Cllr Joanna Wright is ward member for Lambridge and is the Green Group Leader at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Published on behalf of Joanna Wright and Bath and NE somereset Green Party by Michael Coffey, c/o Ravenscroft, Sydney Road, Bath BA2 6NT
B&NES Greens remain concerned about ongoing safety hazards on North Road, which continue to endanger cyclists, especially children commuting to school and university. Despite promises from B&NES Council, the road is still neglected, with deep potholes creating hazardous conditions.
The council has allocated a £3.6 million resurfacing budget for this year, covering 38 separate roads. While some of these, including North Road, have been scheduled around the school summer holidays to limit traffic disruption, the repeated delays and inaction on North Road are unacceptable. The council’s procrastination ignores the urgent need for safer roads for students cycling to Ralph Allen School and the University of Bath. This persistent postponement not only contradicts their commitment to active travel but also endangers vulnerable road users, showing a disregard for road safety.
Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes adds,
“In December 2023, a severe accident on North Road resulted in serious facial injuries to a cyclist, underscoring the urgent need to prioritise road safety and reduce pressures on local healthcare services. When a local parent queried Council Leader Cllr Kevin Guy about the timing of the resurfacing, he suggested that closing the route in term time would be impractical. Delaying resurfacing until the summer holidays prioritises driver convenience over the safety of vulnerable road users, which goes against the council’s commitment to promoting active travel.”
Despite repeated calls for urgent action from local parents, the Bicycle Mayor of Bath, and the Greens, the council has failed to provide clarity on when North Road was last resurfaced or when necessary repairs will be made. Historic asset information reveals that apart from a micro asphalt surface treatment in 2001 on a section of North Road in Bathwick, there are no other records indicating when the road was last resurfaced.
Green Party Leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, a former Cabinet Member for Transport, reiterated the group’s longstanding advocacy for immediate improvements to North Road’s active travel infrastructure and road safety:
“We have consistently advocated for immediate improvements to North Road’s active travel infrastructure and road safety. The council’s inaction jeopardises the safety of our community.”
The Greens call on B&NES Council to prioritise the resurfacing of North Road without further delay. The safety of all residents, especially children cycling to school, must be ensured as a matter of urgency.
Green Group Leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, has joined other B&NES Leaders in signing a statement on behalf of the Council expressing sympathies for those affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict across the Bath and North East Somerset area. The Green Group however have sought a “Peace Motion” twice, in November 2023 and again at today’s full Council meeting (March 2024), which were ruled “out of order” and “not relevant” by the Chair of B&NES Council.
Today’s statement calls for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution. It urges the release of hostages, aid delivery, and condemns antisemitic and Islamophobic violence. However, because it is a statement and not a motion to council, the statement cannot be sent from all councillors because it has not been debated and voted for at full Council.
The Green group notes that several UK authorities, including Burnley, Sheffield, Liverpool, have passed ceasefire motions. B&NES neighbours, Somerset Council and North Somerset Council, have also. While the Green group recognises the council’s limitations, it urges B&NES to do as much as it can.
Councillor Joanna Wright highlights,
“Residents are urging us to communicate with the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Middle East. This request stems not only from the economic impact of the conflict on our community but, more importantly, from our shared humanity. As humans we are seeing great suffering, the suffering mostly of women and children on both sides of the conflict that is causing death, destruction, and starvation.
“The Green Group motion was clearer in its actions which included writing to government. This statement has no teeth because it does not call for the Council to write to the government and demand action be taken.”
The Green Group acknowledges the inconsistency in the Council dealings with international issues, for instance on the 25th March 2022, the Council passed the following motion regarding Ukrainian Refugee, that agreed:
“A further letter be sent to both the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary repeating this Council’s willingness to welcome Ukrainian people fleeing war and persecution in their own country and urging the UK government to act to ensure that the UK does all it can to help alleviate this humanitarian crisis.”
