Improving conditions for people living in the centre of the City of Bath
A presentation by Ian Perkins to the 2011 AGM
Every year we face the challenge of how to summarise the considerable range of activities and issues in which TARA has been engaged. This year we thought it might be interesting to look back at the 28 blogs we have posted on the web.
Early in the year we discussed the terms of reference of the new residents police working party which I chaired and which will report this month. We also addressed an unfortunate set of events at Komedia which led to a formal review of their licence. This initiated a series of discussions between us and Komedia aimed at establishing a better understanding of residents’ concerns.
In July we discussed the then plans for the Business Improvement District for Bath which we supported. The BID has now come into existence and is starting to make a very positive contribution. We commented on a series of proposed Banes policies and strategies. We particularly look forward to the implementation of the policy on A-boards. The state of our pavements were a concern then and remain so now. The Pulteney Bridge proposals and consultation was an example of a recurring issue of traffic proposals being made and offered for consultation without any real assessment of the likely impact.
Towards the end of 2010 our attention was focussed on reviews before the licensing committee and in particular the vexed question of OPA who continue to operate as a nightclub despite rulings by both the licencing and planning committees. Indeed I will be appearing in court as a witness for BANES in OPA’s appeal against the licensing authority next month. In this period we were also much engaged with the planning application made by Sam Smiths which in practice would have allowed them to operate a giant pub. Fortunately local opposition succeeded in getting sufficient conditions imposed that they now appear to be rethinking their business plans yet again. We will continue to be vigilant. In this period we also reviewed the projects and initiatives we were involved in to try to achieve better management of Bath’s night time economy including now having permanent representation on BANES night time economy steering group.
At the start of this year we were still reporting on the King Edwards School situation and the issues of the night time economy and in particular the management of rowdy crowds. We were also concerned about the impact of the Live Music Bill which has now been adopted by the government and threatens to sweep away many of the controls currently imposed by the licencing authority. The proposal to restrict vehicle access to the Circus area was another example of an ad hoc traffic management proposal which dealt with a problem in one area by moving it to another and we have been in discussions with its proposers and BANES traffic planners to ensure proper impact modelling is undertaken. We also responded to the draft BANES core strategy document.
More recently we have been looking at what the parties putting up candidates in May have had to say about key issues and in particular what they are proposing to do to reduce the wholly unacceptable levels of pollution in the city centre. The answers are not encouraging. We have also commented on the early stages of the evaluation of companies who have expressed interest in building a casino in Bath and the on-going problem of street drinkers and begging. We have supported environmental protection, the police and local residents in their attempts to have the license conditions of the Bodrum Takeaway in Broad Street reviewed and changed to reduce the levels of noise and disorder associated with their operations.
Finally, some words of thanks. Firstly, I would like to thank the members of the TARA committee who have worked throughout the year to ensure residents views are heard, including this year tramping the streets of Bath mapping litter. In particular I would like to thank Michael Brett whose contribution has ranged from arranging this meeting to leading the battle to ensure Sam Smiths proposals for the King Edward’s site received proper scrutiny. Secondly I would like to thank the many people who have supported and encouraged the work of TARA some of whom will be joining us for drinks later. I would also like to thank you, our members, as it is your membership support which makes it possible for us to be heard in the “corridors of power”.