Issue - meetings

An officer briefing note on this subject had been circulated to Members.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, it was

RESOLVED that

Council:

·  Notes the resolution on fracking adopted by Council on 11 July 2013.

·  Reiterates its serious concerns about the potential impact of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, as well as geothermal exploitation, within Bath and North East Somerset, in particular relating to:

a.  The vulnerability of the hot springs which supply Bath's spa water and the potential risk to the supply of hot spring water and to the water table overall.

b.  Its potential impact in an area significantly covered by Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site.

c.  The importance of protecting the reservoir water supply in the Chew Valley.

Council resolves:

·  To request that the Leader of Council and Chief Executive once again formally register the concerns of Council relating to unconventional gas exploration and extraction and geothermal exploitation within Bath and North East Somerset and neighbouring areas with the Department for Energy & Climate Change.

·  To request an update to Council from Officers and the Cabinet on this issue with regard to the Placemaking Plan and measures available to the Council to control, and if appropriate prevent, the use of unconventional gas exploration and extraction and geothermal exploitation within B&NES.

·  To request that the Leader conveys Council’s concerns to the Members of Parliament for Bath and North East Somerset.

·  To continue to work with Somerset County Council and other neighbouring authorities, and national Government, to examine the technical and environmental issues involved in unconventional gas exploration and extraction and geothermal exploitation.

·  To continue to support the development of renewable energy systems and improved energy efficiency in Bath and North East Somerset as set out in the draft Core Strategy in order to help achieve the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources of energy.

[Notes:

1.  Opening the debate, Councillor Dine Romero moved an updated motion from that circulated with the agenda, emphasising their serious concerns associated with fracking.  This motion was replaced with the successful Conservative amendment, which then became the substantive motion on a vote of 31 Councillors in favour and 26 against.

2.  The substantive motion was carried, with 31 Councillors voting in favour, and 26 against.

3.  During debate, there was a successful motion to move to the vote.

4.  During the debate, various procedural points were raised and addressed.]