Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Democratic Services Officer will read out the emergency evacuation procedure as set out in the notes.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Alison Born and Cllr Paul Roper.

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 4.4 Appendix 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

There was no urgent business.

Questions submitted before the deadline will receive a reply from an appropriate Cabinet member or an undertaking to respond within 5 working days of the meeting.  For Special Meetings questions must relate to the items on the agenda.  Councillors may ask one supplementary question for each question they submit, up to a maximum of two per Councillor.

There were no questions from Councillors or members of the public.

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.  For Special Meetings statements must relate to the items on the agenda.  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.

David Redgewell – Transport Issues relating to Local Plan Options Document and Movement Strategy

This is a standing agenda item (Constitution rule 3.3.14) for matters referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny bodies.  The Chair of the relevant Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel will have the right to attend and to introduce the Panel’s recommendations to Cabinet.

No matters were referred by Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels.

The report seeks approval of a reset Local Plan options document for consultation commencing in October.

(1)  To approve the Reset Local Plan Options document (Appendix 1 of the report) for public consultation for a period of six weeks from 3^rd October to 14^th November 2025, subject to the amendments set out in the schedule to the revised officer recommendation.

(2)  To agree and authorise the Executive Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development and Communications and Community, to issue communications relating to the reset Local Plan Options and to undertake consultation as summarised in section 10 of the report and outlined in the communications and engagement plan (Appendix 2 of the report).

(3)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, to agree textual changes to the Options document (Appendix 1 of the report) prior to its publication for consultation.

Cllr Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, introduced the report, moved the updated officer recommendation and made the following points:

• Thanked officers for producing the consultation document within a compacted timescale.
• An options consultation had been launched last year but the change in government had resulted in a new housing calculator being brought forward.
• There had been an increase in housing targets for Bath and North East Somerset from 700 houses per year to 1500 (27,000 over 18 years).
• Anyone who had responded to the consultation last year would have their comments assessed as part of the new consultation.
• The new targets resulted in the Council’s 5-year land supply for housing being reduced to 2.7 years.
• The Council needed a robust Local Plan with a 5-year land supply for housing to avoid speculative development.
• The refreshed Local Plan would replace the existing plans and establish the framework in which planning decisions would be made until 2043. 
• The options document set out the spatial options for the local plan.  Four large strategic sites were being put forward by the Council: Hicks Gate, Keynsham North, West of Bath and Somer Valley.
• Identifying larger sites would allow a focus on infrastructure and sustainable development.
• All sites need to be tested against local knowledge and residents were encouraged to respond to the consultation to ensure the right houses were built in the right places.
• New policies were also proposed in relation to Retrofit First policy and HMO restrictions in Bath to protect affordable family homes.

Cllr Manda Rigby seconded the motion and emphasised that the consultation would be inclusive and focus on hard-to-reach groups.  This would include a ‘van with a plan’ which would be touring the area to host drop-in sessions, publicise the consultation, facilitate and encourage participation. She clarified that the consultation did not imply preference for any specific site.

Cllr Paul May acknowledged that the housing target was a huge challenge for Bath and North East Somerset.  He recognised the restrictions for developments within the city of Bath and spoke in support of larger developments to help unlock investment and benefit communities.  He agreed with the need to consult on all options but expressed concerns about developer proposals around Whitchurch Village which would change the character of the village. 

Cllr Sarah Warren emphasised the environmental benefits of the Local Plan reset including policies on Retrofit First, climate adaption, district heating, renewable energy, regenerative farming and the increase of biodiversity net gain from 10% to 20%.

Cllr Joel Hirst welcomed the approval of the options document for consultation and highlighted the need for appropriate transport infrastructure, building communities which had a balance of employment opportunities and appropriate social infrastructure and ensuring that affordable family housing was available across the district.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1)  To approve the Reset Local Plan Options document (Appendix 1 of the report) for public consultation for a period of six weeks from 3^rd October to 14^th November 2025, subject to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The Movement Strategy proposes a shift away from car dependency by improving alternatives such as walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the development of a Movement Strategy and to agree the proposed arrangements for public consultation.

(1)  To approve the development of a Movement Strategy.

(2)  To agree the strategic objectives for the Movement Strategy.  The objectives are creating a great quality place, improve travel choices and reduce private vehicular traffic.

(3)  To approve proceeding to public consultation from Tuesday 14^th October to Friday 28^th November 2025.

Cllr Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

• The Movement Strategy would provide the framework to support ‘Journey to Net Zero’ goals by addressing traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions.
• The strategy proposed rebalancing the traffic network and improving active travel and bus flow.
• The vision was a ‘virtuous circle’ of quality places, improved travel choices and reduced traffic.
• The strategy included short, medium, and long-term interventions and would help secure regional investment from WECA for schemes such as mass transitoptions, improved strategic travel corridors, improved rail networks with new stations and improved travel interchanges.
• The benefits of the strategy included better travel to work options, improved pedestrian safety, improved mobility in the city centre for all, better parking, more reliable bus networks, prioritised bus corridors, better real time travel information and expanded EV infrastructure.
• The consultation would run from 14 October to 28 November.

Cllr Sarah Warren seconded the motion and highlighted that the benefits were beyond carbon reduction and would have a positive impact on health, heritage and the economy.

Cllr Lucy Hodge welcomed the strategy, stating that it would provide a timely and comprehensive framework to prioritise activity, ensure schemes linked up and improve the quality of life for everyone. 

Cllr Matt McCabe referred to the timeliness of the strategy to coincide with the re-set of the Local Plan and encouraged everyone to engage with the public consultation.

Cllr Paul May referred to the trials around school streets and confirmed that he would be promoting the concept of school streets as part of this strategy.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1)  To approve the development of a Movement Strategy.

(2)  To agree the strategic objectives for the Movement Strategy.  The objectives are creating a great quality place, improve travel choices and reduce private vehicular traffic.

(3)  To approve proceeding to public consultation from Tuesday 14^th October to Friday 28^th November 2025.