Agenda item

Following on from the recent work with forum members, Andrew Page will hold a discussion on how the forum can work on developing its future focus and what the vision will be in the longer term.

Andrew Page provided the forum with a presentation which was based on discussions which have taken place about how Bath City Forum can develop.

Andrew went on to provide ideas on how the forum can work together to provide a meaningful strategic vision for Bath.

·  The terms of reference can be revisited again

·  The CIL panel is working well

·  Many of the forums early sub groups fell aside

·  A long term goal should be set but not the steps for achieving this

Councillor Turner felt that there needs to be one overall vision for Bath that also recognises the significance of our world heritage status.

Councillor Rayment explained that the forum is not a scrutiny panel for Bath and there have been issues with the make-up of the forum being split between elected councillors and co-opted members. If we want a fully elected group of representatives for Bath then this will mean we have to head towards a local parish council.

Andrew Page explained that the development work is based on Bath not being parished and how the Bath City Forum can move forward.

Joy Saunders explained that she sees the forum as a room full of people from the city with a common purpose of solving problems, through methods that involve working together and influencing, this will then lead to the emergence of the forum in a leadership role for the city.  

Nicolette Boater agreed with Joy and would like to see the forum taking on a collaborative conversation style and acting as an organising body.

Councillor Becker felt the forum should be looking at the big picture topics for Bath which are not being looked at elsewhere. The more useful way for the forum to develop would be to look at topics like world heritage, tourism, retail and the economy. The forum could be a method of delivering fresh thinking on longer term vision.

A member of the public felt that the forum was trying to do the job of the council. The forum should look at having collective leadership and accept talented people getting together with a purpose. The forum should look at what Bath needs not what the council wants.

Councillor Appleyard thanked Andrew for a thought provoking presentation, and felt that a debate is needed around what the policy for the forums remit should look like. The forums make up needs to come from an honest collection of people looking at delivering the best outcomes that we can. 

Jeremy Boss explained that the forum is ‘the only game in town’ for the city and it needs to be realistic about what we can achieve. There needs to be an understanding that all of the members that sit on the forum are equally representing different communities from around the city, we need to move away from the’ them and us’ mentality between Councillors and Co-optees.

Virginia Williamson had looked at the connecting communities’ website where for a definition of the overview for the forums is set out. Virginia added that the meetings would benefit from wider attendance and a more open approach; this could include impacts on residents from tourism and economic development. 

Councillor Rayment felt that any vision for the city that is developed needs to be more formalised than just being a good place. The B&NES vision is similar to most county councils which include their specific policy issues.

Nicolette Boater asked that the forum looks at long term opportunities that have a chance of influencing things.

Les Redwood explained that he had been working for over ten years on areas of work that are for the improvement of the city. The forum is our only place to do this and we need to use what resources we do have to make improvements and less time analysing. It is clear that we have to acknowledge the councils structure and working onside with the officers.

Christine Boyd felt the council needed to buy into the vision of the forum and use the talent that exists in the community in addition to the meetings.

Andrew Page felt the forum needs to step back from holding debates.

Councillor Blackburn agreed the forum does need greater levels of involvement and wondered if the location of meetings impacts on attendance. Colin added that all of the people that sit on the forum need to approach their roles as community representatives for Bath.

Nicolette Boater felt debate has is part to play at the forum meetings and added the layout and place where meetings are held can have an impact.

Jeremy Boss explained that the forum has tried different styles of room layout and moved to different locations but the impact had not significantly changed the level of engagement. The forum will need to pull together to make things happen and include a mix of the long term and softer topics.

Councillor Rayment felt that if the forum only concentrates on policy type developments for new ideas there will be solutions that come with this. If there is no debate then the format becomes a talking shop.  The point raised around the location of meetings should be in a central Bath location.

Les Redwood felt that The Guildhall is known for being the debating chamber for Bath and is also where B&NES council operates from. The forum is for the public and there is a need to address the level of public involvement.

Councillor Becker explained that meetings should attempt to bring in people who can open up discussions and offer their expertise from elsewhere.

Virginia Williamson felt there are international experts and specialists on our doorstep; we just need to bring them in.

Jeremy Boss felt that a number of people who live in the city have expertise that should be drawn upon; the forum could look to sponsor events for residents to be involved in. 

Paul Roles felt residents would want the forum to be working on getting things done to improve the city.

Jeremy Boss was in agreement that there is a vision for the forum but did not agree this should be for the city.

Councillor Blackburn thanks Andrew Page for the work he has carried out and agreed that they would meet to work on the next steps.