Agenda and minutes

Councillor Lisa O’Brien had sent her apologies to the Panel, Councillor Fiona Darey was present as her substitute for the duration of the meeting.

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.

Councillor Rob Appleyard stated that he had given his apologies to the previous meeting and would like them to be recorded in the minutes.

With that amendment the Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record 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.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency was present and delivered an update on behalf of Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, a summary of the update is set out below.

Economy & Culture

·  The Business Growth Team and staff from the Roman Baths hosted one of the first public trials of 5G technology and capabilities in the UK. The 5G ‘Smart Tourism’ project funded by the Department for Culture Media & Sport and included the BBC, Aardman and the University of Bristol as partners. The trial allowed over 120 VIPs and members of the public to view the Roman Baths in augmented reality using a specially designed app.

·  Work has begun on the refresh of the Economic Strategy. The statistical evidence base, which will underpin the strategy, will shortly be completed. Following this the narrative and action plan elements will be developed. Once this has been finalised it will be internally consulted upon.

·  The Business Growth team is working with the Business Exchange (a regional business and property website and magazine) to create a range of marketing and promotional materials about successful businesses within B&NES. One element of this will be case studies of prominent and growing businesses in the area to show the strength and diversity of business in the area.

Bath Enterprise Zone

·  Bath Quays North - Development partner procurement ongoing - final tenders received 16/11/2018 and evaluation concluded. Preferred and reserved bidder identified. Procurement Board report and recommendation to be issued to Full Cabinet on 06/02/2019.

·  Bath Quays South - Contract finalised and entered with BQS contactor BAM to deliver remaining phase 2B enabling works and build commercial office block. Legal discussions progressing with TCN: surveying work ongoing to Newark Works.

·  Bath Quays Bridge - BQS contractor contract includes works to deliver bridge substructure. Superstructure contractor engaged with letter of intent for secure steel order. Timber bridge deck detailed design completed and S73 planning application submitted. Response expected Jan/Feb 2019 – awaiting comments from EA. 

o  Funding - £12.5m of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) funding provisionally secured following successful bid to Homes England. Bid supports longer-term housing and economic growth objectives by enabling relocation of the City’s waste transfer station and strategic land to come forward for residential development. Final bid clarifications responded to and meeting anticipated Jan 2019.

Housing

The Bath City Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for shared houses and flats of 3 or 4 occupants is now in place.  All HMOs operating within the boundary of Bath must be licenced with the Council.  Applications should be made online and detailed information is available on the Housing Services website.  This scheme compliments the scheme for all larger HMOs of 5 or more occupants across the authority.

New Affordable Housing Provision - An additional 42 affordable homes have been secured on the Bovis development at the former printwork site at Paulton (Polestar) by two of our HomesWest partners.

These comprise 21 rented houses and flats being delivered by LiveWest next year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

This briefing paper provides the Panel with an overview of the schemes available and their target client group. 

The Head of Housing introduced this report to the Panel, he explained that the Council, working with partners, ensures the provision of a wide range of supported housing schemes and assistance designed to provide high quality housing solutions for vulnerable residents. He stated that the schemes are directly provided by the Council, or more usually commissioned by the Council and delivered by partners. He added that many of the schemes have a targeted client group, such as: young people; older people; learning disability; rough sleepers etc. 

He informed the Panel that the provision can be usefully split into the following groups, albeit with some overlap:

(1)  Supported Housing Schemes

These are housing schemes that provide on-site support in addition to accommodation.  The scheme is usually targeted towards a specific client group, such as, young people, rough sleepers etc.  Examples of these schemes include: The Foyer Project; Dartmouth Temporary Accommodation Scheme; Platform for Life etc.

The support is usually funded in one of three ways: through an additional charge on the rent and paid by the tenant, usually via housing benefit; paid for directly by the Council to the provider; or paid as part of the rent. The latter can usually only be achieved through upfront capital investment by the Council, so that the rent is not used to service purchase debt.  An example of this arrangement is Platform for Life.  This scheme used a successful bid for Government funding to purchase 5x shared properties for young people.  As there is no debt to service the rent can be used solely for support, property maintenance and management costs.

