Agenda item

David Trethewey, Director of Partnerships and Corporate Services introduced the report and explained that the Corporate Strategy was being discussed by the PDS Panel’s whose comments would be considered by Cabinet and Council in February 2020.

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

Councillor Hirst listed a number of details to be addressed regarding the climate emergency agenda such as – insulation/community energy schemes/planning policy regarding solar panels etc/licensing process for taxis –limiting to electric vehicles/walking and cycling infrastructure/cost of public transport – using our resources to make it cheaper/network of lampposts – possible use for electric charging points.  The Director noted that the Council had declared a climate emergency in March 2019 and that the Corporate Plan was looking at what the Council could prioritise in the short term. He explained that Council involvement may be in some cases to be encouraging others to take action.

Councillor O Brien pointed to the corporate priority ‘Prevention’ and stated that she hoped that there could be a serious and sensible review of single use plastic in the care system and that non-critical items could be re used. Regarding the priority ‘Giving people a bigger say’ she queried the use of ‘citizens juries’ as this implied a small group of interested parties. She preferred the terms ‘working party’ or ‘consultation groups’. She also asked if the cost of setting up these groups could be shared with others such as parish councils. The Director explained that research is being carried out into forms of engagement, he emphasized that these would not be decision making bodies.

Councillor O Brien explained that Keynsham Town Council had pledged to reduce single use plastic and had incorporated this as a stipulation in their grant system. She suggested the Council use this method.

Councillor Craig stated that she felt it was important to state what is not included in the corporate strategy so that it is clear. She stated that the Council must be clear about how our income may need to change, for example a key funding stream is car parks. She added that the Council should also have a clear policy regarding events management such as not allowing diesel generators. Councillor Craig referred to the change in law regarding separating food waste and suggested that this was an opportunity for recycling rather than sending the waste to Bristol.  The Director stated that the report to Council on this will be around building partnerships and that there was a lot of good work going on already.

Councillor Born asked if there should be more comments regarding the environment such as the safeguarding of green spaces and air quality and more emphasis on improving public health. The Director explained that this was a short version of the corporate priorities which would be fleshed out with more detail.

Councillor Hirst stated that he was supportive of citizens’ juries and that officers could research where the use of them has gone well. He also suggested that there could be a scrutiny inquiry day around climate emergency which could drive partnerships with the community.

The Panel agreed the recommendations.