The Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel met on Thursday 3 July 2025 to discuss homelessness, the draft Culture Strategy with an environmental focus, and the panel's workplan. The panel received updates on homelessness services, reviewed the proposed Culture Strategy, and noted suggestions for future agenda items.

Homelessness Update

The panel received an update on the council's homelessness services, which include commissioned services, partnerships with the voluntary sector, and a dedicated Housing Options & Homelessness Team. Officers explained that while presentations remained flat compared to the previous year, a higher proportion were successfully converted into prevention cases, leading to a reduction in the duty-owed category. The council's approach to making homelessness presentations accessible and straightforward was highlighted as a key factor in early intervention.

Discussions also covered the use of temporary accommodation (TA), with a noted increase in its usage, particularly for single individuals. The council's in-house TA provision has helped reduce net expenditure, resulting in significant savings. Regarding rough sleeping, the panel heard about the multi-agency approach to support rough sleepers, including assertive outreach, supported accommodation, and a reconnection service. Despite challenges with individuals who find it difficult to engage with support services, the council's housing first approach and strong partnerships were noted as contributing to relatively low numbers of rough sleepers compared to neighbouring areas. The impact of recent disability benefit cuts was also raised as a new factor to be digested.

Culture Strategy (Environmental Focus)

The Head of Heritage presented the draft Culture Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset Council 2025-2027, which aims to foster a vibrant cultural landscape that supports the local economy and improves health and wellbeing. The strategy defines culture broadly to include collections, combined arts, dance, libraries, museums, heritage buildings, music, theatre, visual arts, festivals, location filming, and large sporting events.

Panel members raised several points regarding the strategy's implementation. Councillor Anna Box inquired about the costs associated with local charity events and suggested considering reduced road closure fees for such events. Councillor Deborah Collins asked about opportunities in the visitor economy across BANES and the provision of creative workspaces, to which the officer responded that a creative workspace strategy is in development. Councillor Andy Wait, a trustee of the Keynsham Music Festival, commented on the perceived worsening relationship with BANES regarding event costs, although he noted an improvement this year and welcomed the idea of culture extending beyond the city. Councillor Grant Johnson expressed surprise at the political element in the presentation and shared frustrations about event costs in Paulton, suggesting the strategy might not address root causes. Councillor Karen Walker raised concerns about the continued support for community libraries given potential housing developments. Councillor Saskia Heijltjes questioned how to foster a more vibrant and inclusive local offer beyond major festivals. The officer acknowledged these points, stating that fees and charges need to be considered within the council's budget and that the strategy is in a consultation period to gather such feedback. The panel requested that this item be revisited later in the year.

Panel Workplan

The panel noted their future workplan and suggested several items for future meetings, including the Culture Strategy (to be discussed in Autumn), Waste Collection in the city centre, and the Active Travel masterplan.