Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

There were none.

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.

Councillor Dine Romero and Councillor John Bull declared an interest regarding Agenda Item 8 (Fit for Life Update) as they had used facilities run by GLL in the past and were likely to do so in the future.

Rosemary Nash – representative of Avon Local Council Association will make a statement on the ‘Parish Charter’ item.

David Redgewell will make a statement on Henbury station and Metro bus route.

Mr David Redgewell, South West Transport Network addressed the Panel. He said that with regards to major projects they would like to support an East of Bath Park & Ride which includes a rail platform for MetroWest with service extensions to Corsham, Chippenham and Swindon, Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford-On-Avon, Trowbridge, Warminster/Frome.  He added that the site could include a bus interchange with services from West Wilts, Chippenham, Melksham and Corsham and local services from Bathford and Bathampton with upgraded modern buses, hybrid electric vehicles with bus priority measures into Bath City Centre.

He said that the current cleaning standards at Bath Bus Station are poor with a lack of bins, sliding doors not working and information points not showing details of all services.

He said he was pleased that the cross boundary bus service (19) had been retained, but that queries remained over the siting of the interchange. 

He stated that Keynsham Train Station was currently not fit for purpose as temporary shelters were still in place and the works required were not now due to be finished before July.

Councillor Neil Butters asked if he had received any feedback regarding the information points at Bath Bus Station.

David Redgewell replied that it is the Council that controls them and that they need to be reset and then properly managed.

Councillor Dine Romero said that her question in relation to Avon Street in Minute 65 (Transport Strategy) was not solely about students and should include other residents and visitors.

She also wished to reiterate her point about finding a way to receive updates from points raised at previous meetings.

The Chair agreed there should be an ‘update’ item on future agendas.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting with the above amendment in mind as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

There will be a presentation by GLL at the meeting.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement introduced this item to the Panel by giving them a presentation. A copy of the presentation will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Contractual Aims/Requirements:

·  OJEU procurement of 20 year contract

·  To improve customer experience and sustain and improve participation levels

·  Built Facilities included in the contract: Bath, Keynsham, Chew Valley, Bath City Academy/Culverhay and Odd Down

·  Condition surveys identified £2.2 million of backlog maintenance for Bath Leisure Centre alone and £5.735 million across the contract

·  Built Facilities – Improve disabled access to the buildings and improve the offer for those with disabilities and long term health conditions

·  Fit for Life – More focus on families and young people, attracting new users, particularly those who are traditionally less engaged in physical activity.

·  The proposed changes increase usage from 660,000 visits per year to over 970,000 per year, a 35% increase

Contract Governance:

·  Cabinet

·  Leisure Programme Board

·  Project Board – Managing Works – Bath and Keynsham

·  Design Team meetings

·  Contractor meetings

·  Key Performance Indicators

Councillor Alan Hale asked if financial plans will be submitted as part of the contract.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that they would.

Councillor Bob Goodman asked if the previous contract had within it repair obligations as the identified £2.2m relating to Bath Leisure Centre is a more than significant sum.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that she would have to find out that information and respond to the Panel in due course.

Councillor Neil Butters asked what the difference in costs would be if the Leisure Centre was rebuilt not refurbished.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that the Leisure Centre in Bath can only be refurbished and not knocked down and rebuilt.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked what level of public scrutiny will take place.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that GLL have an internal scrutiny process alongside a good customer dialogue.

Councillor Bob Goodman asked what the ratio would be between the Council and GLL for contributing to the £2.2m maintenance.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that she would have to find out that information and respond to the Panel in due course.

Tony Wallace, Regional Director (GLL) and Jason Curtis, Partnership Manager (GLL) addressed the Panel with some additional presentation slides. A summary is set out below.

Progress to date:

·  £1million invested in the facilities since the start of the contract (Bath gym equipment replacement, Culverhay health and fitness upgrade, Bath Pavilion upgrade and upgraded signage and branding)

·  Achieved nearly 900,000 visitors in first 9 months. On track to achieve 1.2m for the first year = 4% up

·  Memberships have grown from 4,621 to 5,047

·  Over 2,600 Swim School customers – up 3%

·  Health referrals have doubled from average 45 to 90 p.m.

