Agenda and draft minutes

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Contact: Michaela Gay  01225 394411

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

2.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

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

 

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

 

3.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Apologies have been received from Councillors Hodge, Kumar and Davies.

Minutes:

Councillor Hodge sent her apologies and was substituted by Councillor Wait. Dr Kumar sent his apologies.

4.

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 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.

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

There was none.

6.

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

At the time of publication no notifications had been received.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Lisa O Brien made a statement to the Panel regarding recycling ‘difficult plastics’ and public water fountains. A copy of this statement is attached to these minutes.

 

Councillor Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhoods responded that her colleague Councillor Wood was aware of the recycling plastics solution and was looking into this.

 

Councillor Crossley, Cabinet Member for Community Services reported that he had had discussions with Wessex Water regarding public water fountains and that he was seeking a similar discussion with Bristol Water.

Additional documents:

7.

Clean Air Zone Charging Order pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Following their consideration of this item on 10th July, the Cabinet requested that officers prepare a briefing paper for this Panel summarizing the progress on the Clean Air Zone and wider ambitions for dealing with Climate Emergency.

 

The briefing paper is attached.

Minutes:

Cathryn Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection and Chris Major, Group Manager for Transport and Parking introduced the report. They informed the Panel that there would be a report to the Cabinet on this issue in September 2019.

 

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

 

In response to a query from Councillor Hirst regarding recognition for small businesses working in the city (for example window cleaners), the officer explained that a number of mitigations would be available, local businesses would be able to access loans or grants.

 

In response to a query from Councillor Hirst regarding anti idling measures, the officer explained that there are proposals for managing this including funding for additional staff on the ground.

 

Regarding pedestrianisation, the officer responded to Councillor Hirst by explaining that a range of options would be put forward as part of the CAZ project and the move towards a more sustainable agenda. Councillor Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhoods, commented that finding alternatives to car travel is important to this administration. She explained that the CAZ project is prescribed by the Government so there are some restrictions regarding timescales and she was awaiting the outcome of bids submitted.

 

In response to a query about electric car charging points from Councillor Craig, the officer explained that the authority as requested funding for 120 charging points as part of their bid. He further explained that there would be some challenges in putting charging points in some areas of the city where there is dense housing. The issue of charging points for taxis was also raised.

 

Councillor O Brien asked about the current independent review of the CAZ, the officer explained that this was a new review of the processes and frameworks.

 

In response to a query from Councillor O Brien regarding the charging points proposed by Bath Rugby, the officer confirmed that these would be in addition to the 120 that the authority had bid for.

 

Responding to a query from Councillor Born, the officer explained the current situation with the CAZ is that the authority is waiting to hear from the Government regarding funding bids. She added that there will be a report to Cabinet in September and that more information is available on the Bath Breathes website. www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021-overview.

 

Councillor Born asked about electric car sharing clubs and the officer explained that proposals will be rolled out.

 

Councillor Davies asked about the loans available to businesses. The officer explained that he is working with central government on a package of measures.

 

Regarding questions from Councillor Hirst on Park and Ride vehicles carrying buses and the 42 bus service, the officer explained that the 42 service is a commercial service and subject to tender (as are 90% of bus services in the authority). He explained that there would be discussions with the RUH and others to determine which services are most needed to keep cars off the road. Regarding buses carrying bicycles, the officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Review of Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Area pdf icon PDF 88 KB

A report is attached on the Review of Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impacts. There will also be a presentation at the meeting.

Minutes:

Cathryn Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation to the Panel (presentation slides are attached to these minutes). She also introduced Geoff Cannon from Avon and Somerset Police. The presentation covered the following:

 

·  What is the Statement of Licensing Policy

·  Role in promoting the local economy

·  Opportunity to celebrate what has already been achieved

·  Code of best practice for licensed premises

·  Review of Cumulative Impact Policy

·  Existing Cumulative Impact Area (CIA)

·  How incidents of crime and disorder in ‘on trade’ premises have changed since 2004

·  Proposed Cumulative Impact Assessment

·  Public consultation

 

The officer explained that the Panel’s comments on the above would be fed into the formal consultation.

 

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

 

Councillor Craig asked if feedback has been sought from residents as well as from the police. The officer confirmed that residents associations had been consulted.

 

In response to Councillor Craig’s query regarding whether the police are always notified of anti-social incidents, the police representative explained that information from street marshals’ mirrors the call information. He further explained that some incidents are dealt with in-house and reported through the Pub Watch scheme. He confirmed that he looks at every single incident log to make sure all data is captured.

 

Councillor Davies stated that the cumulative impact area was being drawn down into the town more (away from Walcot Street) and commented that there is not a residents association in that area. The officer explained that Abbey Residents Association had been consulted and took contact details for Councillor Davies about confirming the boundaries of the residents associations in the area.

 

 

Councillor Hirst asked why the zone needs to be changed if it was working and also whether fast food outlets could be looked at. The officer explained that legislation demands that evidence must back up the reason for the boundary so to leave it as it is could attract challenge. She explained that licensing legislation is restrictive and there is no opportunity to influence the location of fast food outlets. It was explained that the public health team would be best placed to comment on this.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Wait the officer confirmed that there is no other CIA in the authority at this time.

 

Councillor Craig informed the Panel and officers of the new Kingsmead Square Residents Association. The officer asked that Panel members inform her of any other Residents Associations or groups that could be consulted.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Johnson, the police representative explained that there is a small increase in incidents in term time but that Bath University now encourages students to use on site facilities. The officer also added that the Council works closely with the Student Community Partnership on issues relating to student welfare.

 

 

Geoff Cannon (Avon & Somerset Police) commented that licensing services in the authority are well joined up and are recognised for best practice.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report.

 

Additional documents:

9.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 105 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 senior officers.

Minutes:

The Panel noted its future work plan with the following additions:

 

·  Corporate Plan – September 2019

·  Litter Review (referred from July 2019 Council) –  date TBC

·  Social Housing (referred from July 2019 Council) – date TBC

 

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