Agenda and minutes

Venue: Beacon Hall - Peasedown St John. View directions

Contact: Mark Hayward 01225 396975  Email: mark_hayward@bathnes.go.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and introductions

Minutes:

 

1.1 TT welcomed those present.  All introduced themselves.  Apologies as above.

 

2.

Updates from the Police and other public sector bodies

Minutes:

 

 

2.1 The Police were unable to attend the meeting due to a road traffic accident locally.  DD asked if anyone had any questions for them that we could pass on.  There was none.  DD reminded the meeting that it is possible to obtain and pass on local information to the Police via their website: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/

 

 

3.

Question and Answer sessions

Minutes:

 

3.1 SD introduced the website (www.roadworks.org) which gives details of highway maintenance works taking place across the UK and the organisation responsible.  She said the Council also produces a weekly e-mail list of roadworks in the B&NES area linked to this website.  All Parish Councils should now be receiving this and if anyone else would like to be added to the mailing list, let us know.  It is also possible to set alerts on the ‘roadworks’ website for a particular area.  Parishes were encouraged to promote the information via their own websites and newsletters.

 

3.2 BMc said he remains concerned that the Council is setting the Agenda rather than the Forum.  DD said both health and transport are issues that have been raised as priorities at Forum workshop sessions.  The Forum’s knowledge and experience are valued, meaning organisations are keen to talk with members and listen to their views.

 

3.3 MV said that if anyone had anything they wish to see added to the Agenda, this could be raised.

 

Annual General Meeting

4.

Notes of the Inaugural Meeting (31st July 2014) and Matters Arising pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Minutes:

 

 

4.1 These were proposed as a correct record by SS and seconded by LR.  All in agreement.  There were no matters arising.

 

5.

Chair and Vice Chairs' Annual Review Including Update and Report from July Workshop pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

5.1 TT gave his Chair’s Report which will be sent with the minutes.

 

6.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair Positions pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Minutes:

6.1 TT stood down as Chair.  DD thanked him for his time and commitment to the role.  BMc also thanked TT on behalf of the Councillors.  TT thanked the Council’s Officers for their support in the role.  He said it is up to the members of the Forum to help shape it and take it forward.

 

6.2 There were three nominations for the position of Chair:  Lynda Robertson; Cllr Lesley Mansell and Cllr Karen Walker.  The candidates were invited to speak before the votes were cast.  Lynda Robertson was elected the new Chair.

 

6.3 There were three nominations for the position of Vice-Chair:  Terry Taylor; Cllr Lesley Mansell and Cllr Karen Walker.  TT said he did not intend to stand for the position.  The vote was cast and Cllr Karen Walker was elected Vice-Chair.  They were congratulated on their new appointments.

 

7.

Partnership Meetings - Nominated Representatives from each Forum Required

Minutes:

7.1 SD said that all the Forums have been asked to put forward representatives to sit on two groups.  The first is a Natural Environment Partnership being set up to cover the Chew; Somer Valley and Keynsham Area to add to an existing group covering Bath and Bathavon.  MB and RR said they would be interested in this.

 

7.2 The second is the CCG’s ‘your health, your voice’ meetings which take place every two months.  No representative came forward.  DD said further information would be sent with the minutes and if there was any interest following this, to let him know.  LR suggested that in the absence of a volunteer, the Chair or Vice Chair attend.

8.

Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 87 KB

(incl working arrangements, membership and frequency of meetings)

 

Minutes:

8.1 The following amendments were proposed:-

 

Point 1.3 Holcombe Parish Council no longer wishes to be corresponding members of the Forum or receive its papers.

 

Point 5.4 requires change to numbering from 5.6 to 5.5 or removed if 5.5 is deleted see below.

 

Point 5.5 propose to remove this.  “Members that do not attend……”

 

Amend Point 10.1 to read ‘The Forum will hold an Annual General Meeting each year.’

 

Note change of name Midsomer Norton & Radstock Chamber of Commerce to Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce

 

Welton Village Group and Midsomer Community Trust request to join

 

8.2 PM said he is not keen on seeing point 5.5 removed as it is important meetings are quorate.  It was agreed to keep this in.

 

8.3 It was agreed to shorten point 10.1

 

8.4 RR asked whether there should be a nominated month for the AGM.  DD suggested wording could be added to say that the AGM will take place after May to take account of election years.  BMc said it is helpful to have the same month each year.  He proposed this and KW seconded.  MV suggested October.

 

8.5 It was noted that 10.2 and 10.3 should have ‘inaugural meeting’ removed.

 

8.6 It was noted that the Chamber of Commerce has changed its name.

 

8.7 BMc proposed that the Welton Village Group and Midsomer Norton Community Trust be welcomed as members.  RR seconded.  All were in agreement.