And today, when asked about the friendship agreement with the City of Oleksandriya in Ukraine, the Leader of the council stated that there has been regularly communicating with Mayor Kuzmenko to find ways to collaborate. Broadlands School in Keynsham has connected with a school in Oleksandriya to exchange cultures. Additionally, the friends of Oleksandriya have been linked to Bath University’s Director of Sport to establish sports connections. To commemorate the second anniversary of the conflict, B&NES held a music event at the Abbey and a party at the Guildhall. The council also flew the flags of Oleksandriya and Ukraine over the Guildhall and illuminated Pulteney Bridge with Ukrainian colours to show our support.
The Green group questions why B&NES Council hasn’t taken tangible steps towards a Peace Motion. Councillor Joanna Wright stated that:
“We live in serious times, and this requires that we step up our Leadership at a local level. I urge you Chair and Deputy Chair to reconsider your position on the Peace Motion sent to you by the Green Group and ensure that it is tabled at the next Full Council, showing clearly that the statement that you and all political group leaders have made tonight is more than gesture politics.”
To read in Full cllr Joanna Wright’s Statement made at Full council on 14th March 2024 see below
The Green Group tabled a motion for Peace to be debated at this Full Council.
This motion was rejected and we were told it was “Out of Order”.
The Greens were told that “Motions must be about matters for which Bath & North East Somerset Council has a responsibility or which affect the Council, its functions, its area or part of it or the inhabitants of that area or part of it.”
In 1.5 of the B&NES constitution, it states “Political Groups represent their communities and bring their views into the Council’s decision-making process i.e. become the spokesperson of and for their communities”
Tonight, we have heard from many local residents about why the Motion for Peace matters to them. In my opinion, this Council has failed in its function of responsibility to its inhabitants.
Last week I visited the newly opened Keynsham Recycling Depot and asked questions to Officers about the cost of buying and selling the waste generated by our residents. It was clearly stated that the prices B&NES has to calculate are affected by the volatile market which presently is being affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
Again, it’s clear that the ‘Out of Order’ Motion relates directly to a matter for which the B&NES council holds direct responsibility – rubbish and the cost of it. Or am I missing the point of spending £34 million on a new recycling centre and the work that it undertakes?
We all know that local democracy is the grassroots of all that we do in society, that’s why we are councillors. It would appear that all political groups support the government to deliver devolved power to give citizens more powers to ensure that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.
And our role is to ensure that the voices of local people are heard.
Residents are urging us to communicate with the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Middle East. This request stems not only from the economic impact of the conflict on our community but, more importantly, from our shared humanity. As humans we are seeing great suffering, the suffering mostly of women and children on both sides of the conflict that is causing death, destruction and starvation.
Our humanity as councillors is not an economic equation alone, our humanity as councillors is to ensure that a message of solidarity is sent out loud and clear that it is unacceptable to as the UN Resolution 3318 states:
“Attacking and bombing the civilian population, inflicting incalculable suffering, especially on women and children, who are the most vulnerable members of the population, shall be prohibited, and such acts shall be condemned.”
Other councils in the UK, like Burnley, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bradford, Oxford, Midlothian, Preston, Aberdeen, and Kirklees, haven’t just talked about the conflict in Gaza, they have acted by passing motions.
We live in serious times and this requires that we step up our Leadership at a local level. I urge you Chair and Deputy Chair to reconsider your position on the Peace Motion sent to you by the Green Group and ensure that it is tabled at the next Full Counci clearly showing that the statement that you and all political group leaders have made tonight is more than gesture politics.
