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;

Kate Uzell, South West Area Coordinator of RoadPeace, a national charity for road crash victims, made a statement about preventing road deaths.  A full copy of the statement is attached to the online record and added to the Minute book.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked if the RoadPeace charity supported the Vision Zero motion on the agenda, to which Ms Uzell confirmed that it did.

Matt Cooper made a statement about accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.  A full copy of the statement is attached to the online record and added to the Minute book.  He reflected on progress that had been made since he spoke to Council a year ago and commended the process so far, but also reflected on the overwhelming extreme climate events and stressed that we must seek to phase out fossil fuels via the Fossil Fuel non-proliferation treaty.  Councillor Saskia Heijltjes asked which other bodies had signed the treaty, to which Matt listed various states, cities and international organisations that had signed up.

Adam Reynolds made a statement about the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area, a copy of which is attached to the online record and the Minute book.  He highlighted some of the missing infrastructure links for the Sustainable Transport Route, which affected people cycling and walking in the area, and called for various actions to address these.

David Redgewell made a statement about the relationship between the Council and WECA and called for an urgent serious discussion about the transport levy and bus services.  He expressed his disappointment that so many posts at WECA are filled on an interim basis, which were expensive and not conducive to achieving effective results.  Councillor Sarah Warren asked Mr Redgewell if he was aware of other Combined Authorities where the Mayor listened to the unitary authorities, to which he replied that he thought this worked in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.  Councillor Liz Hardman asked if Mr Redgewell considered that more money was needed in the transport levy, to which he agreed, and said that we need to look carefully at the Bus Service Improvement plan.  Councillor Tim Warren asked whether, if money was prioritised differently and collaboration was better, that would mean there was enough money for bus services, to which Mr Redgewell responded he would welcome better collaboration but stressed again it came down to the calibre of officers and having permanent people in place.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked what meetings were currently in place to agree a positive solution for buses in the region, to which Mr Redgewell replied that a meeting was needed as there had not been budget discussions or recent scrutiny meetings, and the meeting the following day was focussed on one issue, which would not address the urgent need for bus solutions for the area.

Callum Clafferty made a statement about young people and students’ experience with regard to the Vision Zero motion, outlining the particular difficulties they may experience. A full copy of the statement is attached to the online record and added to the Minute book.  Councillor Kevin Guy asked Mr Clafferty if he would like to meet the Cabinet Member to discuss the issues further, to which he responded that he would find that helpful.  Councillor Saskia Heijltjes asked if the measures in the Vision Zero motion would make journeys safer and encourage more walking and cycling, Mr Clafferty responded that he considered they would.

Lucy Taylor made a statement in support of the measures in the Vision Zero motion.  As a cyclist in the city since 1982, she explained how she felt more vulnerable now, and called for a series of measures that would help deal with the inevitable rise in traffic numbers.  A full copy of the statement is attached to the online record and added to the Minute book.  Councillor Saskia Heijltjes asked if Ms Taylor considered that the measures in the Vision Zero motion would help her encourage more friends to take up cycling, to which Ms Taylor responded that they would, as currently they were too scared to consider cycling in the city.

Hanna Hajzer (Student Union representative for the University of Bath) & Jas Raymond-Baker (Student Union representative for Bath Spa University) made a joint statement about the poor quality of student housing.  They referred to an increase in respiratory problems from mould and a rise in reported mental health problems related to accommodation issues.  They explained that many landlords charged very high rents, but demonstrated little accountability for their properties. They aspired for students to be more integrated within local communities.  Councillor Kevin Guy asked if they would like to meet the responsible Cabinet Member, which they welcomed.  Councillor Robin Moss asked what support the Universities were able to give; to which Hanna and Jas explained that they can look over contracts and help with emergency housing and support.  Councillor Shaun Hughes checked they were referring to HMOs, which they agreed was the case.  Councillor Tim Warren asked for an amount for average rents, which was explained was typically between £600 and £1000 a month.  In response to a question from Councillor Joanna Wright about the option of involving the Housing Enforcement team, the students explained that many students were too scared of jeopardising their housing by raising concerns.

Robbie Bentley made a statement calling for a solution to the current difficulties with WECA and the effect this was having on local transport and stressed the need for consistency of service provision, which was particularly important for people with Autism.  Councillor Sam Ross identified with the issues raised by Robbie Bentley and asked if extended P&R sites could play a part.  Robbie Bentley replied that they were worthy of consideration and gave the Portway P&R as a good example.

Nicola James made a statement condemning violence on both sides in the Israel/Gaza conflict and calling on Councillors to sign up to a permanent ceasefire. A full copy of the statement is attached to the online record and added to the Minute book.  Councillor Lesley Mansell asked about the response from local Members of Parliament, to which Ms James responded that Jacob Rees-Mogg was not calling for a ceasefire, but Wera Hobhouse was.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked which other Councils had passed a motion for peace in the Middle East, to which Ms James replied that Preston Council had done so and they were hoping that more would follow.

The Chair thanked the Speakers for their statements which would be referred to the relevant Cabinet Members.