Agenda item
Cabinet Member update
The Cabinet Member will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided.
Minutes:
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Council Leader (statutory) and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel gave the following update:
Forest for the Nation
Forest of Avon, B&NES and Natural History Consortium have led on the development of a Forest for the Nation bid to DEFRA, submitted on 17th March.
If successful at the first stage, we will be awarded £150k to develop a full business case alongside three other applicants. This will be announced in April.
B&NES is the lead local authority in the bid. The area covers Western Gateway (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and WoE) significant support from wide range of partners. The winner will be announced in the autumn, with the successful bid awarded £9m over 5 years.
UKSPF
B&NES facilitated a workshop to promote the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to Parish Councils and community groups in Bath & Northeast Somerset. Parishes and town councils in Bath & North East Somerset will benefit from a total of £260,000 to help install energy-saving measures like solar panels and air-to-air source heat pumps. Successful bids will be announced shortly and we're looking forward to seeing support for a range of retrofit, renewables and GI projects.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Consultation Draft of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the West of England (including North Somerset) was sent to B&NES Council for review, in its role as a Supporting Authority. The Sustainable Places Board, on behalf of B&NES Council has agreed to consultation on the LNRS proceeding, which is expected to begin shortly. The Consultation will provide the public with an opportunity to provide feedback on identified biodiversity priorities and mapped 'focus areas' for nature recovery across the region. Following consultation, an updated version of the LNRS will be produced for publication later this year.
Green Heritage Homes
The Green Heritage Homes project has gone live this week. The project is a partnership between Bath and West Community Energy, B&NES and Bath Preservation Trust, to enable retrofit of listed buildings in a way that is appropriate for their fabric and heritage, through practical advice and positive planning policies. We have a planning officer now focused on applications for retrofit of listed homes. They can provide "level 0" pre-planning advice, coupled with BWCE's bespoke retrofit assessments for households.
Clean Air Zone
Bath Clean Air Zone, the first charging CAZ in the country which reached its 3rd anniversary last week, is improving air quality. Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit announced last week that we have achieved "State 3" of 4, the first CAZ in the country to reach this status, with an average reduction of 27% in annual mean NO2 concentration across all 125 local diffusion tube test sites.
Climate Engagement
Climate Hub are holding their Springtime Assembly this weekend 22nd-24th March, with a collective of green organisations gathering to share information and ideas for a low carbon, nature positive future. The event is free to attend.
Climate Youth Summit 8th March - I attended with officers working on the Active Travel masterplan and we took the opportunity to consult with a small group of young people from local schools on the barriers they experience to adopting active and independent modes of travel
Strategic Transport Updates
- Somer Valley Links
· OBC was approved at the West of England Combined Authority Committee on 26 January 2024.
· an important step-forward in the development of a project that will improve the infrastructure for walking, wheeling, and cycling, as well as buses, bringing greater and more genuine travel choices to the region.
· Future stages of this project will be developed and delivered directly by B&NES, giving greater opportunity to work with our communities.
· Work is now ongoing to review the proposals following feedback from the public engagement undertaken in 2023 and we will look to engage with communities again later this year.
- Midsomer Norton and Westfield
· Work has started to develop proposals improve walking, wheeling, and cycling links in Midsomer Norton and Westfield.
· Improvements to two routes defined in the Local Cycling and Walking Investment Plan (LCWIP) will be developed using £150k of CRSTS funding, with a total of £1.5m allocated to the project and its delivery, subject to approval of a Full Business Case.
· Public engagement will take place later in 2024.
- A4 Bath to Bristol Strategic Corridor (A4 BBSC)
· Approval given at the West of England Combined Authority Committee meeting on 15 March 2024 to begin the next phase of work to develop the proposals further.
· We will work closely with WECA to ensure that the views of communities along the route are heard and positive further development of important improvements to the corridor to provide alternative travel choices can be undertaken.
- Scholars Way
· recently approved £2m of funding from the CAZ reserve to deliver the western section of the scheme.
· We continue to investigate funding sources to deliver the eastern section.
- School Streets
· we recently approved £250k funding from the CAZ reserve to begin the development of a School Streets programme.
· We anticipate being able to introduce a pilot scheme during 24/25 and are developing an engagement strategy to inform our prioritisation.
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- Active Way - The social prescribing pilot has now engaged over 550 people in activities such as inclusive cycling, wellbeing walks, led rides, 1-1 cycle training, buggy walks, and walk and talk sessions. The Willson Grant projects will be commencing in spring.
- Local Plan - A suite of transport documents have been developed to support the Local Plan. These reports include the following:
- Transport Vision and Objectives - We need to ensure that people can get to where they need to go and are able to access the facilities and services that they need, as sustainably as possible.This document sets how we can do this.
- Overarching Transport Context - The Local Plan provides the opportunity to develop a set of transport interventions which respond to the forecast growth, whilst simultaneously benefitting existing residents and visitors to the district in delivering a step change to the active mode and public transport networks.
- Network Mobility Study - defines existing transport characteristics, opportunities and challenges that exist within the B&NES district.
- Transport Strategies (Journey to Net Zero Plans) - Journey to Net Zero (JNZ) Transport Plans are being prepared for the following places as potential locations for growth:
• Hicks Gate
• Keynsham and Saltford
• Somer Valley
• Whitchurch Village
- Active Travel Masterplan - set out the existing and future network of active travel infrastructure required to enable and provide for sustainable and healthy forms of transport, as well as addressing the climate emergency, reducing inequalities, improving air quality, tackling obesity and reducing traffic congestion across Bath and North EastSomerset.
Panel members asked the following questions:
(Councillor Leach stated that he was a trustee of the Climate Hub)
Councillor Hounsell stated that he was promised a report on the outcomes of the public consultation regarding the WECA A4 corridor study. He asked if this feedback was available yet. The Cabinet Member stated that it had not been available but she would chase this up.
