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.

There were no statements from the public made at this meeting, although Members noted the statements made at the virtual meeting on 17^th November 2021;

https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/documents/g6059/Public%20minutes%2017th-Nov-2021%2018.30%20Council.pdf?T=11

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.

Statements were made by the following members of the public;

Ellie Maher made a statement to Council in support of the Carbon tax motion on the agenda.  A full copy of the statement is available linked to the online minutes.

Adam Reynolds made a statement calling upon the Council to set up a cross-party Climate Emergency Transport Board.  A full copy of the statement is available linked to the online minutes. Councillor Grant Johnson asked Mr Reynolds why he considered that a cross-party group would succeed when the Council had taken action with the Liveable Neighbourhoods initiative.  Mr Reynolds responded that the group proposed, being cross-party, would not be held up by the effect of election cycle.

Saskia Heijltjes made a statement to Council about cycling in Bath and welcoming the Liveable Neighbourhoods initiative. A full copy of the statement is available linked to the online minutes.  In response to a query from Councillor Sarah Warren about meeting her to engage on mutual goals, Ms Heijltjes explained that she had politely declined that meeting, as she preferred to engage through democratic fora such as the Active Travel and Accessibility forum.

Barbara Gordon made a statement to Council in support of the Carbon tax motion on the agenda.  A full copy of the statement is available linked to the online minutes.  In response to a query from Councillor Robin Moss about whether Ms Gordon considered carbon pricing to be an adequate substitute for carbon tax, Ms Gordon replied that she did not.

David Redgewell made a statement to Council about transport issues.  He remained concerned about accessing funds through WECA, but that was the necessary route.  He called for action on bringing the current bus consultation to more residents’ attention and for it to be extended until 20^th.  He highlighted the upcoming South Western Railway conference and consideration for how young people who don’t have access to blue badges can get into Bath.  There were no questions but Councillor Kevin Guy confirmed that he would ask for the consultation extension.

Vipul Patel made a statement to Council about the Administration’s approach to the climate emergency.  He praised the approach that had been taken for the first two years, for its clarity of thought, leadership and action but considered that, following the Administration change in June 2021, events had taken a negative turn.   He called on those who shared his view to hold the Administration to account and ask for the cross-party climate group to be established.  Councillor Kevin Guy referenced a mention that Mr Patel had made to Citizen’s Juries and asked him whether he considered these undemocratic, to which Mr Patel replied that he did.

The Chair thanked all the speakers for their statements.