Agenda and minutes

There were none.

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 Patrick Anketell-Jones made a statement regarding Victoria Art Gallery. He asked that the Panel request that Cabinet review the business model that was imposed on the Gallery in 2012 to assess if it is sustainable. If this business model is found wanting, Councillor Anketell-Jones asked that a substitute is found which could include working with other museums in the city.

In response to a query of whether this was in the remit of this Panel, Andrew Pate – Strategic Director of Resources, explained that budget issues are part of the Resources Panel overview but specific issues regarding the Gallery are in the remit of the Economic and Community Development Panel and that is the Panel who should make the Cabinet referral.

David Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources, congratulated the staff at the Gallery for reducing the budget. He explained that there was no intention of seeing the Gallery close. Councillor Macrae stated that he took comfort from this assurance.

Following a proposal from Councillor Gerrish, it was RESOLVED that the appropriate scrutiny panel (Economic and Community Development) be asked to monitor the progress of the plan regarding the Victoria Art Gallery and that they should highlight any problems, issues and concerns.

For the Panel to confirm as a correct record.

Report on Welfare Reform is attached.

Ian Savigar, Divisional Director for Customer Services, introduced the report and also introduced the Panel to Helen Holbrooke from the Department of Work and Pensions who attended part of the meeting.

Council Tax Support Scheme (paragraph 3)

The Divisional Director reported that he had been concerned about collection rates but they had in fact held up.

Social Fund (paragraph 4)

The Divisional Director explained the difference between the emergency support and non-emergency support. He reported that there had been no overspend on the social fund and that it continues at the same level next year. Councillor Bull expressed his support for this continuation.

Councillor Macrae asked if social landlords realize that the Council supports people struggling to pay rent. The Divisional Director explained that the Council works closely with Curo and shares data around arrears. He reported that a lot of people who are struggling are not on benefits.

Size Criteria (paragraph 5)

The Divisional Director explained that the cases had reduced, some people had been supported. Mike Chedzoy, Housing Services Manager, reported that a lot of people have not moved through choice.

Universal Credit (UC) (paragraph 8)

Helen Holbrooke, Department of Work and Pensions, explained that UC had landed in Bath on 24^th February. She reported that there had been a mainly positive response and of the 50 customers in receipt of UC, some had already gone back into work.

Councillor Bull asked why UC lead to more people getting back into work. Helen Holbrooke explained that it is easier than under the old system, under UC it is worthwhile to take on hours of work.

Councillor Bull asked if the online support would continue after the pilot. The Divisional Director explained that the pilot had finished but that support can be provided.

Councillor Gerrish explained that he has been helping his son through the process and the authority (not this authority) has insisted that everything is done online which is ill advised. He stated that he hoped that this authority would not do this. Helen Holbrooke explained that, of the current cohort, most people can claim online but clearly there needs to be additional support as scheme widens. Councillor Macrae asked for reassurance that the Hollies and Keynsham have similar support available as Bath. The Divisional Director confirmed this and stated that support may also need to be wider for example, in libraries.

Housing Services (paragraph 9)

Mike Chedzoy, Housing Services Manager, explained that the key function is advice and dealing with homeless. He reported an increase in single homeless rough sleepers.

Councillor Macrae asked if speculative housing developers are aware of the size of houses that are actually needed, he asked if there should be greater provision of single person residences and bungalows. He stated that plans should be matched to housing need. The officer stated that there is a conversation on details with social housing providers.

Councillor Gerrish pointed to the possession notices and stated that everybody needs to live somewhere. The officer stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

The presentation on 'Grand Parade and Undercroft' at the meeting is attached.

Tom McBain, Divisional Director Property and Jon Folly – Capita gave a presentation on the Grand Parade and Undercroft (a copy of this presentation is on the website with the agenda papers for this meeting). The presentation covered the following points:

·  Pre-Let Agreements - Phase 1 – The Colonnades

·  Planning Application

·  Design Development

·  Highways

·  Timeline

·  Progress Update – Phase 2 – Guildhall Market

·  Progress Update – Phase 3 - Newmarket Row

The Panel raised the following points and asked the following questions:

Following Councillor Macrae’s query regarding the consultation of specific residents, The Divisional Director explained that all relevant tenants have been engaged.

Councillor Macrae asked about parking with regard to disabled people, people attending weddings and elected members. The Divisional Director explained that there will be a parking area for disabled people and parking for the registration service at the front of the building. He further explained that there will be parking available for elected members in Manvers Street Car Park.

Following a query from Councillor Macrae, The Divisional Director explained that the issue regarding waste was a strong part of the lease which stipulated that refuse collection could only be carried at specific hours by private contractors and that the lifts should be used.

Councillor Gerrish stated that the entrances were improved on the plans but may need further improvement. He stated that there were still unallocated restaurant premises by the station and that this development may affect this. The Division Director explained that the development was totally unique and would not cover the same market as restaurants by the station.

Councillor Gerrish stated that he was disappointed that the public had not been engaged before the planning application. He explained that most developers engage before the planning application stage and he was disappointed that the Council had not also done this. The Divisional Director explained that consultation had been on-going for 12 months with 8-10 groups in the centre as well as English Heritage, the Empire residents and others. He further explained that there had been more consultation on this than any other development. The Cabinet Member added that there had been widespread publicity on the scheme. Councillor Paul Myers asked for a list of consultees.

Councillor Gerrish asked about the impact on lettings at the Guildhall as a wedding venue as a result of the proposed extension of the market. Jon Folly (Capita) explained that he took this point but there had been full liaison with facilities management at the Guildhall.

Councillor Colin Barrett asked if the fire authority had been consulted. Jon Folly (Capita) explained that both Building Control and the Fire officer had been consulted.

Councillor Barrett asked if the market would be retained as it is now, the Divisional Director explained that he had had several meetings with the Guildhall market traders and they are keen to extend the market.

Councillor N Roberts stated that comments had been negative so far, he asked about the projected rise in business rates that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions. This will be a verbal update, there is no report attached.

David Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources, updated the Panel on the following:

·  Community Assets – there are 4 new and 6 of the 10 from last year are signed off.

·  Shared Services – there is now a shared audit service with North Somerset. The Cabinet are looking at shared services.

·  Cattle Market – there have been 8 applications. The plan is for a mixed development.

Councillor Gerrish flagged up the unique nature of Walcot Street and asked that any new premises be ‘in keeping’. Councillor Symonds mentions ‘Walcot Street Works’ as some protection of this.

·  Keynsham redevelopment – on time for opening in October 2014.

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

With the following additions, the Panel noted the future work plan:

·  Office Space Allocation – update

·  Keynsham Town Centre scheme – retail update

·  Welfare Reform – update