Issue - meetings

Cabinet to consider the Placemaking Plan options document for public consultation

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] welcomed the progress made and acknowledged the attention shown to those who had responded during the public consultation period; but observed that some surplus sites had still not been disposed of and she felt that too little attention had been given to issues of drainage and flooding in Radstock.  She appealed to Cabinet to improve the rail, broadband and road infrastructures.

Councillor Ben Stevens asked whether Councillor Jackson was more satisfied having read the Economic Strategy, which spoke of improving the economy of the rural areas.  Councillor Jackson agreed that, as far as it went, it was good enough but she wanted to see more.

Colin Currie (Radstock Action Group) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council's website] expressed concern at the omission of the railway from the Placemaking Plan and appealed to the Cabinet to give equal weight to industry as to housing.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement welcomed the document but made several observations and suggested amendments which may be seen in his notes [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 11 and on the Council's website]

Peter Duppa-Miller in an ad hoc statement offered to take a copy of the Plan for display at Combe Hay Public Library.

Councillor Tim Ball in proposing the item, acknowledged the points raised by Councillor Eleanor Jackson.  He emphasised that the proposal was to move to a public consultation period and asked people to respond to the consultation.  He asked Councillor Gerrish to provide him with a copy of his notes, so that the points he had made could be incorporated into the document.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal and said that 58% of people supported the provision of social housing.  He felt that the Placemaking Plan was a central function of local government.

Councillor Paul Crossley reminded the meeting that the document presented options; it was not fixed in stone.  The Cabinet was determined to deliver on housing and jobs.  He commended Councillor Tim Ball and the officers on the quality of the first draft of the document and observed that final delivery would be the responsibility of the Council which would be elected in May 2015.

Councillor Tim Ball in summing up emphasised that he was eager to improve social housing provision.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the B&NES Placemaking Plan Options document for public consultation;

(2) To AGREE the proposed consultation strategy; and

(3) To DELEGATE responsibility to the Divisional Director for Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning to make minor textual amendments to the consultation documents prior to publication.