Issue - meetings

Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Change, introduced the report.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions

Councillor Heijltjes asked about access to play spaces emphasising the importance of safe, high-quality, and accessible play spaces for children, beyond just distance and area metrics. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that Sydney Gardens play area is now more accessible due to the Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme. The officer stated that high quality environments attract people which leads to natural surveillance.

Councillor Wait stated that there have been over 1000 new houses in Keynsham on the greenbelt since 2011 but no improvement to the woodland area. The Cabinet Project Lead agreed with the link of green spaces with new housing. He mentioned Keynsham Riverside.

Councillor Wait asked about the white area in the middle of the map shown. The Cabinet Project Lead stated that the vast majority of BANES has access but we are trying to bring in as many parts as possible.

Councillor Wait stated that he was unsure what benefit a green flag is to a park. The lack of Green Flag parks in some areas was noted; officers will liaise with the parks department to address this.

Councillor Hounsell stated that it was an excellent report. He was conscious of the Local Plan which would likely produce change in BANES – more people would be living in North East Somerset than Bath. He stated that Saltford Parish Council are pushing for land development and that he was reassured that this is the beginning.

Councillor Heijltjes asked if food growing is covered. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that the plan links with the council’s food strategy to support community food growing initiatives.

Councillor Walker asked if landowners are approached. The Cabinet Project Lead explained that planning policy and Section 106 agreements are used to secure green spaces in new developments, with ongoing efforts to encourage private landowners and developers to prioritise nature.

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked about Future of Bathscape. The officer explained that the Bathscape programme will continue under the new Landscape City initiative, with ongoing funding bids and integration of green and blue infrastructure.

The Chair asked for a report back in the future and thanked the Cabinet Project Lead and Officer.