Agenda item

The paper recommends an approach to translate the government's economic growth, housing delivery and related future financing agendas and align them with regional LEP opportunities into a Development Agenda for Bath & North East Somerset, in order to meet the Council's Vision for economic growth and housing targets as set out in the Core Strategy

David Redgewell in an ad hoc statement emphasised the importance of upgrading the rail corridor and felt that there was not enough in the report about this.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement said that she was pleased to see that the report in paragraph 4 acknowledged the importance of developing local action plans for Radstock, Westfield and Midsomer Norton.  But she felt that the Radstock Economic Forum had done little and asked for real action in future.  She welcomed the plans for a creative hub for Bath, but said that the Somer valley must also be given similar opportunities.  She referred to paragraph 5.23c where Radstock and Midsomer Norton regeneration were listed as priorities, but asked Cabinet to explain how and when the £500K promised for the area in the budget would be spent.

Councillor Cherry Beath in proposing the item, said that she was delighted to bring the proposals to Cabinet.  The report had a very wide ranging scope and showed that the Council’s new priorities had people at the heart.  She agreed with David Redgewell that transportation improvements would be crucial to economic growth.  Cabinet were trying to link up the rail networks, in addition to creating employment opportunities.

Councillor Beath responded to Council Jackson by saying that there were plans for the promised £500K which would become clear soon.  She reminded the previous speakers however that this report had not been intended to be a detailed report about the sources of funding, but rather was an indicator of how the Council was working with possible partners to achieve its aims.

Councillor David Bellotti said that he was delighted to second the proposal.  He observed that economic growth would be derived from investment by the private sector.  He referred to paragraph 3.1 of the report, which made it clear that all the proposals were subject to funding agreement in the Council Budget.  He was delighted to see the intention to introduce apprentices in the key development sites.

Councillor David Dixon referred to appendix 1 paragraph 1.14, which showed that the Radstock Road scheme was a key objective for the next 12 months

Councillor Simon Allen welcomed the socially responsible attitude to regeneration, particularly the commitment to creating more adaptable “homes for life” so that older people could live independently; and the commitment to ensure that new developments would meet the requirements of the Public Health Framework.  He responded to Councillor Jackson’s comment about the Radstock Economic Forum by observing that the forum had met recently; a wide range of local businesses were involved; and the members were determined to work together for the benefit of the town.

Councillor Paul Crossley responded to David Redgewell by saying that although the report did not give enough detail about the rail corridor upgrade, it had not been intended to be that detailed.  However, he reminded the meeting that great progress was being made on the Saltford Station business case and on the Bathampton Park and Ride idea.  This was evidence that the Cabinet was taking steps to link communities.  He responded to Councillor Jackson’s enquiry about the plans for the £500K by saying that he would soon be putting out ideas for discussion because he believed that the Council had an opportunity to meet the needs of Radstock along with the whole of the area.

On a motion from Councillor Cherry Beath, seconded by Councillor David Bellotti, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the underlying principles and outcomes the Cabinet seeks to achieve by pursuing their Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment agenda in accordance of the Council’s refreshed Corporate Plan, Vision and Priorities;

(2) To NOTE the change in focus and priority of the Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment agenda;

(3) To ENDORSE the programme and priorities for action;

(4) To AGREE that engagement with the business community, developers, investors, universities, colleges, heritage and conservation bodies and cultural organisations should be carried out to ensure effective delivery of the agenda and integration with the City Identity project;

(5) To AGREE that specific and focussed capacity is directed to driving forward the agenda through the Service Action Plan process; and

(6) To AGREE that financial papers be developed to support specific proposals at the appropriate stage.