Question from Cllr Joanna Wright: An amendment has been put forward for a school street in this and last year’s budget. We were given an assurance that a school street was being developed for 2023/24. This did not happen. Again, an amendment was put forward this month for a school street as there were none in the 2024/25 budget. At the council meeting on the 20th February, Cllr Elliott declared that B&NES was going to implement a school street and that meetings were in place deciding this an the funds for it. I repeat there are no school streets listed in the budget papers. The importance of the right measures for children to get to school safely are necessary, because B&NES needs to ensure the correct business case to get CRSTS funding, but more than that because all our children deserve safe routes to school. Presently, there are no school streets in B&NES, and none programmed into the 2024/25 budge. A “soft school street” is not a “school street”. Where is the documentation evidencing what Cllr Elliott has stated at the council meeting on 20th Feb, is this information publicly available? Accordingly, what school is to have a school street in B&NES as stated by Cllr Elliott at Full Council?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
Cleaner, greener, school travel is a key element of the Journey to Net Zero and we are committed to delivering a range of schemes which will support children to travel to school by active modes of transport. As mentioned by Cllr Elliott in the Budget and Council Tax meeting on the 20th February, £250,000 of funding from the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) reserve has been allocated to develop a School Streets programme. The spending allocations from the CAZ reserve are reported on an annual basis with the next report due to be published this summer. We are currently undertaking a prioritisation exercise to inform which school will be selected for an initial trial scheme in financial year 2024/25. We then anticipate expanding the programme further if future funding becomes available. We will provide further updates on the School Streets programme as they become available.
2. Question from cllr Joanna Wright: B&NES council has spent considerable officer time designing a Zebra crossing in Mount Road, with the full knowledge that this infrastructure design is not supported by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding guidelines. Southlands and Church Street could get funding for crossings through the CRSTS because of the modal filters delivered at these locations. Would officer time have been better spent by designing appropriate infrastructure that would be supported by CRSTS funding?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
The Zebra crossing in Mount Road will be funded from the council’s internal highways funding, not CRSTS.
3. Question from Cllr Joanna Wright:
Lambridge Ward members have put forward a proforma for a Liveable Neighbourhood and have regularly asked to be supported on changes to the highway due to through traffic and children attending schools and play groups in the ward. B&NES has decided not to progress this proforma, so now this means that no CRSTS funding can be delivered in Lambridge. How are Cabinet Members making decisions to ensure that all wards are supported and have the public purse spent on much needed transport infrastructure that will reduce the demand by council to all residents to cut vehicle miles by 25% per person by 2030?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
As outlined in Single Member Decision E3285 (Liveable Neighbourhoods), the application for a Liveable Neighbourhood (LN) in the Lambridge Ward was not included in the initial 15 LN areas as it was considered that the issues in this area are complex and a potential scheme would benefit from experience gained from implementing other LNs beforehand. While the Lambridge application was not successful in this initial allocation of funding for the Liveable Neighbourhood programme, subject to future funding, we anticipate being able to open up further rounds of applications. We would welcome interest from any wards that were not selected for this initial phase of the programme at the appropriate time and will use lessons learnt during ‘phase 1’ of the LN programme to inform this. The Council is delivering significant programme of interventions, committing unprecedented levels of funding, over the course of the next three years to enable more travel choices across our community, in support of our ambitious target to be net zero by 2030. The liveable neighbourhoods programme is one strand of the overall programme of interventions planned. Robust processes are in place to ensure that the schemes proposed contribute to the overall aims of the Council and meet the needs of our communities. To ensure transparency and visibility to our communities of the proposed programme of interventions, the Council is currently developing a Transport Action Plan, due to be published later in the summer.
4. Question from Cllr Saskia Heijltjes: Please can you explain the duties and penalties on the Council regarding the legal duty to make the road safe as per Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, how does this duty impact the provision on safe routes to school, pedestrian and cycle safety?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act places a duty upon local highway authorities to carry out measures to promote road safety, to carry out studies into traffic collisions and to take appropriate action as a result of such studies to prevent future collisions. It also requires local highway authorities to take measures to reduce the possibility of collisions when building new roads. The legislation makes no reference to penalties with respect to this duty.
