For years, residents of North East Somerset have often felt like the poor relation in comparison to the World Heritage City of Bath. And, whilst we may be very lucky to have such a city on our doorsteps, it may well be at a cost.
Since earlier this year, a cross-party working group has been meeting weekly to consider options to strengthen community representation and civic governance within Bath. There are now three options on the table, which are going out for consultation.
Unlike all of the areas around it, Bath is unparished and the city is therefore governed by Bath and North East Somerset Council, acting as the 'principal authority'. Bath has 32 Ward Councillors who sit on B&NES Council, who are also Charter Trustees, responsible for maintaining an ancient Royal Charter and Bath's civic traditions – it is from the Trustees that a Mayor of Bath is chosen.
However, everywhere else in B&NES, Parish Councils can choose to deliver services that improve their local area and for this, they are able to raise a precept through the Council Tax. Based on an average Band D property, this sees the average household paying, for example, £86.16 in Midsomer Norton, £96.79 in Westfield, £115.32 in Paulton and £133.85 in Radstock.
Bath residents, in comparison, currently pay just £6.58 to the Charter Trustees of the City of Bath. This is where the 'democratic deficit' which has been talked about, but never really shouted about, comes into its own. For example, Midsomer Norton Town Council currently looks after the Hollies Gardens, which comes out of Midsomer Norton Town Council taxpayers' local precept money, whereas work to the Parade Gardens, in Bath, is being paid for by B&NES – so paid for by all the residents, including those outside of Bath.
The consultation has come about as a result of feedback from local residents at the Bath City Conference. Leader of B&NES Council, Cllr Paul Crossley, (Lib-Dem, Southdown) says: "We are keen to know which option provides the easiest way for local people in Bath to have their voices heard on the issues that affect them."
The options are:
• No change
• A 'Voice for Bath' committee which would include co-opted stakeholders as well as B&NES elected members.
• The 'Parishing' of Bath – either a single Parish for the city or multiple Parishes for different parts of the city.
Under all options, B&NES would remain responsible for major services, such as schools, social care, planning, highways, etc.
Critics of the 'Voice for Bath' option say this could potentially be an expensive 'talking shop'. It is estimated that running such a committee would cost an estimated £1,500 for each meeting held and if it met six times a year, £9,000. However, the hidden costs could spiral, as Bath residents find their voice and start getting even more flower beds – with the funding coming out of the overall Bath and North East Somerset Council tax precept.
The Parishing of Bath would require a Community Governance Review and there are arguments for or against such an idea. Some Bath communities may feel that they would like to have more control over what happens to their part of the city, however, this will come at a cost, as new Parishes would then have to set a precept, such as the rest of North East Somerset. It could, however, create a real community identity with shared interests. But then, does Bath as a city become fragmented? And if you could choose between a tax bill of £6.58 as opposed to £133, which would you go for – particularly if you can get everyone else in B&NES to subsidise you!
Some residents may argue that if such Parishes really work well, they can provide good value for money. Perhaps they would rather have their own control over their communities, as opposed to the pomp and circumstance of a historic charter. A Community Governance Review could also cost around £100,000 and take between 6–12 months to undertake, something the Lib-Dems will most likely be uncomfortable launching with an election looming.
Everyone in Bath and North East Somerset is able to respond to the consultation, which can be found at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/community-representation">www.bathnes.gov.uk/community-representation
The results will be prepared as part of a report to the Council for its meeting on 11th September.
Running alongside this subject is also the debate for an elected Mayor for both Bath and North East Somerset. A petition has been raised, calling for a referendum on the subject with 7,000 signatures needed by the end of 2014. If this is achieved, the referendum would be held next May, at the same time as the General and local Council Elections and if residents were to vote 'yes', there would be a mayoral contest in October 2015 and whoever wins would then be Mayor for the area for the next four years.
Resident, Philip Raby, Chair of the campaign, 'Mayor for B&NES', has said: "The decisions made by the Council affect everyone in B&NES. Elected Mayors can rise above party politics and bureaucracy and get things done."