Decisions

A decision to approve policy updates is requested in relation to:

enforcement and licensing,
bringing empty properties back into use, and
assistance where required to make homes suitable for safe and health independent living.

To adopt the updated Housing Services Policies for Enforcement and Licensing, Empty Residential Properties and Decent Homes.

To adopt the Residential Tenancy Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

(1)  To delegate approval to the Directors of Sustainable Communities and Place Management, in consultation with the S151 Officer, to accept CRSTS grant funding from the Combined Authority for schemes led by B&NES, currently the Liveable Neighbourhoods Programme and the Maintenance Challenge Fund.  As capacity increases within B&NES this may also include: Somer Valley Links to Bristol and Bath; Bath City Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor; and Bath Sustainable Walking and Cycling Links.

These funds will be spent over a four-year period (22/23 - 26/27), and progress through the documented approvals process with CA and B&NES. These grant awards, along with the funding local match requirement of 20%, will be approved into the B&NES Capital Programme and revenue budget.

(2)  To note that for schemes which remain led by the CA B&NES officer time will be recharged to the CA.  This will be undertaken through a process of quarterly recharges. 

Following on from a Cabinet decision in December 2021 (E3322), this is a proposal to vary the Bath & North East Somerset CAZ Charging Order 2021 to introduce a charge for Euro 6 HGVs of the N3 vehicle category type. Cabinet is asked to agree the initiation of a public consultation on the introduction of the proposed charge.

(1)  To note the work completed to assess the feasibility and the highlighted risks of introducing a charge appropriate for the benefit of air quality and the amenity of the charging scheme area (including the Grade II* Cleveland Bridge) and the wider Bath World Heritage Site setting.

(2)  To agree that a public consultation, involving key stakeholders as appropriate, is undertaken on the introduction of a charge for Class N3 Euro VI diesel HGVs (HGVs over 12 tonnes) together with associated local exemptions being proposed to mitigate any impact on local businesses and the economy of the wider area.

(3)  As this proposal is distinct from the CAZ charges and outside the scope of the national Clean Air Zone Framework, to note the need for the development of local payment processes based upon those created for the CAZ scheme, as central government systems will not be available for use.  This will require keepers of chargeable Class N3 Euro VI diesel HGVs to divert to the Council’s website to make payment through a separate payment portal, locally created for these vehicles.

(4)  To delegate to the Director of Place Management (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport), the decision to vary the Order according to the scheme outputs and the feedback received from the public consultation period and implement the scheme with minor variations as required.

(1)  To note the highly valuable and informative work undertaken by the Citizens’ Panel, and to thank all participants for their involvement in this pioneering study.

(2)  To adopt the four principles to guide decision making on any new active travel schemes being developed in B&NES.

(3)  To note the views of the Citizens’ Panel in relation to the Claverton Down to Valley Floor Cycle Route.

(4)  To confirm the preferred course of action for this route from the options presented:

·  Note the recent commencement of the e-scooter expansion to include this intervention.

·  Revisit all options for traffic reduction on the route from valley floor to Claverton Down, and using the co-design techniques learned through the Liveable Neighbourhoods work and the principles outlined, work with stakeholders to identify a comprehensive strategy to reduce car use and enable safer active travel options.

·  Recommence the Transport Improvement Programme in the Claverton Down area, previously paused to avoid abortive works.

·  Progress with a programme of investment to improve walking and cycling links, following the approach advocated by the Citizens’ Panel.

A report to Cabinet to agree to future delivery of Adult Social Care Services (Statutory Social Work and Adults with Learning Disabilities service) that is currently in the contract with HCRG Care Group.

(1)  To agree to the recommendation in the Strategic Outline Case to proceed to Outline and Final Business Case with the insourcing of Adult Social Care Services as detailed in the contract with HCRG Care Group as PD01 - Statutory Adult Social Work and SD43 - Adults with Learning Disabilities.

(2)  To delegate responsibility for insourcing PD01 and SD43 to the Director of Adult Social Services in consultation with the lead Cabinet member for Adult Social Services and the Chief Financial Officer subject to the sign-off of the Outline and Final Business Cases.

(1)  To commission further development work to advance the preferred option to planning stage, that is a development of 9 bungalows and 7 apartments for residents with learning difficulties.

(2)  To fully approve £320k capital funding from the Provisional Capital Programme for Affordable Housing to support this development work.

(3)  To delegate any future decision to submit a planning application to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Council House Building in consultation with Cabinet colleagues.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) sets out the strategic direction and priorities for the Council as well outlining the financial context and challenges the Council faces over the next five years and the strategy that will be used to inform its annual budget process.

To approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Todelegate tothe Directorof Regenerationand Housingauthority to:

1.  Asurrender ofthe existinglease dated 31.03.2014.

2.  Thegranting ofa newlease toexpire on30.03.2034 outsidethe 1954 Act at a peppercorn rent on generally the same terms as the existing but excluding the option to renew.

3.  Instructing LegalServices todeal withany formalconsent or certificate from Homes England where required.

(1)  To note the 2022/23 revenue budget position as at the end of September 2022.

(2)  To note the revenue virements listed for information only in Appendix 3(i) of the report.

(3)  To note the capital year-end forecast detailed in paragraph 3.26 of the report.

(4)  To approve the allocation of £3m CRSTS Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund grant to fund the increased cost of the Cleveland Bridge repairs as highlighted in paragraph 3.27 of the report. 

(5)  To note the changes in the capital programme including capital schemes that have been agreed for full approval under delegation listed in Appendix 4(i) of the report.

(1)  To note the Treasury Management Report to 30^th September 2022, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice.

(2)  To note the Treasury Management Indicators to 30^th September 2022.

To consider the Masterplan for the Milsom Quarter and next steps following the close of the public consultation on the draft.

(1)  To delegate approval to the Director of Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the S151 Officer, to accept the £2.475m Investment Fund grant from the West of England Combined Authority. These funds will be spent over a three-year period in line with the Strategic Outline Business Case.

(2)  To delegate approval to implement the interventions set out within the business case to the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development and the S151 Officer in accordance with the requirements of the Grant Funding Agreement.

(3)  To note the Consultation Report on the Milsom Quarter Masterplan (Appendix 1 of the report) and to endorse the Milsom Quarter Masterplan, accepting it together with the amendments sought (Appendix 2 of the report) as part of the evidence base for the New Local Plan.

(4)  To delegate approval to the Director of Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the s151 Officer, to establish arrangements that will allow surplus rental income from the Old Post Office (after holding costs) to be ring-fenced for use to support revenue costs associated with the Fashion Museum redevelopment project and to cross-subsidise meanwhile use projects which align with the vision and values for the Fashion Museum development.

(5)  To explore options, including the use of any existing or new powers introduced to support vibrant High Streets in the forthcoming Levelling up and Regeneration Bill, to expediate delivery of sites in private ownership that have viability challenges or have been long term vacant.

(6)  To instruct officers to explore all options (including for example, Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) options) available to enable the historic former King Edward’s School building to be brought back into use and to ask officers to bring back an update report on those options to the Cabinet meeting in February 2023.