Agenda and minutes

1.1 The Chair welcomed those present.

2.1 All introduced themselves.  Apologies as above.

3.1 There was none.

4.1 These were proposed by LR; seconded by MH and agreed as a true record by majority.

5.1 There was none.

Update on the Core Strategy (Presentation from Simon de Beer

  B&NES Group Manager, Policy & Environment, Planning)

  Update on recent Local Policing Developments (Police)

6.1 In a change to the Agenda, the police asked to present first as they are on duty.

6.2 Insp. Sarah Treweek said that the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, along with others in the UK, had been asked to make significant savings – £42m under current spending with further savings of £26m to come between 2016-18.

6.3 A comprehensive review has been undertaken known as the ‘Operating Model’, designed to improve services for local people:-

• More police officers and staff on the frontline in the right place and at the right time to be there when the public most them (eg dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour on a Friday night).
• New Neighbourhood Managers to work closely with partners and communities to find lasting solutions to problem hotspots
• Better service when the public call – wherever possible, calls will be dealt with first time – not being passed from pillar to post.
• Money will be saved on buildings through three new custody and crime investigation centres - this means less impact on police officer and staff numbers
• The introduction of new ‘Catch and Disrupt’ teams (which start on Monday 20^th October) to catch criminals and crack down on their criminal activities.  This will see changes to CID.
• Putting the victim right at the centre of investigations (eg similar to the way in which rape and sexual assault investigations  are handled) and at the heart of our criminal justice system, so just one person will be with the victim from crime to court.

6.4 There are no planned reductions in the numbers of Beat Officers or PCSOs and they will still be supervised by Neighbourhood Sergeants.  There will be five response Inspectors, responsible for 3-4 beats each who will share information/expertise more closely and direct resources where there is greatest need.

6.5 Lighthouse Integrated Victim and Witness Care launched at the beginning of October and provides seamless support for victims, guiding them through the justice system and providing victim support.

6.6 Locally, the new Custody Suite is now operational in Keynsham and has 48 cells.  Bath Police Station has been sold but there is no intention to sell the Radstock or Keynsham Police Stations in the near future.  The police are still operating in Bath but in smaller premises.

6.7 ME asked for more detail on the changes to CID.  ST said the name will change and 24 hour safeguarding cover will be provided, as opposed to limited cover at evenings/weekends which had been the case.  ME asked what is meant by ‘Disrupt’.  ST said tackling the means by which offenders can continue their crimes.

6.8 BMc asked whether the police would still be visible, in particular police vans.  ST said yes and the larger vans may be seen on patrol more frequently.

6.9 LM asked about the new victim support scheme.  ST said this is the Lighthouse scheme touched upon.  The aim is to support victims of serious and/or persistent crime by having a more joined up approach with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1 TT invited DD to speak about this.  DD said similar Terms of Reference have been adopted by the Keynsham and Chew Valley Forums.  The document had previously been circulated and he asked for comments.

7.2 LM said that in 7.4 she would like the wording amended to reflect all the protected characteristics.  LM also said that in certain areas the accessibility of the document could be improved by using bold instead of capitals.

Action - AW

7.3 PDM said 1.2 should read ‘two Towns and six Parishes’.  He suggested that Camerton and Shoscombe be listed as ‘corresponding members’.  DD explained that Camerton and Shoscombe sit within the Bathavon Wards and would therefore be part of the new Bathavon Forum when it is established.  However, they had been part of the Somer Valley Partnership and there were still items of relevance so they would continue to receive papers for the Somer Valley Forum meetings.

Action - AW

7.4 EJ asked about the Mendip Parishes.  DD said they also receive the Somer Valley Forum paperwork and are welcome to continue attending meetings.  However, they are not full members as they are not within the B&NES boundary.  They could also be considered corresponding members and will be able to speak at meetings if members agree.

7.5 JW said the Working Party set up to look at the Terms of Reference discussed the use of elect, rather than appoint, in terms of the Chair.  However, appoint has been used at 10.3.i

Action - AW

7.6 DD said it will be possible to make further amendments to the Terms of Reference at future meetings if necessary.  He asked for a vote.  LM proposed them subject to the changes above.  JW seconded.  The majority were in favour with one abstention.

·  Community Safety

·  Cluster Meeting Issues

·  Parish and Town Council Items

·  Community Items

8.1 DD said that all the parished areas of B&NES should have a Forum by Christmas.  These would operate in different ways according to local preferences.  However, there is a need for a shared framework to help improve collaboration and engagement with the Council and other Public Sector Partners and between the Forums themselves.

8.2 It is proposed that all Forum meetings consist of an informal and formal session.  The informal element of the Somer Valley Forum meetings would take place from 6.00pm and enable the public, organisations and Parish/Town Councils to raise the type of issues previously raised at PACT and Parish Cluster meetings with the relevant Public Sector organisation representatives.

8.3 LR said that people would need to know about this. DD agreed and said we will be publicising the Forum meetings more widely going forward.

8.4 BMc said he is concerned that if something urgent is raised in the informal session it may not be dealt with.  It needs to come to formal part of the meeting the same night.  DD said it’s a valid point but the Forum is an additional engagement offer.  If items are urgent, it is possible to contact the Police/Council straightaway, or visit a Beat/Cllr Surgery.  It is important to keep the formal part of the Forum meetings to two hours and for this to look at strategic issues.

