Agenda item

An electronic and paper petition has been received entitled ‘Stop 5G in Bath & North East Somerset’ containing at least 1600 signatures; https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-5g-in-bath-and-north-east-somerset.html.

According to the Council’s petition scheme, if a petition with signatures of more than 1% of the electorate is received, it triggers a debate at Council.

Statements were made by the following members of the public at this item;

Fiona Williams, lead petitioner, addressed the Council.  She called upon Councillors to halt the rollout of 5G in Bath and North East Somerset.  She explained that many of those who had signed had queried the need for the technology in the first place and wondered why there had been no consultation or risk assessments about the rollout.  She mentioned Bath being involved in a smart test site, using a frequency which is known to be harmful to bees.  Fiona described 5G problems being experienced by phone users in South Korea leading them to revert to 4G and expressed her view that 5G was really about collecting data providing companies with highly detailed and lucrative marketing profiles.  This is part of a wider agenda threatening the right to freedom and to privacy.  She discredited the claims that 5G provides no danger to health.  Surely a precautionary approach is warranted in the Council’s duty of care to its residents and she called upon the Council to pause the rollout while investigation takes place on all relevant aspects. 

Vanessa Williams-Grey made a statement to Council about the health impacts of 5G, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes.  Vanessa called for precautionary measures to be taken, particularly for vulnerable groups.  She mentioned a number of studies citing links between health problems and exposure to wireless radiation.  The Council has a duty of care to its citizens and must investigate this further.

Sarah Greensides had submitted a statement to Council about wildlife and the environmental aspects of 5G.  As Sarah was unable to join the meeting, the Council noted her statement which had been circulated.  A copy of which is also linked to the online minutes.

Samantha Davies made a statement to Council about the insurance, liability and risk aspects of 5G, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes.  Samantha mentioned the risk of non-ionising radiation exposure and how the insurance industry now did not provide cover for this and are re-writing contracts to reduce their liability.  Samantha called upon the Council to prepare contingency plans against future claims from exposure to radiation exposure.

Paul McLachlan made a statement to Council about the personal effect of 5G on his family’s health, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes.  Paul described the steps he had taken to establish his electro hyper-sensitivity and asked what effect this will have on the wider population.

Karen Churchill made the closing statement to Council on this issue, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes.  Karen described peer review science showing harm, so careful consideration was needed before adding 5G.  We are currently relying on telecoms companies self-certifying and there is insufficient regulation.  Karen called upon the Council to apply the precautionary principle as described in the petition, risk assess appropriately and establish a working group with them to address this.

Under procedure rule 34, the Chair asked if the Leaders of the 2 larger groups required a 10 minute debate on this issue.

Councillor Dine Romero thanked the petitioners and explained that they would not be able to debate this issue as it was an issue for national government.  She recommended the petitioners make contact with their local MPs.  She proposed that the petition be passed to the relevant Cabinet Members to respond to the points raised in the petition.  Councillor Paul Myers supported this course of action.