Agenda and minutes

Apologies from Councillor Alan Hale who will be substituted by Councillor Lisa O Brien.

Councillor Alan Hale gave his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Lisa O Brien.

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.

David Redgewell will make a statement to the Panel regarding Transport Devolution. The statement is attached.

Susan Charles (WWISE) will make a statement to the Panel regarding warm water exercise - swimming pool in Bath. The statement is attached.

Mr Tsang will make a statement about the 17A Bus Service

Councillor Alison Miller  will make a statement about East of Bath Transport. The statement is attached.

David Redgewell, South West Transport Network addressed the Panel. He spoke about the need to rescue certain bus services. A copy of the statement is attached to the agenda papers for this meeting.

Councillor Carr asked about the numbers of reductions in services, Mr Redgewell explained that 170 bus services have been saved which includes Wiltshire and village services. Responding to a further query from Councillor Carr on bus company revenue, Mr Redgewell responded that there has been a loss of income for bus companies since revenue support systems have been withdrawn since 2008, he explained that there is a Bill in parliament to reverse this trend.

Councillor Butters mentioned that there is some good news in that the 13 bus service has been increased and there should be some credit to Council officers for this.

Andy Strong, Team Manager Public Transport, stated that he had noted all the comments and explained that there are ongoing conversations with bus companies to try to resolve the issue. He agreed to circulate his report prepared for informal Cabinet.

Susan Charles – Warm Water Inclusive Swimming and Exercise (WWISE) made a statement regarding the plans for a warm water pool at Keynsham Leisure Centre being dropped and the equalities implication of this. She stated that communications have broken down and asked the Council and GLL consider their design.

Councillor O Brien stated that Keynsham Leisure Centre increase the temperature twice a week and asked if this met the needs, Susan Charles stated that she would like a choice of water temperature to meet people’s needs. She stated that two days a week is not equality.

Councillor Turner asked if the warm water pool was in the design specifications, Susan Charles stated that she had spoken to the consultants in 2015 but she had not been invited to speak since then.

The Panel agreed that the issue be referred to the Cabinet Member for Community Services – Councillor Martin Veal.

Mr Tsang – 17A Bus Service. Mr Tsang spoke about his and his wife’s use of this service and explained that they use the 17A bus service to get to hospital appointments and to work in Keynsham, they stated that they would have problems getting to these venues if this service is lost. They mentioned that others would also suffer as they rely on this service.

The Chair thanked Mr and Mrs Tsang.

Councillor Alison Millar – East of Bath Transport. Councillor Millar made a statement to the Panel (the statement is attached to the agenda for this meeting). She asked the Panel to demand a body of evidence regarding the need for a Park and Ride to the East of Bath.

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

As part of this item the Panel will receive a presentation that contains exempt information, according to the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (amended Schedule 12A). The relevant exemption is set out below.

Stating the exemption:

7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

All attendees other than Members and relevant officers will be asked to leave the Chamber.

The Chair introduced the item and explained that, following advice from the Information Compliance Officer, the presentation on this item would be taken in private session.

The Panel RESOLVED that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the information in the following items of business: Item 7 – ‘Prevent: Radicalisation and Extremism’ because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 7 (Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime).

Please find attached the Cabinet report on this issue.

Councillor Martin Veal – Cabinet Member for Community Services introduced the report.

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

Councillor Gilchrist asked if a trial had been run, Martin Shields – Divisional Director Environmental Studies – explained that there have been trials across the country. He explained that other authorities have seen an increase in recycling and a drop in landfill. Councillor Gilchrist asked why it was a blanket approach given that different areas have different issues. The officer responded that there does need to be consistency as specialist vehicles are needed.

Councillor Norton asked if people’s preferences will be taken into account. The officer explained that if a property can accommodate a wheeled bin (75%) then they will get one. Councillor Symonds asked about people who cannot lift a wheelie bin and the officer explained that people can apply for assisted collection or look at smaller bins.

Councillor O Brien asked why black plastic cannot be recycled. The Cabinet member explained that pigmentation is an issue and black plastic may have been recycled many times before and be at the end of its life.

Councillor Turner asked if there is a plan for wheeled bins in the city centre. The officer stated that there will not be bins in this area.

