BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL
Thursday 21st May 2009
PRESENT -: Chair 2008-2009: Councillor Caroline Roberts
Councillors: Brian Simmons Roger Symonds
Officers: Glen Chipp - Strategic Director Customer Services (for part of the meeting); Nick Jeans - Team Leader Traffic and Safety; Wendy Linham - Traffic Management, Road Safety Unit and Michaela Gay - Senior Democratic Services Officer.
Councillor Charles Gerrish - Cabinet Member for Customer Services (for part of the meeting) and
Councillor Vic Pritchard - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Housing (for part of the meeting)
1 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE
The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.
3 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSITUTIONS
Apology for absence was received from Councillors Allan Hall; Alan Hale; Steve Hedges and Gordon Wood.
4 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
5 TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR
There were no items of urgent business.
6 ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING.
There were none.
7 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS: THURSDAY 26th March 2009
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
8 IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF SPEED LIMITS
The Chair invited Nick Jeans - Team Leader Traffic and Safety to introduce the item (A map and briefing note were provided to members at the meeting, this information is available on the minute book which is kept by Democratic Services).
The officer talked through the current position with regards to the Bath area and then went on to describe the Portsmouth initiative where 20mph limits have been introduced on all primary residential roads. He explained that there was not yet any comprehensive feedback. He advised that that to adopt a similar approach in Bath would mean considerable cost and would potentially not achieve the aim of a 20mph limit without extra traffic calming measures. The officer stressed the importance of having public opinion behind a scheme for it to achieve its aims. He advised that this authority should wait to hear the outcomes of the Portsmouth 20mph initiative which should be known in September 09.
Wendy Linham - Traffic Management Officer - Road Safety Unit addressed the panel on this issue. She warned that the police would not have sufficient resources to carry out sustained enforcement on a blanket 20mph limit.
The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:
Councillor Roger Symonds stated that this issue was not just one of speed but also about people's environments. He hoped that this authority would be more positive as he felt that a 20mph limit was what people wanted as it would enhance safety. Nick Jeans agreed that it was a good aspiration but questioned whether it was achievable with signage alone. Councillor Symonds asked what studies there were to show that signage did not work. The officer responded that the sign at Entry Hill did not work. He underlined the importance of public opinion, he stated the peer pressure was the most powerful thing in keeping speeds low.
Councillor Brian Simmons stated that sometimes there was a perception of a traffic problem but when vehicles are counted or their speed measured, it did not turn out to be the case. He stated that flashing `slow down' signs were most effective. The officer agreed that these signs could be effective at entry points to villages but would be difficult in an urban area.
Councillor Roberts asked how the Government Review would be funded. The officer replied that it would be the Council and explained that the Government was not changing legislation but reviewing speed limits to see if some needed to be changed.
Councillor Roberts asked about the officers recommendation to wait for the data on the Portsmouth initiative, she stated that she did not want this authority to miss its chance. She explained that maybe the issue of residents `perception' of safety should be taken into account and not just data. The officer stated that people of Bath would have to come on board and to use TRO's (Traffic Regulation Orders) maybe using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Councillor Symonds asked if speed tables were being put in now rather than bumps. Wendy Linham stated that she would support this where appropriate. Nick Jeans stated that the tables were better than bumps but he stated that traffic calming is contentious, there were usually issues with bus companies and the ambulance service. He stated that there would have to be proof that casualties would improve where traffic calming measures are suggested.
Councillor Vic Pritchard - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Housing concurred with the advice officers had given that it was not always appropriate to have a blanket solution to a problem. He stated that there was a need for caution around traffic calming measures because of emergency services. He stated that if there was a speeding problem in a specific area, the police should deal with it rather than putting in permanent traffic calming measures.
It was RESOLVED that:
1. Members and officers consider the results of the Portsmouth 20mph initiative, through the Department for Transport study expected in late summer, and the Portsmouth seminar in September, to assess the impacts, both positive and negative, of the scheme; and
2. Department of Transport policy on speed limits signage and advertising campaigns related to 20mph limits in residential roads should be monitored, and the proposal revisited when national conditions are more favourable; and
3. The Panel recognise there are roads in the authority where advisory speed limits are appropriate but the Panel would like to continue to support a blanket 20mph limit in residential areas pending results of the Portsmouth project.
The Chair agreed to take a comment from a member of the public from the gallery. Lawrence - London Road and Snowhill Partnership talked about a hidden catastrophe in Bath in that six homeless people had died in the past month in the area due to excessive drink and drugs issues. He urged the Council to work with him to move forward to find a solution to these problems. The Chair advised that part of this issue may be covered by the Cabinet Member Update (Adult Social Services and Housing) in the next item.
9 CABINET MEMBER UPDATE
Councillor Vic Pritchard - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Housing
Councillor Roberts explained that the panel had undertaken a Community Empowerment Review and the Cabinet member response had been brought to the last meeting. She apologised if any of the original contributors had not been invited.
Councillor Pritchard stated that some of the issues raised by Lawrence in the item above (London Road and Snowhill Partnership) spilled over to a number of panels. He stated that he was aware of the recent deaths among homeless people. He stated that numbers at Julian House had dropped recently and that the figures fluctuate. He updated the panel that the authority was embarking on a provision of a new hostel facility. He informed the panel that he attended Julian House AGM (Annual General Meeting) last night which had undergone an inspection, the outcome described the service as exemplary but the conditions were described as barbaric. He praised the service at Julian House.
The Cabinet member informed the panel that he had attended a business crime reduction partnership meeting in Norton Radstock who had also been given an accolade. He stated that this scheme allowed more access to specific data on things such as street gangs. He stated that a report on street marshals showed that this was a very effective, inspiring way forward in dealing with crime and the perception of crime. Lawrence (London Road and Snowhill Partnership) agreed on the effectiveness of street marshals.
The Panel asked the following questions and made the following points:
Councillor Symonds asked why homeless people did not always use the facility of Julian House. Lawrence (London Road and Snowhill Partnership) explained that homeless people were sick of being looked down upon. He further added that only four people from Bath had got a job from Southgate and there was a need to see people in the whole.
Councillor Roberts asked if a review into homelessness would be useful. The Cabinet Member stated that the authority engaged with every facet of the complicated lifestyles of homeless people. He stated that all agencies did participate with the individual. Councillor Roberts asked if the Council should investigate the recent number of deaths of homeless people. The Cabinet member replied that the authority was actively engaged. He stated that he was close to getting a wet house facility in the area but it had been risk assessed. He stated that he was an advocate of early intervention and that teachers could spot venerable children. Regarding a review, the Cabinet member explained that he was committed to a review of Youth Homelessness (Children and Young Persons Panel) and there were several other forums.
Councillor Charles Gerrish - Cabinet Member for Customer Services (taken at the beginning of the meeting with agreement from the Chair)
Councillor Gerrish updated the panel on the following:
Waste - The `Waste Day Change' letters are going out later in the week and 60% awareness had been shown in recent sampling. He stated that he could not say it would be completely painless but plans were in place and moving ahead. He explained that a senior member of the Waste team would be joining Council Connect, language issues had been planned for and landlords had been written to.
WEP (West of England Partnership) Waste - The Cabinet member explained that the phase 2 decision was being considered next week, this was the decision on the contract operators. He explained that on the planning side, the initial consultation had taken place but the public turnout was disappointing.
10 PANEL FUTURE WORKPLAN
It was RESOLVED that the Panel noted their future workplan, with the following addition:
The meeting ended at 1.00pm
Chair(person)
Date Confirmed and Signed
Prepared by Democratic Services