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 members of the public:

Gordon Mackay, from Midsomer Norton Town Council made a statement regarding the need for a crossing for North Silver Street in the town.  He drew attention to the petition requesting this which currently has 112 signatures.  The lack of a crossing stops people walking the short distance to schools in the area because it is considered to be too dangerous.  Cllr Guy asked Mr Mackay if he would be willing to meet with the Cabinet Member for Transport to discuss this issue, to which he replied that he would.  Cllr Evans asked whether there was any evidence to support the assertion that people require a crossing.  Mr Mackay stated that some monitoring has taken place which shows that almost 20% of cars were breaking the 30mph speed limit with some at very high speeds.  Cllr Hughes asked whether Mr Mackay would be happy to meet with him to work on putting together a proposal for highway improvements in the area to which he replied that he would.  Cllr Hardman asked whether Mr Mackay has contacted his B&NES Councillor.  Mr Mackay stated that he had contacted his local councillor and the highways team and eventually decided to start the petition to reach a wider audience.  The petition was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.

Robbie Bentley spoke regarding transport matters.  He noted that there was still a patchwork of transport policies across the area now covered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).  It would be important going forward for officers from WECA to have an awareness of the local areas in order to harmonise these policies. As WECA will have responsibility for public transport across the region, training will be needed to ensure that they run an effective system.  The West of England must not be left behind due to a poor public transport system.

Adam Reynolds spoke regarding active travel.  He noted that last year the Council lost around £1m in funding to improve walking and cycling in B&NES by failing to engage with community groups and local ward councillors.  He stressed the need for local councillors to ensure that they obtain any funding that is available to improve their wards.  The Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 bids are imminent.  Cllr Pritchard asked for further clarification regarding comments made regarding the Citizens’ Panel.  Mr Reynolds stated that this work had been carried out by Britain Thinks and that of the 27 people who took part not one used cycling as their primary form of transport.  Seven of the people who took part had disabilities, but it was not clear whether they were blue badge holders, and he was concerned that there had been unconscious bias. It was also a Panel rather than a Jury, so he did not feel it was useful.  Cllr Moss asked why Mr Reynolds felt that the Local Cycling (LC) update is so important.  Mr Reynolds explained that in 2019 when the LC work was carried out it was not clear what this would be used for.  However now this becomes the business case for how the £2 billion of available funding will be allocated by the Government.

Rev Kenny Nelson spoke regarding the Parkside building located in Charlotte Street.  He noted that the southern part of the building remains completely empty.  The fabric of the building continues to be compromised and the Church has brought forward proposals to use the space for a counselling hub, family centre and ad hoc community use.  He asked the Council to decide as a matter of priority what is to happen with this space and to put it in the hands of the community.  Cllr Guy asked whether Rev Nelson would like to meet with himself as Leader of the Council and with the responsible Cabinet Member to discuss this further.  Rev Nelson confirmed that he would welcome a meeting.  Cllr Moss asked whether Rev Nelson has discussed the issue with the Property Services Team.  Rev Nelson confirmed that he has but that no progress has been made.

Martin Grixoni spoke regarding Bath and Business.  He referred to inefficiency in the South Quays development as tenants are not paying rent until the new footbridge opens.  He expressed concern regarding the proposed new Clean Air Zone arrangements to charge additional HGVs, the “ring of steel” which restricted access for businesses in the city centre and blue badge holders.  He queried whether all the new 20mph zones were really needed.  He also noted the large number of retail units which are currently empty in the city centre.  He stated that if the Council makes things more difficult for businesses, they are likely to go elsewhere.

Matt Cooper spoke regarding the renewable energy motion.  He stated that urgent action on this issue is required which would require bold leadership.  He stated that nuclear energy would not be an option for tackling climate change but that renewables are. The savings made from a transition to renewable energy would pay back costs within just 6 years.  He urged the Council to push Westminster not only to back renewables but to go further and faster with genuine urgency.

A copy of the statements submitted is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.