The council fulfils this duty in a number of ways. Primarily, it regularly receives collision data from the police which officers analyse to identify causes of collisions and identify what measures could be taken to help prevent further collisions. This may take the form of engineering measures on roads, road safety education to school children, working with partner agencies such as the police to share intelligence about speeding issues or other matters, and road safety campaigns. When highway improvement schemes are being designed, road safety audits are undertaken at the design stage and after construction. These casualty reduction measures are evidence-led. This means if there is evidence of collisions on routes to school, or of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists, then we will investigate and take action where we can to reduce such collisions. The council also uses its internal highways funding to take forward highway improvement schemes to make our roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists even where there is no history of collisions. We aim to be proactive in making our roads safer, not just being reactive to where collisions have occurred in the past. The CRSTS schemes under development also bring additional funding that will help to make it safer for people walking and cycling.
What groups of councillors are making sure everyone knows this advice? How does the council define “safety”? And how do council officers decide if a road is safe?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
The Cabinet Member is not responsible for issuing guidance produced by other organisations. An information pack was produced and sent to new councillors last year which covered many council services including Highways together with contact details for queries about traffic management and road safety issues. We do not have a definition for ‘safety’ and we do not define or categorise roads as ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’. Our Road Safety team looks at collision data to identify where there are issues and determines what action is appropriate. In many cases the road environment is not a factor as to why a collision has occurred. People’s behaviour, vehicle condition and driver or rider experience can be factors too. Making our roads safer involves a variety of initiatives and measures, many of which are outside of the council’s control.
“Help and guidance on how to plan and conduct evaluations of road safety programmes is available at http://www.roadsafetyevaluation.com, which contains an interactive road safety evaluation toolkit called E-valu-it to help road safety practitioners plan, carry out and report theresults of road safety evaluations.”
What evaluations have taken place on the modal filters placed in B&NES through the Liveable Neighbourhood Programme?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
The designs for the Liveable Neighbours schemes go through an internal technical approval process. This enables officers from various highways and transportation teams in the council to comment, including road safety considerations. Formal road safety audits are also carried out by qualified road safety auditors who are independent of the designers. These audits are undertaken at design stage and post- construction. In addition to this, the West of England Combined Authority has its own procedures, as part-funder of the initiative.
7. Question from Cllr Sam Ross: Many councillors are repeatedly getting post from residents complaining about the regular missed collections of household rubbish. The answer given by the Cabinet Member for Council Priorities and Delivery consistently states this is due to driver shortages. What Leadership role are you taking to ensure that this core function is delivered? Residents are starting to get very angry and see this as a basic service not being fulfilled by this administration.
Answer from Cllr Tim Ball
It would be useful to have specific detail so that individual issues can be identified.
1. There were a total of 200 missed collections of refuse reported in January across some 2 collection cycles (i.e. 200 missed out of 170,000 total individual collections) which was most likely to be the result of the increase in volumes over the post xmas catchup period.
2. There were no driver issues reported during this period
Other non refuse collections:
Since Xmas 2023, the daily missed collection reports have either highlighted missed collections due to capacity issues, vehicle breakdownor operational issues.
There have been a number of issues with missed/ late garden waste collections which are the result of 2 factors:
· The removal of one garden Waste round from January – March as agreed with councillors due to the requirement for in year cost savings
· The mild weather resulting in an unexpected volume of garden waste when which compounded with the suspension of one collection round have put additional pressure on the garden service.
There have been a number of narrow access recycling truck breakdowns since xmas which has been due to the age of the fleet (these vehicles are due to be replaced by Sept this year 2024).
We are not experiencing driver shortages at the present time.
8. Question from Cllr Sam Ross: On 19 January 2024 B&NES Council sent out a press statement which said: “A property owner who undertook unauthorised works to a Grade II* Listed building has been fined following a prosecution by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning enforcement team.”
If the Council commits similar criminal offences that is, to carry out work to a listed building owned by the Council without consent, will these offences be reported to the Police, and will a prosecution follow?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper
The question put forward is a complex jurisdiction matter. It is an offence to carry out unauthorised works to a listed building under Section 9 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Those powers are delegated to Officers within the Council to prosecute. The Council would seek to work and cooperate with the appropriate agencies should the Council breach the legislation. The Council cannot comment as to whether any prosecution would follow. The Council endeavours to ensure that all due diligence is carried out with any work undertaken by Council Officers or by external contractors and places great importance on the preservation of its unique historic environment.
