The Better Bath Forum

Response to Conclusions of BetterBath Forum meeting 18 June 2008

The third meeting of BetterBath on 18 June discussed Sustaining Bath’s economy – what needs to change? The key points which emerged in the discussion are summarised below, together with the responses to the Forum conclusions provided by B&NES Council and Bath Spa University .

Participants in the debate agreed with Colin Skellett’s analysis of the problems faced by the city’s economy and his conclusion that ‘doing nothing is not an option’. Bath is in competition, for new jobs and for Government funding for transport and other infrastructure improvements, with other towns and cities in the South West and beyond: the city therefore needs to be very clear about its aspirations, and to communicate these aspirations effectively to central and regional government bodies. It also needs to develop and demonstrate a coherent and consistent approach to deciding on development proposals.

Cities which attract and retain successful businesses need to offer modern office accommodation; high quality housing at a cost commensurate with salaries; efficient and affordable transport; high quality public realm; and a lively cultural scene. Bath does not compare well with leading cities in the UK and Europe on these criteria, although it has the potential to be among the best. If it is to capitalise on its natural and architectural assets, it must cherish and enhance what makes it unique, including its diverse independent retail sector and its Rugby Club based in the city centre. And it must smarten up the run-down scruffy public realm.

The meeting heard that thanks to its two strong universities Bath was well-placed to create new businesses, particularly in the knowledge-based and creative industry sectors. However new businesses struggle to find suitable office premises, and there is evidence that growing businesses are forced to locate their expansion elsewhere or to relocate away from Bath altogether.

Several speakers pointed to the need for economic regeneration to focus on all sectors of the population, not just the highly skilled. Concern was expressed about the risk of exacerbating divisions between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.

Speakers questioned whether Bath is thinking widely enough about the longer-term future. Do we understand the need to change our lifestyle in order to reduce carbon emissions? Are we prepared for the implications of substantially higher fuel and food prices?

So what needs to change if Bath’s economy is to be sustainable in the medium to long term?

Forum conclusion 1

B&NES Council and the B&NES Initiative (representing the business community) are working closely together to address some of the issues identified in the discussion. But the city is widely considered to be resistant to change, and this deters potential public and private sector investment. If Bath is to present a united front to the rest of the world, a wider understanding and acceptance of the need for change is needed, and better processes, embracing all sectors of the community, need to be developed to encourage consensus. The Council and the Initiative should state what further steps they think they could take to improve dialogue about economic and social regeneration issues across the community as a whole (business, education, culture, leisure, residents, heritage, the third (voluntary) sector). If there is a need for other organisations to take parallel or complementary action, what steps will the Council and the Initiative take to encourage them to do so?

B&NES response

Significant stakeholder and public engagement took place between 2005 and 2008 as part of the development of the Future for Bath & North East Somerset visions http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/future. The Futures work sought to identify the economic, social and environmental strengths and weaknesses of the district and the opportunities for improvement. The engagement process sought to stimulate discussion and ideas about the future regeneration needs of the area. A summary report of the engagement process will shortly be available on the Futures website.

The Council and the business community already work closely in a variety of areas, most recently in the formation of Future Bath Plus which will, over time, play a very significant part in improving life in Bath. Future Bath Plus and its Advisory Boards are made up of representatives from all areas of the City and will therefore be perfectly positioned to gather views and information upon which decisions will be based.

The Council hosts the Bath & North East Somerset Local Strategic Partnership, the ‘partnership of partnerships’ for our area upon which the Initiative sit. This forum brings together representatives of the social, environmental and economic stakeholders in the city, including residents, community groups and businesses, with our key public sector bodies. The Local Strategic Partnership has driven work recently undertaken on the Local Area Agreement, a tool given to Local Authorities by Central Government enabling local areas to define their own improvement priorities and set local targets. The Local Strategic Partnership will now review the Community Strategy which sets out the area’s vision and priorities through an open discussion on economic and social regeneration issues amongst others.

