Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor Heijltjes gave apologies and was substituted by Councillor Joanna Wright.

Councillor Johnson gave apologies and was substituted by Councillor Robin Moss.

Councillor Collins gave apologies and was substituted by Councillor Fiona Gourley.

Councillor John Leach gave apologies and was substituted by Councillor Hal MacFie.

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 none.

• Councillor Shaun Hughes made a statement stating that there is a perception that the scheme benefits an affluent minority whereas many residents feel unheard. He referenced the Corporate Strategy ‘giving people a bigger say’ and stated that this LN contradicts other schemes.

• Sarah Toy made a statement stating much support for the scheme and that the call in is political and not evidence based.

Councillor Wright asked why representative polling was not used. Ms Toy explained that the Council issued consultation, not representative polling, which is usual practice.

• Christine Harrington made a statement stating that the scheme is a community initiative based on 25 years of need with consultation over 4 years.

• Timothy Lloyd made a statement stating that there have been accidents in the past, this is unsuitable as a through road and the modal filter is justifiable.

Councillor Box asked about speeding and near misses. Mr Lloyd agreed that near misses are often not reported.

Councillor Wright asked how many accidents there had been regarding North Road cyclists and pedestrians. Mr Lloyd stated that he did not have knowledge and this and did not think the report mentioned this.

·  Alastair Gavin Douglas made a statement supporting the decision. He stated that there are many examples of roads in Bath which have been pedestrianised and we all allow a bit more travel time for this. This scheme is similar.

• Ceris Humphries made a statement stating the aim of putting traffic back on the main road infrastructure.

Councillor Wright stated that the local school is not supportive and asked why. Ms Humphries stated that she had seen many young people using the area.

• Robin Allan made a statement stating that LNs work, there are already measurable benefits. He stated that change is unsettling.

Councillor Wright asked about the data being collected when the A36 was closed. Councillor Elliott stated that this was only the case for part of the data collection.

• Neil McCabe made a statement stating that there are no reported accidents on Sydney Road but there are on other roads. He stated that the local school believe there will be a negative safety impact. He believes the decision should be delayed until the A36 is fully open and that the decision is Wednesbury unreasonable.

• Councillor Tim Warren made a statement stating that the majority of people do not think this process has been democratic. He is not against LNs but this one has pitched people against each other.

• Dr Ian Orpen made a statement stating that there are equalities issues involved. Residents of North Road were excluded from the engagement. He asked that the scheme be put on hold for further assessment (statement attached to the minutes).

Councillor Player asked what the consequence would be if the Wednesbury test had been breached. Dr Orpen stated that he was not a lawyer.

Councillor Box asked about the mention of women in particular. Dr Orpen stated that the EQIA (Equalities Impact Assessment) would need to consider all of those affected,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

Councillor Colin Blackburn, Lead Call in Councillor, made a statement setting out the reasons for the call in of the decision.

Panel members asked the following questions:

In response to a question from Councillor Wright, Councillor Blackburn explained that ETROs (Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders) can be in place for 18 months.

In response to a question from Councillor Box, Councillor Blackburn stated that he believed the scheme had been WECA funded. Councillor Elliott confirmed that any money spent on the scheme will not be refunded by WECA.

Councillor Wright asked how cyclists coming off the tow path are affected. Councillor Blackburn stated that turning left, down the new LN (Liveable Neighbourhood) is not working and it is now hazardous to go down Beckford Road to the traffic lights.

Councillor Wright asked when a circulation plan would be brought forward. Councillor Blackburn stated that he did not know.

Councillor Box stated that she was uncomfortable with some of what had been said which she felt bordered on reputational damage. She asked if there was any evidence. Councillor Blackburn stated that he was quoting people, he stated that he could withdraw the word ‘murky’.

Councillor Wait asked if his concerns on the procedure had been reported anywhere. Councillor Blackburn explained that he will try to explain this in his summing up. He stated that people are not feeling represented, and he was contacted.

Councillor David asked what he thinks should have been done differently in terms of public engagement and consultation. Councillor Blackburn stated that all of those effected should have been reached out to. There has been no contact with tow path users.

In response to a question from Councillor MacFie, Councillor Blackburn stated that the DFT guidance was lengthy and complex.

Councillor Wait asked which roads had had the 50% increase in traffic. Councillor Blackburn stated Beckford Road (Councillor Elliott stated that this is not correct), St Annes Way and Sham Castle Lane – he stated that he did not have the exact figures in front of him. Councillor Blackburn added that the A36 had been closed for some of the consultation so the true displacement effect will come further down the line.

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Councillor Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, made a statement in support of the decision (statement attached to these minutes)

Panel members asked the following questions:

Councillor Box asked about the consultation process and if pop ups were used. Councillor Elliott stated that he was completely confident in the process and that this had been the most consulted on programme we have ever done which has been going on since 2021. Three thousand houses have been mailed and pop ups inside the route have been done.

Councillor David asked about congestion and parking close to Bathwick School. Councillor Elliott acknowledged that the scheme does not make pick up and drop off work better but does not make it worse.

Councillor Player asked why more effort has gone into consulting on this LN than normal.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.