Agenda and minutes

Councillor Liz Richardson, Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning had sent her apologies to the Panel.

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 Officer or a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

The Chairman stated that Councillor Liz Richardson had contacted him to suggest a small amendment to the minutes as follows.

‘She informed the Panel that the Englishcombe Neighbourhood Development Plan would be debated at the Cabinet meeting on 14th November.’

The word "debated" ought to read "made"

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record with this amendment and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update(s) provided.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones addressed the Panel, a summary is set out below.

He spoke of the significant progress that had been made by the Economic Development team over the past ten years and said that it was a credit to the Council. He added that it had taken part and completed a number of impressive projects.

He thanked the dedicated team of officers for making plans come to fruition and looked forward to the completion of Bath Quays North & South.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked if there had been any increase in empty commercial properties.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones replied that there had been no change in the number of properties and that B&NES was below the national average. He said that some landlords should do more with regard to the appearance of premises when they are empty.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked if there were any elements within the budget that particularly concerned him.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones replied that his portfolio did not have a large social content within it that would have an impact on residents.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if Bath Tourism Plus had a robust set of Key Performance Indicators and if any were subject to penalty if not achieved.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones replied that he was not able to answer that question. He said that a review was ongoing with regard to efficiency.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked if there was a policy in place that encouraged engagement with local registered business relating to vacant premises.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones replied that he believed a policy does exist and that there are Business Support Officers available to discuss such issues.

Councillor Colin Blackburn said that he would welcome a further conversation with him on this matter.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones agreed with that proposal.

The Divisional Director for Community Regeneration added that there may be scope to do more work on this matter and that recently Economic Development has restructured to create two new positions that will enable a greater focus on business engagement and skills development.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones for his update on behalf of the Panel. He then asked the Divisional Director for Development to briefly update the Panel on the Placemaking Plan.

She explained that following the Placemaking Plan Examination in September 2016 that the final report had not been received. She added that modifications had been received from the Inspector and that they would be subject to six weeks consultation that had just commenced. Any comments on the modifications would then be sent to the Inspector. She said that they hoped to receive the final report in early Spring.

The Head of Housing addressed the Panel and highlighted some key points from his circulated update.

Additional HMO Licensing Area Compliance Monitoring

230 HMOs in the additional licensing area were subject to a re-inspection and 33 (14%) of these were found not to comply with one or more of their HMO licence conditions (compared to 87% during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

This report presents the Place Directorate Plan to the Panel for consideration and feedback as part of the Council’s service planning and budget development process.

All Directorate Plans can be viewed at https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13506

The Strategic Director for Place introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that year one of the Directorate Plans was coming to a close and the budget to reflect year 2 is due to be set in February. She said that the report presents a refreshed version of the Place Directorate Plan for initial consideration and feedback as part of the 2017/18 budget setting process.

She highlighted some of the main work areas from within the Plan.

We will:

·  Continue to deliver the Core Strategy Target for jobs and infrastructure for Bath and North East Somerset, including the delivery of around 3,900 new homes between 2016/17 & 2019/20 through the Placemaking Plan

·  Produce a draft Destination Management Plan by summer 2017 and gain approval of this and an Events Management Framework by Autumn 2017.

·  Deliver the Heritage Services Business Plan 2016-2021. Establish the project management team from the Archway Centre by April 2017 and hit key milestones towards being on site during 2018 and 2019.

·  Agree Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spend Priorities based on income estimated at £1.5m by 2018/19. Review B&NES Infrastructure Delivery Plan as part of the CIL spend process by summer 2017.

·  Continue to work with partners to develop and support sustainable and affordable housing solutions for those who are homeless or in need. Deliver 465 new affordable homes over a 3 year period 2015 -2017 comprising: intermediate housing; Starter Homes; and affordable homes for rent.

·  Work with Parish Councils, communities and key partners to deliver and adopt around two Neighbourhood Plans per year.

·  Continue to progress the local plan documents in the Council’s local development framework including a Review of Houses of Multiple Occupation supplementary guidance.

She explained further some of the key risks associated with the Place Directorate.

Difficulty in achieving the affordable housing provision – This relates to Council funded schemes where appropriate and the use of sec 106 and CIL funding and effective partnership working with the Housing & Communities Agency and housing associations to secure new provision.

Devolution timescales – This is with regard to the capacity of our officers working in Transport, Planning and Skills to ensure that we are able to react effectively for our ‘business as usual’ and the work required for Devolution.

Delivery of capital projects and capitalised fees - There is a risk with all capital projects where fees have been capitalised against them for potential reversion to revenue if the project is not implemented.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked how our plans fit in with other Local Authorities and urged a focus for B&NES to not be lost.

The Strategic Director for Place replied that they are always looking at ways in which the directorate can improve which is why Councillors will see reviews of plans and policies. She stated that the Joint Spatial Plan dovetails into our own Core Strategy.

The Chairman asked if she was satisfied that the Cabinet and Senior Management Team (SMT) recognise the risks that she had outlined within the plan.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

This report sets out the spend allocation for the CIL income received to date.

The Divisional Director for Development introduced this report to the Panel. She explained that the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) came into effect in B&NES on 6 April 2015 following adoption of the CIL Charging Schedule by Council on 17 February 2015. She said that CIL largely replaces Section 106 contributions as developer-provided funding for infrastructure projects. She informed them that only Affordable Housing and site-specific infrastructure is now covered by Section 106 obligations and that education, highways and other strategic infrastructure is funded by CIL.

She stated that CIL becomes payable when development commences on site and is calculated by multiplying the net internal area of development by the appropriate rate in the Charging Schedule. She said that developers could not be double charged via CIL and Section 106 contributions.

She explained that as there are no Parishes within Bath the Council established the Bath City Forum as an “advisory and consultative body” without delegated funding or decision-making powers. She added that it did however specifically included within its Terms of Reference “assisting and advising the Council on issues specific to the City, such as how best to spend that portion of CIL receipts which are used to address local priorities”.

She said that officers were about to commence work on reviewing the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that the projection for CIL income for 2016/17 was around £1m and asked who decides how this will be allocated after the 15% is given to Town and Parish Councils where the income has arisen.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that the decision on how CIL is spent is made using the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan. She added that the Plan identifies the essential infrastructure needed to support the Council’s growth proposals and relates to infrastructure proved both by B&NES and other providers. She said that it also enables a co-ordinated approach to be taken having regard to the Council’s Capital Programme and through the budget making process.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if there was an assumed pot within CIL for education provision.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that she would expect provision relating to education to be within the proposed allocations each year.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked if the CIL from within B&NES could be expected to be used within Bristol.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that it would not.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if Town and Parish Councils had sole authority on how to spend their allocation.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that they must assure themselves that they are spending within the prescribed regulations. She added that they are also eligible to pool it with the overall allocation.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked what effect devolution would have on CIL and would it lead to a metrocity being created.

The Chairman asked if Ward Councillors, and if appropriate adjoining Ward Councillors for development sites should also be consulted as to how the Bath CIL allocation should be spent as they would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting officers.

The Chairman introduced this item to the Panel. He asked them to feedback on his proposals relating to the Flood Risk Management Review.

Councillor Fiona Darey said that she would welcome a detailed discussion on the flow of the river.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that she would like the Chew Valley area to be included within the review.

The Chairman said that he had previously discussed the matter with Councillor Liz Richardson, Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning and would now discuss further with her and officers who should attend the meeting and what information would be covered in the report.