Agenda item

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

Councillor David Dixon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods addressed the Panel. He wished the Nurseries team of Royal Victoria Park good luck at the Chelsea Flower Show where they would be exhibiting their ‘The Herbs’ display.

He said that as part of the BID City Centre cleansing contract more gull proof sacks would be used across the City. He added that the solar compact bins were working very well still and would soon have signs on them regarding gulls.

He commented that he was aware of at least one interested party that may want to take up the offer of a Trade Food Waste collection service.

He said that the new toilet facilities in Monmouth Street were due to open later in the week.

He stated that following a decision at Cabinet £1m of funding had been agreed to enhance open spaces, including facilities to improve and add further skate parks.

The Chair asked for the Panel to be updated with work regarding Urban Gulls at its July meeting.

Councillor Liz Richardson commented that following a recent Cabinet meeting she had noticed two bin bags in the street and was concerned that they might be left out for too long. She asked who she should have reported this to.

Councillor Dixon advised her to contact Council Connect if she noticed something similar in the future and to take a photo if possible. He added that it would depend on the nature of the waste as to who would then need to be contacted. If it was deemed to be trade waste then the business would be contacted to see who their collector was. If it was residential then this may need to be monitored to ensure it is not put out too early. He added that he was keen to talk to residents further about waste / gulls and possibly have local champions.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, Cabinet Member for Transport addressed the Panel. She said following the agreed Cabinet report on Supported Bus Services members of the public were reminded to use services if they were to have them retained in the future.

She stated that the Bath Transport Strategy document had been formally launched and was expecting the LDF Steering Group to discuss it in due course.

She announced that the Kelston Road now had a temporary footpath / cycleway in place and that further news was expected to be announced in June.

She said that the planned works for Rossiter Road and Widcombe Parade were due commence in June.

She commented that a new bike hire contract would commence within the next two weeks.

She announced that the Dorchester Street bus gate trial had now concluded.

The Chair asked if she had any suggestions as to how best to communicate to the public the importance of using rural bus routes.

Councillor Roberts replied that the routes could be highlighted in the forthcoming Transport Strategy work.

The Chair asked when a decision on the next steps with regard to Dorchester Street would be taken.

Councillor Roberts replied that she anticipated a decision would be made in September.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services added that preliminary data on matters such as air quality and other routes affected would be available from July.

The Chair thanked both Cabinet Members for their updates.