Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Michaela Gay  01225 394411

Items
No. Item

136.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

137.

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.

 

138.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Turner sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Jasper Becker.

139.

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.

140.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

There was none.

141.

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

The following members of the public have registered to make a statement:

 

·  Adam Reynolds – London Road Cycle Lane

·  Jacqui Hughes – Sort our Subway Group – Claverton Street Subway

 

Minutes:

Public Statements

 

Adam Reynolds made a statement regarding Bath Quays Bridge

A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

The Chair stated that the statement and questions would be passed on to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

 

Anne Forrest made a statement regarding Claverton Street Subway. She stated that there is no safe pedestrian route into the city.

 

Richard Samuel made a statement regarding Air Quality which raised some questions. The Chair stated that he hoped the Panel would raise these points in debate (at minute number 146).

Note - before Mr Samuel made his statement, he declared that he was a candidate in the Walcot by-election and asked if he could still speak. The Chairman advised that he could speak on other matters but not in his capacity as a candidate. Mr Samuel confirmed he would not.

A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

 

David Redgewell made a statement regarding Transport.

A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

Regarding a query from Councillor Butters on the BTP (British Transport Police), Mr Redgewell explained that he understood the proposal was to relocate to Swindon station. Councillor Hale stated that he shared concerns about the effective lack of policing of the area. Councillor Romero stated that she will take these points to the PCC Panel. The Cabinet member stated that the administration has been disturbed by the decision made regarding the police without consultation. He added that the new Headquarters in Bath is not fit for purpose and assured the Panel that this is a major issue for the administration. Councillor Hale asked that the Cabinet member raise these concerns at every opportunity. The Chair noted that the Cabinet members agreed and it was accepted that this issue (British Transport Police) be added to the Panel work plan.

 

Andy Halliday made a statement regarding Bath Central Library. He stated that use of the integrated One Stop Shop and Library in Keynsham is totally different to the Podium usage and that facilities in Bath are on one floor where people feel safe and welcome.

The Chair asked what the difference would be if the Library moved to Lewis House. Mr Halliday explained that there would be a reduction of books, children’s space, access to reference books, access to reserve stock. There would also be the loss of the city centre location, single floor facility and close car parking. There was some discussion about how a change in parking facilities would affect usage.

 

Gillian Risbridger made a statement regarding Air Quality Action Plan. A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

 

Caroline Ambrose made a statement regarding Bath Central Library size.

A copy of the statement is attached to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

Additional documents:

142.

Minutes 16 January 2017 pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Minutes:

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

143.

Libraries - Update

There is no report on this item, there will be a presentation at the meeting.

Minutes:

Ian Savigar Divisional Director Customer Services, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

 

·  Where we are now

·  Potential B&NES Library Service Model by 2020

·  Some key facts

·  What is happening

·  Why would we do this?

·  Has the decision been made yet?

·  What can’t things stay the same?

·  Other Libraries

·  Midsomer Norton

·  Current Issues

 

 

The Divisional Director explained that there was no plan to close any libraries and the Council will work with communities. He added that in the early summer, a business case would be submitted to the Cabinet and then there would be a second stage of consultation. Regarding the mobile library service he explained that there have been a few issues over the last few months due to driver illness and vehicle repairs but these have now resolved. Regarding the event space he explained that the rolling stack needs to be repaired. He concluded that savings can be achieved, improvements delivered with a modernized option.

 

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

 

Councillor Bull asked that in the future, slides be provided at an earlier stage.

 

Councillor Gilchrist asked if there will be an equivalent exhibition space in the new configuration. The officer stated that if consultation shows that this is needed then something will be worked out.

 

Councillor Goodman asked if local reference books were being moved to the Guildhall without a formal decision on the Libraries yet. The officer explained that this is a separate issue and not part of the Library proposals.

 

Councillor Butters stated that the usage rate at Bath Library is impressive and a lot of users park in the Waitrose car park, he asked if it was anticipated that the usage would drop if the Library was moved. The officer stated that he did not have information on modes of transport of Library users but that there were car parks near Lewis House (Manvers Street and Southgate). Councillor Butters asked if Manvers Street car park will eventually be removed. The officer stated that there is no plan for this at present. Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources added that if the move does go ahead, parking requirements would have to be taken into account.

 

Councillor Bull asked how much of the proposed savings of £800k applies to the Central Bath Library and also if it is true that some Council staff will be moving to the Podium. The Strategic Director explained that £700k is the target saving in year 3 of the budget plan and that the business plan will detail how much of that relates to Bath Central Library. He explained that there is a provisional sum in the Capital Programme which will enable investment in the Library Service and that this will need to be funded which can only be done by making the service more efficient. The plan is to combine services to reduce staff costs. Councillor Bull asked if a move to Lewis House would make any savings or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

144.

Churchill Subway pdf icon PDF 3 MB

There will be a presentation on ‘Churchill Subway’, presentation slides are attached.

Minutes:

Dr Jacqui Hughes of SOS (Sort our Subway) Group made a statement.

A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

 

Gary Peacock Deputy Group Manager, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

 

·  Claverton Street Subway – map and pictures

·  Costed options (Options 1, 2 and 3)

·  Atkins Recommendations

·  Figure A1: Churchill Bridge Crossing Options Tested

·  Summary

·  Recommendation

 

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

 

The Chairman, Councillor Bull, explained that some members had a site visit to the subway earlier in the day. He further explained that the Panel could not make a decision on the options today but could make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Clarke.