Councillor Ross asked about the Citizens Panel in 2022 regarding Claverton Down and asked if this project had been started. The Cabinet Member stated that all routes will be mapped out as a circulation plan for the city is being worked out. The priorities will be laid out but there is no funding at present.
Councillor Ross asked for an update on School Streets and suggested a Task Group to include Panel members from this Panel and the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Panel. The Cabinet Member stated that she would be happy to work with the group but the projects would be dependent on funding.
Councillor Ross asked for an account of how the revenue from the CAZ (Clean Air Zone) is spent, especially regarding sustainable transport projects/car clubs etc. The Cabinet Member explained that this information was in the public domain and if not, she will provide it.
Councillor Ross asked if there could be discounts for blue badge holders and families for cycle hangers. The Cabinet Member stated that she could ask WECA as they lead the project.
Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways gave the following update:
Update from last meeting:
General update
A very busy period for all operational services dealing with the adverse weather and the impacts. Significant flooding events on and off highway stretched the available resources.
Proactive gulley cleaning in multiple areas covered 3730 gulleys with 30% of this number reactive response to flooding events on the network.
Long term impacts of the flooding events being assessed but a number of roads will require significant work to be undertaken.
• Traffic management, Network Management, road safety
Procurement of new systems for managing Traffic Regulation Orders to increase accessibility for all members of the public to the proposals
2023 – 3420 Traffic Regulation Orders processed and implemented (Temporary, Experimental and Permanent)
Submitted bid to DfT for traffic signals maintenance funding to help address aging and obsolete traffic signals infrastructure
Trialling new wireless technology for vehicle and cycle detection at traffic signals which, if successful, could mean fewer detection faults and cheaper maintenance compared to traditional detectors cut into the road surface that are cabled back to the traffic signal controller.
• Transport Improvement Programme
Working on the completion of Traffic Improvement Programme for 23/24
Pre-mobilisation work for 24/25 programme in progress – significant programme to deliver
Resource planning in place for programme
• Parking
Development of new parking charging proposals – paper submitted
Continuation of new Pay & Display machines installation to replace our end of life technology.
• Liveable Neighbourhoods delivery
Work progressing on development of 5 further ETRO schemes
Comms
3k letters issued to community around NSP ETRO scheme
Held meetings with stakeholders - National Highways, Holburne Museum, Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bathwick St Mary Primary school- whilst there are mixed views, meetings were generally positive.
• Highway Maintenance
CAZ funded resurfacing improvements around Queen Square, Old King Street and Queens Parade Place completed
Footway paving improvements in Queen Suare in progress.
Resurfacing programme for 23/24 completed
Winter maintenance and gritting work continuing –
Our 9 gritters have completed 50 runs so far spreading nearly 2000 tonnes of road salt
New salt barn completed at Pixash HWRC and filled with road salt stocks in line with DfT best practice
Forward plan of work for next period
• Traffic Management, Network Management, road safety
Implementation of new TRO software system
Complete procurement of temporary additional staff resource to enable delivery of 24/25 TIP
Procurement of new bus stop maintenance contract
Action plan for Vision Zero
• Transport Improvement Programme
Commencement of delivery of TIP programme - £2.8m of work (compared to usual £1.1m)
• Parking
Public consultation on new parking charges
Implementation of outcomes
Completion of machine instal programme
Implementation of Moving Traffic Enforcement
Complete procurement for ANPR camera enforcement system used to monitor bus lanes, moving traffic and support CEOs patrolling permit areas.
• Liveable Neighbourhoods delivery
Guildhall event on 20 March.
Further letter to follow later in March around road closures over Easter Holidays for work to be undertaken.
• Highway Maintenance
Transfer of 5x gritters to Pixash HWRC to increase operational flexibility
Commencement of delivery of 24/25 resurfacing programme
Further information is available to view on the B&NES website where consultation is ongoing as part of the wider Local Plan Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation.
The Transport Policy team have attended a number of public consultation events as part of the current Local Plan consultation which has provided the opportunity to discuss transport issues and opportunities with the wider community. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that transportation considerations are thoroughly considered and integrated into the planning process, delivering sustainable and efficient mobility solutions for our community.
Panel members asked the following questions:
Councillor Hounsell asked if a process was needed for pavements to bring them in line with the good record on roads and streets. The Cabinet Member explained that work is being done on assessing pavements and there is a history of underinvestment. In Heritage areas, work can be expensive. In rural areas the plan is to put in sustainable materials. She asked the ward Councillors contact her with any issues that can be added to an ongoing list.
Councillor Player asked why workers cannot deal with all potholes in the same area rather than working on some and leaving others. The Cabinet Member stated that she would take the query back but she explained that the worst potholes had to be dealt with first.
Councillor Player made a plea for an upgrade to pedestrian friendly lights on the Lower Bristol Road as it is busy and polluted. The Cabinet Member stated that she would take the comment back and would ask an officer to get back to Councillor Player regarding road resurfacing in Westmoreland ward.
Councillor Ross asked about a review of paper parking permits. The Cabinet Member stated that this was not on the workplan list – the level of money saved on this set against the time it would take for a review means it is not the top priority.
Councillor Ross stated that the RUH had recently amended their staff parking, the Cabinet Member stated that BANES would be working on a similar scheme.
Councillor Ross asked what is being done to attract people to parking services enforcement jobs. The Cabinet Member explained that there is a monthly report which states where civil enforcement officers go. She is confident, regarding Residents Parking Zones, that enough enforcement is done within the budget.
Councillor Ross asked about two areas in Walcot that had requested reviews. The Cabinet Member explained that there would be an overarching RPZ review.
The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members.