Public Must Have a Chance to Comment on Bath Plus Decision

4.20.08pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 29th Nov 2007

The members of the Council Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Enterprise and Economic Development were unanimous today in criticising the Cabinet's decision-making method on the Bath Plus Ltd issue.

The Panel, consisting of four Conservative and three Liberal Democrat Councillors, met to consider a "call-in" of the Cabinet decision to create an overarching company overseeing festivals, tourism and city centre management. All Panel members supported the creation of the post of city centre manager, but felt there had been precious little consultation over the management and company structures proposed, and very little information placed in the public domain.

However, the panel stopped short of asking the Cabinet to reconsider its decision. Rather they recommended the Panel hold a meeting to take evidence from interested stakeholders prior to the final decision being taken. The final resolution agreed the panel said:

1. The Panel believe that more information should have been provided in public for the Cabinet to make this decision.

2. The Panel believe that wider consultation, with a sufficient time to enable a considerate response to be taken into account, would have allayed concerns expressed by stakeholders.

3. The Panel believe that before the delegated decision is taken there should be a dialogue with stakeholders including scrutiny by this Panel, incorporating a contributors' session.

Councillor Paul Crossley (Liberal Democrat Leader) who led the case for the call-in said:

"The concept of a city centre manager is a good one, which has widespread support. However many people, including residents and small business owners, were extremely concerned that this proposal seemed to go much further than that and we organised this call-in because we felt residents had a right to know what's involved."

Colin Darracott called for greater transparency in decision making

Councillor Colin Darracott (Liberal Democrat), who is a member of the Panel added:

"We all felt the amount of information available to the public was very meagre and consultation limited. The Cabinet took a decision in principle, with details to be decided at a later date. The process and decision set a number of rumours running, and both confused and worried people who would be affected. I hope the panel can take evidence from interested parties to inform any final decisions. I've argued for a city centre manager in the past, and we all agree with that. But the fusion of the management of the city with marketing and events needs to be discussed with those who will be affected."

The next step is for the Cabinet to respond to the proposal for the Panel to hold a contributors' session. Councillor Crossley added:

"The Cabinet has every reason to allow a larger debate on this issue and I call on them to do so."