launched the scheme at the end of 2011.  The Network needs at least ten safety zones across the city centre in Bath to launch the scheme.  The Network visited lots of business premises in Bath but only two business premises signed up and put the yellow sticker (as a mark of the Community Safety Zone) on their window.

The Network asked the Panel for a help on getting more business premises engaged in the scheme.

Sue Dicks (Community Manager for Partnership Delivery) offered to introduce the Network to the other Community Safety partners.

Pippa Farrell (from ‘Your Say’ Advocacy Service) explained the Community Safety 10 Point Plan to the Panel.

The Community Safety 10 Point Plan, the Network representatives’ statement, Community Safety Zone yellow sticker and Community Safety Card is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

The Panel made the following points:

Councillor Lisa Brett, who suggested to the panel that this matter be considered as the additional item on the agenda, said when the Network approached the Council with the request, they got knock backed.  Councillor Brett asked the Panel to send the message to the Cabinet, or appropriate Cabinet Member/s, that every Council building should display the yellow sticker.

The Panel debated this matter and agreed with the proposal from Councillor Brett.  The Panel also recommend that the issue about Hate Crime towards people with Learning Disabilities should be included in the report on Community Safety: Business Improvement District and Night Time Economy for the next meeting.

Councillor Rob Appleyard (Westfield Ward Member) welcomed the scheme and added that the Council should lead by example by displaying the sticker on its premises.

It was RESOLVED to:

1.  Thank the Network representatives and Pippa Farrell for addressing the Panel on the Community Safety Zone scheme;

2.  Send the message to the Cabinet, and/or relevant Cabinet Member/s, that every Council building should display the yellow sticker; and

3.  Request from the officers to include  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

This report provides an update on the Localism Act and invites the Panel to consider how best to incorporate the provisions contained in the Act into its work programme.

The Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel is asked to agree that:

·  It notes the key provisions contained within the Localism Act as set out in the Appendix  “Plain English Guide”

·  It receives a brief presentation on the key issues contained in the Act  which impact on the Panel’s remit

·  It considers how best to consider the implementation and impact of the Act’s provisions into its programme of work.

The Chairman invited Andy Thomas to introduce the report and give the presentation to the Panel.

Andy Thomas highlighted the following points in his presentation:

·  Update

o  Received Royal Assent on 15^th Nov 2011

o  Awaiting detailed guidance

o  2 Member sessions held in Jan 2012 and number of sessions with Parishes and Town Councils

·  Key issues for the ECD Panel

o  Economic Enterprise and Business Development

o  Big Society/3^rd Sector funding and development

o  Improve the quality of life and narrowing the gap between communities

·  ‘Toolkit’ for local communities and elected Members

A full copy of the presentation from Andy Thomas is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

The Panel made the following points:

The Chairman suggested that the Panel should receive regular updates from officers.  The Panel agreed with that suggestion.

The Chairman also asked that the Localism Act guidance be shared with all Members of the Council, including Town and Parish Councillors.  The Chairman also suggested for officers to research what the other Local Authorities are doing in this area.

Members of the Panel asked about the Council’s powers, as per Localism Act, to alter business rates levy and what would be the role of the Panel on that matter.

Andy Thomas replied that the Council will have the power to adjust business rates according to the provisions in the Localism Act.  The Panel might have specific reports on that subject brought to them within their economic development remit.

The Panel asked if neighbourhood forums are set only for neighbourhood planning.

Andy Thomas replied that criteria for neighbourhood forums will be set out in the guidance.  The guidance will provide information about involvement of elected Members in those forums.  Initially, the Government had envisaged that neighbourhood forums would have a role only relating to neighbourhood planning.  However, neighbourhood forums are referred to in another part of the Localism Act. When the officers have more details this it will be reported to the Panel.

The Panel asked what will happen with the Council Tax if community group take over running of existing local facility or service from the Council (under Community Right to Challenge tool).

Andy Thomas replied that Council Tax funding arrangements remain the same.  The Community Right to Challenge does nothing more than trigger a procurement process with budget-setting remaining with the Council.

Members of the Panel suggested that the Cabinet should consider updating the Economic Development Strategy according to the powers that the Localism Act gives to Local Authorities, in particular to lower business rates when considering investment in regeneration areas (e.g. London Road).

Members of the Panel also commented that officers should provide updated training for Members (Parish, Town and Council) once the final guidance on Localism Act is issued.

It was RESOLVED to:

1.  Note the report and presentation;

2.  Request from the officers to provide regular updates on the provision of Localism Act, especially on issues that are within Panel’s remit;

3.  Ask the Cabinet to consider updating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

The Panel are asked to consider the presentation from Divisional Director for Tourism, Leisure and Culture.

The Chairman invited David Lawrence (Divisional Director for Tourism, Leisure and Culture) and Lynda Deane (Sport and Active Lifestyle Operations Manager) to give their presentation.

David Lawrence and Lynda Deane highlighted the following points in their presentation:

·  The Olympic Legacy

·  Creating a profile for BANES

·  Themes

·  A celebration of British Heritage Culture

·  Sport and Activity Programmes

·  We will inspire people and create opportunities

·  Healthy Work Places

·  Work Places Wellbeing Charter

·  Business Support to ‘Complete’

·  Innovate

·  Tourism Legacy

·  Quest Community Challenge

·  Film and Record Community Activities across BANES

·  Torch Relay – Bath Tuesday 22^nd May 2012

·  Brand Protection (Do’s and Don’ts)

A full copy of the presentation is available on the minute book in Democratic Services.

The Panel made the following points:

Members of the Panel commented that presentation did not highlight potential impact on tourism in Bath and North East Somerset during the Games.

David Lawrence responded that the Council received £200k from the Government in order to support the tourism this season. The season in Bath started 2 weeks earlier.  The Council believes that tourism in bath might be at risk but it might as well happen that tourism over-performs during the Games.

All Members of the Panel welcomed the initiatives from the Council to celebrate the Games, create a profile for BANES during the Games, continue to inspire people with sport and activity programmes and create opportunities for people in the area.  Some Members of the Panel asked how we will handle too much success (i.e. more than usual tourists) this season.

David Lawrence responded that the season started 2 weeks early and expected to finish later than usual.  The Council will have to keep the same level of the quality for tourism in the area, no matter what the numbers are.  The Council will also explore use of modern technology (smartphones, tablets, etc.) by visitors to record and promote attractions and events in the city (i.e. via social networking, online video media, etc).  David Lawrence said that he will produce a report for one of the future meetings which will show how sustainable the Council is in this area. 

Members of the Panel asked that on one of the meetings in near future David Lawrence include comparison of booking figures and statistics.  The report should include figures for period of August 2011 until August 2012.

David Lawrence took this on board by saying that those figures, which include bookings until August 2012, will be available from the Tourist Information Centre and they will be available for the Panel at one of the future meetings.

It was RESOLVED to note the presentation and for officers to take on board requests from the Panel for future meetings.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel.

It was RESOLVED to note the workplan with the following additions:

·  Update on Regenerations Projects (all) – September 2012

·  Cabinet Member update (Councillor Cherry Beath) – May or July 2012

·  ‘Clawback’ from Voluntary/3^rd Sector – date to be confirmed

·  Regular update/s on Localism Act – date to be confirmed