Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions
Contact: Michaela Gay 01225 394411
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WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Minutes: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
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EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.
Minutes: The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS Minutes: Councillors Hale and Gilchrist had sent their apologies to the Panel. Councillors Richardson and Romero were their respective substitutes. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 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. Minutes: There were none. |
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TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN Minutes: There was none. |
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ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING At the time of publication no notifications had been received.
Minutes: There were none. |
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MINUTES - 21st May 2018 PDF 94 KB Minutes: The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman. |
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Cabinet Member update The Cabinet Members will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the updates provided.
Minutes: Councillor Karen Warrington, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Customer Services addressed the Panel, a summary of her update is set out below.
Libraries
She said that she had received positive feedback on the proposals for Midsomer Norton Library.
She explained that an Engagement Panel had been established to look at the plans associated with the future of Bath Library. She said that she would look to share them with the Panel as soon as it was possible.
She stated that with regard to Community Libraries 11 initial contacts were made in respect of running them, this was followed by 7 expressions of interest and has resulted in 3 full applications.
She said that she was pleased to announce that Saltford Community Library Hub transferred to community ownership today (Monday 16th July) and will open to the public on Tuesday 17th July.
She informed the Panel that Stowey Sutton Community Library was planned to commence in September 2018 and Weston Community Library was planned to commence in October 2018.
She explained that discussions were still ongoing regarding the Mobile Library vehicle and availability of drivers for the service.
Councillor Richard Samuel asked for timescales concerning the Bath Library and whether the proposals would be subject to the Planning Application process and subsequent debate at a meeting of the Development Management Committee.
Councillor Warrington replied that the Engagement Panel had concluded its work in July and that she intended to bring the plans to the September meeting of the Panel. She added that Planning officers have been involved throughout the process and would await their decision on what process was required next.
Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones asked if the consultation showed clearly the library offer that was wanted by the public.
Councillor Warrington replied that it had and the intention is for the site to be a Library and Information Service that will include study space with a range of technology available and space for 1-2-1 interviews to be carried out.
Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.
Joint Community Safety Plan
He wished to commend the Plan and the remarkable work carried out by Samantha Jones, Inclusive Communities Manager in producing it.
Waste
He informed the Panel that he was working on vision for Waste and would to look to bring that to them when it was ready.
Littering
He stated that he had made a decision to increase the maximum fine for littering to £150 and that this would come into effect from 17th July 2018.
Air Quality
He said that modelling was taking place almost constantly and that a Business Plan was due by the end of the year. He said that this would be presented to the Panel prior to a decision being made, possibly their September meeting.
Leisure Centres
The refurbishment of Keynsham Leisure Centre has begun.
The new swimming pool at Bath Leisure Centre looks great and will reopen on July 23 ... view the full minutes text for item 20. |
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Joint Community Safety Plan PDF 62 KB This joint Community Safety Plan sets out the Partnership’s Community Safety work for the next three years with emphasis on the recent Bath & North East Somerset Council Scrutiny Inquiry Day on Community Safety, which identified the benefits of partnership working. Additional documents: Minutes: Sgt Jon Bagnowiec and Victoria Jeffries (ASB Co-ordinator) briefed the Panel on recent Antisocial Behaviour in Keynsham.
Victoria Jeffries explained that there are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:
She said that the Police fully understand the impact that Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) can have on communities and individuals. She added that services such as Lighthouse were available for victim support.
She informed the Panel of the new powers following the implementation of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
· Criminal Behaviour Order – Issued by the courts after a person has been convicted for a criminal offence. Under the order, a person who has been convicted would be banned from certain activities or places, and would also be required to address their behaviour, for example by attending a drug treatment programme. A breach could see an adult face up to five years in prison.
Giving victims a say The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 also includes two new measures which are designed to give victims and communities a say in the way anti-social behaviour is dealt with:
She stated that warning letters can also be sent to perpetrators of antisocial behaviour prior to them agreeing to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract which can be in place for six months. She said that in some cases parents may also be asked to agree to certain contract conditions.
Councillor Dine ... view the full minutes text for item 21. |
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Review of Taxi Policy and Conditions There will be a presentation on this item. Minutes: The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy of which can be found online as an appendix to these minutes or on the Panel’s Minute Book. A summary is set out below.
Why are we reviewing the policy and conditions?
• Need to align with the proposals for Bath’s Clean Air Plan • Need to fulfil recommendation of Ofsted Report of Children’s Services in 2017 • The last review was in 2014 and there is a need for an update to ensure our policy and conditions remain fit for purpose
Proposal: Vehicle Specification
• Taxis will be included in all options of the Clean Air Zone. • Technical modelling is currently underway which will give us a clearer picture of the types of taxi vehicles which could or could not be charged. • Current assessment is recommending that Euro 6 Diesel / Euro 4 Petrol vehicles, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would be considered as compliant.