The partnership networks have been established to ensure the Council has a practical mechanism through which to engage with the many communities. The Council encourages members of the Local Strategic Partnership and its subsidiary partnerships to pass on the debates they hear to the partnerships, organisations and individuals they represent. For example the Bath & North East Somerset Learning Partnership regularly considers the skills and learning needs of existing employers together with future forecasts for economic growth and how providers of education and training can prepare and respond to these needs. In turn, members of the Learning Partnership communicate topics, for example, the Community Strategy, to their own networks and ensure that their own organisations respond appropriately.

The Council are working with their delivery partners, GWE Business West, and the private sector to ensure that local businesses have the opportunity to input into civic life, either through strategic planning, events or staff development activity. Creative Bath brings together those working within the knowledge economy of Bath & North East Somerset in businesses ranging from architecture to media and IT. Whilst in the early stages, attendance at Creative Bath meetings have increased at each meeting held with attendees expressing great enthusiasm at getting involved. Creative Bath will have a virtual hub at www.creativebath.org, currently under development.

Forum conclusion 2

The scale of potential development in the city, particularly along the river corridor, is huge. Clear and coherent planning policies, applied consistently and effectively, will be essential to ensure high-quality developments. However the Council’s published plans for the Local Development Framework do not refer to Supplementary Planning Documents for any of the key development sites except Western Riverside. The Council should state what mechanisms they will use to ensure that major new developments are designed to high standards which preserve and enhance Bath’s special character.

B&NES response

The Local Development Framework will set out policies and standards in which the community will have an opportunity to provide input   The Council has undertaken planning training with parishes to help those parishes understand the planning process and the plans being developed to ensure local people are best equipped to engage in consultation on the Local Development Framework. Extensive consultation throughout the Local Development Framework process will enable the Council to take account of the views of the area’s residents.

The Chamber and Initiative have supported the creation of Bath Architecture – a group made up of committed professionals with a keen interest in promoting high quality design. It will act as an expert watchdog and will contribute to debate in which the Chamber and Initiative will continue to have an active presence.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is the organisation which advises government on architecture, urban design and public space. The Council engages with CABE through the Local Development Framework Process.

In addition, the Urban Regeneration Panel which comprises six national and international experts on heritage, urbanism, architecture, regeneration, housing, transport and sustainability provides the Council with independent expert advice on a range of regeneration and development issues, not least on the quality of development proposals.

Forum conclusion 3

A healthy economy needs to provide job opportunities for everyone of working age. Bath is fortunate in having high-performing schools, the City of Bath College which seeks to support the skills needs of local employers, two strong universities and potentially the new DysonSchool of Design and Innovation. But the meeting felt that more is needed to help people on the bottom rung of the ladder. Can the B&NES Initiative, Business West, the City of Bath College, the University of Bath and Bath Spa University identify further ways in which Bath’s successful businesses and education establishments can help people who fall through the cracks in the system?

B&NES response

Representatives from the City of Bath College and the University of Bath sit on Chamber of Commerce committees and are therefore in an excellent position to link the needs of business with the world of education. The issue of increasing the education and skills of the lower performing section of the population is of great interest. Business members of the Initiative and the Chambers of Commerce are keen to engage with the Council and educational institutions as projects and initiatives arise.

The City of Bath College, Bath Spa University and the University of Bath, sit alongside Norton Radstock College, the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus and the Council, including the Council’s Community Learning Service and Training Services, on the Learning Partnership. The organisations on the Learning Partnership collaborate across a wide learning and skills remit addressing 14 – 19 education, adult and older learners and engaging with employers. The remit of the Learning Partnership is to promote provider collaboration and to support economic development and regeneration.

An example of recent collaboration is the setting up by the Learning Partnership of the Skills for Southgate consortium, to respond to the skill needs arising from the Southgate development. The City of Bath and Norton Radstock colleges, the Council and Jobcentre Plus are working together to produce a training offer for local people to enable them to secure jobs arising from the new development (‘Get Ready For Southgate’). They also took part in an event for construction sub-contractors and produced a leaflet for construction and related sector employers, outlining what services could be offered and how employers could secure trained staff.

