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;

Lee O’Bryan made a statement about the Liveable Neighbourhood programme.  He welcomed the decision about the Camden Bus gate and wanted councillors to consider the lessons to be learned from that.  He called for consultation and engagement with the community to be improved, with clear evidence to support proposals.  Consideration needed to be wider than ward level with buses managed in a more effective way.

Paul Stansall made a statement about traffic in our communities, calling for a Citizens’ Assembly for the Liveable Neighbourhood programme.  Councillor Kevin Guy referred to Paul’s mention of the poor state of road surfaces, gutters and drains and asked if Paul had made use of the Fix My Street facility.  Paul replied that he had, and that it was very useful.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Patrick Rotheram, Chairman of the Vineyards Residents' Association, made a statement about transport in Bath.  Patrick welcomed the cancellation of the Camden Road Bus Gate scheme but called for a comprehensive city-wide traffic movement strategy to provide a framework for the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Alex Keane, Co-Founder of the STBG [StopTheBusGate] collective consisting of 27 Residents’ groups across 4 affected Wards representing 2,000 electorate; a Bath business owner and Walcot resident for the past 22 years, addressed the meeting.  Alex set out reasons why they considered the Liveable Neighbourhood programme was not being successfully delivered and called for more transparent information about how decisions are being made.  Councillor Kevin Guy, in reference to Alex’s statement that hundreds of thousands of pounds would have to be returned to WECA, asked if Alex was aware that this was not the case and that no monies would be handed back to WECA.  Alex replied that he had not been aware of that.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Gareth Eynon made a statement about the Walcot Liveable Neighbourhood scheme which he said did not make sense as it just moved congestion and relocated the pollution.  He stated that, without rigorous traffic modelling and robust independent analysis, these proposals were a gamble.  Residents deserved better and needed to be able to trust the process.

Adam Reynolds made a statement in support of the Council’s road danger reduction measures.  He cited statistics for road injuries and deaths and urged Councillors to continue to support the Liveable Neighbourhood Policy to keep through traffic off minor roads and on main roads and thereby encourage safer streets.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Jackie Head, a member of Bristol Airport Action Network, made a statement in support of the motion to oppose Bristol Airport expansion.  Jackie highlighted the climate impact and challenged the economic benefits put forward by the airport.  She urged Councillors to support the motion. A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Stephen Clarke, Bristol Airport Action Network, also spoke in support of the motion on the agenda.  He set out a number of reasons why expansion should be challenged and urged Councillors to support the motion.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Louise Leeder, Chair of the Parish Councils Airport Association, also spoke in support of the motion opposing the airport extension.  She explained that they had opposed the previous application and supported the appeal. A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

Jimena Alamo, president of the University of Bath Student Union, made a statement about the problems with student housing.  She provided statistics from 2013 to 2024 demonstrating the significant rise in reported problems and the unacceptable impact that was having on students. Councillor Kevin Guy asked if Jimena would like to meet with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to which she confirmed that she would. A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record

Charlotte Lucas spoke to Council to express deep concerns regarding the Council’s new Provider Agreement with Early Years Providers and its potential detrimental impact on children's early education and well-being in BANES.  She set out the problems with the agreement and urged the Council to help find an urgent solution.  Councillor Tim Warren asked, from the business perspective, whether the new arrangements were workable, to which Charlotte replied that they absolutely were not and explained that the funding received would not meet delivery costs.  Councillor Shaun Hughes asked specifically about safeguarding concerns and Charlotte explained her concern with an example about food provision.  Councillor Joanna Wright asked about the impact on marginalised groups and Charlotte explained that they would not have funds to pay staff for specialist support for disabled and SEND children.  Councillor Kevin Guy asked if Charlotte was aware that this is a Government measure not a Council one, and checked if Charlotte was planning to attend the Early Years Reference Group meeting in the following week.  Charlotte confirmed that she was.  A full copy of the statement has been added to the Minute book and the online record.

The Chair thanked everyone for their statements which would be referred to the relevant Cabinet member.