Agenda item

Statements were made by the following people;

·  Pat Ryan made a statement regarding the impact of the Council Tax Support scheme and the bedroom tax.  In response to a question from Councillor John Bull asking if Mrs Ryan was aware that Members of the Labour and Independent groups, and some Members of the Conservative group had attempted last November to get Cabinet to consider other sources of revenue to restore the loss of benefit but that this had not been taken up by the Cabinet, Mrs Ryan responded that she had not been aware of that and was sorry to hear it.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Community Resources.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  David Metcalfe, Co-Chair of the Cultural Forum for the Bath Area made a statement regarding the arts sector.  In response to a query from Councillor Dave Laming about the role of the river in future arts planning, Mr Metcalfe responded that he would love to develop this as much as possible and was aware of the future event to which Councillor Laming had made reference.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  Belinda Kidd, Chief Executive of Bath Festivals made a statement outlining the benefits the arts bring to Bath & North East Somerset.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether the collaborative partnership approach she was seeking from the Council meant money or help, Ms Kidd responded that it was a bit of both.  She understood the tough times the Council faced but believed that a sense of partnership would act as a catalyst for facilitating creativity.  In response to a question from Councillor Eleanor Jackson enquiring whether the programme of festivals would be extended to the Somer valley, Ms Kidd responded that they hoped to do so, and had already been working with libraries and youth centres in that area.  In response to a question from Councillor Dave Laming whether there were any plans for a river festival this year, Belinda Kidd responded that they would love to hold such an event which would need considerable funds raised to cover the health and safety aspects of it.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  Nicolette Boater made a statement regarding statutory officer roles.  The statement was referred to the Leader.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  David Redgewell made a statement about bus service alterations and progress on MetroWest.  In response to a question from the Leader enquiring whether Mr Redgewell was aware of the forthcoming major transport consultation that was being planned, he responded that he was aware, welcomed it and hoped neighbouring authorities would contribute too.  In response to a question from Councillor Eleanor Jackson asking if he was aware that there was a new shopping bus service between Writhlington and Radstock, Mr Redgewell responded that he welcomed any new bus services, particularly if they were privately funded.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

Concerning item 8 on the agenda;

·  David Redgewell made a further statement regarding Bath’s public toilets in which he outlined the impact of toilet closure on himself and disabled people generally.  He called for a proper equality impact assessment to be done and proposed working with the private sector.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether he’d been aware of any public consultation about closing toilets, Mr Redgewell responded that he had tried to get a definitive list from the Equalities team about which toilets were earmarked for closure but had not received one.  In response to a question from Councillor John Bull asking how many of those designated for closure had disabled facilities, Mr Redgewell responded that most of them did.

·  Susan Charles, Access B&NES Disability Access group made a statement regarding Bath’s public toilets in which she commented that closing toilets without offering alternatives was contrary to disability legislation.  She mentioned that many pub toilets were not on the ground floor and difficult to access.  She felt these moves would take disabled people back to the 1800s.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether she’d been aware of any public consultation about closing toilets, Susan Charles responded that she had not.

·  Ian Pring, Bath & District Branch Chair of MS Society, made a statement regarding the impact of toilet closure on people with MS.  Whilst understanding the conflicting demands on the Council, he urged the Council to recognise toilets as an essential service and keep them open. In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether he’d been aware of any public consultation about closing toilets, Ian Pring responded that he had only been vaguely aware.

·  Clare Libby, who had been a Bath Tourist Information officer for 18 years (now retired) made a brief statement explaining that the most common question asked of the service over the 18 years had been the location of the nearest public toilets.  In response to a question from Councillor David Dixon as to whether Clare Libby was aware that the Pump rooms and Guildhall toilets were now available to the public at no cost, Clare Libby responded that she was aware but there were still not enough.  Councillor John Bull asked how she would feel directing members of the public to shops and cafes, to which Mrs Libby responded that she would have tried to help people in the best way possible.

·  Teresa Webb made a statement regarding Bath’s public toilets stressing the need for toilets in the outlying areas of Bath with few retail outlets, and close to transport hubs. A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and linked to the electronic record.

·  Teresa Waterhouse read a statement on behalf of Jackie Dudley, Colostomy Association calling for adequate toilet facilities to enable everyone regardless of condition or disability to be able to take part in public life.  She described the distress and embarrassment that resulted from inadequate facilities, as well as the potential loss of trade and damage to the city’s reputation.

·  Lyndon Hughes read a statement of behalf of Kerr Brown, Ileostomy Association, which called for easy access to clean facilities which were needed frequently due to different bowel function, in order for people with this condition to have the confidence to maintain a healthy and active life.  In response to a question from Councillor Eleanor Jackson querying whether members of the Association were aware that drinking less to avoid trips to the toilet carried a risk of developing kidney stones, Mr Hughes responded that they were aware.

The Chairman indicated the above statements would be taken into account during the debate.