The Consortium is supporting the West@Work sub-regional initiative which seeks to offer training opportunities to unemployed people and those living in deprived areas. The providers work closely together to ensure that there are pathways through which those with few or no qualifications can progress e.g. a short taster opportunity delivered in the community by the Community Learning Service, to a level 2 qualification in a college, to an Access Course in a college which prepares students without formal ‘A’ level qualifications to go to university, to Level 3 qualification courses which prepare you for university entrance.

Learning Partnership members also recognise that often for people with few qualifications, one of the ways back into learning and subsequently to training for jobs, is via short courses. They have collaborated to produce a joint prospectus, ‘Learning for Life: Learning for Relaxation: Learning for Skills’. This promotes a range of short, introductory courses, delivered by a number of providers, but all in one booklet, which is designed to encourage people to continue to learn or to get back into learning.

In addition there have been specific initiatives undertaken by providers to meet the needs of those who are least qualified. Over the past 2 years curriculum provision for young people at the City of Bath College has been developed to better meet the needs of those who have failed to achieve the ‘minimum’ standard (i.e. 5 GCSEs A-C grades) at schools. Provision now includes a greater range of what could be described as re-engagement activity. For instance they offer an Entry to Employment programme targeted at the most disengaged, a Pathways to Employment and Training programme for young people requiring level 1 and basic skills training. The College has also introduced a pre-apprenticeship programme aimed at arming young people with the skills needed to progress onto apprenticeship programmes. Curriculum development at the College over the next two year will focus very much on ensuring those who did not achieve the ‘minimum’ standard are catered for.

In terms of adult learning, the College has responded to government priorities by introducing the new Train to Gain programme which provides free training for employers to train their workers who do not hold a level 2 (i.e. minimum standard) qualification. The College also intends to expand its literacy and numeracy provision across the City and beyond.

The Learning Partnership has also facilitated the sharing of information and employer contacts among the colleges and the universities who are involved in the Train to Gain programme, to ensure that there is a clear, joined up approach to these developments across Bath and North East Somerset. This has included joint working among colleges, employers and universities on improving vocational pathways to higher qualifications, through the Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network, based at BathUniversity. Take-up by businesses of the free training offered to employees without a Level 2 qualification, is one of the best ways in which businesses can help those on the bottom rung of the qualification ladder to move up.

Work has also been undertaken with the council’s Adult Services and the Learning and Skills Council to improve the vocational training and employment options for adults with learning difficulties or disabilities, who are often in danger of being left out of employment options. Training providers and businesses working together to provide appropriate employment opportunities for those with learning difficulties or disabilities is another way in which those at the bottom of the qualification ladder can take part in employment and contribute to the economy and the community.

The Learning Partnership will continue to promote provider collaboration to ensure that the resources available for education and training are used to deliver the best possible opportunities for the citizens of Bath & North East Somerset. This year it will increase its links to economic development and regeneration and will seek to improve its links with employers to make doubly sure that the education and training on offer meets local needs.

The importance of skills provision and the need to address this at sub-regional level is reflected in the establishment of the West of England Employment and Skills Board. This brings together key organisations and the private sector to provide strategic co-ordination in addressing worklessness, skills development and pathways into work.

Forum conclusion 4

Does the Council agree with the views of many at the meeting that a step change in the way we live and work will be required to adapt to the pressures of climate change and the declining availability of oil? If so, what steps does the Council consider should be taken to help people understand the implications, and what role could/should local groups play?

B&NES response

A significant and long term change in the way we live and work is required to adapt to the pressures of climate change and the declining availability of oil. It is, however, crucial for the successful implementation of that change that all members of our community are involved in the change process. This requires a significant programme of education, not only for residents but for our businesses and to inform future development plans.

