Agenda and minutes

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.

The draft minutes for the previous meeting (13^th January 2020) will be sent out at a later date.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13^th January 2020 as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development – Councillor Tim Ball will give the Panel a short verbal update on the Council House Building Programme.

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing gave a short verbal update on the Council House Building Programme on behalf on the Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development.

He explained that, since reporting to this Panel in September 2019, there had been a facilitated meeting with the Vice Chair Councillor Davies at which several clear aspirations were identified, including

o  that any housing should be genuinely affordable, including using social rent or similar;

o  that any housing should strive to be as energy efficient as possible;

o  that we should work in partnership with ADL & focus on our own land;

o  that we should provide a mix of housing including housing for rent, shared-ownership and supported housing;

o  complement existing delivery mechanisms.

The officer explained that a high-level feasibility plan had been developed following the above meeting which demonstrates that:

o  That by using our existing sites & combined some innovative tenure models we have the potential to deliver around 100 homes over the next five years;

o  This would include a combination of:

§  Supported housing (temporary accommodation)

§  Specialist low-cost young persons shared housing

§  General for rent housing;

§  Traditional shared-ownership accommodation (ie new build);

§  DIY Shared-ownership accommodation (where applicant selects property from 
the used market).

o  This programme would also look to utilise any suitable recovered empty properties. 

The officer concluded that officers are now working with the finance team to develop an appropriate business plan which will go for further consideration and will report back to this Panel at the relevant time.

The Panel asked the following questions and raised the following points:

Councillor Hirst asked how the Panel can help officers with the plan to deliver 100 houses over five years or indeed to be more ambitious. The officer explained that the Panel can help by being clear about what aspirations and requests are. He explained that this first stage should provide a springboard for future ambitions.

Councillor O Brien asked if land all over BANES will be used for these houses and added that she hopes that residents benefit from these properties rather than students. The officer explained that sites were mainly in Bath but he is mindful of looking at other schemes and the DIY shared ownership model can take place anywhere. He confirmed that these houses would be for people on the housing register and not students.

In response to a query from Council Craig regarding low cost young persons shared housing, the officer explained that the YMCA manage some properties where rooms are rented out to young people, it is a transitional scheme and needs some support. The officer explained that three similar schemes are being considered. In response to a query from Councillor Bromley the officer explained that this is a hybrid scheme run with the YMCA and that emergency accommodation is managed by the authority.

Councillor Bromley asked if ward Councillors could feed back information regarding empty properties. The officer explained that there is a list  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

David Trethewey, Director of Partnership and Corporate Services, introduced the report.

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

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

·  Transport infrastructure is mentioned throughout but we are dependent on third parties in terms of improving bus and rail. The officer explained that the Corporate Strategy shows the intention of the Cabinet is to influence WECA where possible in terms of improvements to bus and rail services.

·  How do you measure residents’ views? The officer explained that a randomized Voicebox survey is used. The Panel will be sent a link to this.

·  Allowances must be made for people who cannot use digital services. The officer explained that the Council is working towards making as many services digital as possible which will free up staff to help people who cannot use the digital services. There is recognition that not all residents are online.

·  Council tax is spent on recycling, but we have limited control on buying things without excess packaging. We should lobby businesses so that they use less packaging. The officer explained that clarity of strategic goals makes lobbying easier. The Panel will have a role when looking at the Environmental Bill.

·  Can we commit to look favourably at sustainable businesses who want to occupy our shops. The officer explained that property is usually let on best consideration regarding the commercial estate.

Councillor Hirst commented that the Corporate Strategy is a useful, clear and helpful document. He had the following queries. Officer responses are shown in italics:

·  Query on inclusion of ‘nature’ in the Climate Emergency wording. The officer explained that this is a recognition that there is also a nature emergency and that these are connected. The Cabinet are working across both agendas.

·  Supportive of the three bullet points on the climate and nature policy but concerned about what can be achieved and delivered in four years. There should be clear and achievable aims with quarterly reporting on performance statistics. The officer explained that there is a target of carbon neutrality by 2030. There is a session in March to review the relevant strategies with a work programme cycle for these reviews.

·  Regarding ‘giving people a bigger say’ – the current consultation on Entry Hill golf course may not meet the criteria. The officer explained that the aim in the Corporate Strategy are based on learning from current and past consultations.

Councillor Davies stated that the document is clear and the core policy of ‘addressing the climate and nature emergency’ is great. He made the following points. Officer responses shown in italics:

·  The Council cannot do this alone, we need to shift behaviours and it would be good to see more in the Corporate Strategy about how the Council can play a wider leadership role in how everyone can help to address the emergency. The officer explained that there are a series of measures planned to tackle this, the challenge is what to focus efforts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

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.