Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor John Leach gave his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Ian Halsall.

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 was none.

Malcolm Baldwin - Circus Area Residents Association – made a statement regarding ‘The importance of Liveable Neighbourhoods to communities within our heritage environment’. A copy of this statement is attached to the minutes.

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.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel gave an update which covered the following:

·  There have been positive outcomes on the Clean Air Zone as set out in the annual report for 2022

·  We are trailing e-scooters and e-bikes from a new provider through WECA. We are seeking information on parking arrangements and long-term loan facility.

·  20 further experimental cycle hangers are going ahead across the authority. Many spaces have already been booked.

·  We are working with WECA regarding the city region sustainable transport fund.

·  Current consultation on Bristol to Bath safe route – all encouraged to respond.

·  Regarding bus routes, unfortunately further routes were lost over the summer – there are many reports of buses not arriving. We are putting together a proposed North East Somerset bus network. The proposal is on the desk of the Mayor of WECA. We hope he will restore some routes.

·  The Green Transportation Team is feeding into the Local Plan.

Panel members asked the following questions – the Cabinet Member responses are shown in italics

Councillor Beaumont asked if any bike hangers are planned for the east side. The Cabinet Member explained that WECA are about the consult on a new set of locations, suggestions are welcome.

Councillor David asked if the Panel can have an update on the storage of storage of e-scooters and e-bikes.

Councillor David noted that the Local Plan was on the Panel’s future workplan.

Councillor Player asked about the parking issue with e-bikes and e-scooters. The Cabinet Member explained that the trial period had been extended. She added that there was due to be a press release to advise people to contact the provider with any parking issues.

Councillor Johnson asked if the Panel could have information on the Cabinet Member update prior to the meeting. The Cabinet Member agreed.

Councillor Johnson asked about the revenue from the e-bike and e-scooter scheme and why it does not cover other areas. The Cabinet Member explained that discussions are ongoing with WECA. She further explained that, over time, the scheme may be extended – this will be in discussion with ward members.

Councillor Heijltjes asked if vacancies in parking and traffic management meant that income was being lost. She also asked about vacancies in environmental monitoring and about the overspend in recycling. The Cabinet Member stated that she would seek to get this information.

Councillor Heijltjes asked if excess parking income is spent on sustainable travel projects like school streets and extended hours for Park and Ride bus services.The Cabinet Member stated that she would seek to get this information.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member.

There will be a presentation on this item at the meeting. Slides will be circulated ahead of the meeting.

Estimated time of item – 45 minutes

The Chair invited the Cabinet Project Lead, Councillor Oli Henman, to introduce the item. The presentation covered the following:

·  Engagement is key to our work in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies.

·  We undertake a wide range of engagement activity – some highlights from 2022/23

·  Our engagement priorities for 2023/34 are focused around three key themes

·  We are developing our ongoing programme of events. Upcoming events for autumn 2023

·  Next steps

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

Councillor Heijltjes stated that transport is the missing theme, she stated that one of the most powerful effects on the environment can be people’s choice of transport. She asked if the Council can showcase travel choices – such as Councillors using e-bikes. She also suggested that Councillors based in the city of Bath be no longer eligible for free parking when attending Council business through MiPermit or free parking any time by using an outdated paper parking permit, unless they are a Blue Badge holder. She stated that she believes that this is an outdated policy and not in line with our Climate and Ecological Emergencies. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that he has tested an e-bike today, he agreed that more needs to be added to the engagement action plan regrading transport. He agreed about the Council showcasing travel choices but stated that members parking is beyond his scope. He stated that he would take away the point on parking and feed it back to relevant colleagues.

Councillor Box stated that a recent cross party group in Westminster concluded that there is not enough resource for Councils. She asked if we could lobby Westminster who are dragging their feet over their own policy. She stated that next year is an election year and she hoped for a more engaged future.

