Agenda item

The Cabinet Project Lead will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

Estimated time of item – 45 minutes

The Chair invited the Cabinet Project Lead, Councillor Joel Hirst, to give an update. Councillor Hirst explained that he has been the Cabinet Project Lead since May and he reports to Councillor Manda Rigby. He explained that there is a balance between the administration wanting to move faster on this issue and the reality of the practical details. He explained that there are currently 15 schemes regarding Liveable Neighbourhoods. He outlined the policy objective which is health and wellbeing and safer travel routes. He stated that the issue of Liveable Neighbourhoods was discussed a great deal around the time of the election and the election outcome is seen as a strong mandate.

Regarding Residents Parking Zones (RPZs) Councillor Hirst stated that with the implementation of the Walcot/Snow Hill and Oldfield Park/Westmoreland RPZs, 7 in total have been completed (including during the last administration). He explained that the schemes are broadly cost neutral; the income is ringfenced and people apply for permits online while blue badge holders are free.

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

Councillor Player asked about enforcement. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that the enforcement team had not been increased for a while so would need to look at this in the budget. Regarding the income, he explained that his understanding was that there are rules around excess income from parking schemes which mean it had limited use.

Councillor Player stated that it was important that residents so not feel they are paying for something that can’t be monitored or enforced. She stated that at the moment the scheme is working but students had not started the new term yet.

Councillor Player asked how the permit cost was decided. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that he understood that there had been a market assessment on what was considered reasonable while looking at charges made in other authorities. He added that Bristol may be consulting on increasing their fees.

Councillor Heijltjes stated that she would have appreciated a paper for this item so that she could prepare. She referenced the scheme in Walcot and mentioned some boundary issues with Lambridge. She asked about future plans for RPZs. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that there is a meeting next week to discuss potential new schemes where they will work through requests. He will update the Panel further at their November meeting.

Councillor Halsall stated that there had been a lot of scepticism about RPZs – some people believe it is a cash cow so the information about the funding is useful and needs to be made clear. Councillor David agreed and explained that her ward had had overspill from the neighbouring RPZ – she asked if there was a plan to look at particular types of RPZ. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that the policy is on the website, it was not anticipated that the policy would be replaced soon.

Councillor Johnson stated that it would be useful to have prior information on items before the meeting. He stated that he did not have much connection with RPZs but acknowledged that parking enforcement is an issue in Paulton particularly at school pick up time. He stated that the enforcement issue is not just about Bath and RPZs.

Councillor Box stated that in Keynsham there are lots of houses with no drive so asked that Keynsham be considered in terms of residents parking. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that he was keen to hear about these issues where residents lose out so that they can be protected.

Regarding Liveable Neighbourhoods, Councillor Hirst stated that the aim is to improve residential streets. He stated that a lot of work has been done in the last 4 years - 15 schemes were identified (and co designed with the community) and 3 have been brought forward. The Council has invested £1million in the last 4 years and £6million funding from WECA is expected to be confirmed. Since May the priority has been getting schemes into action but it is a tight team and construction costs are rising, also Government rhetoric is pro motorist. He stated that he would bring a breakdown of future plans to the November meeting of the Panel – he stated that a full business case had to be completed for each of the schemes being brought forward. He stated that the hope was for 5 experimental schemes coming online and an evaluation of the 3 existing schemes. He stated that there were originally 15 schemes with another 70 suggestions from previous Councillors, he asked how the Panel think these should be prioritised. He also asked the Panel view on whether the ‘rolls royce’ level of community co-design should be maintained.

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

Councillor Halsall stated that if the ‘rolls royce’ level of co-development increased delay maybe it could be scaled back to speed things up. Once schemes are implemented, residents will see the benefits.

Councillor Heijltjes stated that we must adhere to the criteria to confirm the WECA funding for the £6million. The Cabinet Project Lead agreed and stated that a business case will be completed.

Councillor Beaumont asked about schemes outside of Bath. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that the ambition was to extend to many areas but not as many schemes were proposed in North East Somerset. He believes this will change.

Councillor Player stated that the showcase schemes need to be considered as not all areas are the same. The Cabinet Project Lead agreed and stated that there are a range of areas in the 15 schemes.

Councillor David stated that engagement must to done to ensure people are with us but maybe the process could be streamlined.

Councillor Heijltjes stated that in terms of engagement it is very important that people experience the effects – planters can be cheap to remove. We should be bold – put in experimental interventions and then consult on what people think of the effect.

Councillor Halsall stated that it would be useful to review the 70 suggestions to check if they are all still relevant.