·  Additional 8 – 10 FTE staff to be employed

Exciting New Product Development:

·  New learner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

There will be a presentation at the meeting on this report.

The Environmental Protection Manager and the Senior Public Protection Officer gave the Panel a presentation regarding this item, a copy of which will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

How did we consult?

•  Officer group consisting of representatives from Environmental Monitoring; Transportation Planning; Public Health; Sustainability; Development Control devised the possible actions for the consultation

•  Public consultation between 14th Sept and 4th December 2015 including online survey and printed copies supporting 3 public drop in sessions with officers

How many responses did we get?

•  30 relating to Keynsham

•  36 relating to Saltford

•  2 General comments

Implementation

As no budgets currently agreed for the majority of actions, officers will:

•  Use the Action Plans to lever additional external funding and influence future policy development

•  Identify future capital works, through which the actions can be implemented

•  Identify the opportunities to secure alternative funding streams through similar actions within other strategies

•  Some actions will require further formal approval through the democratic process

What are the recommended actions for Keynsham?

•  Quantify the benefits from one way system pilot for the High Street

•  Recommend Tree Planting in future infrastructure programmes

•  Increase public charging points through Source West electrical vehicle charging

What are the recommended actions for Saltford?

•  Continue feasibility work on reopening Saltford train station

•  Advice to landowners on planting that protects against air pollution

•  Influence planning policy to encourage the provision of cycle parking for each new property

What amendments are suggested for the plans following consultation?

•  Substitute the message alert system with targeted advice for vulnerable groups

•  Support the provision of improved lighting on cycle paths

•  Encourage low emission bus services in Keynsham and Saltford

•  Increase public education messages which promote healthier choices for short journeys

What are the next steps?

•  Officers will progress the final Action Plans, incorporating comments arising from today

•  Single Member Decision in May 2016

•  Submission to DEFRA

•  Implementation subject to funding and agreement

The Chair asked at what stage the message alerts were sent.

The Senior Public Protection Officer replied that they would be sent when air pollution went above a certain threshold. He added that B&NES does not currently get close to the level required.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if the traffic lights in Saltford have an impact on levels.

The Senior Public Protection Officer replied that the lights have been synchronised by the Highways team to their best configuration.

Councillor Neil Butters commented that there would be limited parking available at the proposed Saltford train station.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked if officers were aware that the Government have announced plans to improve air quality in cities by introducing Clean Air Zones.

The Senior Public Protection Officer replied that they were aware of this and were monitoring its progress.

The Chair thanked them for their presentation on behalf of the Panel.

A report is attached on the Parish Charter.

Councillor Judith Chubb-Whittle, Vice-Chair ALCA [Avon Local Councils Association] & Chair of Stanton Drew Parish Council addressed the Panel, a summary of her statement is set out below.

ALCA represents 124 Parish and Town Councils and Parish Meetings (Local Councils) in the West of England region. They support the work of the 1,234 local councillors, who serve an electorate of over 440,000 local residents.

ALCA is part of NALC, the National Association of Local Councils, which works closely with Government, DCLG, Society of Local Council Clerks, (SLCC) the professional body for all clerks of Town, Parish or Community councils and with other national bodies. It is currently working with the DCLG on a Parish Councils Bill, which will be considered as part of emerging government legislation.

ALCA is responsible for administering DCLG transparency grants and Public Works loans, on behalf of HM Treasury, for the area.  It also administers the Quality Council Award Schemes for the area.

We welcome the recognition by Louise Fradd of the importance of Parish Liaison meetings in the close working of BANES Councillors and Officers with ALCA Parish & Town Councillors and their Clerks.

We look forward to working closely with BANES representatives in reviewing the Parish Charter making it a robust and progressive agreement fit for the foreseeable future.

Rosemary Naish addressed the Panel, a summary of her statement is set out below.