It has been recognised that Bath & North East Somerset’s work on environmental sustainability, which is very strong in the area of domestic waste management, needs to be further developed to tackle climate change. The Council has launched an assessment of its carbon footprint with the Carbon Trust to identify those actions it can take that will have the most impact. In addition, through the Local Strategic Partnership, the Council is working with the Primary Care Trust, the Police, the Universities and Somer Housing on “Our Big Energy Challenge". The results of this Challenge are being monitored through target setting within the government performance framework the Local Area Agreement, with future target development planned to reflect carbon reduction within the community.

The Council has been working to promote sustainability within schools including working with pupils, but also reflected within the design of new schools which are working towards a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. Future development will implement sustainability guidelines, including a minimum level of Code for Sustainable Homes 3 for all publicly supported developments.

The Council has been instrumental in the Urban Buzz programme which is designed to share knowledge, stimulate thinking and to bring the idea of sustainable communities within our grasp. The seminars aimed to facilitate the adoption of recent and emerging Government policies relating to sustainability in the built environment sectors; and to identify and comment on practical difficulties in implementing sustainability policies. The Government’s recently published ‘Strategy for Sustainable Construction’ sets out the commitment from the industry to work towards the vision of leading the world in sustainable construction by reducing its carbon footprint and its consumption of natural resources.

Forum conclusion 5

There is an urgent need to improve the public realm in Bath, both in the city centre and more widely. Major redesign of many of the important spaces in the city centre is required – the area in front of the Guildhall is one example. The Council should set out its proposals, including the planned timetable, for comprehensive upgrading of the public realm.

B&NES response

The Council has commissioned a Public Realm and Movement Strategy for Bath City Centre which proposes an overall Grand Plan for the public realm to be delivered incrementally over the next 10-15 years and a range of measures to rebalance movement within the centre in favour of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The ultimate aim of the Strategy is to create a canvas for public life and wellbeing within the city, which also contributes to a sustainable economy and an enhanced reputation for the city and wider district. The Strategy will include an action plan which focuses on a range of measures which, with the required funding, can be delivered over the next 5 years. The Strategy will hopefully be available by the end of July and will be published on both the Council and the Future for Bath & North East Somerset websites.

The business community has been kept fully informed of the work being undertaken to plan improvements in the public realm. Future Bath Plus will be able to play a part in suggesting priority areas and also to assist in the delivery of elements such as enhanced paving, which will play a part in raising the standards of our environment.

Forum conclusion 6

Simple steps should be taken now to improve cleanliness across the city, without waiting for major investment. The Council and Future Bath Plus should set out their short-term plans for cleaning up the city centre and improving standards of cleanliness across the whole of the city.

B&NES response

The recently appointed City Centre Manager is gathering information and views from all interested parties and he will working on a list of priority areas for action which will be set out as soon as practicable. We believe it is right to take time to assess needs and to establish a practical approach to addressing them.

Forum conclusion 7

Regeneration of the London Road area could make a huge difference to an important gateway to the city, to the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike.   The Council should state whether it considers that comprehensive regeneration of the London Road area is feasible.

B&NES response

The question of regeneration of the London Road area must be considered in the wider context of Bath & North East Somerset. The Council have identified specific social and economic improvement priorities within the areas of South West Bath and Midsomer Norton and Radstock.

The Council need to work with the local community to understand their needs and ensure these are represented in the revision to the Sustainable Community Strategy. A more considered response to the needs of London Road and how these can be addressed to ensure the area contributes to the overall regeneration of Bath needs to be established.

Response from BathSpaUniversity

Ways in which BathSpaUniversity can help people who ‘fall through the cracks in the system’

BathSpaUniversity is one of the first major 'teaching-led' universities. This means that we place the highest possible emphasis on teaching quality for all levels of students, and we put the student at the very centre of our activities. From Fashion Design to Human Nutrition, and from Foundation Degrees to Honours Degrees, we have many great courses.

