Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting including:

Councillor Dine Romero (Chair of the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development Panel and

Councillor Andy Wait (Chair of the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development Panel

The Chair noted that the order of items will be changed so that item 11, 10 and 9 will be considered in that order.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor Bridges sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Hal MacFie.

Councillor Heathcote sent his apologies.

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.

There were none.

There was none.

There were none

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

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

The Cabinet Member confirmed that their updates would be contained within items on the agenda.

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, introduced the presentation which covered the following:

·  Vision

·  Strategic Priorities

·  Heritage Services 2025/26

·  Key Project Information

·  2026/27

·  Key Activity

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

Councillor MacFie asked about the fluctuation in the Roman Baths targets. The officer explained that there was a jump from 2025/26 to 2026/27, various reasons including that the next financial year has 2 Easters. There are a number of strategies in place to arrest the slight decline. We have taken a prudent approach to projections in future years as we will need to assess the market.

Councillor Treby thanked the Cabinet Member for the positive report and asked if visitor numbers for the Roman Baths are down this year compared to other attractions. The officer explained that numbers are in line with the attraction sector as a whole in the UK. People are taking shorter stays. ALBA will soon release figures. He noted that some organisations drive footfall at the expense of yield so we have to use caution in comparing visitor numbers.

In response to a question from Councillor Treby regarding yield per visitor, the officer explained that he is happy with this currently. Retail is slightly down and likely caused by the cost of living. In response to a question from Councillor Treby regarding the Fashion Museum predictions, the officer explained that higher numbers are expected in the opening year and then a level off. He explained the opportunities to cross sell with the Roman Baths (joint ticket).

Councillor Simon noted universal credit concession ticket and asked about the possibility of introducing a pension credit ticket. The officer stated that he would take this back to the team.

Councillor Blackburn asked what the ticket cost came down to in terms of revenue for the Council as residents’ money is being used for this. The officer explained that the Fashion Museum has a comprehensive business case. It will overall run on a surplus but break even when factoring in borrowing costs. He added that there is no real disadvantage to residents, all capital is looking to be repaid from Heritage Services. The Council will eventually own the attraction.

Councillor Blackburn asked about headwinds over the next 12/24 months. The officer acknowledged the potential destabilising factors such as ticket prices rising due to the World Cup and possible political instability.

Councillor Blackburn asked about the square outside the fashion museum – when this was included and implications for the road network. The Cabinet Member explained that this had been part of the extensive consultation over the whole district.

Councillor Moss asked if international visitor numbers had been affected by global political/economic changes – particularly from North America. The Cabinet Member stated that Visit West will publish the numbers.

Councillor Moss asked about the potential tourism levy, collected by WECA and impact on the number of visitors. The Cabinet Member stated that this will all be spent on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 193.

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, introduced the item. There was a presentation which covered the following:

·  Purpose of our Corporate Estate

·  What is the Asset Management Framework?

·  How the Framework Fits Together

·  Why are we doing it now?

·  What will be different?

·  Key Outcomes by 2030

·  Corporate Estate Asset Management Policy 2025-30

·  Supporting Corporate Objectives

·  Strategic Delivery

·  Corporate Estate Asset Management Policy

·  Corporate Estate Asset Management Strategy 2025-30

·  Mission

·  Future Impact

·  Our Corporate Estate as an Enabler

·  Operating as a Corporate Landlord

·  Our Corporate Landlord

·  Challenging Our Assets

·  Delivering the Corporate Asset Management Policy

·  Our Plan on a Page

·  Performance and Governance

·  Governance

·  Milestones

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

Councillor Moss stated that this was a useful overview. He stated that key outcomes and future impact are missing and asked to see some KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) with figures from past/present/future. The officer confirmed that this information is being prepared.

Councillor David asked about public engagement in terms of assets that could be of community value. She also asked when the Action Plan would be published. The Cabinet Member explained that community groups can register an expression of interest. The officer explained that there is an asset management process – every asset is assessed in terms of: keep/invest/housing/disposal. The process includes potential for community asset transfer. He further explained that an Action Plan is being developed.

Councillor Simon stated that he would like to see ‘community solidarity’ as a priority included under ‘Corporate Estate as an Enabler’.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officer.

Councillor Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the item.

Councillor Dine Romero gave the following feedback as Chair of the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development Panel.

Children’s Services and Adult Social Care are under significant and increasing pressure. Demand is rising, needs are becoming more complex, and inflation continues to strain budgets. Without government reform of social care funding, the situation is likely to continue this trajectory.

The panel looked at proposed savings related to increased Care Act reviews, short?term care pathways, enablement, and universal services. Concerns were raised about potential negative impacts and that cost?driven decisions might disrupt essential support. Officers provided reassurance that reviews will remain person?centred, based on eligibility and outcomes.

The panel discussed co?production in recommissioning learning disability services, reflecting on last year’s engagement work. They emphasised the importance of early, meaningful engagement with individuals and families.

Concerns were expressed about joint working between the Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB), especially as the ICB expands and may lose focus on B&NES. There was reassurance that there will still be a dedicated Place Director. Funding disputes for people with complex needs were also highlighted, and the panel welcomed a commitment to bring forward joint reports on dispute resolution.

The Panel reviewed the “top 25 contracts” and asked for more transparency. Positively, it was noted that Children’s Services are concentrating on slowing growth rather than finding new savings. SEND pressures were discussed, with early signs of improvement in EHCP timeliness and fewer complaints.

The panel still had questions about how some savings—particularly relating to transitions from high?cost residential placements to supported tenancies—would be achieved without reducing support. The Panel is committed to ongoing scrutiny to ensure vulnerable residents’ needs remain central to decision?making.

Councillor Andy Wait gave the following feedback as Chair of the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development Panel

This Panel has fewer statutory pressures and a focus on steering the Council’s future direction. Officers described the current year’s budget as “benign”, a view the panel broadly shared.

A major concern was the potential reduction in opening hours at the Bath and Midsomer Norton recycling centres. The panel welcomed the decision not to proceed, noting that cuts would have increased mileage to the Keynsham depot. Members also raised issues about kerbside waste route revisions, but were reassured that operational adjustments were manageable.

Parking enforcement and active travel were also discussed, particularly blocked dropped kerbs and whether enforcement could be carried out using electric cycles—currently limited by technology. Misuse of Park & Ride sites as general car parks was highlighted, prompting conversations about improving monitoring technology.

The panel examined funding for school streets, supported bus services and community travel initiatives, and was reassured these were supported through earmarked reserves or WECA?related funding. They welcomed plans for electric refuse vehicles from 2026, and sought clarification about associated costs.

Concerns were raised about Clean Air Zone operational deficits and parking charge increases affecting small businesses. Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 195.

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.

Panel members noted the future workplan and the following suggestions:

·  Discussion on budget consultation – July TBC

·  AI item (referred from Council) – March TBC

·  Quarterly Performance Report – May TBC

·  Council Tax Reduction Scheme Update