The Council appointed a new Director of Finance (S151 Officer) and noted the annual reports from the Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel and the Standards Committee. A motion calling on the government to grant English councils the power to introduce visitor charges was approved, as was a motion calling for a review of public toilet provision.

Appointment of Director of Finance (S151 Officer)

The Council approved the appointment of Mr Stuart Donnelly as the new Director of Finance (S151 Officer), with a confirmed start date of 5 January 2026. This appointment follows a recruitment process that began after the previous S151 Officer, Mr Jeff Wring, was appointed on an interim basis. Mr Donnelly is a qualified accountant and a full member of CIPFA, with experience as Deputy S151 Officer at Reading Borough Council.

Policy Development & Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-2025

The Council noted the contents of the Policy Development & Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024-2025. The report summarised the work of the Council's three Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Panels, highlighting their role in holding the executive to account and assisting in policy development. The report detailed the panels' work on areas such as the Corporate Strategy, the commercial estate strategy, climate and nature emergency initiatives, waste services transformation, and health scrutiny.

Annual Report on the Use of RIPA and IPA

The Council noted and approved the Council's policy on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016. The report updated the Council on the use of these powers, which allow for covert surveillance and the acquisition of communications data for crime prevention and detection. The Council also noted the statistics on the use of these powers, which showed no instances of surveillance data requests or requests for CCTV use by partner agencies during the reporting period. A RIPA & IPA training module was also highlighted.

Standards Committee Annual Report

The Council noted the work of the Standards Committee as set out in its annual report for 2024-2025. The report detailed the committee's responsibilities in promoting ethical standards, monitoring adherence to the Members' Code of Conduct, and determining complaints against councillors. The report indicated that 17 matters were raised with the committee during the year, with 15 requiring no further action, one resulting in an apology for a breach of the Code of Conduct, and one withdrawn. Three further matters were under investigation.

Liberal Democrat Motion: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

The Council passed a motion calling on the government to recognise the financial challenges faced by university cities due to student HMOs and to address this in the Fair Funding Review. The motion highlighted that HMOs are an essential part of the local housing market, providing affordable accommodation, and that students contribute significantly to the social, community, cultural, and economic life of Bath and North East Somerset. However, it also noted that council tax exemptions for student-only HMOs reduce local authority income, and that new HMO conversions exacerbate the housing affordability crisis by reducing the supply of family homes. The Council also highlighted the opportunity for residents to participate in the forthcoming Local Plan Options consultation on potential new policy approaches to HMOs.

Questions, Statements and Petitions from Councillors

Councillor Joanna Wright asked a series of questions regarding the legal basis for professional sport at the Recreation Ground, referencing a 1956 agreement. Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the Council, responded that the statements upon which the questions were based were incorrect and that the Council was no longer the trustee or landowner of the Recreation Ground. He explained that the benefit of the 1922 covenants did not annex to adjoining land and that there were no beneficiaries who could enforce them. He also confirmed that the Council's view was that the unique legal issues were resolved, referencing a Court of Appeal decision. Councillor Wright also enquired about the cost of a consultant overseeing planning application 23/03558/EFUL. Councillor Guy explained that the consultant costs were offset by the applicant entering into a planning performance agreement, and that final costs could not be provided as the case was ongoing.