Councillor Carr explained that some people leave rubbish bags out all week and asked about enforcement and also about community areas for rubbish bags. It was explained that there will be education and enforcement and that it can be difficult to find locations for community areas.

The Chair thanked the officers and explained that if anyone thought of anything further – the consultation process could be used.

Members will recall that on 22nd May they held a scrutiny day to examine a wide range of integrated transport solutions for the East of Bath.  Your recommendations were considered by Cabinet at their meeting on 13th July.  This report outlines Cabinet’s response to these recommendations.

Councillor Clarke – Cabinet Member for Transport – introduced the report. He thanked the Panel for the Scrutiny Inquiry Day that he felt was very productive.

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

Councillor Bull asked if the Alliance figures have been analysed. Peter Dawson – Group Manager Planning Policy Transport – explained that a Park and Ride would not be planned if it was thought that nobody would use it, the Council plans to create thousands of new jobs in the city and a lot of these new workers would live outside Bath. He explained that the Mott McDonald study shows there is a demand for Park and Ride in the future and we want the city of Bath to be accessible from all directions. He stated that he is confident in the need for a Park and Ride to the East of Bath and other Park and Ride sites are well used.

Councillor Bull stated that the Alliance say that Park and Rides are only 50% full by 9am and if this is the case then we would be providing for shoppers. The officer stated that the Council is planning for economic growth and people will not travel a long distance by bus.

Councillor Carr asked about the appendices to the Mott McDonald report. The officer explained that the forecast report is on the website and he will send a link.

Councillor Butters asked about rail, he stated that he did not think that all avenues are being pursued regarding rail. The Cabinet Member stated that he is keen on improving rail and it is strongly on the agenda but he did not think that rail can provide a significant improvement in the next 5 years. The officer added that he is not sure if it is known what solution the railway can give us.

Councillor Turner asked what information is needed now for a decision to be made on the Park and Ride. The Cabinet Member explained that the decision depends on the availability of land, issues around visual impact and ecology. He explained that the application will need to have planning permission.

Councillor Carr asked what analysis has been done regarding the smaller sites. The Cabinet Member explained that all of the smaller sites are on the A4 which misses out the population coming down the valley and also with some small sites there is a problem with turning the buses around.

The Chair asked when a decision will be made. The Cabinet Member explained that a final matrix would be presented at the September Cabinet meeting with a view to the planning application in October.

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

Councillor Anthony Clarke – Cabinet Member for Transport – gave the following update on his portfolio area:

·  Joint Transport Board is looking at how to improve conductivity through the area;

·  The 370 at Pensford shutting for 6 weeks;

·  Looking at trunking the 350;

·  Junction 18A on the M4 has been improved;

·  North Parade will shut for a month – it is being done in 3 segments.

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

Councillor Carr asked if cycle lanes are being considered for North Parade – the Cabinet Member explained that officers are looking at this but there is concern about the narrowness of the bridge.

Councillor O Brien asked that the North Parade works include a look at the pavements.

The Cabinet member noted the comments.

Councillor Martin Veal – Cabinet Member for Community Services – gave the following update on his portfolio area:

·  ‘A’ board enforcement is going well;

·  Haycombe modernisation is complete and works on the toilets and roof are now being done;

·  Alice Park Trust is set up and adverts out for two volunteers;

·  The Enforcement officer post for trade and domestic waste will need further funding in 2017-18;

·  1 fly tipping prosecution;

·  Oddown cycle circuit is complete;

·  4 engagement meetings regarding the proposals for Keynsham Leisure Centre have been arranged.

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

Councillor Carr asked about Hedgemead Park, the Cabinet Member said he would ask officers about this.

Councillor Butters asked about criticism of the Botanic Gardens, the Cabinet Member said he would look into this but any comments he has had have been positive.

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 Panel noted the workplan with the following additions/changes:

Add to September:

·  Changes in budgets resulting in savings – needing less subsidy on some routes

·  Cycling Provision – how is the cycling strategy working out?

Also:

·  Bath Air Quality Management Plan to be added to ‘Bath Low Emission Zone’

·  Examination of 20mph strategy in Bath.