Agenda item
CEF and CIL Group update
An update from the CIL/CEF Working Group will present its first recommendations on the allocation of neighbourhood CIL and CEF Funding.
Forum Members will be asked to agree recommendations and put forward any concerns they may have.
Minutes:
The working group met on 24th November 2017 and has recommendations to make on the Community Empowerment Fund and the local portion of Community Infrastructure Levy.
The working group plans to meet two weeks before each meeting of Bath City Forum. A different member of the group will report the recommendations back in rotation.
The Working Group members are:
Cllr Colin Blackburn
Roger Driver
Cllr June Player
Robin Kerr
Cllr June Player
Caroline Kay
Cllr Rob Appleyard asked if the information on each project would be presented in detail to the Bath City Forum.
Cllr Colin Blackburn explained that the working group had been given the task by the Bath City Forum to decide on the recommendations from the applications that had been completed and make recommendations for the Forum to agree.
Cllr Rob Appleyard felt that the forum should be given the opportunity to see each application in greater detail and asked for a motion to defer all decision to a later meeting to allow for greater transparency and challenge.
Cllr Dine Romero asked if having two elected members from the same ward on the working group was the right and correct for balance.
Cllr Colin Blackburn explained that all forum members had been given the opportunity to come forward to be part of the working group and the take up was disappointing. The members that are on the working group have made fair assessments of the projects that they have looked at and have been impartial in the work they have carried out.
Cllr Rob Appleyard asked to join the working group for future meetings. It was agree this would be fine and the dates of future meeting will be shared.
Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones asked to the decision on CIL funding for the junction of Marlborough Lane be recommended for cabinet approval as it had been through the process that is laid out. Patrick provided background on the history of this highway scheme and called for it to be recommended.
Caroline Kay felt that the working group had been delegated the task of making the recommendation back to the forum and these should be taken as advised. Caroline added that the reports back and paperwork can be improved for future meetings. The Forum was asked to understand that there will be more projects that will only be made possible in the future if a patchwork of funding is used to meet the needs.
Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall explained that the Ward Councillors in Bath all have Highways issues that they would like progressed and the priority grid for these needs to be referred to.
Councillor Anthony Clarke explained that this scheme is categorised as high priority and is of benefit to at least three wards.
Mike Hill felt the working group has been empowered by the forum to make these recommendations and we must allow progress to be made otherwise nothing will get done.
Rosie Phillips felt the forum has signed up to a process and we must be allowed to get on with the work as long as the criteria are being followed.
Leslie Redwood felt the Bath City Forum needs to show residents that they are delivering projects for the good of the City; we need to get on with this and start to see the benefits coming through.
The Chair, Councillor Colin Blackburn at this point felt that the forum needed to take a vote on the motions to take forward or defer the decision making process.
The Bath City Forum Members were asked “Do we defer the decisions that have been brought by the CIL / CEF Working Group to this meeting for recommendation”
For – 3 votes
Against – 8 votes
Abstentions 2 votes
It was therefore agreed that the Bath City Forum would make decisions on the three projects brought to the meeting.
The applications for the CEF were:
Application 1: Supply and install a CCTV camera for Bath Spa Railway Station Tunnel
Applicant: Adam Reynolds, Cycle Bath
Summary: The bid is for £1,092 which is half of the cost for the purchase and installation of a new CCTV camera at Bath Spa Railway Station Tunnel. The CCTV will help to mitigate the numerous bicycle thefts that occur in this area. This funding is a one off cost, any ongoing maintenance and monitoring will be adopted by Southgate Centre.
Project Cost: £2,184.00
Funding Requested: £1,092.00
Matched Funding: £1,092.00 – Ward Councillor Initiative Funding has been allocated.
Outcome: The panel agreed unanimously to award funding of £1,092.00. Additionally if signage for the camera will be required a small contingency of £108.00 was agreed if needed. The group felt that the project met the requirements of the criteria.
The forum members voted and the outcome was:
For: 13 votes
Against: 1 vote
Abstentions 1 vote
This project was therefore recommended to go ahead.
Application 2: Proposed New Disabled Toilet Facility at Bath City Football Club
Applicant: Sally Harris, Community Director, Bath City Football Club
Summary: Bath City Football Club wish to provide a disabled access toilet in their clubhouse at Twerton Park. The club is now in a community ownership model and has plans for greater levels of development that will benefit the local community overall.
Project Cost: £7,687.64
Funding Requested: £6,000.00
Matched Funding: £1,687.84
Shortfall: £2,156.18
Outcome: The panel agreed unanimously to award funding of £3,843.82, this is on the condition that the full amount can be matched. The group felt that the project met the requirements of the criteria.
The forum members voted and the outcome was:
For: 12 votes
Against: 0 vote
Abstentions 3 votes
This project was therefore recommended to go ahead.
The application for the Bath CIL was:
Application: Contribution to the Marlborough Buildings / Cavendish Road Highways Scheme
Applicant: Stephen Little / Thomas Hayward
Summary: Marlborough Buildings and Cavendish Road have been identified as a dangerous junction that needs to be improved for drivers and pedestrians. There has been extensive consultation and plans put forward over the last fifteen years.
Project Cost: £245,000
Funding Requested: £70,000
Additional Funds: The Highways Maintenance Block and the Capital programme budget will fund the rest of the project.
Outcome: The scheme will see benefits city wide, there are local improvements that residents who live within the ward where the scheme is situated. Residents from across the City use this busy stretch of road so therefore a wider impact will be gained.
The panel agreed unanimously to award funding of £70,000 be awarded to this project. The group felt that the project has wide community support and has met the requirements of the criteria.
The forum members voted and the outcome was:
For: 11 votes
Against: 1 vote
Abstentions 3 vote
This project was therefore recommended to go to cabinet for approval.