Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies from Councillor Saskia Heijltjes who was substituted by Councillor Joanna Wright.

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.

Councillor Johnson declared an (other/non-pecuniary) interest regarding item 9 due to his work area.

Councillor Leach declared an (other/non-pecuniary) interest in item 8 as a resident of Sydney Road.

There was none.

Councillor Saskia Heijltjes made a statement regarding Vision Zero. The statement is attached to these minutes.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

The Cabinet Member will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Sarah Warren gave an update that covered the following (the full statement is attached to these minutes):

Climate & Engagement

·  Climate and nature conversations across the Bath and North East Somerset area.

·  The launch event for Climate Hub BANES in the Old Ticket Office of Bath Bus Station – the Hub will open to the public on Monday 18^th November.

Energy

·  Green Open Homes

·  Retrofit West

·  Net Zero Council

Nature

·  The West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy launched on the 7^th November.

·  BNG Pathfinder Project

·  Landscape City Project

·  Somer Valley Rediscovered. Nextdoor Nature project and Active Way project

·  The Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership

·  The WaterSpace program

Green Infrastructure

·  Green infrastructure delivery partnership programs – Somer Valley Rediscovered, Bathscape and Chew Valley Reconnected

·  Green infrastructure mapping tools

·  Providing evidence to support new and revised Local Plan policy

·  GI training program

Additional Info - Energy

·  Green Heritage Homes project

·  Mission Net Zero

·  Heat from mines

Panel member questions:

Councillor Johnson asked about the true figure in terms of carbon reduction. The Cabinet Member stated that she would check and provide the answer.

Councillor David asked if the Cabinet Member would support a site visit to the Charlcombe biodiversity site. The Cabinet Member agreed.

Councillor Leach asked if there were any other areas in local planning policy that can drive us forward in terms of biodiversity. The Cabinet Member stated that we are looking to raise our target on biodiversity net gain from 10% to 20% and to update the policy and bring in more rigor on sustainable drainage systems.

Councillor Box asked how biodiversity net gain funding is being used to support community groups. The Cabinet Member stated that we look at developments onsite or close by, we are also hoping we can use the funding elsewhere.

Councillor Box asked if the West of England could be brought in in terms of regional planning. The Cabinet Member stated that yes, there is space for the Mayor (West of England/WECA) to step in the special strategy area.

Councillor Collins asked how officers are working with community groups in terms of retrofitting (groups such as Go Green Widcombe). The Cabinet Member stated that support from groups such as Go Green Widcombe is appreciated and officers work with them. Councillor Wright stated that there is no written document for this, so it is difficult for residents to access.

Councillor Wright asked about social prescribing. The Cabinet Member stated she would circulate an update on this. She explained that it is an area led jointly with public health and that she could bring a full update to a future meeting of the Panel. Councillor Wait confirmed that he is in contact with the Chair of the Panel (Children, Adult Health and Wellbeing PDS Panel) that covers this area.

Councillor Wait stated that he is a River Advocate and the area is extremely complicated. He asked if the Water Space Project extends to a wider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

The Panel viewed a presentation from the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Tim Ball and Waste Services officers which covered the following:

·  Keynsham Recycling Hub – Waste and Recycling Update

·  Fleet

·  Fleet transition plan

·  Climate emergency highlights

·  Current key workstreams

·  Waste reforms – legislation changes

·  Bath Recycling Centre (maps)

·  Bath Recycling Centre Update

·  Bath Recycling Centre – example of a similar construction

·  Bath Recycling Centre – next steps

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

Councillor Johnson commented that there are no waste statistics in the report and no idea of the tonnage going to landfill. He stated that it would also be useful to know the numbers on recycling rates and also on vehicles/EV (electric vehicles). The officer stated that she could circulate full details.

Councillor Johnson asked about behavioural initiatives regarding the existing fleet eg. Driving styles/anti idling etc. The Cabinet Member stated that the aim is to have the fleet electrified by 2027. Some diesel trucks will be retained to ensure continuation of service.

Councillor Player stated that she had viewed the application online but it was difficult to access. She asked why the Fullers Earth works site was not suitable and also why is the proposed new site so near to the Keynsham facility. The officer explained that there is a statement on this with the planning application. The Cabinet Member stated that the site mentioned above was not suitable due to excess traffic. The proposed new site will have a booking system so traffic will not be queuing so there will be no more traffic than there is now. Councillor Player asked if this response could be sent to her.

Councillor David asked what the Council can do to reduce the amount of waste in black bin bags. The officer stated that food waste is a key target, she will send a full written response. The Cabinet Member stated that there will be a trial of recycling bags and a push to make sure all resident properties have a food waste recycling option.

Councillor Box stated that food waste recycling is not high in her area and asked about the scope for providing waste bags. The officer explained that in the new contract, any containers/bags can be used. In response to a question from Councillor Collins, the officer explained that bags (compostable or otherwise) are pulled out anyway, the liners go to energy from waste.

Councillor Wright stated that recycling is a two way process, residents want to take part. Community visits to waste sites helps. She asked what engagement there had been with the Environment Agency to date. The officer explained that the Environment Agency response is on the website, the Council is working with them and this is separate from the planning application.

Councillor Johnson asked when clothes recycling will be available again. The officer explained that they are looking at a new provider for this service. The officer also agreed to let the Panel know the figure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting senior officers.

The Panel noted the future workplan and also noted further suggested items below:

·  Housing Plan Update

·  Biodiversity Net Gain

·  Progress on renewables – Council Estate

·  Water quality/river system

·  Annual Homelessness Update

·  Movement Strategy

·  School Streets

·  Vision Zero