Issue - meetings

Note: Councillor Grant Johnson Chaired the meeting from this point (Councillor Andy Wait left the meeting)

The Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, Councillor Matt McCabe introduced the item. He talked about middle ground growers.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Heijltjes asked about the partially accepted recommendation regarding a lead officer. The Cabinet Member stated that he will consider where it sits. The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency stated that the reason for the partial acceptance was that the funding is unclear at this stage.

Councillor Player stated that there are no allotments in Westmoreland Ward. There are houses with no gardens and flats but people deserve green space. The Cabinet Member for Built Environment stated that a suitable site would need to be put forward and he will take away her points.

Councillor Leach stated that he was on the Food Task Group and explained that they were constrained in what they could cover due to the remit and time available.

The Cabinet Member for Built Environment stated that it is a challenging time for farmers and it is important that we engage.

Councillor Johnson explained that there was a commitment to allotments in Paulton 14 years ago when the housing was built. He asked if there is a mechanism in the planning system to ensure these commitments are met. The Cabinet Member stated that this was completely unacceptable and he will see if there is something in the Local Plan to address this. The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency added that telling your MP is useful as the Government will be revamping policies. Councillor MacFie added that there is a mechanism – it can be put in as a ‘condition’ of a planning application.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members.