Agenda and minutes

Venue: Alkmaar Room, Guildhall

Contact: Michaela Gay  01225 394411

Items
No. Item

105.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

106.

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.

 

107.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

Councillor Hale sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Horstmann.

108.

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.

109.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

There was none.

110.

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

 

Adam Reynolds, Cycle Bath Chair will make a statement on "The practice of councils applying road diets as part of Highways resurfacing programmes ".

 

 

 

Minutes:

Adam Reynolds, Chair of Cycle Bath made a statement to the Panel on ‘The practice of councils applying road diets as part of Highways resurfacing programmes’. A copy of the statement is appended to the agenda for this meeting and can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book.

 

Councillor Butters stated that Mr Reynolds should input into the West of England Transport Study. Councillor Bull asked if Mr Reynolds feels his ideas have been taken on board by the Council. Mr Reynolds said that they had not been in all cases but he acknowledged the process could be slow. He explained that it is necessary to get the right information to the right decision makers.

 

Councillor Turner asked Mr Reynolds view on cycling on pavements. Mr Reynolds stated that he neither condones nor condemns it as sometimes roads are not safe. He stated that cycling on pavements is not good for perceptions of cyclists.

 

Mary Upton – Shoscombe Parish Councillor made a statement on the Cycling Strategy. She asked if there needs to be a shift in focus in the rights and responsibilities of cyclists. A copy of the statement is appended to the agenda for this meeting and can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book.

 

David Redgewell – South West Transport Network made a statement on ‘Devolution and a Combined Authority’. A copy of the statement is appended to the agenda for this meeting and can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Bull, Mr Redgewell explained that a ‘control period’ is a 5 yearly block of finance for things such as railway funding.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Butters, Mr Redgewell explained that electric trains will run to Bath but not in this control period and if the Council want local enhancement, it has to commission it.

 

Councillor Bull explained that he is asking a representative from Network Rail to attend the Panel in the new year.

111.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

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

112.

Bus Services Bill pdf icon PDF 74 KB

There is an update report attached on the Bus Services Bill.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Andy Strong – Team Manager Public Transport introduced the report.

 

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

 

In response to a query about infrastructure, the officer explained that it is for authorities to provide infrastructure and the operator provides the service. He further explained that legislation is attempting to develop the quality of the partnerships. Councillor Bull referred to the enhanced partnership scheme and asked if operators would have to comply with an authority plan. The officer explained that the authority must consult with operators and the plan would only be implemented if operators are on board. Councillor Bull asked about the two possible models and the risks involved with each. The officer explained that the model where the authority takes the risk is run in London.

 

Councillor Turner stated that competition is a prime factor in efficiency and asked if competition will be included in either of the models. The officer explained that there would be competition for contracts.

 

Councillor Butters asked if roadworks can be taken into account regarding the punctuality of buses. The officer explained that 95% punctuality is expected and operators should allow for road works.

 

Councillor Bull explained that the Panel will revive its working party which was put on hold to wait for the Bus Services Bill.

 

The officer explained that the new Bill will widen opportunities for smaller bus companies.

 

Councillor Butters asked about smart ticketing. The officer explained the national rollout has been more of a priority than the West of England. The big 5 operators are committed to a contactless scheme. The Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Anthony Clarke explained that technology is moving on and a big cause of lack of punctuality is people waiting for change.

113.

Urban Gull Strategy - an update pdf icon PDF 76 KB

There is an update report attached on Urban Gull Strategy. There will be a presentation at the meeting, presentation slides are attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cathryn Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation (supported by Sarah Alder – Team Manager Strategy and Contracts) to the Panel which covered the following:

 

·  2016 Gull Strategy

·  Free egg and nest removal by ward

·  Waste enforcement

·  UWE/Middlesex University Research

·  Communications

·  Councillor Feedback

·  Customer Feedback

·  Comments from customers

·  What did we learn from the work this year?

·  2017 and beyond

 

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

 

Councillor Gilchrist explained that some of his residents said they did not know about the scheme. He asked how the one month publicity period and narrow timescale for implementing the scheme will it fit in with the budget process. The officer explained she is hoping for a decision in December. She acknowledged that there had not been enough of a lead in time before.

