Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Michaela Gay  Email: michaela_gay@bathnes.gov.uk, 01225 394411

Media

Items
No. Item

113.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

The Chair welcomed Councillor Malcolm Treby in the role of Vice Chair which was ratified by the Panel.

 

114.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.

 

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Minutes:

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

 

115.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

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Minutes:

There were none

116.

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 4.4 Appendix 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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were none.

117.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

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Minutes:

There was none.

118.

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

At the time of publication no notifications had been received.

 

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Minutes:

There were none

119.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 87 KB

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Minutes:

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

120.

Cabinet Member update

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Mark Elliott updated the Panel covering the following points:

 

·  The major activity has been around budget setting. There has been increased demand on Children’s Services over the Christmas period.

·  There is an interim Section 151 Finance Director. There will be a new appointment in March 2025.

 

Regarding the Quarter 3 outturn report, The Cabinet Member explained that this would likely come to the Panel’s March meeting. He explained that the outturn looks as expected but there has been increased pressure on Children’s Services.

 

Councillor Moss stated that budget proposals seem very similar to last year, do we expect different outcomes? The Cabinet Member stated that he would cover this in the item on the Budget.

 

Regarding the pressure on Children’s Services, the Cabinet Member explained that all three areas in that service (Transport, Children in Care, Schools) were problematic, but the recent pressure had come from a significant increase in children coming into care over the Christmas period.

 

Councillor Halsall mentioned the positive Ofsted outcome for the service area.

 

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member

 

121.

Budget Report pdf icon PDF 299 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, introduced the report and explained that it covered items within this Panel’s remit. He explained that the full budget is being worked on but there is an unusual level of uncertainty particularly around mitigation around National Insurance contributions. He stated that the hard figures will be published in early February.

 

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

 

Councillor Blackburn stated that the report was a pale reflection on what was brought to scrutiny previously. Councillor Moss agreed that a fuller picture had been given in previous years. The Cabinet Member stated that the Executive Director had flagged up that full budget papers could not be produced for this meeting. Councillor Moss stated that in 2022/23 the full budget papers came to this Panel. The Cabinet Member stated that he was happy to support this in the future provided the deadlines can be met.

 

Councillor Simon stated that the Panel have been assured that a balanced budget it achievable and the report represents about the right amount of information for early January.  He stated that it would have been helpful to have more on the capital side. He added that focus on the detail of the relevant portfolios is the best use of the Panel’s time today.

 

Councillor Halsall asked about Council Tax rises. The Cabinet Member stated that, while it will rise, BANES still remains 4th lowest in terms of Council Tax.

 

In response to a query on telephony from Councillor Simon, the Cabinet Member explained that it would be an ongoing cost as it is a service not a purchase.

 

Councillor Simon asked about the Being Our Best (BOB) programme. The Chief Executive, Will Godfrey explained the programme and that details would be brought to the Employment Committee on 14th February 2025. There is a meeting with Trade Unions tomorrow.

 

Councillor MacFie asked where the change in Business Rates had come from. The officer explained that this related to the Business Rates Pool and a change in allocations. In response to a query from Councillor Simon, the officer explained that there is a concern that the Government are moving towards a deprivation/needs-based allocation. The Cabinet Member explained that this was another factor in the theme of uncertainty, there is some extra money in the system this year but we do not have the information to plan ahead and we need more clarify from Government regarding a multiyear settlement. Councillor Moss stated that, at the LGA Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister indicated a move towards multi year settlements from next year. The Cabinet Member stated that he was pleased to hear this.

 

Councillor Halsall mentioned reference to AI in the press and asked for assurance that this would be used to improve our service and that members are trained. The Cabinet Member supported this. The Chief Executive stated that it was early days but he could see the benefits of this and the Council wide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

122.

Development of Draft Heritage Services Plan

There will be a presentation at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council Leader, Councillor Kevin Guy introduced the item and the officer gave a presentation which covered the following: 

 

·  Heritage Service Business Plan – Early Stage Briefing

·  Vision

·  Strategic Priorities

·  Roman Baths 2024/25 - Challenging Market Conditions

·  Additional Income Generation

·  Value for Money – Benchmarking/Awards

·  2025/26 Service KPIs

·  2025/26 Key Activity

·  2025/26 Risk

 

 

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

 

Councillor Moss asked that the figures (KPI slide) regarding increase in net profit p/council tax household be checked.

 

Councillor Halsall asked how we can support other heritage assets outside of the city. The officer stated that this presentation has focused on the assets in Bath as part of the business plan but the service is also responsible for culture and tourism across the area. He explained that cultural plans for BANES are being worked on as we can think more widely having steadied the ship post Covid.

 

Councillor Halsall asked how we can develop our understanding of the past while looking to the future with apprenticeships and training. The officer stated the service has a strong track record on apprenticeships. The Council Leader stated that satisfaction of staff in the service is very high, he praised the officer and his team.

 

Councillor Blackburn asked if the discovery card provided data and if this will be captured with the new CRM. The officer explained that data on Council owned sites can be collected. The CRM will collect data on new packages such as the family trails.

 

In response to a query from Councillor Blackburn regarding ticket prices, the officer stated that he would come back to the Panel will a full answer in the future. He explained that setting a ticket price is a tight rope, good value scores have to be considered.

 

Councillor Blackburn asked about the Far East market. The officer explained that we engage with the Chinese Embassy via Visit West.

 

Councillor Moss thanked the Council Leader and officer for the early opportunity for the Panel to see this information. He stated that he understood the focus on assets in Bath which are key in the budget but it would be useful to get numbers of people in groups (coaches/day trips/longer stays etc) and promote North East Somerset. The officer stated that some of that information is available such as group volumes, but we do not hold information regarding onward intentions. The Council Leader mentioned the Northeast Somerset cultural strategy – there have been discussions around how to get people to stay longer and visit the wider area.

 

The Chair thanked the Council Leader and officer.  

123.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 109 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 officers.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel noted the future workplan.