 

8.8 It was noted that point 5.4 of the Terms of Reference needs to be amended as it refers to point 5.6 but this point is not related.

 

8.9 LM proposed that the Big Local Trust become a member.  MB seconded.  All were in agreement.

 

8.10 It was also agreed that liaison with Mendip District Council and the Mendip Parishes remains important, particularly in relation to development.

 

8.11 LM asked whether the quorum referred to in Point 7.2 also applies to the AGM.  PM said it does but this needs to be made clear.

 

8.12 KW asked we ensure new members of the Forum receive the papers.

9.

Adopt Action plan and agree future priority discussions pdf icon PDF 599 KB

Minutes:

9.1 AP said that following the July workshops, draft action plans had been prepared around the priorities raised and sent out with the Agenda.  He also advised the meeting that there are now Connecting Communities Forums for the whole District, with the Bath Forum due to meet for the first time on 13th October.

 

9.2 He asked whether the Forum is happy to adopt its draft Action Plan, adding that the Chair and Vice-Chair would agree when each topic might come forward and how.

 

9.3 AP said the November meeting is a special one, with the Forum having been asked to host the Council’s annual Budget consultation.  He hoped the Forum would support and promote this as an opportunity to have influence on it.

 

9.4 KW proposed the Forum accept the Action Plan and LM seconded.  All in favour.

10.

Notes of the Previous Meeting 19th February 2015 pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Minutes:

10.1 These were agreed as a true record.

 

11.

Matters arising

Minutes:

11.1 There was none.

 

12.

Consultation items

Presentation - introduction to the Somer Valley Transport Strategy (7.30pm – 8.00pm)

 

The Council commissioned Transport Strategies for Bath and Keynsham and has committed to completing its review of transport in the District with this commission for new Transport Strategies for the Somer Valley and the Chew Valley and other rural areas.  The presentation will provide an introduction to this work and seek the views of the Forum about public engagement.

 

CCG Your care, Your Way consultation, Phase 2 – workshop (8.00pm – 8.50pm)

 

The CCG are now in a period of formal consultation on their draft proposals for how community services could be organised in the future.  The CCG will be presenting the options and seeking the views of those present at the meeting.  This part of the meeting will take form of a workshop.  For more information about your care, your way visit http://www.yourcareyourway.org/

 

Minutes:

Somer Valley Transport Strategy – Peter Dawson Group Manager, Planning Policy & Transport

 

12.1 PD said that the Council has appointed Mott McDonald to undertake this.  The presentation and Terms of Reference for the appointment will be circulated with the minutes.

 

12.2 The Transport Strategy will link to the Core Strategy and Placemaking, with the consultants looking at sites such as South Road in Midsomer Norton.  They will also look at supply and demand parking; cycle routes and highway usage by pedestrians – particularly those with mobility difficulties.  The study will include public transport, links from the Somer Valley to other parts of Somerset, particularly Frome and a review of speed limits.

 

12.3 JR said in terms of highway safety, there has been no mention of the A367, despite a number of serious accidents.  It is a vital road link between the Somer Valley and Bath.  A petition was submitted in February but nothing has happened.  PR said the Council and Police regularly review issues and there is a good road safety record in the district.  The issues can be included as part of the consultation and looked at by officers.

 

12.4 BMc asked why Midsomer Norton Town Council and Ward Councillors were not consulted about South Road?  He also questioned the value of improved links with Frome and said there will soon be highways issues relating to the number of houses given planning permission in the White Post area of Mendip.  PD said the Council and its consultants are here to listen and there will be a programme of consultation prior to the strategy.

 

12.5 PM said 70% of the working population in the Somer Valley are out-commuting but it takes 1.5 hours to travel to Bath.  He asked whether this type of gridlock is covered?  PD said this will be looked at, as well as the impact of future development.

 

12.6 AP said in summary, the feedback has been that the route in and out of Bath is a priority and the Council must ensure it is included in this strategy.

 

12.7 AMS said she had addressed the Council last year asking for a strategy.  Public transport is important and while it is good at taking people in and out of Bath and Bristol, there is little within local communities to aid people to get to doctors’ appointments and similar.  PD said the Chew Valley is also being included in this commission, where a similar point has been raised.  Consideration is being given on how to address this - transport commissions, particularly for accessing health services, are being examined to see whether there is a more efficient and effective way of doing things.

 

12.8 RT asked what is happening to address issues arising from current development as well as future.  PD said the consultants will also be looking at this.

 

12.9 MB said there are 200 extra houses in Radstock with one parking space per residential unit.  There is not much in the way of employment in the town.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Dates of Next Meeting

Minutes:

13.1 LR thanked everyone for coming and said the next meeting would be 30th November, 6pm at the Conygre Hall, Timsbury.  This would be a special meeting about the Council’s Budget Proposals 2016-2020.