The Cabinet of Bath and North East Somerset Council met on Tuesday 20 May 2025, approving the end-of-year review for the Corporate Strategy 2023-2027 and endorsing the Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030). The meeting also included a presentation on the Highways Service and addressed various questions from councillors and the public.

Corporate Strategy 2023-2027 - End of Year Review for 2024-2025

The Cabinet reviewed the progress made in delivering the council's Corporate Strategy during the 2024-2025 financial year. Councillor Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the report, highlighting the integration of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into the annual review and the need for their regular refinement. He noted the council's commitment to transparency, even when reporting on areas where targets were not met, and emphasised efforts to influence outcomes through partnerships and lobbying.

Councillor Elliott provided several examples of the council's achievements, including:

• Housing: Completion of 712 net new homes, progress on brownfield developments like Bath Quays North and Western Riverside, and the development of 18 new social-rent apartments at Argyle Works and 16 supported-living units at Englishcombe Lane. The report stressed the importance of energy-efficient housing as a social good.
• Environment & Cleanliness: Recycling and recovery rates exceeding 94%, with a £1 million investment in Neighbourhood Services, including initiatives like a chewing-gum task force and reusable red bags. Fast-response street teams were also funded with an additional £250,000.
• Transport & Infrastructure: Extended Park and Ride hours to 11:30 pm, achieving the second-highest customer satisfaction among 96 local authorities. Over 200 transport schemes are now tracked in real-time via the Transport Action Map. Significant roadworks were completed, with 103,000 m² of carriageway resurfaced and over 5,000 potholes repaired, contributing to a decrease in serious injury collisions.
• Children & Young People: A reduction in the Early Years attainment gap from 39% to 32%, and an 80% increase in stepped-down child protection plans. Children's Services and the Youth Justice Service received praise from Ofsted and the HM Inspectorate of Probation.
• Public Health: The Community Wellbeing Hub, a collaboration of 37 partners, has supported 15,000 residents.
• Climate & Nature: Securing a £1.5 million Climate Action Fund grant, a 50% increase in renewable energy capacity, and an 80 MW renewable energy pipeline. 23 hectares of grassland have been restored through tree and meadow projects, with initiatives like heat-pump installations, estate decarbonisation, and an electric fleet roadmap underway.
• Jobs & Skills: A 4% rise in median wages to £40,218, exceeding national and regional averages. The Employment & Skills Pod has helped 115 residents into work, with 77 now earning a Real Living Wage. Additionally, 70 staff were upskilled, and 14 unemployed learners secured full-time jobs, with the council promoting the Good Employment Charter.
• Culture & Tourism: The Roman Baths attracted over 1 million visitors and generated a record surplus. Six heritage sites received regional awards, and the Bath Christmas Market generated £41.5 million in turnover and supported over 500 jobs.

The report also detailed efforts in listening to residents, with 30 public meetings and events held and over 10,600 responses received across 30 online consultations. A £250,000 investment in a new customer contact system was noted. While the resident engagement indicator had dropped from 20% to 11%, plans were in place to trial new communication and engagement methods.

Councillor Alison Born seconded the motion, emphasising the report's clarity, transparency, and accountability. Councillor Sarah Warren welcomed the new report format, noting the downward trend in carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions and B&NES's recognition as a leading council in this field. She highlighted the success of the Western Forest consortium bid for £1.5 million from the National Lottery Climate Action Fund to create 2,500 hectares of new woodlands and habitats.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to note the progress in delivering the Corporate Strategy and approve the indicator set commentary on performance.

Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030)

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, introduced the Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030). He praised the expertise of the World Heritage Site (WHS) Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Marion Harney and supported by WHS Manager Adrian Neilson, in preparing the document. Councillor McCabe highlighted Bath's outstanding value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and noted that this is the first combined management plan, encompassing both the City of Bath and the Great Spa Towns of Europe inscriptions.

Key aspects of the plan include:

• Headline Priorities: Climate change is now a headline priority, alongside Development Management, Public Realm, Traffic, Transport and Mobility, Promotion, Interpretation, Inclusion and Presentation, and Natural Setting and Nature Recovery.
• Collaboration: This is the first Bath WHS plan to fully integrate UNESCO and ICOMOS as key stakeholders, fostering a closer working relationship.
• Participation: The plan is the result of the most participative review to date, involving the Advisory Board and Management Plan Steering Group over 18 months.
• Accessibility: The document is fully online, allowing for real-time updates and adaptability, written in plain English for inclusivity, and features local photography.
• Vision: The plan sets out a clear, collaborative vision for Bath's future.

Councillor Paul Roper seconded the motion, thanking all involved and noting the nearly 400 consultation responses. He acknowledged the historical efforts to protect Bath's architecture and highlighted Bath's unique double inscription status, held by only 22 sites globally.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to endorse the Combined City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe World Heritage Sites Management Plan (2024-2030).

Highways Service Overview

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, introduced Chris Major, Director of Place Management, who presented an overview of the Highways, Traffic and Passenger Transport Service. The presentation covered the various services provided, links to the Corporate Plan and Council Vision, collaboration with councillors, resident feedback mechanisms, and increasing investment in highways, transport, planning, and economic development. Major projects such as the Cleveland Bridge repairs were discussed, alongside efforts to improve road safety. The presentation also highlighted ongoing challenges, including the declining condition of national roads, the impact of harsh weather events, and the effects of climate change. Future priorities include increased investment in highway and footway maintenance.

Other Business

The meeting concluded with the Chair informing members that this was Councillor Tim Ball's last Cabinet meeting as he steps down from his role, thanking him for his valuable contributions over several years.

Numerous questions were raised by councillors and members of the public covering a wide range of topics including public transport, road safety, financial pressures on leaseholders, heritage lottery funding, car clubs, climate strategy staffing, bus patronage, residents' parking zones, anti-idling campaigns, funding for transport projects, safe travel home for night economy workers, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications, the former Jolly's building repairs, bike loan schemes, cycle hangar costs, air pollution monitoring, disabled bus user concessions, park and ride sites, pedestrian crossing improvements, liveable neighbourhoods, and EV charging cable gullies. Statements were also made by David Redgewell on the public transport network, Guy Simpson on road safety improvements, Cllr Jess David on financial pressure on leaseholders, and Cllr Fiona Gourley on Heritage Lottery Funding for the Fashion Museum.