Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillors and members of the public may register their intention to make a statement if they notify the subject matter of their statement before the deadline.  Statements are limited to 3 minutes each.  The speaker may then be asked by Cabinet members to answer factual questions arising out of their statement.

Six members of the public made statements regarding the Core Strategy, statements were taken under item 7 on the agenda.

Cabinet will be asked to consider the Core Strategy for recommendation to Full Council

David Redgewell (Transport South West) in a statement fully supported the approval of the Core Strategy and urged the Council to upgrade the bus service as part of the Core Strategy.

Robert Hellard (Vice-Chair, South Stoke Parish Council) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 1 and on the Council’s website] asked that the Core Strategy be set aside while a new plan is formed that would save the green surroundings of the City.

Councillor Tim Ball asked if Mr Hellard had understood that if the Core Strategy was not passed, it may be 6-7 years before another plan is brought back. Mr Hellard stated that he did not understand why a simple change in policy would take that long.

Peter Duppa-Miller (Clerk, Combe Hay Parish Council) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council’s website] put forward the views of Combe Hay Parish Council on the Core Strategy.

Caroline Kay (Chief Executive, Bath Preservation Trust) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council’s website] stated that the Trust is opposed to the removal from Bath’s green belt of the areas proposed in the Core Strategy.

Mr Elcome-Thorpe (Friends of Breaches Gate Group – East Keynsham) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council’s website] stated his opposition to the building on green belt land between East Keynsham and Saltford.

Peter Holland (Friends of Breaches Gate Group – East Keynsham) in a statement explained his opposition to the building on green belt land around Breaches Gate where a spirit of place exists.

Councillor Crossley thanked everyone for their statements.

Councillor Tim Ball introduced the item by thanking the speakers, officers, Parish Councillors and members of the public for all the hours of work around the Core Strategy. He pointed to the substantial consultation that had taken place throughout the process. He explained that the Core Strategy must either be adopted or rejected. Regarding the Odd Down and South Stoke areas, he explained that the inspector had given careful consideration to the issue and found this to be the most appropriate solution. He further explained that the Core Strategy is not just about homes but jobs, workplaces, schools and transport and also how we live and bring up our children. He explained the importance of housing Bath’s children in the future. Councillor Ball went on to report that the Core Strategy sought maximum use of brownfield land (80%) and had sought to bring empty properties into use. He explained that the inspector had analysed every detail meticulously.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor Crossley seconded the proposal and explained that the Cabinet were not making the decision on the Core Strategy but deciding on whether to recommend it to full Council. He thanked Simon de Beer and his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.