Issue - meetings

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

The Chairman made reference to the Public Questions document which had been circulated to the meeting.

Joy Burt made a statement and handed in a petition of over 400 signatures calling for a ceiling on student numbers in the world heritage city of Bath.

Mr Ellis made a brief statement and handed in a petition of over 300 signatures concerning traffic problems on the Wellsway in Keynsham.

Jane Fox, on behalf of Tom Moat, made a statement supporting the continuation of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and objecting to the changes proposed to the funding.  In response to a question from Councillor Michael Evans about whether Ms Fox was aware that Academies are responsible for their own funding, she explained she was aware, but that take up was still far higher in private schools than in state schools which made it exclusive and more difficult to deliver.  In response to a question from Councillor Lisa Brett about the effect on smaller charities, Ms Fox responded that the changes to funding would make it very difficult for smaller groups to deliver.  Councillor Jackson expressed concern and queried whether the programme delivered through the Radstock Youth Centre would be affected, Ms Fox confirmed that it would apply to the Youth Centre who would need to provide the £1100 per annum and take on the additional workload.

Giles Denning made a statement supporting the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.  In response to a question from Councillor Michael Evans about whether Mr Denning was aware that he was working with officers to alleviate the cuts and it looked likely they would be able to continue with licensing and possibly other arrangements, Mr Denning said that he was not aware.

Nigel Whitfield, a volunteer Duke of Edinburgh Leader, made a statement about the benefits of open award centres.

Jemma Rowlandson made a statement also in support of open award centres, explaining that she had recently achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award at one such centre.  In response to a question from Councillor Lisa Brett about whether she felt volunteers at open award centres would have the confidence to deliver the programme without the backing of the Local Authority, Ms Rowlandson responded that she felt it was important to have Local Authority support and backing.

Nigel Sherwin made a statement about cycling on the London Road and the Gateway scheme, Bath.  A full copy of his statement is linked to the minutes online.  In response to a question from Councillor Lin Patterson about whether his views had support of others, Mr Sherwin responded that over 1200 people had signed a petition when it was originally proposed, and all the cycling clubs avoid the London Road when possible although there isn’t really an alternative route.

Bryn Jones, Chair of Transition Larkhall, made a statement, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes, suggesting measures to reduce congestion and poor air quality on the A4/London Road into Bath.  In response to a question from Councillor Lin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58