Agenda item

Councillors and members of the public may register their intention to make a statement if they notify the subject matter of their statement before the deadline.  Statements are limited to 3 minutes each.  The speaker may then be asked by Cabinet members to answer factual questions arising out of their statement.

Lin Patterson (Campaign to Save Larkhall Toilets) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council’s website] told Cabinet that the public toilets in Larkhall were needed by its ageing population and in order to attract visitors and shoppers.  She appealed to Cabinet to rethink the proposals to close the toilets.

The Chair referred the statement to Councillor David Dixon for reply in due course

Clare Crowther (Head of Nursery) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council’s website] referred to the decision by the owners to cease operating the childcare facility in Dover Place after 31^st August.  She highlighted the impact this would have on the 109 children and 19 staff.  She appealed to Cabinet to support the proposed management buyout in order to retain high quality child care in the city.

Councillor Dine Romero asked Clare Crowther whether she was aware that the ownership of the premises was not shared between the authority and the church; and whether she knew that the authority’s responsibilities were highly prescribed.

Clare Crowther agreed but repeated that she felt there were not enough available places to meet demand.

Amy Lunt (Concerned Parents of Norlands Nursery) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council’s website] asked for Cabinet support to facilitate the proposed purchase of Dover Place nursery by its current nursery manager. She highlighted the benefits which the existing provision was bringing to many families.  She presented a petition of 233 signatures asking for the nursery to be saved.

The Chair referred the petition to Councillor Dine Romero and promised a response to the petition in due course.

Susan Charles (Chair, Access Bath Group) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council’s website] alerted the Cabinet to the difficulties faced by disabled people who wished to use the facilities at Keynsham Leisure Centre.  She asked the Cabinet for their support to resolve the problems.

David Batho (Resident of Claverton Parish) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council’s website] brought to the Cabinet’s attention a possible conflict between the benefits of solar panel installations and the harm to visual amenity suffered by those nearby.  He made some proposals to Cabinet which he said would help to ensure a proper balance between environmental gains and conservation of the historic and natural environment.

Steve Mansergh (Jack and Jill Hill Preservation Society) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council’s website] spoke about a proposed 35 acre solar farm on agricultural land near Haydon.  He believed the development would have a major visual impact on the landscape.  He asked the Council to work with Mendip Council on this cross boundary issue, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework.  He presented a petition of 197 signatures to this effect.