 

Councillor Goodman asked how many of the 1,000 eggs hatched. He also stated that the scheme had been successful and asked what would happen if it stopped for a year. The officer explained that only a small number hatch. She explained that the population would recover if the scheme stopped.

 

Councillor Martin Veal, Cabinet Member for Community Services explained that waste is the reason the gulls stay in an area and that they have no predators. He explained that urban and costal gulls have different behaviours, the costal gull is protected and in his view, the urban gull is different. He explained that the hawks worry the gulls and they do not breed if they are worried. He stated that he was disappointed that there was not more help from ward members. He explained that there had been good engagement with Universities and good media coverage. He explained that the enforcement officer was successful in getting people to put rubbish out at the right time. He added that any help members can give with lobbying for continuation of funding would be appreciated.

 

Councillor Turner explained that residents at the Paragon could not get funding. The officer explained that it may have been at the wrong time.

 

Councillor Bull stated that this issue is important to everyone at it effects all areas of the environment so there is an argument for spending the money.

 

114.

Update on Cycling Strategy pdf icon PDF 45 KB

There is a report attached on Cycling Strategy. There will also be a presentation at the meeting.

Minutes:

Gary Peacock, Deputy Group Manager- Highways& Traffic gave a presentation to the Panel (supported by Alison Sherwen and Jessica Taylor Fox) which covered the following areas:

 

·  An update of cycling within Bath & North East Somerset

·  Transport Strategies

·  External Sources of Information

·  Contribution from partners

·  The Capital Programme

·  Cycling links to regeneration works

·  Results

·  Going Forward

 

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

 

In response to a question from Councillor Bull, the officer explained that it was useful to have representatives of cyclists and walkers in the same body.

 

Councillor Bull asked if the investment had encouraged more people to cycle. The officer stated that there has been a 24% increase from 2010/11 – 2014/15.

 

Councillor Gilchrist stated that the treatment of cyclists on the main roads is a fundamental question. He explained that an officer had previously stated the need to encourage cyclists onto side roads. The Cabinet member explained that there are narrow roads in this area and topographical issues so segregating cyclists is not a bad thing to do.

 

Councillor Simmonds asked if 106 money would be used in Keynsham to build a bridge over the river. The officer explained that the 106 money has trigger points so the bridge will be built sometime next year, it is in the Capital Programme.

 

Councillor Simmonds asked about bike racks on buses – the Cabinet member explained that it may be trialled on the front of buses.

 

Councillor Butters asked about bikes on narrow roads, the officer explained that there is a road safety officer that would need to have a look at the area in question, sometimes signage can help.

115.

Cabinet Member update

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

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Anthony Clarke updated the Panel on the following:

 

·  The Cabinet agreed the Devolution deal and buses and some rail will fall to the new combined authority.

·  Regarding pollution – particulates remain within EU limits but we are stalled on nitrogen dioxides, most of which comes from diesel vehicles. DEFRA have now taken over air quality and Bath and Bristol are not at the top as there is not a major problem. There will be a bid to DEFRA for a clean air zone in the centre of Bath. A waste bus is being trialled next year. Electric buses are expensive due to the hills.

 

Panel members asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Gilchrist asked about the destructor bridge, Councillor Butters said that it looks almost complete and asked what would happen on the south side. The Cabinet member stated that he would report back on this.

 

Councillor Bull asked if the £39k is the subsidy which has been withdrawn or is it the amount which still supports the 6/7 bus route. The Cabinet member explained that there was a subsidy of £39k per year and the part of the route that has been lost has been very poorly used. First Bus cannot run a break even service on 4 buses but they can on 3 buses so there is a compromise of 3 buses and stop at Grand Parade rather than the bus station. Councillor Simmonds asked if Morrisons would consider running a bus or match fund a route.

 

 

 

116.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 110 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 senior officers.

Minutes:

The Panel noted the workplan with the following additions:

 

·  Rail Electrification – update (Network rail representative?)

·  Warm Water – update

·  Traffic improvement prioritisation (Cllr Gilchrist)