Agenda and minutes

Councillor Kumar sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Rigby.

Councillor Hirst sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Malloy.

Councillor Johnson 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 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.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting (30^th September 2019) as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

There is a short report attached. There will be a presentation at the meeting.

The Panel received a presentation on the ‘Bath Clean Air Plan Update’ from Cathryn Brown, Team Manager - Licensing and Environmental Protection and Chris Major, Group Manager – Transport and Parking which covered the following:

·  Background

·  Recent Progress

·  Proposed charges

·  Proposed zone

·  Public consultation

·  Queen Square

·  Support packages

·  Financial assistance scheme

·  Exemptions

·  Concessions

·  Financial forecasts

·  Programme

·  Further information

·  Other local authorities

·  Summary

A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

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

Councillor Craig thanked the officers for their hard work and raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Some concerns about Queen Square and potential queuing traffic - glad to hear of the ongoing monitoring of this area.

·  More information on anti-idling measures and enforcement. The officer explained that this enforcement is dependent upon funding from central government and would be progressed when this funding is provided.

·  What are the plans regarding a Coach Strategy, especially with regard to Bog Island? The officer explained that this strategy is linked to the wider Transport Delivery Plan which will be brought to the Panel and to Cabinet but that it was currently in the very early stages of development.

·  How are financial assistance schemes accessed if people to not have use of the internet. The officer explained that travel advisors and community liaison officers will signpost people to information.

·  Is there support if people live outside the boundary but work in Bath. The officer explained that businesses that regularly enter the zone (that are able to provide proof) may be eligible for financial assistance.

·  Sole traders should also be considered. The officer explained that it was the aim to contact all businesses and welcomed input from Councillors if they know anyone that has not been contacted. People can register an expression of interest online. Councillor O’Brien added that contacting businesses in the whole of BANES was important as there may be a lack of understanding in places. She urged officers to use town and parish councils to pass on information.

Councillor Rigby thanked officers for all their work. She stated that she was glad to hear that ongoing communication was part of the plan. Councillor Rigby asked if baseline targets are set now for data monitoring as part of the success is getting evidence to move on to the next stage. The officer explained that there is a monitoring and evaluation plan in the full business case and that baseline data will come from various sources including auto traffic counters. There will be updates as we go along. It is more difficult to monitor behaviour change but there will be some quantitative data relating to this.

Councillor O’Brien stated that there has been abuse of the anti-idling and also weight restrictions and asked if the authority will have more powers of enforcement when the CAZ going through. The officer stated that yes, officers will be authorised with enforcement powers following a report to Cabinet in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

This report seeks the Panel to consider and discuss draft proposals developed to address the climate emergency and meet strategic objectives of the Parking Strategy to take to Cabinet in February 2020.

Chris Major Group Manager – Transport and Parking introduced the report.

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

Councillor O Brien raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Caution should be used regarding residents permit schemes in less prosperous areas of Bath. The officer explained that there are 21 residents parking zones throughout the area and more are being considered, residents are generally in favour. Residents cars still cause pollution and these vehicles for short journeys.

·  Regarding Proposal E – Overnight and evening car park tariff Bath, there is often no late night public transport alternative. This could seem like a money making proposal. The officer explained that private car parks do have fees of this type.

·  Regarding Proposal K – Charges for Blue Badge holders when using Keynsham car parks, this is contrary to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. I would challenge this. The officer thanked Councillor O Brien for her feedback.

Councillor Davies suggested that in any role-out of a new scheme, innovative solutions could be found to avoid the cliff edge of increased charges to resdients. Some examples are to offer a long lead in time to charges or apply charges at the time people buy their next car.

Councillor Davies asked officers to consider whether it was possible to introduce differentiated charges in the Council's pay for parking on streets and car parks. These charges would be based on the same principles being suggested for changes to the parking permits and could use the Mipermit system already in place. The officer thanked Councillor Davies for his feedback.

Councillor Craig stated that she did not agree with charges for Blue Badge holders as they do not have the choices that others have. She also stated that there should be some help for low earning residents who live inside the CAZ.

Councillor Born stated that she agreed with a long lead in time regarding charges for residents permits. She stated that she supported any measures that could help the situation regarding coach parking at the time of the Christmas Market and also supported closing loopholes regarding G – Medical permit review and H – Hotel permit review.

Councillor Rigby stated that there should be fairness and consistency in this area and that officers should look at how many permits there are as opposed to spaces. She also stated that officer could look at the size of vehicles. The officer explained that the DVLA does not show the size of vehichle.

Councillor Rigby stated that she welcomed Hotel permits being reviewed (Proposal H) and that residents should be the top priority.

Councillor Walker stated that on the last day of the Christmas Market the city centre was completely full and there was no parking. She suggested that VAS signs be installed at Odd down advising people to use the park and ride.

