Decisions
Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies, and officers.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information just showing officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
For historical officer decisions before 10/11/2018 please contact: Democratic_services@bathnes.gov.uk
.
18/12/2019 - Council Tax Base Calculation 2020-21 ref: 1337 Approved
The calculation of the tax base for the area
and the amounts for each Parish are set out for the Chief Finance
Officer (as authorised Section 151 officer) to approve, and to
notify the relevant precepting bodies accordingly. The Section 151
Officer is required to estimate the amount of any surplus or
deficit on the Collection Fund as at 31st March 2020. This must be
done by the 15th January 2020 (or first working day thereafter),
and the Chief Finance Officer is also asked to approve the balance
projected related to Council Tax.
In accordance with regulations for the Council Tax regime, it is
necessary for each Billing Authority to resolve the calculation of
the Council Tax base for its area before the details are provided
to the major Precepting Authorities for use in their calculations.
The information must be notified between 1st December and 31st
January in the financial year preceding that to which the tax base
applies.
The Council Tax base figure is used as the basis to calculate the
Council Tax charges for Bath and North East Somerset Council and
each of the individual Parish precepts for the area. It also
contributes to the tax bases of the Avon
Consultation has taken place between the Revenue Manager, the Head
of Corporate Finance, and the Chief Finance Officer.
Decision Maker: Director Finance - Section 151 Officer
Decision published: 19/12/2019
Effective from: 18/12/2019
Decision:
The calculation of the Council’s tax
base for the year 2020-21 as set out in this report is
approved.
The amount calculated by Bath & North East Somerset Council as
its tax base for the whole area for the year 2020-21 shall be
66,879.90 after adjustment for discretionary changes to discounts
and exemptions, the impact of the Council Tax Support scheme (CTS),
and projected growth in tax base during 2020-21.
The detailed calculations allow for a ninety eight point seven five
per cent collection rate (98.75%). For the parts of the area listed
below for the year 2020-21, the adjusted tax base shall be:
Taxbase
Bath 32148.24
Bathampton 750.89
Batheaston 1130.97
Bathford 822.52
Cameley 538.37
Camerton 254.43
Charlcombe 222.60
Chelwood 61.70
Chew Magna 643.25
Chew Stoke 463.71
Claverton 70.40
Clutton 587.18
Combe Hay 91.36
Compton Dando 289.76
Compton Martin 242.69
Corston 201.10
Dunkerton & Tunley 238.19
East Harptree 315.96
Englishcombe 134.97
Farmborough 511.70
Farrington Gurney 325.73
Freshford 294.61
High Littleton 824.22
Hinton Blewett 136.62
Hinton Charterhouse 237.80
Kelston 84.48
Keynsham 6527.12
Marksbury 186.45
Midsomer Norton 3993.83
Monkton Combe 176.15
Nempnett Thrubwell 97.33
Newton St. Loe 70.70
North Stoke 49.54
Norton Malreward 111.86
Paulton 2043.39
Peasedown St. John 2143.16
Priston 125.44
Publow with Pensford 493.29
Radstock 1719.23
St. Catherine 41.33
Saltford 1801.42
Shoscombe 171.79
South Stoke 240.85
Stanton Drew 331.36
Stowey Sutton 675.53
Swainswick 129.88
Timsbury 924.73
Ubley 176.48
Wellow 252.61
West Harptree 227.99
Westfield 1890.83
Whitchurch 654.16
Total 66879.90
The projected surplus on the collection fund as at the end of
2019-20 related to Council Tax is declared at
£850,000.
Lead officer: Donna Parham
17/12/2019 - In-Cab Technology ref: 1335 Approved
By way of background, for some years we have
been looking at the option of in cab technology. The primary reason
for us wanting to implement it, is the Health and Safety
benefits.
We have been lagging behind others in having no technology to
support the route specific risk assessments required. This will
allow us to ensure we are adhering to the highest standards of
health and safety. We are not using modern methods currently, but
rely upon paper reports given to crews.
The new in cab system will automatically alert the driver to risks
up ahead. These include things like schools, low bridges, narrow
roads, and many others specific to our routes. For agency drivers
in particular, this will be a huge benefit. By having the risk
assessments on board, we are consistently verifying that we have
carried out the correct checks. New risks can be added as and when
needed.
A further health and safety advantage will be reversing with a
signaller (banksman). When the vehicle is reversing, the system
gets the driver to note who the banksman is. This encourages and
supports the safe system required.
Driver checks will also be done through the system, and these will
need to be carried out and verified before the route can be
started. Any defects or issues with the vehicle will be fed
straight through to fleet for work planning. If urgent they will be
alerted immediately.