(2)  Non-supported Housing Schemes

These are housing schemes designed and targeted towards a specific client group, but without on-site support.  The occupier may already be receiving support through existing mechanisms.  Many of the learning disability schemes follow this model.

(3)  Other forms of assistance

This includes all other non-scheme based housing support.  Examples include help and assistance (including financial support) for homeless households to securing suitable accommodation and also to enable vulnerable residents to continue to live in their own homes. 

He said that across these schemes that around 280 units were available across the Council.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked if the number of bed spaces was greater than 280.

The Head of Housing replied that the number of bed spaces could be higher with some units accounting for families / shared accommodation.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the extra 20 dormitory beds made available for rough sleepers between November – March could be extended.

The Team Manager, Strategy & Performance replied that this provision is only in place for the colder weather months through central government funding. She added that these beds were full or nearly full most nights.

The Head of Housing added that he appreciated the concern raised by Councillor Hardman, but said that people using this provision are encouraged to engage with Julian House about their future housing options.

Councillor Barry Macrae noted the officer’s success in bidding for funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

This report presents the Council’s Organisational Plan 2019/20 to the Panel for consideration and feedback as part of the Council’s operational planning and budget development process.

The Director for Partnership & Corporate Services introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that the Organisational Plan is an annual plan, which has been aligned with the budget planning process. He said that the Organisational Plan for the first time introduces the Council’s new Core Service Offer and its 3 new priorities.

(1) Protect and Care for our most vulnerable

(2) Nurture residents health, safety and wellbeing

(3) Provide ways for everyone in the community to reach their full potential.

He stated that in essence, a core services offer is the best service offer we can deliver based on the resources currently available to us.

He said that the plan outlines the draft budget savings proposals where appropriate, which will be proposed as part of the budget setting process for the Council 2019 – 20 budgets which will be considered by the Cabinet and Council at their meetings in February. He added that the plan also outlines the Emerging Capital Bids for 2019/20 that will be proposed as part of the budget setting process to be considered at the same meetings.

Councillor Liz Richardson queried whether the figures relating to supporting the 21 children with the most complex needs were necessary (P.34) in the plan.

Councillor Charles Gerrish replied that the figure is there to illustrate the costs associated with this type of support and that he felt it gives the public a better understanding of how resources are used.

Councillor Richardson asked if the proposal to remove the non-domestic rate exemption for listed buildings would affect local village halls (P.38).

Councillor Gerrish replied that it would not as they would not be classed as empty.

Councillor Richardson commented that she would have like to have seen Planning Services recognised on the list of examples on P.38/39.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked if manufacturers, alongside the public, will be encouraged to reduce waste and stop over-packaging items.

Councillor Gerrish replied that this was recognised as a national issue and that the Council has been lobbying through the LGA on this subject.

The Corporate Director added that the Council had responded to a recent Government consultation paper regarding managing waste.

Councillor Rob Appleyard commented that he was concerned at the time taken to assess and meet the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. He also wished to raise the issue of the support given to Fostering / Adoption families when a diagnosis of this nature is recognised.

Councillor Gerrish replied this was more a matter for the Children & Young People Panel, but said that he was aware of the need to increase the speed in which Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) are carried out. He added that he felt that local Councils were not funded appropriately following the SEND reforms.

The Chairman queried the language used within the Organisational Plan, such as ‘Offer’ and ‘Nurture’. He asked if a list of statutory services could be provided.

The Director for Partnership & Corporate Services replied that this was open to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked if the Panel should debate any planning considerations or economic impact regarding the proposed Clean Air Zone.

The Director for Development and Public Protection replied some equipment would be installed under permitted development if the proposal is approved.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that the Clean Air Zone would have an effect on many areas of the Panel’s remit and should be scrutinised.

The Chairman said that joint piece of work with the Communities, Transport and Environment Panel may be required.

Councillor Colin Blackburn suggested that the Panel receive a report on economic planning contingency given the close proximity of Brexit to their next meeting.

The Chairman thanked the Panel for their comments.