Agenda item

This report seeks approval to undertake consultation on a West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) and Joint Transport Study (JTS) document entitled “Towards the Emerging Spatial Strategy”.  The consultation is due to take place across the West of England from 7th November to 19th December 2016.

The report also seeks the approval of a Core Strategy Review Commencement Document for consultation within B&NES at the same time as the wider JSP /JTS consultation.

Councillor Liz Richardson said that this report would trigger three key policy elements:

• Consultation on an important high-level cross-authority spatial document “towards the emerging Spatial strategy”;
• Consultation on Council’s Core Strategy review commencement document; 
• Adjustments to the Council’s local development scheme, to ensure timetables were adjusted to reflect the timescales attached and modifications required as a result of work on these documents.

This report asks the Cabinet to endorse the proposal to agree that these documents are released into a consultation process.  This would enable people across the West of England (WoE) to have a further say on the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) and Joint Transport Study (JTS), when the next phase of the consultation opens on 7^th November 2016.  Those responses would be welcome information to help shape this into a draft document next year. The four West of England Councils - North Somerset, Bristol City, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset – had signed a commitment to work together in March 2014, as a result of a need to demonstrate A Duty to Co-operate – based on legislation introduced in the 2011 Localism Act.

Councillor Liz Richardson concluded her statement by saying that no decisions had been made at this stage, and she urged all the communities and stakeholders across the West of England to engage in the consultation which would start on 7^th November 2016.

Councillor Liz Richardson moved the recommendations.

Councillor Anthony Clarke seconded the motion by saying that the Council, and the whole region, would need to think on transport issues now, and no housing or economic development should go ahead before an adequate infrastructure is in place.  Councillor Clarke stressed the importance of planning and transport departments working together and also said that this Council would work with neighbouring authorities (Wiltshire and Somerset) and not only with the WoE region.  This was a high-level document which should give an overall approach on what the Council, and the region, aspire to achieve.  Councillor Clarke concluded his statement by saying that this was not the final document and urged everyone to respond to the consultation.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones said that this document had represented 20 years of progress and this would be transformative period for WoE.  This document would be an important part in developing the economy across the region.  Councillor Anketell-Jones highlighted growing importance of Keynsham, links to Bath and importance of consultation responses on Green Belt issues.

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that this document had reflected all of the hard work that Council’s planning team had undertaken over years.  This document also recognises the importance of the definition of Green Belt.  Councillor Gerrish also said that the infrastructure should be put in place first before any development takes place.  Councillor Gerrish expressed his concerns about the vision for transport and urged the public to respond to the consultation.  Councillor Gerrish concluded by expressing his concern that the document did not address aging population considering that the document mainly highlighted the need for walking and cycling.

Councillor Martin Veal said that he had fully endorsed and supported public consultation on this Study as a must to invest in infrastructure and observe and protect the Green Belt, and he supported comments from Cllr Gerrish and asked all officers to make a concerted effort to engage the majority of residents throughout the West of England, rather than be over-influenced by the easy access of lobby groups.  Councillor Veal supported this document in principle, but challenged some of its assumptions, and asked for even-handed consultation and an in-depth look at proposals through the scrutiny process.  Councillor Veal concluded his statement by saying that he supported promotion of walking and cycling, but he would want to see evidence that reflects the views of the many car drivers, many of whom must use their vehicles to access services, such as medical care, and to traverse the Towns and Cities and the wider area out of necessity.

Councillor Michael Evans also supported the need for a full consultation and highlighted more emphasis on highways.

Councillor Vic Pritchard said that this was not a complete document and that the transport report was in its infancy.  Councillor Pritchard also expressed his concern on Saltford bypass and urged the residents to fully engage in the consultation.

Councillor Tim Warren said that the Council would be responding to the needs of our growing population and on increasing demands for homes and jobs.  Councillor Warren also agreed that no development should take place before an adequate infrastructure is put in place.  This next phase in the consultation would give local residents a further say on the West of England Joint Spatial Plan and Joint Transport Study.  Councillor Warren concluded his statement by encouraging people to get involved and make their views known from 7^th November 2016.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet endorsed:

(1)  The “Towards the Emerging Spatial Strategy” and the “West of England Transport Vision” document for the public consultation on the Joint Spatial Plan and Joint Transport Study commencing on 7 November 2016;

(2)  The Core Strategy Review commencement document for public consultation commencing on 7 November 2016;

(3)  The amendments proposed to the B&NES Local Development Scheme which will need to be agreed by Full Council in due course.