In addition to the fundamental Health and Safety improvements, the
new in cab technology will also give us improvements in efficiency
and customer service. These include:
-Greater accuracy with assisted collections, as these will be
flagged to the driver as they approach them
-Garden waste optimised routes, so that we only need to drive to
residents who subscribe
-Significant reductions in missed collection reports, as council
connect will have live data to show if the bin was out at the time
of collection
-The ability to take photographs of persistently poor presentation
which council connect have access to
-Data on recycling participation so that we can tailor education to
those not recycling
-Optimisation of all routes so that fuel use is at its most
efficient – helping with both costs and our carbon
footprint
Decision Maker: Director Environment
Decision published: 17/12/2019
Effective from: 17/12/2019
Decision:
The Director for Environment has fully approved purchase (from provisional capital expenditure) from the Waste Budget and implementation of In-Cab technology for the waste fleet. This decision has been signed off by Directors, and Section 151 officer.
Lead officer: Carol Maclellan
13/12/2019 - Surrender of Lease and Payment of Reverse Premium - 23 Grosvenor Place, London Road, Bath ref: 1333 Approved
Council on 14th November - Approved as set out in the minutes.
Single Member Decision – to be decided on or after 13th December 2019.
It seeks approval to the agreement to surrender the existing occupational lease at the subject property, subject to payment of a reverse premium by the Council to the tenant.
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Resources.
Decision published: 13/12/2019
Effective from: 21/12/2019
Decision:
On 27th January 2020 it was resolved the original decision made on 13th December stands, and that Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with Council Leader acknowledged the recommendations made by the Corporate PDS Panel on 13th January 2020 and further agreed:
1. That consideration will be given to ways in which the transparency of property related decisions can be improved, within the limits of commercial confidentiality, and this will be reported to the Cabinet.
2. The future options for Grosvenor Place will be examined as quickly as possible and a business case for the preferred option will be placed before the Cabinet for approval. The case for any ring fencing of a capital receipt to be reinvested in future social housing schemes will be included in the options appraisal.
3. Discussions will be held with Guinness on reinvestment within B&NES of any receipt they receive as part of the appraisal above.
4. The Council is already in the process of reviewing its Estates, Construction, Maintenance and Facilities Management functions to ensure they deliver the Council’s new Corporate Priorities as effectively as possible. This review will be completed as soon as practically possible.
This decision was Called In, and on 13th January 2020 Corporate PDS Panel held the Call-In meeting. The Panel upheld the Call-In and made the following recommendations:
i) Whilst understanding the needs of commercial sensitivity a process should be sought to increase transparency, including allowing a member from each political group access to exempt information so that the decision-making process is more transparent.
ii) Ring fence a percentage of the incoming capital receipt from this decision for future social housing in Bath & North East Somerset. A percentage of 50% or thereabouts is recommended.
iii) Encourage the Guinness Housing Association through negotiations to spend the reverse premium on social housing in Bath & North East Somerset.
iv) In view of comments made to the Panel about the Property Services department in relation to other parts of the Council, a review of the Property Services department be undertaken to allow for a refinement to its decision making processes to ensure better democratic accountability and transparency in the future.
On 13th December 2019 the Cabinet Member made the decision where he agrees to authorise approval to surrender the tenant’s lease dated 2nd February 1993 between Bath City Council and the tenant for a term expiring 1 February 2058.
Subject to the following conditions:
• Vacant possession
• The tenant using best endeavours to provide vacant possession at the earliest opportunity.
• Payment of a reverse premium by BANES to the tenant on completion of the surrender
Wards affected: Walcot;
Lead officer: Glenn Chinnock
13/12/2019 - Asset transfer of Peasedown St John Youth Hub ref: 1334 Approved
Proposal to lease Peasedown St John Youth Hub to St John's Church, Peasedown St John, for 30 years under the Community Asset Transfer policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Resources.
Decision published: 13/12/2019
Effective from: 21/12/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet Members agree that:
1. The Head of Property Services be authorised to enter into a 30 year lease of Peasedown St John youth hub with the Parochial Church Council of St John’s Church, Peasedown St John;
2. The lease will reserve a market rent which is abated to nil, subject to the tenant satisfying the landlord that the conditions set out in the agreed Service Level Agreement, including the provision of open access positive activities for young people, will be fulfilled for the full term of the lease.
Wards affected: Peasedown;
Lead officer: Sally Churchyard
06/12/2019 - S106 Contribution for Ralph Allen School Dining Hall Project ref: 1332 Approved
Under section 14 of the Education Act 1996
Local Authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there are
sufficient schools for primary and secondary education in their
areas. In order to achieve this the Council's priority is to ensure
there is sufficient provision of school places in the right areas
to meet needs. These places can be delivered within community,
academy, free school and voluntary aided schools.
S106 contributions are received by the Council from Developers for
housing development in an area. The S106 contribution that is the
subject of this Officer Delegated Decision was received by the
Council specifically for education places at Ralph Allen
School.
Allocating the S106 contribution amounting to £81,084.18
received by the Council to Ralph Allen School will enable the
school to replace and expand their dining facilities to accommodate
increasing pupil numbers.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director (People)
Decision published: 06/12/2019
Effective from: 06/12/2019
Decision:
To fully approve capital amounting to
£81,084.18 received by the Council in S106 Developer
Contributions to be spent at Ralph Allen School. The School will
carry out a capital project to replace and expand school dining
facilities.
Lead officer: Mike Bowden