Agenda item

Presentation - introduction to the Somer Valley Transport Strategy (7.30pm – 8.00pm)

CCG Your care, Your Way consultation, Phase 2 – workshop (8.00pm – 8.50pm)

Somer Valley Transport Strategy – Peter Dawson Group Manager, Planning Policy & Transport

12.1 PD said that the Council has appointed Mott McDonald to undertake this.  The presentation and Terms of Reference for the appointment will be circulated with the minutes.

12.2 The Transport Strategy will link to the Core Strategy and Placemaking, with the consultants looking at sites such as South Road in Midsomer Norton.  They will also look at supply and demand parking; cycle routes and highway usage by pedestrians – particularly those with mobility difficulties.  The study will include public transport, links from the Somer Valley to other parts of Somerset, particularly Frome and a review of speed limits.

12.3 JR said in terms of highway safety, there has been no mention of the A367, despite a number of serious accidents.  It is a vital road link between the Somer Valley and Bath.  A petition was submitted in February but nothing has happened.  PR said the Council and Police regularly review issues and there is a good road safety record in the district.  The issues can be included as part of the consultation and looked at by officers.

12.4 BMc asked why Midsomer Norton Town Council and Ward Councillors were not consulted about South Road?  He also questioned the value of improved links with Frome and said there will soon be highways issues relating to the number of houses given planning permission in the White Post area of Mendip.  PD said the Council and its consultants are here to listen and there will be a programme of consultation prior to the strategy.

12.5 PM said 70% of the working population in the Somer Valley are out-commuting but it takes 1.5 hours to travel to Bath.  He asked whether this type of gridlock is covered?  PD said this will be looked at, as well as the impact of future development.

12.6 AP said in summary, the feedback has been that the route in and out of Bath is a priority and the Council must ensure it is included in this strategy.

12.7 AMS said she had addressed the Council last year asking for a strategy.  Public transport is important and while it is good at taking people in and out of Bath and Bristol, there is little within local communities to aid people to get to doctors’ appointments and similar.  PD said the Chew Valley is also being included in this commission, where a similar point has been raised.  Consideration is being given on how to address this - transport commissions, particularly for accessing health services, are being examined to see whether there is a more efficient and effective way of doing things.

12.8 RT asked what is happening to address issues arising from current development as well as future.  PD said the consultants will also be looking at this.

12.9 MB said there are 200 extra houses in Radstock with one parking space per residential unit.  There is not much in the way of employment in the town.  The Park and Ride is no good because the roads get jammed trying to access it.  There needs to be more sites based further from Bath but with the same fare - this would reduce traffic.  The Park and Ride is of little use to shift workers.  92 parking spaces have been lost in Radstock which has halved the takings of shops but officers insist there is no problem.  Consultation needs to be meaningful this time.

12.10 PD said there is a need to improve bus services and encourage their use.  However, they are private companies and run for profit.  The Council is unable to challenge fare prices.  AMS said the Council can subsidise fares though.  PD said they can’t as this would be deemed to be interfering in a commercial business.  The Council can intervene if a commercial company no longer wishes to run a service and it does work with them in this way.  There are also discussions taking place around real time information systems and smart cards for travel but the Council cannot force bus companies to use these.  MB said he has plans that he would like to advance and would like the consultants to speak with him.

12.11 PD showed a slide detailing the commuting journeys from the Somer Valley, which are largely towards Bath and Bristol.  He said that the draft stategy will be shared when complete and go to Cabinet next year.  He is happy to discuss it in more detail with local organisations.  AP asked the Forum to assist in promoting the consultation to local Parishes and organisations.

12.12 BMc said he would like to request that the consultants visit the Somer Valley area before the strategy is written.

12.13 A member of the public asked whether there are any plans to look at road surfaces, gullies and manholes.  PD said this would not form part of this strategy but if there are issues, to let the Council know.  Norton Hill and Paulton were given as examples.

12.14 JR asked what will happen in relation to the A367.  PD said Highways will look at the accident levels here, if this has not been done.  AP said that if there is an update on this, to feedback to the Forum via DD.

12.15 KW said a feasibility study will be starting in January to look at the A367 junction with Bath Road.  JR said this will not rectify the problem and it can’t wait another 2 – 3 years to be addressed.

12.16 BMc said the Somer Valley has had a number of road improvements implemented in recent years, which is appreciated, but further information about planned works would be welcome.  MB said it is also important to phase works as there has been too much going on at once, which has caused a lot of issues for Radstock and Midsomer Norton.

CCG – ‘your care, your way’

12.17 LR introduced Mike MacCallam from the CCG.  MM said he was joined this evening by Sarah James, their Director of Finance and local GP Dr Liz Hersch.

12.18 MM said they are in Phase 2 of their consultation and will be outlining different, potential models for the delivery of community health services.  These have been produced following feedback received so far and he thanked all those that had contributed to date.  There will be 4 phases to the review with Phase 2 concluding at the end of October.  Following this, a business case will be written.

12.19 The reason for the review of services is an ageing population; increased demand; high expectations and lack of finance.  The review looks at both health and social care.  The aim is to give people more choice, control and a say.

12.20 The CCG spends around £70m per year with 60 providers delivering almost 400 services.  The review will look at how these might be streamlined as there are opportunities to make better use of the resources available.  There is also a need for people to take more responsibility for managing their conditions.

12.21 Four different models have been proposed and the CCG would like feedback on these from local people.  The first two are ‘Pathway Models’ – services that focus on a particular condition.  This is fine if there is only one condition to treat but some people have more than one.  Also, some people have short term issues but others, longer term and both need to be considered.

12.22 The CCG have noted that in B&NES, people have to travel around the area to access specialists/receive services and this needs to be addressed.  The second two are ‘Structure Models’, with local GP Hubs overseeing care.  Such ‘Wellbeing Hubs’ provide opportunities for people to receive the care they need locally.  There is also potential to devolve funding to local areas.  Model 4 has been based around the Connecting Communities Forum areas.  A ‘key worker’ would help co-ordinate an individual’s health and care.

12.23 LM asked how many hubs there would be and where they would be located.  MM said they may be designed around four GP clusters.  These comprise populations of 30 – 50k people in key areas.  So, there may possibly be two in Bath; one in Keynsham and one in Midsomer Norton.

12.24 BMc said the public want 24/7 care – how will this be delivered?  MM said this is not the first time this point has been raised – part of the solution is how to develop ways that prevent people from having to return to GPs/hospital as some issues can be resolved in other ways.

12.25 MM said this is a review of community services but is part of a wider review including other aspects of health care.  Some of the comments and feedback received to date has been challenging but this is welcome.

12.26 MV asked whether the feedback had been broken down into urban and rural.  MM said they can look at this as postcodes have been requested.

12.27 A workshop session then took place, following which MM outlined his skills and experience having been asked to do so by MB.

12.287 MM said this phase of the consultation will close on 30th October.  He urged those present to complete the questionnaires and return them.  Also to promote the consultation, which is available on the CCG website:

http://www.bathandnortheastsomersetccg.nhs.uk/