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.

The Chair made reference to the questions from the public and the responses that had been circulated.

Statements were made by the following members of the public;

Niels Steinhoff read a statement on behalf of Michael Coffey regarding the Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.  The statement was in support of the scheme outlining the benefits it delivered and calling on the Council to show leadership by pressing ahead at the end of the trial to deliver a safe and healthy scheme on behalf of all residents.

Sarah Toy made a statement also in support of the above scheme.  She referenced her experience as a chartered civil engineer and highlighted the benefits such as air quality improvements, safer routes to school and active travel.  She urged the Council to focus on the silent majority benefitting from the trial and make it a permanent scheme.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked if Sarah knew the cost of putting in the Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.  Sarah replied that she didn’t have that information but had been told that it was cheap within the overall scheme.

Christine Harrington read a statement on behalf of Robert Stone, also supporting the Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.  She explained that there was a clear need, as previous driving behaviour had caused problems and she outlined some of those.  The trial has been a success, despite the misinformation, intimidation and threats and it needs to be made permanent.

Susan Charles, Corston Parish Councillor, made a statement calling for accessible housing, a copy of which has been added to the online record and placed on the Minute Book.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked Susan if she knew how many accessible houses had been built by this Administration in the last 5 years.  Susan replied that she didn’t know but thought it didn’t sound like it was enough.

Matt Cooper made a statement, a copy of which has been added to the online record and placed on the Minute Book.  Matt highlighted the benefits of plant-based eating and called on the Council to support plant-based eating within all Council settings.  Councillor Saskia Heijltjes asked Matt if he knew how many emissions could be saved by switching to a plant-based diet, to which he replied that switching to a vegetarian diet typically produces a reduction of about 50% and a fully plant-based diet produces a reduction of about 75% (statistics from the University of Bath) and added that UK rates are higher than global rates.

Iris Gerosa made a statement “From Brazil to Bath tackling the ecological emergency”, a copy of which has been added to the online record and placed on the Minute Book.  Iris spoke about the problems of water pollution, deforestation leading to the loss of biodiversity, and excessive water waste.  She called on the Council to implement a Plant-Based Action Plan to promote and prioritise plant-based eating wherever the Council has influence.  Councillor Sam Ross asked about the health benefits of a plant-based diet, to which Iris explained about the reduction of coronary heart disease and diabetes.

Anthony Simpson made a statement also stressing the ecological and climate benefits of a plant-based diet, a copy of which has been added to the online record and placed on the Minute Book.  He presented a number of statistics from Oxford University demonstrating the climate impact of a plant-based approach and asked Councillors to show courage and leadership by calling on the national government to support the transition towards a plant-based food system.  Councillor Kevin Guy asked if Anthony could send a link to the data that he had quoted, to which Anthony confirmed he could.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked if it was possible for residents on a low income to follow the Council’s lead of a plant-based diet, to which Anthony responded that Oxford University research has shown that a plant-based diet can be between 30/40% cheaper.

Philip Fawkner-Corbett read a statement on behalf of Martin Farrell, a copy of which has been added to the online record and placed on the Minute Book.  Martin set out his view that there was a current disconnection between policy makers, project assessment and the decision process for decisions concerning the World Heritage site of Bath.  He called for the planning authority to be supported by an independent scrutiny panel and that the Council fully engages with stakeholders before any decision is required at committee.

Gracie Allen spoke about the Rights of Nature motion, giving a youth perspective.  She described all the positive benefits for young people’s physical and mental health for spending time in nature and urged Councillors to support the motion.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked for Gracie’s opinion about the implications of the motion not being supported, to which Gracie replied it would be terrible, as nature needed to be considered as a crucial part of our society.

Alison Harper called for Councillors to support the Rights of Nature motion on the agenda and set out her concept of eco-literacy; that of humans being connected to everything on the planet.  This motion goes towards addressing some of the catastrophic effects humans are having on the natural world.  Councillor Kevin Guy asked Alison if she had supported Bath Meadows being transferred to the National Trust, to which she replied that she had.  Councillor Sam Ross asked Alison of the implications of the motion not succeeding, to which Alison replied that it was a frightening prospect as people don’t know what the future holds.

The Chair thanked all the speakers for their statements which would be passed to the relevant Cabinet Members.