Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Micheala Gay  01225 394411

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

2.

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.

 

3.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

There were none.

4.

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.

5.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

There was none.

6.

ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING

·  David Redgewell (South West Transport Network) has registered to make a statement to the Panel.

 

Minutes:

A member of the public, Brian Webber, stated that he would make his statement on ‘Public Space Protection Orders – Consultation Results’ at item 12 on the agenda. (the statement is appended to these minutes and available on the Council’s minute book held by Democratic Services)

 

David Redgewell, South West Transport Network made a statement to the Panel on transport issues (the statement is appended to these minutes and available on the Council’s minute book held by Democratic Services). The statement covered buses – the Government Bill; quality of vehicles and the need to get more people onto buses. Mr Redgewell asked about the Transport Strategy for the West of England and urged the Panel to scrutinize this. Peter Dawson – Group Manager Planning, Policy and Transport agreed that it would be appropriate for the Panel to look at this study in due course.

7.

General Introduction to the Panel remit

There will be a verbal introduction to the Panel’s remit, officers and departments.

Minutes:

Peter Dawson – Group Manager Planning, Policy and Transport gave a general introduction to the staffing structure in the ‘Place’ department. He explained that the Panel’s job is to review or question Cabinet decisions and also policy development. He read through the Panel’s remit. Councillor Turner asked that the officer send information on staff responsibilities to Panel members.

 

There was some discussion and clarification around issues within the Panel remit.  

 

The Panel noted this information.

8.

Transport Strategy - Implementation Plan Update pdf icon PDF 1 MB

There will be an introductory presentation on the Transport Strategy - Implementation Plan (Bath, Keynsham, Somer Valley, Chew Valley). The presentation slides are attached.

 

Minutes:

Peter Dawson – Group Manager Planning, Policy and Transport gave a presentation to the Panel on Transport Strategy (a copy of the presentation slides are appended to the agenda papers for this meeting and available on the Minute Book held by Democratic Services). The presentation included:

 

·  Getting around Bath Transport Strategy

·  62,000 journeys to work start or finish in Bath

·  Challenges remain in Bath – lack of bypass/ring road

·  A46/A4/A36 National Primary Route

·  What’s in the Strategy

·  What is to be done next?

·  Keynsham Transport Strategy

·  Proposals from Strategy

·  Chew Valley and Somer Valley Transport Strategies – Work in Progress

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Butters asked if there was information around the proportion of journeys for which people would be amenable to not using their cars. The officer explained that this information is not readily available but agreed to send to the Panel members information on how many journeys go through Bath.

 

Councillor Romero asked if the 28,000 people travelling into Bath were from one area. The officer explained that it was a fairly broad spread with a concentration from Somer Valley and Bristol.

 

Councillor Romero asked about the Cabinet members’ interpretation of the Transport Strategy. The officer explained the administration had agreed with the Transport Strategy.

 

Councillor Hale asked if there was resistance to joining the dog-leg (A36 and A46). The officer explained that this was expensive and would cause environmental damage. He explained that a range of options are being considered and that officers are speaking to Wiltshire Council and also to Highways England.

 

Councillor Bull referred to the Transport Strategy and the loss of 400 parking spaces and asked if this will continue to be the case. The officer explained that he was not aware that this policy would change and that the issue is complex.

 

There was some discussion around the proposed changes to the rail network. The officer explained that there was capacity for another station between Keynsham and Bristol and there was going to be a change in tracks at Bathampton and potential to allow a Park and Ride to the east of Bath to have access to rail. He explained that the proposals for electrified rail would mean some services to London would be 20 minutes faster from Bristol via Bristol Parkway creating significant capacity on trains through Bath.

 

Councillor Hale asked about coach dropping off points. The officer explained that there is a discussion with the developers of North Quays.

 

Councillor Simmons asked about electric buses and the officer stated that the Council would support companies to do this.

 

Councillor Bull asked for a timeline for implementation for the strategy to inform how the Panel can be involved. He also asked for an update on East Bath Park and Ride at the end of the consultation period on this issue to see what options emerge. The officer explained that the consultation was due to start in September.

 

Councillor Turner asked for information about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

D Redgewell statement information pdf icon PDF 142 KB

D Redgewell statement information pdf icon PDF 85 KB

9.

Quality Contract Scheme for Buses pdf icon PDF 74 KB

There will be a verbal update on this item. The notes are attached.

Minutes:

Councillor Bull explained that Andy Strong – Public Transport Manager would give a short update on the new Government Bill on buses. The officer gave the Panel written notes on the background to this Bill (a copy of these notes are attached to the agenda papers for this meeting).

 

Councillor Bull proposed that the Panel defer consideration of this issue until the details of the Bill become clearer. He proposed that a Task and Finish Group be set up for this issue. Councillor Romero and Butters agreed that a group be established to prepare the ground for the Bill and to ensure everything is done to get buses reliable and get more people to use them.

 

The Task and Finish Group membership was agreed: John Bull; Jonathan Carr; Neil Butters and Brian Simmons.

10.

Parking Provision and Charges - General Introduction and Update pdf icon PDF 40 KB

There will be a verbal update on Parking Provision and Charges. The presentation slides are attached.

 

Minutes:

Peter Dawson – Group Manager Planning, Policy and Transport gave a short presentation to the Panel (a copy of the slides is attached to the agenda papers for this meeting). The officer explained that there is currently a parking review taking place and that he would report back to the Panel with details at a later date.

