Agenda item

The Cabinet Members will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the updates provided.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Customer Services – Councillor Karen Warrington gave the following updates:

·  Bath Library – the savings shown are to be made over the whole Modern Libraries Programme (Bath and community libraries). £450k had been saved to date.

·  Mobile Library – this will be replaced as it had been difficult to maintain the vehicle, this was on target for April/May 2019.

·  Community Libraries – there are 4 community libraries which are doing well in Weston, Timsbury, Saltford and Bishop Sutton. There are also a number of other community libraries developing – Peasedown, Larkhall, Paulton and Radstock.

Questions from the Panel

Councillor Samuel asked if plans would be in the Capital Programme at the Cabinet meeting in February. The Cabinet Member confirmed this.

Councillor Bull stated that residents of Paulton have to pay an extra £20 per year on their Council Tax for their community library – he asked if the Cabinet Member felt it was fair that they would have to pay but Bath residents do not and their library will be unaffected. The Cabinet Member explained that the Council’s statutory duty is to provide library facilities in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton. David Trethewey, Director of Partnerships and Corporate Services explained that each business case was different and there were a range of funding mechanisms.

The Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods – Councillor Bob Goodman gave the following updates:

·  Bath Leisure Centre – opens on Wednesday following a successful refit.

·  Keynsham Leisure Centre – this is progressing, no change in facilities.

·  Waste – Christmas collections went well and the number of missed collections had gone down. There are ongoing talks with Curo and residents of flats with a view to bringing improvements.

·  Litter enforcement – 3GS will prioritise education as well as enforcement in line with the Panel comments.

·  Clean Air Zone – there had been a huge response to the consultation, technical modelling is ongoing and a report will be available soon.

·  There is a clean air roadshow in 6^th March.

·  AQMP – there is funding for a feasibility study for Farrington Gurney in 2019.

Questions from the Panel

Councillor Hale asked for clarification on whether Keynsham Leisure Centre would have changing villages rather than male and female changing facilities. The Cabinet Member stated that there was no indication of a change from the original plan.

Councillor Gilchrist asked about timings for street sweeping. The Cabinet Member explained that streets were swept on demand.

Councillor Samuel if there had been any view expressed from DEFRA since the Council missed their deadline on the CAZ decision. The Cabinet Member explained that he had had a positive meeting and they were supportive of plans to move forwards.

In response to a question from Councillor Samuel regarding litter enforcement, the Cabinet Member explained that 3GS prioritised education along with enforcement.

Councillor Michael Evans asked that the Panel receive an update report on ‘Fix My Street’ (this will be emailed to Panel members).

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment – Councillor Mark Shelford gave the following updates:

·  Winter preparation – thanks to the officers for their preparations (salt, gritters, drivers and flood preparation) over Christmas.

·  Underpass (Widcombe) – there have been some delays but this is going ahead, when the designs are signed off, there will be another 4 weeks work.

·  Buses – he explained that he was supportive of public and rural transport and urged the WECA mayor to engage with this. He added that a rural bus committee had been formed.

Questions from the Panel

Councillor Hale asked what influence the Council can have on keeping bus services running. He stated that it does not make sense to encourage people to use public transport while services are being cut. He mentioned the 349 service. The Cabinet Member replied that there is a small amount available to keep vital lines going but in the long term the subsidy is declining across the UK. He commented that the 349 is a commercialised service.

Councillor Butters asked about the 179 service. The Cabinet Member replied that this was also a commercial service and that he had not spoken to First Bus about this route yet.

Councillor Gilchrist asked if the delay on the subway is adding to the cost. The Cabinet Member said he would report back.

Councillor Gilchrist asked if there was any enforcement when people park on pavements. The Cabinet Member explained that a number of London Boroughs have designated pavement parking and that this was being trialled in Westmoreland ward. He further explained that enforcement officers do pick this up where it is correct to do so but not where it is unclear. Councillor Samuel stated that it was not illegal to park on a pavement but it was illegal to drive on the pavements. He added that there can be damage caused by vehicles parking on pavements. He asked if the policy was going to be examined. The Cabinet Member explained that there would not be a policy review at this stage and that there must be a safe and balanced approach.

The Cabinet Member mentioned a new rural transport group was being set up – Councillors Bull and Butters volunteered to be part of this.