8.5 PDM said the key to the informal session is for suitably senior representatives to be present that can commit to taking action.

8.6 JB asked whether it will be possible to raise local issues if all Forum Agendas will be the same?  DD said yes – different issues will be raised at the various meetings – part of the rationale is to identify the needs and concerns of particular areas via a common framework.

8.7 LW asked that if an Agenda item is desired, should members contact AW?  He would like some detail on Parks and Open Spaces spend.  DD said yes – contact AW or himself and it will be put to the Chair and Vice Chairs for consideration.

8.8 DD said the aim is to have three Somer Valley Forum meetings per year and then an AGM which will be at a joint Conference with the other Forum areas – potentially in June/July 2015.  Meetings between all the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Forums will also take place during the year.

8.9 SC asked whether the informal sessions would be minuted.  DD said probably not as people will be speaking with different agencies at the same time.  SC said, in this case, there is a danger that actions will not be followed through.  DD said consideration will be given to how this might be managed.

Action DD/AW

9.1 TT introduced Andrew Pate who said that, at the July meeting’s workshop, there was discussion about priorities and the potential formation of sub-groups.  It is important to take this forward.  We heard tonight from the Police and there may be an opportunity to look into crime related issues further.  There will be a further presentation from Planning on Placemaking in November.  There is also a representative from Curo at this evening’s meeting and it would be useful to hear more on what is relevant for them.  Unfortunately, there has been less engagement from the Clinical Commissioning Group to date but this is being followed up.

9.2 AP said the Forum needs to get a sense of what’s important for its area; what needs a bigger push and what Parishes, organisations and individuals can do for themselves.  The Council will be setting its priorities in the Summer following the election in May.  The Forum should try and influence that by identifying priorities for the Police; CCG; B&NES etc to help make a difference in the local area.

9.3 BMc said the Forum should be considering what it wants to present to these organisations, not just the other way around.  The Forum should not wait until after the election – the problems exist now.  It needs to put a view to B&NES on what is important for the Somer Valley.

9.4 AP agreed that sessions need to be two way and said it would be useful for those attending meetings to consider beforehand who will be presenting/speaking and what comments/questions you might have for them.

·  Placemaking – November

·  Health

·  On-going development of Area Profiles

10.1 TT introduced Richard Baldwin.  RB said the previous discussion leads into possible Agenda items for the two, forthcoming meetings.  Due to the timeframe, there will be a presentation on Placemaking at the November meeting.  He is also in discussion with Dawn Clarke, Director of Nursing and Quality, to see whether she, or a suitable representative is available to speak in either November or February about community health issues.

10.2 In terms of Area Profiles, consideration needs to be given on how to develop core data and use this to make educated decisions.

10.3 There is also the North East Somerset Area Conference to consider and how might we want that to look.

10.4 LM said that she would like to see Economic Development included in November’s Agenda.  The Radstock and Westfield Economic Forum has been disbanded and nothing has been heard regarding a replacement.  The creation of more local jobs is an issue for everyone in the area.  DD said a Radstock and Westfield Advisory Group will be established, similar to the one that exists for Keynsham.  This group will need to feed into the Forum.

10.5 BMc said employment is an important issue.  The new Economic Development Strategy was adopted two months ago and more information is needed.  He was not impressed with the data circulated with the Agenda – the Forum doesn’t need comparison with the rest of the UK but a more local context.  He would like someone from the Research and Intelligence Team to attend a future meeting.  He would also like to see shared data with the other Forum areas to see what the picture is like for them.

10.6 EJ said lots of relevant, detailed and interesting data is provided for Scrutiny Panels relating to school places, housing need etc.  For example, Radstock and Westfield have a comparatively low average age with a number of young families compared with Bath, which has an ageing population.  This has implications for policy and ensuring our young families get the resources they need.  It should be possible to pull together information from the Regeneration Team for the Forum meetings.

10.7 DD said these points will be taken on board and the area profiles further developed.  It may be possible to arrange for Economic Development and Regeneration to present in February.

Action – DD/AW

10.8 BMc asked if DD was looking after the other areas too.  DD said that Sara Dixon looks after Keynsham and Chew Valley; he will look after Somer Valley and Bathavon.

10.9 JB said he would like a discussion on tourism in the Somer Valley.  It is the 200^th Anniversary of the publication of William Smith’s map in 2015, which is very relevant to this area.  SS said she would like Tourism as a topic as well.  Bath Tourism Plus is only concerned about Bath. DD said both the managers of Bath Tourism Plus have recently left so this may have to wait but could potentially be part of the North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Tuesday 25^th November 2014 (Venue tbc)

Thursday 19^th February 2015 (Venue tbc)

11.1 PDM reminded everyone about the B&NES Budget Fairs.  AW to circulate information.  AP said for this year, Forum members will be invited.  However, going forward, he would like them to play a fuller role.

Action- AW

11.2 DD said we would appreciate an offer from a community to host the next meeting, at a suitable venue.  Contact him or AW if interested.

Action - All

11.3 DD said please also advise AW if you are planning to attend the Forum meetings so that enough chairs, tables, papers, refreshments etc can be made available.

Action -All