Agenda item

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

Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.

Broadband

·  The Director for Economy & Growth informed the Panel that he was to attend a meeting of the Connecting Devon & Somerset Board on 13^th September to find out the latest details of the project. He said that further information on the rollout plan was available on Gigaclear’s website.

Housing

·  The Cabinet approved the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme at its meeting on 5^th September 2018.

·  Home Improvement Agency Contract - West of England Care and Repair have been provisionally awarded the Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol City Council Home Improvement Agency contract following an OJEU procurement process. The contract supports older and vulnerable residents undertake adaptations to assist independent living, carryout essential home repairs and energy efficiency improvements and access funding for these.

·  Funding of Supported Housing - In December 2017, the government consulted nationally on proposals to change the way supported housing is paid for. The outline proposal put forward included plans for all short term accommodation to be commissioned by the local authority using a ring-fenced pot under a Supported Housing Strategy and for all costs, including rent, to be paid from this pot. Long term accommodation, such as sheltered housing for older people, was to remain as currently, with Housing Benefit being claimed where needed.

On reviewing the feedback from agencies and local authorities nationally, the government announced that it intended to withdraw the proposals and to retain the current structure for all supported housing. This means people in short term supported housing will continue to claim Housing Benefit to pay their rent. Many providers of supported housing have welcomed this announcement, as the proposal was perceived as introducing an element of uncertainty both for services already in place and any future service developments.

Bath Enterprise Zone

·  Bath Quays North - Delegated decision to approve granted by Planning Committee 1st August 2018, subject to agreement of planning conditions and s106.

·  Development partner procurement progresses, with Final Tender submission date set for mid-October.

·  Bath Quays South - Strong market response received during soft marketing phases for Council delivered commercial office. Commercial Estate Investment SMD paper approved.

• Bath Quays Bridge - Tenders returned for works associated with BQS sub-structure and river wall delivery, and steel tonnage order relating to super-structure fabrication.

Economy & Culture

·  We have received confirmation of a grant of £74,500 to promote apprenticeships to B&NES residents and businesses.

·  Business Growth team have been visiting the traders in and around Orange Grove to understand the issues being faced due to the Abbey’s Archway project, and providing business support solutions to overcome them.

·  Business Growth team is now working with the WECA on the development of the Local Industrial Strategy, which will set the strategic direction of the region in terms of innovation and enterprise. It will also provide the basis of future funding agreements with Government.

Heritage Services

·  Heritage Services has made it through to the finals of the cross-sector ‘Finance for the Future’ awards.

Strategic Housing and Regeneration

·  Somer Valley Enterprise Zone - Key Stakeholder Group (Ward and Parish Member) meeting 21 August 2018 agreed that project team will arrange an away day to visit similar sites and business centres to inform the vision for the site;

•  Jones Lang LaSalle Commercial Delivery Plan in progress, and will present delivery options to the Steering Group in September and November;

•  Consultation on mix of uses and site boundary to be co-ordinated with New Local Plan public consultation in November 2018.

•  Transport LEP outline business case submission in the Autumn.

·  Market Towns

•  MSN High Street Core: landowners and Regeneration working together to influence vision for the area;

•  Keynsham High Street: Outline Business Case approved subject to minor clarifications. Concept designs, further public consultation and full business case to commence once next tranche of B&NES capital funding approved by Officer Delegated Decision;

•  Radstock Healthy Living Centre: NHS funding and B&NES Single Member Decision confirmed enabling detailed design to commence.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked how the £74,500 to promote apprenticeships will be used.

The Director for Economy & Growth replied that the Council has good relationship with the City of Bath College on this matter and will look to raise awareness through other learning partnerships and industries.

Councillor Peter Turner thanked him for visiting the businesses within Orange Grove. He asked if an update regarding rents had been progressed.

Councillor Paul Myers replied that discussions were ongoing with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Charles Gerrish.

Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods addressed the Panel, a summary of his update is set out below.

Joint Spatial Plan – Consultation will commence in October 2018 and it has been agreed that the examination in public will take place after the Local Elections in May 2019.

Local Development Plan – Consulting on amendments in October 2018. Welcome input from as many people as possible.

Housing Figures – The figures have increased considerably, 1,245 homes built across the Council, an increase of 450 from the previous year. 220 of these are affordable homes through 11 providers. The Council is fortunate to have current brownfield sites.

Awards – The Living Waterways project has been nominated for an award. Highly commend this achievement.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked if he could give more of an overview of the housing figures stated.

The Team Manager - Enabling & Development replied that 337 (mainly new build) affordable housing units are forecast for completion in 2018/19 with 794 units in the pipeline for completion in 2019/20 and beyond (obtained / expecting planning permission)

She explained that the affordable homes cannot be delivered as a result of all housing permissions and are not delivered in line with open market completions, so a direct percentage comparison of delivery against total completions in any one year is an inaccurate reflection of performance.

She added these completions were almost all occurring across sites delivering a fully policy compliant affordable housing provision.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked what element of the housing in Bath Quays North would be designated affordable.

Councillor Bob Goodman replied that he did not have that information to hand and would reply at a later date to the Panel.

The Chairman thanked both Cabinet Members for their updates on behalf of the Panel.