Agenda item

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 people;

Adam Reynolds made a statement urging the Council to engage with an opportunity at Pines Gate.  [A full copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.].  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether Mr Reynolds was aware that in a time of unprecedented cuts, the Authority was looking to spend nearly £5million of Cycling Ambition funds, Mr Reynolds responded that he was aware of that.  In response to a question from Councillor Dine Romero about whether this was also an opportunity for new safer child cycling paths, Mr Reynolds responded that it was indeed, but they needed to be cycle tracks which are segregated from vehicles.  In response to a question from Councillor Joe Rayment about whether it would be beneficial to the health of the residents of Twerton to have easier cycling access to the area, Mr Reynolds responded that he had recently got hold of some data sets on cycling showing routes and there were routes through Twerton, but it was important for investment to go to these areas and not always to the river corridor.  In response to a question from Councillor Sarah Bevan as to whether data was available to show that dutch style roundabouts enhanced safety for all roundabout users, Mr Reynolds responded that there was, and they were much safer due to cycle users being segregated from the traffic.  In response to a question from Councillor Lin Patterson about whether Mr Reynolds had taken the opportunity to consult Council officers prior to submitting this statement, he responded that he had probably emailed them too much, in his attempt to put together a whole strategy that worked and kept cyclists off pavements, but not having to share roads with HGVs.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

Mary-Lou Elliot presented a petition containing 456 signatures, calling on the Council to take action to prevent future deaths at a dangerous junction in Combe Down.  [A copy of the statement supporting the petition has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.]  In response to a question from Councillor Cherry Beath asking for Ms Elliot’s view about a potential increase in traffic on the Bradford Road corridor arising from various new housing developments in the future, she replied that it would inevitably lead to more traffic and could only get worse for the users of the schools, shops, nurseries, supermarkets etc.  In response to a question from Councillor Sarah Bevan about whether advice had been sought from the Highways department about whether traffic lights might be better for that point, and easier to achieve, Ms Elliot responded that she hadn’t, and anything would be better.  In response to a question from Councillor Lin Patterson about whether she had enlisted the help of local Councillors, Ms Elliot responded that she had.  The petition was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

Lesley Mansell made a statement about action needed for the A367 Junction with the Bath Road at Peasedown St John . [A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.]  In response to a query from Councillor Robin Moss as to whether Ms Mansell was aware of any consultation having taken place by B&NES or the Parish Council on this issue and preferred options expressed, Ms Mansell replied that there had been various meetings, petitions and comments submitted via the Facebook page but no formal consultation.  Councillor Lin Patterson asked whether there had been any accidents or near misses and Ms Mansell responded that there had been 4 serious accidents reported in the last few years and lots of taps and knocks which were unreported.  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

David Redgewell made a statement welcoming the offer of a combined authority and the opportunities it offered for devolved powers for various issues such as local bus services, quality contracts, smart ticketing etc.  He urged Councillors to support the principle of a combined transport authority.  [A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.]  The statement was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

[Notes;

1.  Following conclusion of the statements, a point of order was raised by Councillor Joe Rayment [4A, 31 (d)] to propose a course of action arising from Mr Redgewell’s statement on devolution.  The Monitoring Officer ruled that raising new business at this point, without proper advance notification of the item in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 100 (b) 4, and without it being deemed as urgent business was not permissible.  The Chairman therefore did not accept this proposal.

2.  Councillor Robin Moss then raised a point of order [4A, 34) calling for a 10 minute debate on the subject of Mr Redgewell’s statement on devolution.  The Chairman asked the Leaders of the 2 groups with at least 20% of Council seats for their agreement; Councillor Tim Warren did not agree, Councillor Dine Romero had been minded to agree.  As agreement was not given by both Leaders, the debate was not permitted.