Agenda item

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.

Dima Albadra, a student in Bath, addressed the meeting.  She explained that she herself was a refugee from Syria, as she had come here 5 years ago before the war started, and was now unable to return.  She called on B&NES to accept refugees to the area.  She acknowledged that, although they would need support for the first year or so, they would nevertheless be keen to make a positive contribution to society and Dima herself would be happy to assist with the integration process.  In response to a question from Councillor Dine Romero about whether Dima considered the Government was doing enough, she responded that, although the Government was contributing through oversees aid, refugees needed more than just their physical requirements met, they needed to establish a full life in a society.  In response to a question from Councillor Sarah Bevan about the single most important thing refugees needed, Dima asked for constant support for refugees who have been in a terrible situation.  Councillor Jonathan Carr asked Dima for her hopes for life in the UK, she responded that she wanted to contribute to society, until it was safe for her to return home.

Councillor Joe Rayment raised a point of order (rule 4A, 34) to invite the Group Leaders of groups with at least 20% of Council seats to indicate if they required a 10 minute debate on the submission.  Agreement was given by Councillors Tim Warren and Dine Romero so the Council was invited to debate the question “What can B&NES best do to support the Syrian refugees?”  Councillors Joe Rayment, Shaun McGall, Tim Warren, Lisa Brett, Eleanor Jackson, Jonathan Carr spoke in the debate.

Following the debate, 2 petitions were handed in calling for Bath to offer homes to refugees.

Mrs Lawrence presented a petition regarding a reduction to the 716 bus service, and spoke in support of the petition.  [The full statement is attached to the minutes online.]  In response to a question from Councillor Tony Clarke querying whether Mrs Lawrence was aware that the Council does not have regulatory authorisation over bus companies, she responded that she was not aware of that, but had been told that the change was made by the Council not the bus company.  Councillor Neil Butters asked whether Mrs Lawrence was aware of how many people used the 716 service; she responded that she did not have the numbers, but the ones she used were quite busy by the end of the journey.  In response to a question from Councillor Sarah Bevan about whether any consultation had taken place with bus users, Mrs Lawrence replied that there had not been any to her knowledge.  Councillor Jonathan Carr enquired whether the area was served by a Dial-a-Ride service or community buses; Mrs Lawrence explained that Dial-a-Ride was available but that it was often too busy to respond.  The statement and petition were referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

David Redgewell addressed Council about MetroWest which was now moving into the 2^nd phase.  He stressed the need to ensure that it was future proof in connecting Bath into the wider region.  His comments were referred to the Cabinet member for Transport.