Agenda item

The sub groups for Bath City Forum will provide updates on any work that has been carried out and the next steps for the groups.

CIL

Waste & Environment

Economic Development

Transport

Housing

Health & Wellbeing

Economic Development Sub Group

Jeremy Boss presented on the work which has taken place within the Economic Development Sub Group.

Leslie Redwood presented on the Destination Bath Plan.

Questions and Feedback

Adam Reynolds – There are aspects of Bath that get overlooked, is invest in Bath just about tourism or are you interested in other aspects also?

Leslie Redwood – We are looking for more than just tourism in the consultation any feedback that covers economic growth will be welcomed.

Sally Harris – There are many visits made to Bath by people who are priced out of living in the City, these are essentially day visitors but are contributing to the economy.

Leslie Redwood – It would be great to here from this group as they can comment on areas such as commuting, pollution and movement around the City.

Tim Newark – Is there a danger that there is duplication with the Bath Bridge work?

Leslie Redwood – There have been a number of previous destination plans produced which have always been part of our work (BTP); the last edition expired in 2016. The work being offered by the bridge is voluntary and there will need to be thought given to making sure the two areas of work complement each other.

Further steps are going to be required and the next steps will need to include engagement from the forum on the direction we need to be taking with the Destination Bath, Consideration to the broader themes covered by the City Identity and a workshop for those who are interested in working on these ideas.

Cllr Dine Romero – If the two groups can work together and complement each other the overlaps can be dealt with. Is it possible that there are overlaps with the City of Bath Mayor?

Cllr Lin Patterson – The Bridge ideas seem to have a more diverse offering whereas Destination Bath is more Tourism focused. There needs to be a way that we avoid one swallowing up the other.

Virginia Williamson – the distinct difference between the two presentations appears to be that The Bridge has a fresh beyond tourism approach whereas BTP has a renewal of their plan that needs to take place.

Jeremy Boss – The Destination Plan will be happening and The City Identity needs to find the customers that it will need to work with in Bath. The work on both plans can be managed in a way that avoids overlaps.

Cllr Fiona Darey – There is an opportunity to bring skills together and complement each other through the work of both plans. We must agree how to the next steps are taken forward.

Cllr Rob Appleyard – there needs to be an understanding of the groups we are working within and a proposal needs to be set out clearly.

Cllr Shaun Stephenson-McGall – As only half of B&NES is Bath why has a broader sponsor not been found, does this indicate that the vison is seen as not important?

Tim Newark – We need to know in the longer term how the costs will be met.

Rosie Phillips – There are broader public services that B&NES are managing, what will the thinking be if this is seen to be a priority for the Forum?

Cllr Lin Patterson – I am in support of the work that The Bridge idea in principle, I would ask for additional information before a final decision to support is made.

Virginia Williamson – being new to the membership of the forum I have read the TOR’s and the role of the forum includes making recommendations which will be of benefit to the City and carry out and advocacy role.  (The aims and objectives from the TOR’s are listed below)

CIL / Community Empowerment Fund

The sub-group which is led by Cllr Fiona Darey is ready to convene. Members of the Forum are asked to nominate themselves to take part in this group. If members feel there is any other expertise that can be brought on-board they should discuss this with Fiona.

Action – contact Fiona directly by e-mail Fiona_darey@bathnes.gov.uk or Mark Hayward bathcityforum@bathnes.gov.uk to take part in the CIL group.

Action – Fiona to organise the next sub-group meeting

Transport

The Forum has been contacted and asked how and when the sub-group for Transport will reconvene?

A forum member is required to lead the group and it is asked that people put themselves forward to lead and participate in this sub-group.

Action – contact Bob Goodman directly by e-mail bob_goodman@bathnes.gov.uk to take on the lead for Transport sub-group.

Action – Bob Goodman will advise the new lead (once appointed) on organising for the next sub-group meeting. Once this meeting date is agreed all existing people involved in the group will be invited to participate.

Waste and Air Pollution

Cllr Dine Romero asked what difference the work of sub-groups are going to make as consultation so far with the Forum does not appear to be very effective?

Robin Kerr has been working on issues in the City Centre and identifying areas to be dealt with.

Two new co-optees will be joining this sub-group; Virginia Williamson and Alaa Al Khourdajie

Action - Cllr Dine Romero will present an update on Air Pollution to the next meeting of the Bath City Forum.

Summary

Cllr Bob Goodman called for all Bath City Forum Members to select at least one sub-group to become part of.

Where there is valuable knowledge and expertise outside the Forum Membership a discussion should be had with the sub-group leads about inviting addition people to join.

Action – To register interest in taking part in any of the sub-groups Contact Mark Hayward bathcityforum@bathnes.gov.uk

The six sub-groups are:

Housing

Economic Development

Transport

Health and Wellbeing

Waste and Air Pollution

CIL / Community Empowerment Fund