Agenda item
Cabinet Member update
The Cabinet Member will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Sarah Warren gave an update that covered the following (the full statement is attached to these minutes):
Climate & Engagement
· Climate and nature conversations across the Bath and North East Somerset area.
· The launch event for Climate Hub BANES in the Old Ticket Office of Bath Bus Station – the Hub will open to the public on Monday 18th November.
Energy
· Green Open Homes
· Retrofit West
· Net Zero Council
Nature
· The West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy launched on the 7th November.
· BNG Pathfinder Project
· Landscape City Project
· Somer Valley Rediscovered. Nextdoor Nature project and Active Way project
· The Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership
· The WaterSpace program
Green Infrastructure
· Green infrastructure delivery partnership programs – Somer Valley Rediscovered, Bathscape and Chew Valley Reconnected
· Green infrastructure mapping tools
· Providing evidence to support new and revised Local Plan policy
· GI training program
Additional Info - Energy
· Green Heritage Homes project
· Mission Net Zero
· Heat from mines
Panel member questions:
Councillor Johnson asked about the true figure in terms of carbon reduction. The Cabinet Member stated that she would check and provide the answer.
Councillor David asked if the Cabinet Member would support a site visit to the Charlcombe biodiversity site. The Cabinet Member agreed.
Councillor Leach asked if there were any other areas in local planning policy that can drive us forward in terms of biodiversity. The Cabinet Member stated that we are looking to raise our target on biodiversity net gain from 10% to 20% and to update the policy and bring in more rigor on sustainable drainage systems.
Councillor Box asked how biodiversity net gain funding is being used to support community groups. The Cabinet Member stated that we look at developments onsite or close by, we are also hoping we can use the funding elsewhere.
Councillor Box asked if the West of England could be brought in in terms of regional planning. The Cabinet Member stated that yes, there is space for the Mayor (West of England/WECA) to step in the special strategy area.
Councillor Collins asked how officers are working with community groups in terms of retrofitting (groups such as Go Green Widcombe). The Cabinet Member stated that support from groups such as Go Green Widcombe is appreciated and officers work with them. Councillor Wright stated that there is no written document for this, so it is difficult for residents to access.
Councillor Wright asked about social prescribing. The Cabinet Member stated she would circulate an update on this. She explained that it is an area led jointly with public health and that she could bring a full update to a future meeting of the Panel. Councillor Wait confirmed that he is in contact with the Chair of the Panel (Children, Adult Health and Wellbeing PDS Panel) that covers this area.
Councillor Wait stated that he is a River Advocate and the area is extremely complicated. He asked if the Water Space Project extends to a wider area. The Cabinet Member stated that a lot of work is being done and she will get a full update from the officer and circulate.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Manda Rigby gave an update that covered the following (the full statement is attached to these minutes):
· General update
o Local Active Travel & Safety Programme
o City Centre Security
o Highway Maintenance
o Parking
o Liveable Neighbourhoods programme delivery
§ Future Timeline
§ Lansdown ETRO (experimental traffic regulation order)
§ Sydney Road ETRO
o Safe Systems
o Winter Maintenance Program.
· Forwardplan of workfor next period
o TrafficManagement, NetworkManagement, Road Safety
o Highway Maintenance Program
o Parking
o Livable Neighborhoods Program
o Park and Ride
Panel member questions:
Councillor Wright spoke about the pavements in Lambridge and the criteria for improvements. She asked what data the Council has on walking routes in BANES. The Cabinet Member stated that she would find out and circulate the information.
In response to a question from Councillor Collins, the Cabinet Member explained that the Western Gateway Structure is a regional body that sits above WECA (West of England Combined Authority). She is Chair of the Transport section.
Councillor Box stated that she had had positive feedback regarding the drainage in her area which had improved flooding issues. She asked what will be done to continue consideration of rural areas. The Cabinet Member explained that the scoring for prioritization is authority wide, all areas are equally as important.
Councillor Beaumont asked if a cycling officer would meet with him to walk around the area in Keynsham. The Cabinet Member agreed.
Councillor Leach asked about LED street lights and how often we replace them. The Cabinet Member explained that there is 20 year replacement cycle, she acknowledged the point about the rapid development in standards.
Councillor David asked what the best way is to report issues with road markings. She also asked if road markings updates could be tied in with new street layouts. The Cabinet Member explained that ‘Fix My Street’ app is a good way to report or an email to the team. In terms of tying this in with the TRO process, she stated that this is not always the case but work is being done to achieve this.
Councillor Player stated that pavements and roads in Westmoreland ward can get overlooked if they are not on a bus route. She explained that it is not just pot holes in terms of damage but gravel and dips as well. She asked if the Cabinet Member would walk around the ward. The Cabinet Member stated that it would be more appropriate for officers to walk around but explained that the work has to be on the prioritization matrix.
Councillor Johnson stated that, during the resurfacing work in Paulton, the drains were covered and it took some time to rectify. He also mentioned the solar lighting project at the memorial park and asked what the Council costs are with regarding to improving bus stops. He reminded the Panel that the Mayor did ask about taking over the bus stops. The Cabinet Member stated that it was not the case that handing things over to WECA means more money will be spent.
The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members.