Agenda and minutes

In Attendance:

David Orme – Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council

Martin Robertson – Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council

Jackie Withes - Shoscombe Parish Council

Doug Pattison - Priston Parish Council

John Alder – Freshford Parish Council

Des Wighton - Monkton Combe Parish Council

Lynn Alvis - Monkton Combe Parish Council

Neil Butters - Ward Councillor

David Veale - Ward Councillor

David Dixon (Chair) – B&NES Community Engagement Manager

Mark Hayward – B&NES Community Engagement Officer

Not Present:

Combe Hay Parish Council

Hinton Charterhouse Parish Council

Newton St Loe Parish Council

Southstoke Parish Council

Wellow Parish Council

Kelston Parish Council

Apologies:

David Trethewey – Sponsor for the Bathavon Forum

Tim Rawlings – B&NES Council Waste Services

Gareth Lloyd – Avon Fire and Rescue

Katherine – Tunley Parish Council

Englishcombe Parish Council

Camerton Parish Council

1. Welcomes and Introductions

Dave Dixon thanked everybody for their attendance and introductions were given.

Gareth Lloyd, Station Manager for Bath Fire Station was not available to attend this evenings meeting but provided an update on operations in the Bath area as produced July 2017. (this report is included in the minutes). Gareth was not available to attend this evenings meeting.

The points that were highlighted by Dave Dixon :

·  The overall number of recorded incidents attended (year on year) has increased from 1,058 to 1,197. This service has to work on clever solutions with the reduction in the overall  level of staff dropping by a third.

·  Following the incident at Glenfield Tower in London work has taken place with housing associations to access risks and reassures the public that the local situation is one that is safe.

·  Work taken place includes, tests on high rise building in Bristol and the one in Bath at Snowhill; tests on water risers; education with residents on the direct route for report any concerns or issues.

Questions and observations:

1.  Neil Butters explained that he is a member of Avon Fire Authority. Neil explained that there was a report released yesterday that indicates that re-organisation within the service will be being looked at. The Chief Fire Officer is off with long-term sickness.

Neil would be happy for anybody to feedback to him any comments on the report.

2.  Martin Robertson explained that he had needed to contact Avon Fire Service for information about a fire hydrant location. The enquiry was dealt with professionally and with a first class level of service.

The Police were not able to send a representative to this meeting. Their approach to community policing has been reviewed and the area will be broken down in neighbourhood areas that have a sergeant responsible.  Inspector Sarah Treweek has committed to sending officers who have knowledge of the forum areas to future meetings.

Action: It was noted that clarification will be sought on how Neighbourhood watch is being co-ordinated?

Tim Rawlings from B&NES Waste Services team was not available to attend the meeting to discuss the changes to waste collections. (the update is included in the minutes).

The points that were highlighted by Dave Dixon:

·  It is important that residents and Councillors make contact with the waste team as soon as possible if they have any concerns about the collection arrangements for specific properties. The cut-off date has been extended to 31^st July 2017.

·  A large number of collection concerns have already been dealt with.

·  There are several reasons behind the changes, these are to create a more efficient collection service using the replacement  vehicles; reduce the mess created by having unsealed receptacles; increasing the level of recycling by maintaining weekly collections.

·  We want to make sure that we are working with the residents to get the changes being made right. It is important that people have a chance to see how the new system is working for them.

  Questions and observations:

1.  Where there is only a small amount of general rubbish generated each week could this be put out is a carrier bag?

Response – The new scheme will require residents to use the container that they are provided with, these will be the only ways rubbish will be collected. Residents with smaller amounts of rubbish could skip putting out their container if it is only partially full.

2.  What is the advantage in sorting the recycling at the point of collection?

Response – The industry believes that the system that we are using is the correct way to gain the best quality and price for recycled materials.

3.  Will the existing people that have received assisted collections automatically be renewed into the new arrangements?

Response from Tim Rawlings following the meeting - All residents who have received assisted collections in the past have been contacted and asked if they will still need assistance once the new methods in place. The Waste Team are following up with people that have not yet responded to the initial letter. If there is anybody that feels the changes warrant them needing assistance then they will need to let Waste Service know.

4.  Will there be any changes to collections from private roads?

Response from Tim Rawlings following the meeting – Collections should not be affected, residents will be asked as before to put there containers to the edge/front of their property.

5.  What is the situation with trade collections where purple sacks are purchased?

Response from Tim Rawlings following the meeting – Trade collections are unaffected and will continue in the normal way.

6.  Anybody with a request for additional support for their area can contact Tim Rawlings on 01225 395205 or tim_rawlings@bathnes.gov.uk

Dave Dixon explained that following the discussion and vote of the Bathavon Forum on its future it was an overwhelming decision to split into two separate Forums.

Hugh Baker was the Chair for the forum before the split, Hugh has taken on the role of Chair for the Bathavon North Forum.

We are left with a vacancy to fill for the Bathavon South Chair. It was explained that the duties of the Chair are to work with Council Officers in the setting of the agenda; Chair the three forum meetings a year and attend the meeting of the forum chairs two or three times a year.

John Alder, Freshford Parish Council was proposed by Neil Butters and seconded by David Veale. No other nominations were put forward and there was unanimous agreement amongst the Parishes. John Alder will take on the role of Chair for one year, future votes for the Chair will place at the next forum AGM.

It was felt that meeting three times a year (including the AGM) would be sufficient for the Forum. Should specific local issues need to be addressed the forum has the opportunity to add in special additional events. The next meetings will take place in November 2016 and March 2017.

It was suggested that locations for meetings are rotated around Parish Halls and this was felt to be a good option. The next meeting will take place at Freshford Hall. Tunley and Priston also offered to host future meetings. It was suggested that the host Parish Council could hold a short introduction about their parish at the start of meetings.

·  Virgincare

·  Rural Broadband

·  Rural parish issues that are appropriate for this forum.

·  Ward Councillor Boundaries – how the parishes can influence the review process.

·  Share information on the way that parishes can co-ordinate on issues such as the maintenance rounds scheduling; the use of local knowledge will help find solutions.

Dave Dixon reminded Parishes that the letters for the Community Empowerment Fund have been sent out to Parish Clerks and Chairs.  This is funding that is available to be spent in this financial year.

It was noted that on 11 parishes have so far commented on the parish charter review. It was asked all parishes look to contribute their observations as part of the consultation.