Agenda item

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update(s) provided.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones addressed the Panel. He said that he wished to highlight some of the achievements within his portfolio from the past year.

He said that the Rural Broadband project had formed a significant part of their work and had seen 10 new cabinets go live in 2016.  He added that following a trial of free Wi-Fi in the centre of Bath during the 2015 Christmas Market plans were ongoing to have this in place permanently from early 2017.

He wished to praise the work of the Film Friendly Partnership and informed the Panel of the launch of the Creative Investment Board which will seek to align arts organisations with funding partners.

He thanked everyone involved with the installation of the Keynsham Clock Tower and those involved with the Keynsham Music Festival for running such an enthusiastic event.

He said that the project of Bath Quays North would see new public areas and paths created.

He stated that he was proud that the 300^th affordable home had recently become occupied within Bath Western Riverside.

He informed the Panel that the Council were part assisting to fund the post of an Economic Development Manager for the Somer Valley area.

He said that he was pleased with the performance of Heritage Services and the number of visitors to the Roman Baths, the Victoria Art Gallery and other similar sites.

He encouraged Panel members to take part in the current consultation relating to the World Heritage Management Plan.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked what % of the rural area was now covered following the rollout of the project.

Councillor Anketell-Jones replied that 90% were now covered, but that the Government subsidy for the project was due to end soon. He added that phase two of the project would take place next year with the likelihood that small providers would cover the next initial 5%.

The Chairman said that connectivity and reliability were required. He added that he understood that the Government had changed the rules on local subsidies. He asked if the Council could do more to help.

Councillor Anketell-Jones replied that he felt that there was no more the Council could do at this time.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he was concerned that the initial funding was due to end. He said that the Council should lobby the commercial sector to take advantage of future opportunities.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked for further details regarding the Creative Investment Board.

Councillor Anketell-Jones replied that it was in its early stages of development. He said that he was its Chair and that Ben Woods (Group Manager - Economy & Culture) was also involved. He added that a Memorandum of Understanding was under discussion.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked if he knew when the new Destructor Bridge would finally be in place.

Councillor Anketell-Jones replied that Crest were the contractor for this project, not the Council. He added that he could not recall the current timescale.

The Chairman asked if having such congested highways around the city centre of Bath was having any economic effect.

Councillor Anketell-Jones replied that he would report back on that in more detail at a future meeting. He added that the Transport Strategy and the Economic Strategy should work in harmony with each other.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning, Councillor Liz Richardson addressed the Panel.

She informed the Panel that discussions were at an early stage regarding the Housing & Planning Act. She added that regarding the Joint Spatial Plan she would endeavour to look after our rural areas.

She explained that the examination of the Placemaking Plan was due to take place in September 2016.

She wished to highlight that it had been a record housebuilding year within Bath & North East Somerset with a net increase of 809 homes. She added that the work of the Building Control team should be praised. She said that they are a successful and competent department within the Council.

The Chairman asked if the matter of online Homesearch bids had been clarified.

Councillor Richardson replied that there are very few people that will bid on every property.

The Chairman asked if housing applicants were only eligible to remain in priority bands on the waiting list for a limited time.

The Head of Housing replied that it was dependant on the reason they had secured priority status.  For example if they were prioritised because they were under occupying they would maintain priority status until they moved.  For most other reasons then the priority status would be regularly reviewed. 

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if residents outside of the district were allowed to bid for accommodation.

The Head of Housing replied that all applicants must meet a local connection test, usually through living in the district, but could be through local employment or needing to provide support to a local family member.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he was anxious that the West of England was to become Bristol centric and that we needed to maintain our local priorities.

Councillor Richardson replied that she was happy to reassure Councillor Macrae of the intention to carry on with work within the Core Strategy Review. She added that the Joint Strategic Plan would include North East Somerset even though they have decided not to take part in the devolution process and that all parties were equally represented in the Joint Strategic Plan.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked why the number of days that people without a local connection can stay at Julian House had been reduced from 28 to 21.

The Head of Housing replied that statistics show that there is the likelihood of better outcomes for people if they return to their existing support networks and this time reduction encouraged residents to do just that.

The Chairman thanked both of the Cabinet Members and the Head of Housing for their updates on behalf of the Panel.