In this authority ALCA represent 47 of the 51 town & parish councils and meetings within B&NES. Town & parish councils provide services to 52% of the electorate of B&NES, this year our income from precepts is £2.25million, all those councils are employers, employing parish clerks, responsible financial officers, groundsmen, street sweepers, etc.

The range of service we provide include children’s playgrounds, parks, upkeep of cemeteries, street sweeping, broadband, managing village halls, swimming pools, allotments and other community faculties.

Some of these services are provided independently of B&NES, some working with B&NES, so we consider the Parish Charter a very important document and we welcome the opportunity to review it and bring it up to date.

As Andy Thomas has said the parishes were consulted 6 years ago, with a response rate of 53%, so this is quite out of date now, so we have already started consulting the local councils and will be able to bring that information, which must inform the review, to the table by the end of the summer.

We look forward to working with B&NES officers on this important document that in its updated form will make our working relationship more effective and efficient.

The Chair asked if the Parish representatives on the working group to undertake the review would Councillors or Clerks.

Rosemary Naish replied that she thought it should be both.

The Strategic Manager for Communities replied that this should be possible.

Councillor Neil Butters commented that advanced notification of the review is welcome. He said there was a need for a robust document to be produced.

The Strategic Manager for Communities replied  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

A report on Domestic abuse provision in Bath and North East Somerset will be available in time for the meeting.

The Inclusive Communities Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She gave them a presentation, a copy of which will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Definition

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The abuse can include, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.

Profiles

Estimate 5,936 women age 16-59 in B&NES experienced DA in the past year.

Women with ill-health and disability are almost twice as likely to experience DA.

Of the 1,474 DA incidents recorded by the police in B&NES between 2013/14

58% (858 incidents) low risk

32% (469 incidents) medium risk

10% (147 incidents) high risk.

Perpetrators

79% of all recorded perpetrators were men, over 50% were age 33 years and under.

44% of the perpetrators of clients of Southside's Independent Domestic Violence Advice Service (IDVA) were thought to have mental ill health. 44% to have had issues with alcohol and 46% issues with drugs.

Trends

Numbers have risen, rising from 46 in 2008/09 to 154 in 2013/14. This is in line with overall increased rates of reporting.

The Bath Freedom Programme received 151 referrals in 2014, compared with 52 during 2013.

Next Link Refuge accommodated 28 women and 33 children in 2015/16. The service was fully utilised for 99% of the time.

Specialist Service Responses

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences: high risk (those at risk of murder or serious harm) is shared monthly between local agencies.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor: Southside Family Project. Part funded by PCC’s Community Safety Fund.

Julian House: Freedom Programme and CRUSH: preventative programme: awareness raising & support for people age 13-19 to make safe & healthy relationships.

Voices: female survivors, an independent charity.  Freedom programme (evenings).

Off the Record: for people aged 11-18 who have witnessed DA.

Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS)

GP based DA training support and referral programme.

Training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist DA services. 

Perpetrator programmes

For a long term sustained solution, perpetrators’ behaviour needs to be challenged and changed. Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company run such a programme – ‘Building Better Relationships’: 

For offenders convicted of crime that are related to ‘Intimate Partner Violence’

The new Government Violence Against Women & Girls strategy recognises this need – potential for funding bid 2017.

Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews in B&NES

DHR required where the circumstances surrounding a death can be shown to be linked to DA.

To critically analyse agency involvement, identify areas for improvement to service provision & develop a detailed action plan for agencies involved.

This year B&NES has commissioned 1 full DHR and 1 ‘root causes review’ of death.

Councillor Michael Norton asked if part of the rise in figures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

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

The Cabinet Members were not able to be present when this item was reached on the agenda. The Chair asked if members of the Panel had any questions for them to submit them in writing.

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.

The Chair informed Panel members that he needed to change the date of the next meeting from July 18^th to July 25^th.

He also said that two items would be added to the agenda for that meeting, they were;

·  Cabinet response to the East of Bath Integrated Transport Solutions

·  Prevent Strategy