 

Councillor Hale asked what the costings would be to align the lights on a possible new crossing with the lights further along. The officer explained that the traffic signals at Rossiter Road run for long cycles whereas a pedestrian crossing is demand led. The officer added that he did not believe that linking the lights would bring the desired results.

 

Councillor Butters asked if Equal Opportunities and wheelchair users had been taken into account and if the potential arches refurbishment would need a crossing. He also asked if the possibility of a footbridge had been exhausted. The officer responded that there is wheelchair access and that he believed the introduction of CCTV would increase security. He explained that a footbridge would cause a lot of visual impact and the arches issue cannot drive the outcome.

 

Councillor Becker referred to the middle surface crossing and the 30/60/90 second simulation – he asked if this test had been done for option 3. The officer explained that no, this had not been done for option 3 as it takes pedestrians passed the desire line and would be a retrograde step for pedestrians.

 

Councillor Bull asked if the officer has looked at other examples of refurbished subways to see if people felt safer as a result of the refurbishment. The officer said he would look into it.

 

Councillor Simmons stated that any scheme other than an underpass would increase traffic and pollution.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to make the following recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Transport:

 

The Panel recommend that officers investigate an alternative crossing, to the east of the gyratory, linked to the other crossing at Halfpenny Bridge. The Panel ask that the investigation should include the issue of air pollution and a study of outcomes in other cities.

 

Councillor Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport thanked the Panel.

145.

River Safety Update pdf icon PDF 68 KB

There is a report attached on ‘River Safety Update’ and there will be a presentation on this item at the meeting.

Minutes:

Cath Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

 

(The officer informed the Panel that Gareth Lloyd – Avon Fire and Rescue Station Manager had inputted into this presentation)

 

·  River Safety update

·  River Avon related incidents since 2009

·  Our reports and evidence

·  Our reports and evidence

·  River Safety Group

·  Our strategy for reducing risks

·  Our improvements… fencing and signage

·  River Rescue Cabinets

·  Got Ya Back! Campaign

·  Communications

·  Avon Fire and Rescue Service update

·  Future focus – review of educational campaigns

 

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

 

Councillor Hale asked if there are any figures on deaths/rescue and also about how the issue of intoxication is approached. The officer explained that four fatalities have involved a night out, she explained that it is important to deliver the message that is not patronising. She further explained that she is looking at evaluation in order to build in some measures.

 

Councillor Gladwyn asked if the authority will renew its support for various campaigns. She explained that she had worked with the Student Union on this. She asked about licensing conditions and training for bouncers. The officer confirmed that the authority does support campaigns and confirmed that she does speak to premises and there is an enforcement group to talk to door staff.

146.

Air Quality Update - Bath Air Quality Action Plan Review and Clean Air Zone pdf icon PDF 73 KB

There is a report attached on ‘Air Quality Update – Bath Air Quality Action Plan Review and Clean Air Zone’. There will be a presentation at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cath Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection, and Rob Spalding, Senior Public Protection Officer, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

 

·  Bath Air Quality Action Plan

·  Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)

·  Air Quality Action Plan in Bath

·  How does the Bath AQAP link to our other strategies?

·  Annual average NO2 levels at hotspots (2015)

·  Overview of source apportionment

·  Groups we have consulted with in planning for the review

·  What are the themes of our action plan?

·  Timeline for reviewing the Bath AQAP

·  Next steps

 

·  Clean Air Zone

·  What is a Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?

·  Effects and considerations of introducing a CAZ in Bath

·  How does a CAZ link to our strategies?

·  Next steps for CAZ

 

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

 

Councillor Gilchrist asked about the management area around Widcombe and asked if it could be redrawn and also why Pultney Road is not included. The officer explained that the management area represents an area where NO2 exceeds the recommended level, this can be due to the layout of buildings as high sided buildings trap air pollution.

 

Councillor Hale pointed to the high levels in Bathwick Street and London Road and asked if this would be different if HGV vehicles used a link road. The officer said that there would be some difference, he explained that this would necessitate a costly survey whereas the authority relies on traffic modelling data. He explained that he is overseeing a brief on traffic modelling and asking for it to take air pollution into account.

 

Councillor Butters asked that the public speaker Richard Samuel’s questions be addressed (a copy of this statement is saved as an attachment to the minutes and kept on the Council’s minute book). Cath Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection, addressed the issues. She explained that bid to DEFRA was not successful but there are other strategies with income streams such as Devolution. Regarding the boundary of management areas, she explained that this is based on the outcome of the data. Rob Spalding, Senior Public Protection Officer, explained that the chosen approach has been to focus on area where there are exceedances.

The Chair asked officers to find if there had been a traffic census on London Road.

 

Councillor Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport, explained that there is no doubt that something has to be done to address the NO2 levels in Bath but explained that some of the roads are trunk roads and the authority does not have the right to impose clean air areas. He explained that the one part of the city that could be isolated is the centre. He further explained that the administration would persist in looking to get bypasses to make the authority a clean air zone. He added that the correct amount of monitoring is being done and that this authority is not high on the list as pollution levels are not high enough. He informed the Panel that he had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

147.

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 Clarke updated the Panel on the following:

 

·  Metro West rail project – meeting with Joint Transport Board;

·  Traffic Transport Strategy commission meeting – a delivery plan will be published next month;

·  Parking Review – draft by the end of the month;

·  The Bus Service Bill is going through;

·  A37 is on the radar along with the special strategy and air quality.

148.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 108 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:

 

·  Bus Services Bill

·  Metro West (May)

·  British Transport Police