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 complete the green interest forms circulated to groups in their pre-meetings (which will be announced at the Council Meeting) 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 Liz Hardman and Ruth Malloy declared an interest in item 7 – Food Poverty Action Plan – as members of the Food Poverty Steering Group.

The Chairman informed Council of the death of former Keynsham Town Councillor Tony Crouch, who had served on the Town Council for 21 years, and was also a member of the Standards Committee.  He extended the Council’s sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends.  The Council held a minute’s silence.

The Chairman invited the Leader of the Council to make a statement, on behalf of the four Group Leaders, to all Council staff recognising their tireless work throughout the pandemic, from front line services to those behind the scenes.  She expressed heartfelt thanks to staff for going above and beyond their normal exemplary level during this difficult period.

At the Chairman’s discretion, the Leader updated Council on the latest covid situation in Bath & North East Somerset.  She explained that, although case numbers were reducing with 380 cases (per 100K population) from 500 last week, and we are largely doing the right thing, this is still putting pressure on our health services and we must remain vigilant and still stay at home wherever possible.  The Council is aware of the effect on mental wellbeing and highlighted the support available.  She explained that the community hub had taken nearly 11,000 calls since its inception and continues to triage those in need with a variety of support.  Councillor Romero concluded by thanking all our partners and volunteer groups, and the hard work of Councillors in supporting residents.

If there is any urgent business arising since the formal agenda was published, the Chair will announce this and give reasons why it has been agreed for consideration at this meeting. In making this decision, the Chair will, where practicable, have consulted with the Leaders of the Political Groups. Any documentation on urgent business will be circulated at the meeting, if not made available previously.

There were no items of urgent business.

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;

Luke John Emmett made a statement expressing concern about his perception of a lack of arts and cultural representation in the B&NES One Shared Vision consultation.  He outlined the many ways the arts had enriched people’s lives during the pandemic and called for arts and culture to be placed at the heart of any future vision for the city. A full copy of Luke’s statement, which had been circulated to Members, is available linked to the minutes. Councillor Dine Romero invited Luke to meet Councillor Paul Crossley and herself to explore how his suggestions could be progressed.  Luke welcomed this proposal. The Chairman referred the statement to the Cabinet Member.

David Redgewell made a statement about transport issues, a copy of which had been circulated to Members and is linked to the minutes.  He raised various concerns including precepting WECA powers, bus drivers without screens, the light rail project and the status of North Somerset joining WECA.  Councillor Neil Butters asked David to email him about the screen issues so he could follow up.  He also asked David if he was aware that the 3^rd tranche of the railway fund is about to open, with a strong bid for Saltford station.  David replied that he would fully support that, and hopefully it would also be supported by the WECA Mayor and MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.  Councillor Paul Myers asked David to clarify the issues regarding bollard design in Bath which David had raised in his written statement.  He responded that the consultation is now closed but they were concerned about partially sighted and disabled people being able to navigate the bollards.  The Chairman referred the statement to the Cabinet Member.

Martin Grixoni made a statement about the rollout of 5G in Bath but raising concern about various recent planning decisions and the reasons behind non-approval.  He expressed concern about Bath’s reputation nationally as this had received negative press coverage.  Councillor Dine Romero clarified that the Planning Committee was not the Authority’s Administration.  Councillor Tim Ball asked Martin if he was aware of the existing permissions for 5G masts in Bath, some of which were already installed.  Martin replied that he was aware, but remained concerned that health reasons were being cited to turn down applications.  Councillor Paul Myers asked if Martin considered the adverse publicity had damaged the reputation of the city as an attractive business location, to which Martin replied that he did.  Councillor Grant Johnson asked Martin if he considered it was appropriate, at a time when anti vaxxers were a particular concern, for technological progress to be halted by misinformation from a vocal minority.  Martin agreed it was a concern.  The Chairman referred the comments to the Cabinet Member.

Bob Goodman made a statement regarding the Climate and Ecological emergency item.  He expressed a number of concerns about how the Cabinet were approaching this, including approval of the gas generators in Midsomer Norton and damage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

This report updates Council on the action the Council has taken since the last Climate Emergency progress report in October 2019, further to the update and review of strategies and plans at the Climate Emergency and Sustainability PDS Panel in March 2020.  This report includes an update on the Council’s response to the Ecological Emergency declared in July 2020.

The Council considered a progress report which updated on the action the Council has taken since the last Climate Emergency progress report in October 2019, further to the update and review of strategies and plans at the Climate Emergency and Sustainability PDS Panel in March 2020.

On a motion from Councillor Sarah Warren, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED to

1.  Note the wide-ranging action that is being taken to tackle the climate and ecological emergency including:

a.  Strategic re-positioning of the core climate and ecological emergency policy through the new Renewal Programme to the heart of the Council’s place-based work;

b.  The development of the Renewal Vision with ‘green recovery’ at its heart, in order to create a stronger, more diverse and greener economy in the future;

c.  The range of specific service actions undertaken or in hand, including, but not limited to: the Local Plan Partial Update in order to respond to the climate and ecological emergency and the Liveable Neighbourhood development;

d.  The climate leadership training for members and senior officers that will be rolled out in 2021 followed by the carbon literacy training for staff.

2.  Note the specialist work underway that will inform further detailed action planning on renewable energy development.

3.  Note the degree of community engagement activity achieved despite the Covid constraints, enabling residents to have a bigger say.

4.  Note the initial response to the ecological emergency.

5.  Note the delay, due to Covid, in undertaking the annual carbon footprint review of the area and the review of the pathway to net zero carbon and endorse the recommendation that the results of this review are reported to the Climate Emergency & Sustainability PDS Panel meeting on 16 March 2021.

[Notes;

1.  The above successful resolution was carried with 56 Councillors voting in favour and 3 Councillors abstaining.]

The process for taking forward the development of a Food Poverty Action Plan for B&NES was agreed with the Children, Adult, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel on 28th January 2020. This included the formation of a local Food Poverty Steering Group to drive the work and support implementation of the plan.  This report provides an update on progress, local priorities, the evolving action plan and sets out the case to widen the scope of the food agenda for comment and engagement.

The Council considered a report providing an update on progress, local priorities, the evolving action plan and setting out the case to widen the scope of the food agenda for comment and engagement since the process for taking forward the development of a Food Poverty Action Plan for B&NES was agreed with the Children, Adult, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel on 28th January 2020.

On a motion from Councillor Rob Appleyard, seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to

1.  Consider the information in the report and note the significant developments and progress made; and

2.  Reaffirm its commitment to addressing food poverty as a whole council issue.

To present the Committee’s annual report for 2019/20.

The Council considered the annual report of the Standards Committee.

On a motion from Councillor Duncan Hounsell, seconded by Councillor Sally Davis, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to note the work of the Standards Committee as set out in their Annual report.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made a statement as a backbencher, adding to the comments made earlier in the meeting by the Leader, recognising and appreciating the above and beyond work undertaken by staff during the pandemic.  She asked for consideration to be given to an appropriate reward or commendation.  The full statement is attached to the online minutes.