Councillor Johnson stated that most events are targeted at people with an active interest in climate and nature issues, he stated that the engagement strategy also needs to target people who may not be enthusiastic and do not currently engage. He stated that social media can be politicised and asked how this can be counteracted and turned into positives towards the Council. The Cabinet Project Lead agreed and stated an example of ‘solar together’ which is aimed at making solar more affordable – this is framed as a practical way to reduce bills rather than preaching a message. He agreed on the need for more community level conversations at rural and parish level. He also stated that more decentralised and less formal meeting venues can be used for these conversations. He agreed that social media can be toxic and stated that the key for the Council team is to provide shareable and evidence based information. There is no silver bullet but transparency reduces the risk of misinformation.

Council Auton stated that there was a lot of focus on Bath. He stated that he is happy to work with the team with regard to Midsomer Norton where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Cabinet Project Lead will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

Estimated time of item – 45 minutes

The Chair invited the Cabinet Project Lead, Councillor Joel Hirst, to give an update. Councillor Hirst explained that he has been the Cabinet Project Lead since May and he reports to Councillor Manda Rigby. He explained that there is a balance between the administration wanting to move faster on this issue and the reality of the practical details. He explained that there are currently 15 schemes regarding Liveable Neighbourhoods. He outlined the policy objective which is health and wellbeing and safer travel routes. He stated that the issue of Liveable Neighbourhoods was discussed a great deal around the time of the election and the election outcome is seen as a strong mandate.

Regarding Residents Parking Zones (RPZs) Councillor Hirst stated that with the implementation of the Walcot/Snow Hill and Oldfield Park/Westmoreland RPZs, 7 in total have been completed (including during the last administration). He explained that the schemes are broadly cost neutral; the income is ringfenced and people apply for permits online while blue badge holders are free.

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

Councillor Player asked about enforcement. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that the enforcement team had not been increased for a while so would need to look at this in the budget. Regarding the income, he explained that his understanding was that there are rules around excess income from parking schemes which mean it had limited use.

Councillor Player stated that it was important that residents so not feel they are paying for something that can’t be monitored or enforced. She stated that at the moment the scheme is working but students had not started the new term yet.

Councillor Player asked how the permit cost was decided. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that he understood that there had been a market assessment on what was considered reasonable while looking at charges made in other authorities. He added that Bristol may be consulting on increasing their fees.

Councillor Heijltjes stated that she would have appreciated a paper for this item so that she could prepare. She referenced the scheme in Walcot and mentioned some boundary issues with Lambridge. She asked about future plans for RPZs. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that there is a meeting next week to discuss potential new schemes where they will work through requests. He will update the Panel further at their November meeting.

Councillor Halsall stated that there had been a lot of scepticism about RPZs – some people believe it is a cash cow so the information about the funding is useful and needs to be made clear. Councillor David agreed and explained that her ward had had overspill from the neighbouring RPZ – she asked if there was a plan to look at particular types of RPZ. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that the policy is on the website, it was not anticipated that the policy would be replaced soon.

Councillor Johnson stated that it would be useful to have prior information on items  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The Scrutiny Officer will introduce discussion on this item.

Estimated time of item – 20 minutes

The Chair invited Ceri Williams, Scrutiny Officer to introduce the item. The officer explained that the Panel can add value to the policy development on this issue and suggested a task and finish group be set up with a view to reporting back to the Panel at a future meeting.

Panel members agreed that a task and finish group would be the best way forward and asked that membership be opened up to other Scrutiny Panel members.

Councillors David, Player, Auton, Leach and Johnson registered their interest.

Councillor Box asked that the following be considered: an emphasis on preventative medicine and a framework around sustainability, bio diversity, carbon impact, economic viability and education. Please consider deprived populations.

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 the future workplan and the following points and suggestions raised:

·  Update on storage/parking with regards to e-scooters and e-bikes

·  Liveable Neighbourhoods and Residents Parking Zones update (November 2023)

·  Task and Finish Group on Local Food Growing feedback report

·  Rivers – current state of our rivers (and canal)

·  Council house building and homelessness update

·  Biodiversity/hedgerows

·  Bath (and Oldfield Park) railway ticket office closure (a member briefing)

·  Nature recovery

·  Allotments/wild growth areas