Agenda item

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.  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.

Christine Boyd in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 1 and on the Council's website] urged the Cabinet to approve the documents for consultation subject to officers making a minor amendment, as outlined in her statement.

Andrew Mercer in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council's website] urged the Cabinet not to rush in making the decision on Park and Ride.

Vicky Drew in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to consider all aspects, and the potential impacts before finalising contract with Virgin Healthcare.

Note:  Councillor Paul May left the room before Vicky Drew read out her statement and returned when the statement was finished.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] said that Westfield Parish Council had supported strategic planning, though they had had concerns that important employment sites have been designated for housing.  Councillor Jackson also said that the improvement of strategic transport corridors for the benefit of employment in the area must be adhered to; no development should take place in Westfield until there were substantial improvements of A367; and the railway line Radstock-Westbury-Frome should be restored.

Councillor Dine Romero welcomed that the West of England Partnership would carry out consultation, and asked for an assurance that statements read at this meeting would be considered as early responses to the consultation.  Councillor Romero said that Liberal Democrats had expressed their concerns  about any plans for Green Belt within the heritage site; that plans for Bathampton Meadows Park and Ride would not make any difference to the amount of traffic and levels of pollution in the city; that the Council would need to work closely with neighbouring authorities, especially with Wiltshire, to address existing problems in Bath; focus on integrated transport scheme which would not depend solemnly on car usage; concerns over proposed bypass and support for train station in Saltford; and concerns that report had had little about  Somer Valley.

Councillor Tim Ball said that the failure to manage the Bristol housing situation had had an impact on Whitchurch.  Councillor Ball urged the Cabinet to hold on to our Core Strategy and added that too much additional housing was likely to make people leave the area.

Councillor Will Sandry in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] said that there was everything to welcome about a public consultation, and the residents of Bath and North East Somerset should be encouraged to respond.

Councillor Andrew Furse expressed his concerns that the Spatial Plan focuses on the existing economic areas and the A4 corridor.  Councillor Furse felt that there was a significant risk that leave Radstock/Westfield/MSN would be left behind. The area already had had 2500 houses planned in the Core Strategy, and this spatial plan which was looking forward over 20 years, should be the mechanism used to improve jobs and economics of this area by building infrastructure to enable growth and opportunity. The infrastructure should include improved road links as well as reopening the Radstock to Frome rail link.

Councillor Cherry Beath said that the Council must make sure to have balanced communities and to continue to develop employment sites across the area.  Councillor Beath also said that the Council should protect Green Belt and resist providing a solution to the housing problems from Bristol.

Councillor Paul May in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council's website] said that the Cabinet would probably have to approve the JSP moving to full consultation.  However, the Cabinet should record their own reservation on the gap between the JSP and the Transport Vision in relation to the proposals in Whitchurch village (identified as suitable for an additional 3500 houses and a park and ride).  Councillor May felt that this was unrealistic proposal and that he would be campaigning strongly against these proposals during the consultation period and beyond.

David Redgewell in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] expressed concerns from South West Transport Network.