Proposal: Mandatory Child Sexual Exploitation awareness training
• Ofsted report recommended that all drivers undergo some form of CSE awareness training • Drivers will need to prove that they have received training for their licence to be renewed • Proposal is for 1 hour training session to be delivered in-house at minimum cost to drivers • This is about drivers being supported to take action if they identify a problem
Proposal: English speaking test for new applicants
• It is essential for public safety that a driver can communicate clearly with passengers and the Emergency Services in the event of an emergency situation. • Other LA’s have introduced similar tests • Assessment will be conducted at the taxi licensing office as part of the application process
Proposal: Adoption of s165-167 the Equalities Act 2010
• In future the Council will maintain a list of ‘designated’ vehicles suitable for use by customers using wheelchairs • Duties are imposed for drivers to provide assistance to such customers e.g. handling luggage into and out of the vehicle • Provides greater transparency around our commitment to disabled customers • Requires adoption by the Licensing Committee
Public consultation
• Launched today (16th July 2018) and running until 14th September 2018 (23.59hrs) – 8 weeks • Launch event held at Odd Down Sports Ground on 16th July 2018 between 10am-3pm to which all drivers had been invited • Policy consultation discussed at CTE Scrutiny Panel on 16 July 2018 • Bring report to Licensing Committee in October 2018 for ratification, before referring to Cabinet for decision
Communications
• Dedicated webpage from 16 July 2018 at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/breathetaxis • Online questionnaire for consultation responses • All drivers and operators will be sent copies of proposed documents for their information, together with a summary document of changes
Councillor Richard Samuel commented that current fleet data must exist, so the new conditions when set should be stated to the operators and they must be informed that they must comply, otherwise they are not given a licence. ... view the full minutes text for item 22. |
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Waste Collection Review There will be a presentation on this item at the meeting. Minutes: The Team Manager, Strategy & Contracts gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy of which can be found online as an appendix to these minutes or on the Panel’s Minute Book. A summary is set out below.
What Changed?
• 57,600 households received 140 litre bins / 3,200 households issued larger 240 litre bins
• 10,500 received 140 litre reusable rubbish bags (fortnightly) / 6,360 received 70 litre reusable rubbish bag (weekly)
• 1,350 properties on weekly black sack collection (city centre and small proportion bin rooms) / 5,000 households serviced by bulk communal bins
• Recycling Service in-house
Why did we make these changes?
• To keep our streets cleaner • To recycle more • To save money
Background – Service model
• Extensive benchmarking & research into recycling performance and waste collection services offered by other local authorities
• Financial assessments into 5 alternative collection models, narrowed down to 2 that met 3 key objectives.
Changes requested during planning
• Increase in the number of properties eligible for a weekly collection service from the original modelling
• Increase in the amnesty period for the collection of side waste extended from 4 weeks to 12 weeks / Increased education during extended amnesty period.
Implementation
• Letters sent with Council Tax bills in March 2017 to advise of bin/bag allocation and asking residents to get in touch if they had concerns.
• From May – October 2017 Waste Doctor visits to residents who felt their property was unsuitable for wheeled bins or those requesting bigger bins. Hundreds of visits and telephone consultations undertaken. • The Council’s recycling service brought in-house on 9th September 2017. 85 staff were TUPE’d across from Kier to B&NES council, along with plant, equipment and offices
• The new service began on 6th November 2017
Publicity
• An extensive communications plan “Together we can all make a difference” was implemented including a proactive campaign to encourage people to recycle more
• 106 Roadshow events & community group talks / Over 5000 people reached though face to face contact / 42,000 new recycling containers ordered
• Waste doctors visited 491 properties to discuss personal arrangements
Education & Enforcement
• Two temporary waste awareness officers employed
• Since stopping side waste: 539 properties visited / 181 education letters issued / 665 Breech Notices issued / 8 intent to serves issued
• Many of the bags being dumped were found to be commercial waste being passed off as domestic
• 9 Business issued with warning notice / 2 FPN’s issues for business leaving black sacks by litter bins / 80 new business waste customers
Key Objective – Achieve Financial Savings
• End of the DCLG grant of £450K per annum to retain weekly black sack collections
• 18/19 Budget has been reduced by £450K to reflect this
Key Objective – Increase Recycling
2016/17 tonnes 2017/18 tonnes Difference
Kerbside Recycling 17,975 20,099 +2,124 Food (included above) 4,153 5,323 +1,170 Domestic waste 27,815 23,311 -4,504 collected
April/May 2017 April/May 2018 Difference
Kerbside ... view the full minutes text for item 23. |
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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 senior officers. Minutes: The Chairman introduced this item to the Panel. He stated that the following items were scheduled for their September meeting.
Bathscape Project - Update on Progress Transport Strategy - Getting from A to B Review of Statement of Principles for the Gambling Act 2005
He reminded Panel members that through the course of the meeting they had agreed to add the Bath Library Integration Plan and the Air Quality Business Plan also for September. He said discussions would need to take place with officers therefore to streamline the agenda. |