Agenda item

If you have a question that you would like to have considered, please send these by e-mail to: bathcityforum@bathnes.gov.uk   

1 Councillor Joe Rayment – Councillor Tim Warren admitted the speed and scale of local government cuts are endangering social care in B&NES. Why did you consistently vote to deal the council that card ... causing a humanitarian crisis to the NHS?

Response - Social care clearly has a huge amount of pressures attached to it at the moment, B&NES is being used as an example of best practice. The government is currently looking at considering whether we should be front loading with care,

It is not a rosy picture out there in terms of the economy. Yes there are financial pressures but B&NES have put down very good budget proposal.

2. Councillor Bob Goodman asked an e-mailed question on behalf of Emma Adams - Do you still believe that a new Park and Ride on Bathampton Meadows will significantly reduce congestion and pollution on the London Road as you did when you campaigned in the election?

Response – Both the park and ride and the A36/46 link road are progressing very nicely at the moment. It was a cross party agreement.

Over the last few months there has been an awful lot of concern and forgetfulness about why Park and Ride has been put into place in the first place. The Council decided after going through dozens of different sites to decide on site B. I think the Council have made the right decision in selecting site B.

Additionally the location would benefit the call for additional rail services from Batheaston Station if is reinstated in the future.

3. Councillor Peter Turner – Has protesting become dysfunctional with the volume has increased.

Response – Debate and opposition is a good thing and protest when not violent form part of this.

4. Rosie Phillips – Should the lack of affordable housing in Bath lead to a separate level for housing allowances being set for the City?

Response - I have a huge amount of frustration about developers trying to get out of providing affordable housing. I think across the whole of Bath we are facing a number of challenges across these areas. To most people in Bath, a two bedroom flat costing £350,000 is absolutely not affordable. 

Access to starter home funding has not been available to the City.

5. Councillor Andy Furse - What is Ben is doing to ensure Chris Grayling understands we do need electrification?

Response – It was clarified that there isn't any cancellation over electrification, there is however a delay due to a funding issue.

The funding issue is around the numbers for 2019-2024. In the mean time we need to see how much skilled labour is available to put the lines in above the tracks. Network Rail had promised they will be able to deliver a scheme without realising they didn't have enough staff.

When the West of England Mayor is in post from May 2017 there will be powers to tackle regional issues, such as the hold ups that occur at the Bristol East Junction.

6. Robin Kerr – What is happening regarding the changes to licencing for HMO’s and Student Accommodation?

Response - There has been no kicking to the long grass in relation to local planning and HMOs - it's still under review. 

Bath University was given additional space on campus to get them to cater for second and third year students on campus. 

Both universities are two of the most popular universities in the country - all credit to them. They are fantastic. 

Councillor Bob Goodman is working on the consultation on HMO’s in Bath.

7. Sally Harris – Following the recent community take-over at Bath City FC the film I Daniel Blake was shown. Would Ben agree to attend the showing of the film and take part in a debate around foodbanks?

Response - Ben Howlett congratulated everyone for their successful takeover of Bath City FC.

There is a whole range of reasons why people need to use food banks. Food banks are a really good thing to have. We have to understand what sort of programmes are going to actually help these people get out of food banks. 

We want to help people get a better, more sustainable outcome for their lives. 

Where people are having issues with universal credit, please advise them to contact me through my surgery.

Let me know the date for the film showing and if I am available I will be happy to attend.

8. George Samios - The (new) National Funding Formula for schools will impact adversely on 8 out of 53 schools in BANES. Three of the schools that are losing out are in areas of the highest deprivation in BANES, in the wards of Twerton and Southdown. Twerton Infant School, Roundhill Primary and St Michael's Junior School will see a reduction of 2.5% to their funding. Whilst many schools in affluent parts of Bath will benefit from significant increases; including Weston All Saints Primary School (+11.9%) and Saltford Primary (+11.2%). What assurances can Ben Howlett MP give to the Forum that he will campaign against the National Funding Formula and protect the rights of the most vulnerable children in Bath."

Response – Ben explained national funding for schools and what assurances he can give to campaign for vulnerable children in Bath. This formula has been on the cards for a very long card, this in consultation at the moment. I think there is a fundamental problem on how this affects areas of deprivation. 

9. Councillor Rob Appleyard - Affordable Housing - The focus should be on understanding the loose and abusive viability process that developers use to approach the Council.

Response - There are a huge number of issues there which have been raised. The pre-planning process will address some of the viability issues. The wider problem in relation to housing is where do you put it? This is because of the green belt mainly. We are looking at developing housing to the South of Bristol. There is a good prospect of seeing more homes being developed when there is a new Mayor. 

10. Chris Roche - Do you condemn the Vice Chancellor of Bath University receiving a pay rise of 11%?

Response - We need to have much greater transparency on pay - particular in Universities.

11. Chris Roche - Bath University is focusing on recruitment of international students and post graduate students what do they need to do to stop locals being penalised.

Response - They need to start developing accommodation on the green belt land on campus for year 2/3 students. This will reduce pressures on certain areas of the city like Oldfield Park and Twerton. 

12. Councillor Lin Patterson – Are you aware of the cuts to the North East Bath bus route and what is your position on the National Bus Services Bill?

Response – The 6/7 bus route numbers on usage are disputed. To make a route sustainable user need to encourage usage on the route.

The National Bus Services Bill was put back this week in Parliament. There are are points in the bill that would see the opportunity for wider franchise options, longer periods that will generate an economy of scale and the unlocking of smartcard ticketing for the West of England.

13. Virginia Williamson -Given that 68% per cent of Bathonians voted remain, would you be prepared to demand access to progress on Article 50? Given that 68% per cent of Bathonians voted remain, will you be prepared to demand access to progress on Article 50?

Response – As an MP if you ever want to believe that parliament has a real value in society going forwards, you must uphold democracy. I voted for a referendum because I thought we should give the people a say.

We made that decision and we need to uphold that decision. It's a horrible position to be in, I never wanted that bill, I never wanted to make that speech.

I'm not thinking about joining Ukip or anything like that. I have asked for a series of concessions from the government. 

The Prime Minister already provides a quarterly report; this would be a good place for this to sit.

14. Adam Reynolds - Given, that by 2030 the Netherlands will have an obesity rate of 8.5% down from 10%, compared to a UK rate of 35%, up from 26% and given that the Netherlands is considered the best place to drive a car, with car ownership at similar levels to the UK. What in his opinion are they doing right that the UK is failing to do and does he think the intention by the council to spend £200k to remove the off street cycle path on London Road and replace it with parking demonstrates precisely why the UK has an obesity crisis?

Response – Walking and cycling initiatives do help with the obesity levels, it is the Councils place to decide on how to implement this.

15. A lot of people are panicking about the Bath City library plans - would you encourage them to reassure us we are going to get the services we have at the moment?

Response – This is a local Council matter. It is a pretty out of date library that needs more than a lick of paint. I am fully supportive of what the council is doing in integrating with the one stop shops’ would definitely send in your feedback to the council so that your views can be heard. 

Children's library services are absolutely integral to all libraries across the country and I will be talking to Martin Veal about that tomorrow.