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.

There were none.

There was none.

There were none.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record with the following addition to minute number 28 ‘Preparing for the Future’:

‘The officer explained that yes staff can come into the office ….’

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

The Panel received an update from Councillor Richard Samuel, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Resources:

Finance –

·  The Government have made some announcements on the future of funding in Adult Social Care, we are still awaiting the details on this.

·  The National Insurance changes made by the Government will increase the Council’s pay bill significantly. We are yet to hear if there will be any Government compensation.

·  There have been changes in Government regarding the ‘levelling up’ agenda – no announcements have been made yet.

·  Planning changes have been put on hold but will be looked at again by Michael Gove.

·  There will be more information on finance at Item 11 on the agenda for this meeting.

Economic Development

·  There has been a meeting, including local members, of the Somer Valley Forum regarding the Local Development Order for the Enterprise Zone. This is currently being considered.

·  Regarding the Radstock Regeneration Company – there have been some legacy issues which will be reported at a later date.

·  Bath Quays/Western Riverside – we are expecting a planning application shortly – this will represent the first stage of the North Quays development. Regarding Bath South Quays – tenants are currently being sought. This development has the largest array of solar panels in Bath. Argyle Works (Bath Quays South) – good progress is being made although some property conditions are poorer than expected.

·  Stephen Bird steps down as Head of Heritage on 30^th September 2021. He will be a hard act to follow. A successor has been appointed.

Property

·  Members received a briefing on this earlier today. The Milsom Quarter work is close to fruition although there are a few issues to resolve such as transport movement in the area.

Bath Riverline Project

·  Work is progressing well. We visited this recently (by boat). The team are working on the design of an outline route from Pulteney Bridge to Batheason. There has been a public webinar.

Richard Stott, Team Manager – Planning and Enforcement, introduced the item.

Panel Members raised the following points and asked the following questions

Councillor Elliott asked how the Council monitors 106 agreements to check payments and that works are carried out as promised.

The officer explained that previously, case officers would check in on progress. There is now a database that monitors progress as soon as a planning application is granted – there are a series of flags alerting officers to carry out checks. Service areas report back to us on an annual basis and a report is published in December each year. Regarding a crossing referred to by Councillor Elliott, the officer explained that if this resulted from a 106 agreement and the money has been paid to the Council, it is up to the service area to update our department – the service area will have a programme of projects.

Councillor Elliott asked if the database was in use 7 years ago. The officer explained that projects were migrated over (the line was drawn at 1990). Most projects have a pay back clause of 5-10 years. Occasionally a 106 agreement slips the net, but this is rare and we would follow it up.

Councillor Furse thanked officers for enforcement work that is carried out. He asked about a development gain for Western Riverside – pedestrian access to Victoria Park. He asked why this has not been delivered when the money has been paid. The officer stated that he would double check on this but explained that project delivery is the responsibility of the service area. He also thought that the trigger may not have been reached.

Councillor Furse referred to Hope House, he explained that there was a planning gain for community benefit. He explained that land gets moved over from developer to developer, each take their profit and there is no money left for community benefit, they fail to deliver on their social responsibility. He stated that any enforcement that could be brought would be welcome. He added that sometimes planning gain can come out of change of use but local residents don’t seem to benefit.

Councillor MacFie asked about the input Parish and Town Councils have in 106 and CIL matters. The officer explained that regarding CIL – local areas get a portion, 15% to Town Councils and 25% if their have a neighbourhood plan. Regarding 106, he explained that there is not so much scope for Parish and Town Councils to have a say. He explained that this issue could be further explained at a Parish Liaison meeting.

Councillor Warrington asked if there is any mechanism to report back to Parish and Town Councils on how much money is left in the pot and also, is there a crib sheet with examples of community projects. The officer explained that a head figure could be provided but it would be up to the PC and TC to keep a record and report back (hyperlink in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Steve Harman, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Insight introduced the report. He explained that an ambition of the current administration is to be more open and transparent. He further explained that this is an in-house system, developed internally and based around interactive dashboards. The officer gave the Panel a live demonstration of the Integrated Reporting Framework (IRF) system.

Panel Members raised the following points and asked the following

Councillor Singleton thanked the officers for the huge amount of work in developing this system. He expressed concern that the Panel had asked for the opportunity to input/scrutinize the system at the time of development. The officer stated that this is the start of the journey and this item could be brought back to the Panel at a later date.

Following a request from Councillor Warrington that the Panel have input into KPI’s, the officer agreed there would be input.

Councillor Elliott stated that he also had reservations around the Panel’s input. He stated that the technical work was good but stated that it is hard to assess how useful KPIs are without knowing how they are used. He added that he is keen to hear the KPIs for directors as it shows how departments are driven. The officer stated that he could bring this back to the Panel for their input.

Councillor Warrington asked if the system is automatically updated. The officer explained that information is dragged in on a regular basis. Councillor Warrington stated that 22 KPIs have been chosen out of 200 and asked for a list of the 22, the criteria and also how they fit with Corporate Priorities.

Councillor Duguid asked about benchmarking with other authorities. Andy Rothery, Chief Finance Officer (151 officer), explained that, he has spoken to other 151 officers about local meaningful data in order to compare like with like. Councillor Samuel added that this system had moved on from quarterly performance reports and was a big step. He explained that Cabinet Members need to be accountable for figures published. He added that it would be useful to be able to publish a set of indicators alongside a budget papers which gives the Panel opportunity for involvement. He explained that it will take time to properly embed this system and that by February the system will be set up.

Councillor Duguid asked if other UA’s of a similar size have similar systems. The officer explained that it is mixed. He explained that the Council has 800 services which are diverse and it is hard to capture everything.

The Panel RESOLVED that:

·  Information on the 22 KPI’s (criteria and how they fit with Corporate Priorities) be requested. Panel can see what Cabinet Member bring back in each of their areas in terms of KPIs.

·  This item come back to Panel as the system develops.

·  Information on who has access – ward members and PDS Panel members?

Andy Rothery, Chief Financial Officer (S151 Officer) and Councillor Richard Samuel, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Resources, introduced the report.

Councillor Samuel stated that the information in the report has been adopted by the Cabinet. He stated that the following year would be tough as the safety net provided by the Government regarding Covid is taken away.

Panel Members raised the following points and asked the following

In response to a question from Councillor Duguid, the officer explained that Covid support from the Government ended after Quarter 1.

Councillor Duguid asked if the Covid restrictions around the Roman Baths were too robust considering that the Government has lifted restrictions. The officer explained that this is a fine line and restrictions must be frequently reviewed. Councillor Hughes asked if more visitors could be accommodated in the Roman Baths if restrictions were eased. The officer explained that this was difficult to answer as it depends on demand. We could look at the bookings system.

Councillor Samuel stated that there is an employment shortfall, wages are likely to drift up. There are heavy pressures on the economy.

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 officers.

The Panel noted their future workplan with the following notes and suggestions for items:

·  Councillor Duguid to liaise with Councillor Samuel around the future item on Economic Development in order to tighten the brief and have an objective for the item.

·  Corporate Risk Register (new item suggestion)

·  Civic Centre (new item suggestion) – ways of working/travel/journeys/expenses/does everyone get a desk in their preferred place if they request it.

·  KPIs update (new item arising from report on the Integrated Reporting Framework)

·  Complaints (9^th May) – to include how many from various streams and how it informs the policy.