The University pitches its entry requirements so that the courses are accessible to students from an increasingly wide range of backgrounds and cultures to form an educational community that supports equality of opportunity for all. At BathSpaUniversity we provide an environment in which students' academic and welfare needs are addressed with professionalism and care.

Widening Participation

A significant number of students come to Bath Spa University after having been out of formal education for a number of years. Their reasons for wanting to study at university are many: it might be a long-held desire to study a particular subject for personal fulfilment; an opportunity to further develop their career; an opportunity to make a fresh start in a new career or they may have just missed out on the opportunity when they were younger.

For many years BathSpaUniversity has welcomed students from these groups and currently around 30% of our undergraduate students are ‘mature’, that is to say over 21 years on the 30 August of their year of entry. Some do not have traditional university entry qualifications such as A-levels, and for some candidates we are prepared to take their work experience, general educational background and life experiences into account by assessing what is known as ‘prior learning’ (APL) and ‘prior experiential learning’ (APEL) as a foundation for study in higher education. Many, however, come to the university through ‘Access to Higher Education’ courses. This highly recommended route into higher education is an excellent preparation for university entry for those without formal qualifications. Access to Higher Education courses are available in a number of our local Further Education Colleges.

As with standard age students, eligible mature students are entitled to the full Government student financial package, BathSpaUniversity bursaries and scholarships. The University also offers specialised support for these groups of students, including advisors on hand at the mature and Access student drop-in centre on our main Campus Open Days and a tailored range of summer schools to ease their transition into university life.

Many people are ‘in danger of falling through the cracks’ before they have even finished their education. Through its Widening Participation Programme, BathSpaUniversity undertakes activities such as mentoring in schools, starting even at primary school level, to engage disaffected youngsters with the concept of higher education.

Foundation Degrees

BathSpaUniversity provides a range of foundation degrees, many with further education partners in the Wessex Partnership. These are two-year vocational qualifications.   They are attractive to a diverse range of students, including mature students and those from socio-economic backgrounds that, historically, have been under-represented in higher education.

Foundation degrees also offer opportunities for those in work who wish to update their skills and knowledge or to change career. Students have the choice of going into employment at the end of their two-year course, or of progressing to the third year of an appropriate honours degree course.

Information about the range of Bath Spa University Foundation Degrees provided in the vicinity of the city is available from:

Institution

Address

Website

BathSpaUniversity

NewtonPark

Newton St Loe

Bath BA2 9BN

www.bathspa.ac.uk

City of BathCollege

Avon Street

Bath BA1 1UP

www.citybathcoll.ac.uk

NortonRadstockCollege

SouthHillPark

Radstock

BA3 3RW

www.nortcoll.ac.uk

City of BristolCollege

College Green Centre

St George’s Road

Bristol BS1 5UA

www.cityofbristol.ac.uk

Enabling People to Transform their Existing Skills for Increased Employability

BathSpaUniversity adds to the professionalism of teaching and early years provision in Bath by being the largest provider in the region of the Post Graduate Certificate in Education and the Early Years Professional Status qualifications. Many candidates on these courses are realising long-held ambitions to enter these professions and since many are – and stay – local to Bath, they make a huge and direct contribution to educational standards locally.

BathSpaUniversity also provides training opportunities for those who may have skills, experience and knowledge which they would like to share with others, or those who would like to make a contribution to their community by helping a diverse range of people to learn. For example, our programme ‘Get into Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector’ helps people to use their existing skills to get into teaching in the further education colleges, adult and community learning centres, work-based learning in businesses and organisations, the voluntary sector, hospitals, the prison service and the armed forces. The courses operate in partnership with further education colleges, so there is likely to be a provider local to most people.

In addition, we work with the South West Higher Skills Project to offer flexible, customer-led and cost effective training that is accessible to those that need it. The aim of the project is to encourage professional development and the up-skilling of the workforce in the South West in order to remain competitive in both the national and international economic market place.

Comments will be vetted for offensive or inappropriate content:
see privacy statement.

Past meeting

Proponent's Response

Comments

Add your comments

Register your interest

Suggest a subject