Agenda item

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

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment Councillor Mark Shelford updated the Panel on the following:

·  Public Transport – work continues with WECA including the development of a bus strategy.

·  Parking Services – The Parking Strategy has been approved by Cabinet, comments are welcome.

·  The ANPR Camera upgrade is being worked on for bus lane enforcement. Discussions are underway with Central Government via the Traffic Penalty Tribunal as currently private car parks can use ANPR for enforcement but not public car parks. This does not make sense and needs to be challenged.

·  Oddown Coach park work will commence over the next period.

·  Passenger Transport – there is an update on the agenda

·  Highways/Traffic – during the severe weather the team worked incredibly well, we were well prepared and covered 3, 500 miles with 530 tonnes of grit. The Parks and cleansing team shovelled snow, the emergency contingency plans worked well. Some lessons were learned but a huge thanks to all.

·  Somerdale, Keynsham – work on a new junction had started which would finish at the end of May.

·  The Highways maintenance contract expires at the end of March 2019 and the energy supply contract expires in September 2018 – both contracts would go through the re tendering process.

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

The Chairman Councillor Bull asked that the Panel’s thanks also be sent to the teams who worked hard during the severe weather period.

Councillor Gilchrist explained that there were some issues in his ward during the severe weather period and some residents could not get to the RUH. He also asked about an update on the subway in his ward. Councillor Shelford said he would report back on this.

Councillor Evans asked for an update on the snow warden scheme. Councillor Shelford explained that he was waiting for a response on the scheme and was always looking for volunteers.

Councillor Anketell Jones asked about Park and Ride prices in relation to daily parking charges, Chris Major (Group Manager Transport and Planning) explained that a Park and Ride daily ticket was £3.40 per person and city centre parking charges for the day was £12.50 in Avon Street and £8.50 in Charlotte Street. He explained that there were options to increase daily parking charges to £15 in the parking strategy.

Councillor Butters asked about 20mph zones and pointed to the differing views on the benefits of this. He explained that a past report to this Panel had outlined some dis benefits but the recent report from Bristol was positive. Councillor Shelford explained that the government report was delayed and agreed there were differing views.

Councillor Barrett explained that some Weston residents were isolated for 4 days during the severe weather period and there were no snow ploughs in the area, he expressed concern especially regarding elderly people being isolated. Councillor Shelford explained that all ‘A’ roads were gritted and ploughed and ‘B’ roads were also treated by the end of the Friday night. He asked Councillor Barrett to email him the details of his concerns which he would look at.

Councillor Samuel raised his concern over the fact that the Scrutiny Panel will not see the business plan on Air Quality. Councillor Shelford explained that the officers are working very hard, he explained that Bristol were higher up the list and that is why they approved their plan before this authority.

 The Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods Councillor Karen Warrington updated the Panel on the following:

·  Bath Library – the first round of engagement was complete and there would be two more rounds.

·  Branch Libraries – Saltford Community Association have agreed to take on Saltford Library from April and also open a Post Officer facility in the Library. Meetings regarding Weston were positive and Paulton Parish Council were moving towards consultation with residents. She added that in Radstock there was likely to be a small provision in the new healthy living centre and in Moorland Road there was engagement with volunteers. She explained that there were also potentially 4 new libraries in Bishop Sutton, Timsbury, Chew Valley School and Peasedown St John.

·  Mobile Library – the service had been restricted by an aging vehicle and the fact that there is only 1 qualified member of staff – options are being considered on this and users will be consulted.

The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Samuel asked how many days in this financial year had the mobile library been unavailable. Councillor Warrington agreed to send this information to the Panel members.

Councillor Bull asked if Saltford Library was being given financial help and professional advice. Councillor Warrington explained that they would receive help with their business plan; professional advice and book rotation. Saltford would also get assistance with rent as it was early to take this on.

Councillor Bull asked if the others would get this support. Councillor Warrington explained that they would get professional advice, services and book rotation. She explained that rent assistance was dependant on how early the groups take over.

The Panel noted the written update from the Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Bob Goodman. A copy of this update is attached to these minutes.