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Shelford asked if money raised in parking charges is ring-fenced for transport. The officer stated that he would find out.

 

Councillor Romero asked if the current hours of operation for Park and Rides could be reconsidered. Andy Strong – Public Transport Manager explained that hours of operation were often restricted by planning regulations on lighting.

 

The Panel noted that a more detailed report would be brought to the Panel at a later date.

11.

Gambling Policy Review pdf icon PDF 90 KB

The Council is currently carrying out a public consultation on the revision of its policy under the Gambling Act 2005.  A presentation will be provided on the content of the revised policy and timescales for adoption and implementation.

 

The presentation slides are attached.

 

Minutes:

Cathryn Humphries, Team Manager Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation on the Review of Gambling Policy (The presentation slides are attached to the agenda papers for this meeting). The slides covered the following:

 

·  Background

·  The role of local licensing authorities

·  What are licensing objectives?

·  What gambling premises do we have?

·  How are we going to consult about our policy?

·  The Democratic Process

 

The officer explained that the consultation document had been sent to Panel members.

12.

Public Space Protection Orders - Consultation Results pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Public Space Protection Order- consultation on banning the amplification of busking in Abbey Churchyard, Abbey Green and Kingston Parade.  A presentation will be given on the outcome of the public consultation which took place earlier this year and the Council’s approach with respect to amplified busking.

 

The presentation slides are attached.

Minutes:

A member of the public Brian Webber made a statement on ‘Public Space Protection Orders’ (The text of the statement is amended to these minutes). Mr Webber spoke about the issues of busking around the Abbey

 

Please note that items 12 and 13 were taken together so this minute is the repeated at item 13.

 

Cathryn Humphries, Team Manager Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation on items 12 and 13 (The presentation slides are attached to the agenda papers for this meeting). The slides covered the following:

 

·  Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 – the new powers

·  What’s new about this Act?

·  Closure Orders

·  Community Protection Notices

·  Public Space Protection Orders

·  Public Space Protection Order – proposal to ban amplification of busking in Bath

·  Public Space Protection Order – consultation on banning amplification from busking

·  Public Space Protection Order – the consultation

·  Area of proposed PSPO

·  Consultation Workshop

·  Main consultation results

·  Busker complaints 2014-15

·  The current situation

·  The way forward

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Turner asked who could issue a community protection warning letter, the officer explained that a Council officer or PCSO could do this.

 

Councillor Hale commented that a half-way house in dealing with the issue of the amplification of busking is no good and it has to be a yes or no on a ban. He stated that he is a voluntary steward at the Abbey and some of the noise from buskers is atrocious. He explained that this level of noise is unacceptable as some people use the Abbey as a place of refuge and it is totally wrong that individuals can affect the whole Abbey environment.

 

Councillor Romero stated that she welcomed the actions taken up to now which have been proportionate.

 

Brian Webber statement pdf icon PDF 73 KB

13.

Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 - Impact on Licensing and Enforcement processes pdf icon PDF 1 MB

A presentation will be given on the main provisions of this new legislation, which are being used by the Council and its partners

 

Presentation slides are attached.

Minutes:

Please note that items 12 and 13 were taken together so this minute is the repeated at item 12.

 

Cathryn Humphries, Team Manager Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation on items 12 and 13 – please see item 12 for the main points of the presentation (The presentation slides are attached to the agenda papers for this meeting).

 

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Turner asked who could issue a community protection notice, the officer explained that a Council officer or PCSO could do this.

 

Councillor Hale commented that a half-way house in dealing with the issue of the amplification of busking is no good and it has to be a yes or no on a ban. He stated that he is a voluntary steward at the Abbey and some of the noise from buskers is atrocious. He explained that this level of noise is unacceptable as some people use the Abbey as a place of refuge and it is totally wrong that individuals can affect the whole Abbey environment.

 

Councillor Romero stated that she welcomed the actions taken up to now which have been proportionate.

 

14.

Cabinet Member update

The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions

Minutes:

The Panel noted the written submission from Councillor Martin Veal – Cabinet Member for Community Services.

 

The Panel noted the written submission from Councillor Anthony Clarke – Cabinet Member for Transport and asked him the following questions:

 

Councillor Romero asked what caveats the administration had when agreeing the Transport Strategy. Councillor Clarke explained that these caveats are well known – the strategy should cover the whole authority. He explained that the Keynsham strategy was passed at Cabinet last week and an examination of rural areas has been set in progress. Councillor Romero asked if he supported the elements of the authority that cover Bath – The Cabinet Member explained that it is a strategy not a plan and that in general terms the administration have no issue with the requirement to rid the city and authority of vehicles that don’t need to use it.

 

Councillor Butters referred to the work being carried out and planned for the Great Western Main Line and stated that there should be planned mitigation for this.

 

Councillor Carr referred to the reduction of emissions in the city and asked what the Government is doing to ensure the Council will have the power to control emissions. Councillor Clarke stated that the administration is committed to do the measurements required and the PM 2.5 to monitor for particulate matter in London Road has now been put in place, when the results come in the administration will act accordingly.

15.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 117 KB

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Bull introduced the workplan and asked that Panel members let him know about any additions they would like.

 

Regarding the Panel’s usual time of meeting, he proposed 4pm on Mondays – the Panel agreed.

 

The Panel noted the workplan and that the next meeting is 14th September 2015 at 4pm.