Councillor Bromley stated that consideration should be given to reducing residents parking permit charges in more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

A report on the Littering Review is attached.

Sarah Alder, Team Manager Strategy and Contracts (Environmental Services) and Pam Jones, Neighbourhood Environmental Services introduced the report.

Officers corrected some figures shown on page 12 (or page 2) of the report – the correct figures now show on the website.

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

In response to Councillor Walker asking about Airb&b cleaners who put rubbish into public bins, the officer explained that it depends on neighbours reporting this and also depends on whether the property has a domestic or commercial collection.

Councillor Craig raised the following points. Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  There is a littering issue outside some local businesses on the Lower Bristol Road (and other areas) where smokers do not have dedicated facilities and instead throw cigarette butts onto the street. The officer explained that littering legislation is currently based around fining the individual but that anti-social behaviour orders could be looked into if businesses do not provide a place to put cigarette butts. Councillor Walker asked that council contractors be made aware of the £2million cost for cleaning drains caused by cigarette butts being thrown down the drains. This has been seen at the rear of the building. 

·  Regarding 3GS, generally people have been surprised at being fined for cigarette butts. If the contract is not renewed we should use the feedback as an information exercise. Councillor Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods explained that he felt that enforcement is a good thing and it changes behaviours although he did not agree with using private companies for enforcement.

·  Regarding abandoned bikes, they could be given away if not claimed after three months rather than destroyed. The officer explained that they work with charitable organisations regarding abandoned bikes, including Julian House. Councillor Craig commented that Julian House workshop can use damaged bike parts.

Councillor Bromley supported a deposit/return scheme. She also stated that she felt that parks could not really be compared to National Trust areas as people pay to visit National Trust land.

Councillor Born stated that she was surprised at the low level of resources that go into the Street Cleaning service and congratulated officers in managing this. The Cabinet Member agreed. Councillor Born stated that some residents outside of the city centre say their streets are not cleaned and drains not swept, she felt that this preventative work could mean bigger problems do not build up. Councillor Born made some observations – refuse collectors sometimes leave a trail of rubbish behind them and also the places that homeless people sleep are sometimes filled with rubbish when they leave.

Councillor Born asked if there is any data regarding behaviour change since 3GS began issuing fines. The officer explained that the figures do not show any patterns as it depends on the areas that have been patrolled.

Councillor Davies asked if there was any benchmarking information regarding the recycling rates for street bins. The officer explained that there is no breakdown for litter bins and also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The report on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy is attached.

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing and Ann Robbins, Housing Strategy & Commissioning Manager introduced the report.

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

Councillor O’Brien raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Concerns over estate agents discriminating against people on benefits regarding private lets.

·  Regarding the safe sleep provision (20 beds) – does this continue into the Summer? The officer explained that people are more likely to be drawn in during the colder months and opportunities for contact and support for people is maximised. The venue can only be used in the winter. It is better to contact and support people than to double the beds available.

Councillor Craig raised the issue of boaters being moved on by the Canal and River Trust and stated that the definition of homeslessness is having no permenant place of residence. The officer stated that they are aware of the difficulties of the boaters but had helped to put in place the prior notification process. The Canal and River Trust is now a charity.

Councillor Davies asked what the next steps are regarding setting qualatitive and quantitive factors. The officer explained that there is a wealth of data and would be interested in ideas of how to report this to the public to make it interesting. The officer stated that there are two important figures – the number of households in temporary accommodation and the numbers of rough sleepers. He explained that there is a better system of estimating numbers of rough sleepers now that he had more confidence in. Councillor Davies asked that the Panel be annually updated on the progress of the Strategy.

Councillor Born raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Has the introduction of Universal Credit affected homelessness and rough sleeping? The officer explained that there has been a small increase but that agencies had carried out a significant amount of prevention work. Universal Credit has had an impact on national levels of rough sleeping.

·  Is there a focus on elderly rough sleepers? The officer explained there have been some examples of people moving from Manvers Street Hostel into residential care.

·  Do you have resources for dual diagnosis? The officer explained that they would find out their allocation soon.

Councillor Rigby asked what can be done for people who do not want to stay in hostels regarding support such as storage and help to register to vote. The officer explained Julian House are looking into a storage facility in their basement. There is a protocol that if any important documents are found, they are handed in at Julian House. People are also able to use Julian House as an address regarding voting.

Councillor Walker stated that Bed and Breakfasts can be a short-term solution and that we can work with private landlords. She asked if private rent allowance can lead to people becoming homeless. The officer explained that the authority has no control over local housing allowance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

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.

The Panel noted its future workplan.

The Panel noted that any items suggested within the meeting would be considered at the Chairs and Vice Chairs meetings and also at the agenda planning meeting with the Chair of the Panel.