The Council meeting on Thursday 21 November 2024 saw a range of significant decisions made, including the appointment of an interim Executive Director for Resources, the approval of arrangements for using council land for biodiversity net gain, and the consideration of annual reports from the Audit Committee and the Avon Pension Fund Committee. The council also debated and voted on several motions concerning housing, bus services, parking charges, and free school meals.

Appointment of Interim Executive Director (Section 151 Officer)

The council unanimously approved the urgent appointment of Mr Christopher Kinsella as Interim Executive Director for Resources and Section 151 Officer. This appointment is effective from 4 January 2025 and will initially be for three days per week, concluding on 31 March 2025. This decision was made following a recommendation from the Restructuring Implementation Committee.

Using Council Land for Biodiversity Net Gain

The council agreed to delegate planning enforcement functions to neighbouring authorities to secure legal agreements for the use of specific council-owned land as biodiversity net gain habitat banks. This reciprocal arrangement with Bristol City Council, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire will enable the council to use its land for biodiversity net gain purposes, which is a statutory requirement for many planning applications under the Environment Act 2021. The decision also noted that no delegation would take effect until reciprocal decisions were made by the other councils and that site-specific legal agreements would need to be agreed by officers for each habitat bank.

Audit Committee Annual Report

The council noted the annual report of the Corporate Audit Committee, which will be renamed the Audit Committee. Councillors received assurance that the committee is fulfilling its responsibilities as outlined in its Terms of Reference. The Local Code of Corporate Governance was also noted, following its endorsement at the Corporate Audit Committee's meeting on 1 May 2024. The revised Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee were approved and will be updated in the Council's Constitution.

Avon Pension Fund Committee Annual Report

The council noted the annual report of the Avon Pension Fund Committee and the Pension Board. The Avon Pension Fund, which serves over 140,000 members across four unitary authorities, reported a robust financial health with an improved funding level of 98% as of 31 March 2024. The report highlighted progress in responsible investing and climate emergency targets, with a net zero target date brought forward to 2045. Challenges in member service performance were noted, with ongoing restructuring and digitalisation efforts aimed at improving service levels.

Treasury Management Monitoring Report

The council noted the Treasury Management Monitoring Report for the period ending 30 September 2024. Performance against the Council's Treasury Management Strategy for the first six months of 2024/25 indicated that all key indicators were within target levels. The estimated average rate of return on operational investments was 5.12%, exceeding the benchmark rate. The council's revenue budget for interest and capital financing costs was forecast to be under budget by £1.05 million due to higher-than-anticipated investment returns and savings on Minimum Revenue Provision.

Constitution: Minor Updates

The council agreed to minor amendments to its Constitution, proposed by the Constitution Working Group. These included clarifying the Chief Executive's power to add items to agendas and establishing a deadline for alternative budget proposals to be submitted to the Section 151 Officer. Minor textual amendments made by the Monitoring Officer were also noted.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members' Allowances

The council noted the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members' Allowances and agreed to implement several recommendations. Allowances will remain at present levels, with adjustments to Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) for the Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, the Chair of the Corporate Audit Committee, the Chair of the Council, and the Vice Chair of the Council. These changes will take effect from the start of the next financial year, with adjustments to the Council Chair and Vice-Chair allowances implemented from May 2025. The council also agreed to appoint the Independent Remuneration Panel to review the Basic Allowance again after the current phased increases are completed. The panel's work was formally thanked.

Motion from the Green Group - Tackling the Housing Crisis

A motion from the Green Group aimed at tackling the housing crisis was not carried. The motion highlighted the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability and rents in Bath and North East Somerset, as well as the reduction in social housing stock due to the Right to Buy scheme. The council noted the government's proposed rules for short-term lets and believed that rent controls and increased social housing investment were necessary. The motion called for the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development to write to the government requesting powers to introduce rent controls, for local measures to limit short-term holiday lets, and for the Leader to write to the government advocating for an end to the Right to Buy scheme and for councils to be allowed to borrow more to build social housing. It also proposed improving policies on empty homes and expanding the Compulsory Purchase Order pilot scheme. The motion was lost with 4 councillors voting in favour, 40 against, and 4 abstentions.

Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group - Bus Services

A motion from the Liberal Democrat Group concerning bus services was carried. The motion noted the government's decision to increase the bus fare cap from £2 to £3 in 2025, expressing concern that this would disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and potentially reduce bus patronage. The council believed that affordable bus services are essential for residents and for tackling congestion and improving air quality. The council resolved to ask the Leader to write to government ministers calling for the £2 bus fare cap to be restored, and to call on the West of England Combined Authority Mayor to allocate Bus Service Improvement Plan funds to maintain the £2 fare cap and to progress work towards bus service franchising. The motion was successful with 37 councillors voting in favour, 7 against, and 2 abstentions.

Motion from the Independent Group - Parking Charges for Midsomer Norton & Radstock

A motion from the Independent Group proposing the suspension of parking charges in Midsomer Norton and Radstock was not carried. The motion raised concerns about the lack of evidence-based decision-making regarding the introduction of emission-based parking charges, including the absence of parking surveys, financial viability reports, and impact assessments. It argued that the charges would unfairly penalise low-income families and harm local businesses, particularly given the poor public transport in North East Somerset. The motion requested that the Cabinet suspend the introduction of parking charges until an informed decision could be evidenced. The motion was lost with 16 councillors voting in favour and 29 against.

Motion from the Labour Group - Free School Meals Auto-Enrolment

A motion from the Labour Group calling for the implementation of free school meals auto-enrolment was carried unanimously. The motion highlighted the impact of food insecurity on children's development and academic attainment, noting a significant increase in eligible children in B&NES and a concerning gap in attainment between children on free school meals and those not. The council acknowledged that many eligible families do not claim free school meals due to administrative, language, literacy, and stigma issues. The motion resolved to request Cabinet to prioritise and implement auto-enrolment before September 2025, learning from other local authorities, and to request the Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel to scrutinise progress updates. It also called for the Leader to write to the government and local MPs advocating for a national rule change to enable auto-enrolment.

Public Statements

Several members of the public made statements on various issues, including the Winifred Lane Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), accessible homes, council commitments made in the Peace motion, the situation in Gaza, the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, and the Park & Ride service. Statements were also made regarding Komedia, Bath, and the future of the NHS. These statements were referred to the relevant Cabinet Members.