9. Question from Cllr Sam Ross: The Children and Adults Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny panel on 15 January unanimously voted to delay proposed council budget cuts to not-for-profit sector services of some £802K until the consequences are better understood, was requested. The Council budget on the 20 February 2024 voted in favour of these cuts to services.
Julian House in Bath has stated, “The human cost of these cuts is undeniable, and the ripple effects will impact every person living in B&NES – eroding community cohesion and economic stability, as well as putting the social services we all share under even greaterpressure than they already are.” What actions will the Council be taking to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are supported by the budget decisions?
Answer from Cllr Alison Born and Matt McCabe
The budget savings will be phased over a two-year period so that the savings are made carefully, in a targeted way and in collaboration with third sector partners. Third sector partners will see no reduction in funding until we have engaged with them.
10. Question from Grace Wiltshire: Please can you explain why Mount Road is getting a raised zebra crossing instead of a school street?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
The development of the Mount Road Liveable Neighbourhood was a result of extensive co-design and engagement with the local community. We have taken the decision to prioritise the installation of a new zebra crossing as this was one of the measures identified during the co-design that would improve walking and wheeling in this area. This improved crossing forms one part of the wider Liveable Neighbourhood that has been developed.
11. Question from Grace Wiltshire:
Due to Council rules this question had to be changed from:
Under an FOI it has been ascertained that 16 councillors hold paper parking permits: They are Alison Born, Deborah Collins, Paul Crossley, Mark Eilliot, Kevin Guy, Alan Hale, Liz Hardman, Steve Hedges, Joel Hirst, Ruth Malloy, Paul May, Matthew McCabe, Dine Romero, Paul Roper, Shaun Stevenson-McGall and David Wood.
As the council has declared a Climate Emergency and is demanding that all residents cut vehicle miles by 25% per person by 2030, how is the Council thorough elected memberships showing leadership on this issue?
To:
Under a Freedom of Information request it has been ascertained that 16 councillors hold paper parking permits. As the council has declared a Climate Emergency and is demanding that all residents cut vehicle miles by 25% per person by 2030, how is the Council thorough elected memberships showing leadership on this issue?
Do you to Council rules this question had to be changed
Answer from Cllr Kevin Guy
Councillors may use a permit to park in B&NES-owned car parks and RPZ areas whilst using their car for official duties. This is of particular importance for evening meetings for example. However, Councillors will choose the most appropriate means of transport for each journey they make on Council business and will prioritise sustainable modes of transport and car-sharing. In addition, B&NES Council has embraced the use of virtual and hybrid meetings which reduce the need for business travel.
12. Question from Grace Wiltshire:
Due to Council rules this question had to be changed from
Regarding the paper parking permits, it’s observed that Cllr Paul Roper and Cllr Deborah Collins received paper permits in 2023. Were all newly elected councillors given this option? If not, what determined which councillors were offered paper permits and which were not?
TO:
Regarding the paper parking permits, it’s observed that two councillors received paper permits in 2023. Were all newly elected councillors given this option? If not, what determined which councillors were offered paper permits and which were not?
Answer from Cllr Kevin Guy
All councillors were able to request a parking permit as part of the induction process after the May 2023 election. Councillors are strongly encouraged to use the MiPermit electronic system but if requested, councillors can be given a paper permit.
13. Question from Liam Kirby and Dom Tristram: Radstock Town Centre finds itself under several inches of water due to rainfall with increasing frequency. Meanwhile, the arrangement of the centre as a circulatory road system prioritises the experience of drivers passing through over the safety and convenience of Radstock residents using the town centre on foot. While the suggestions in the Regeneration Plan are welcome, could consideration be given to more radical efforts to significantly reimagine the town centre to address these problems? For example, a bus gate, removing through-traffic on the street from Fortescue Road to the Frome Road roundabout, would do a lot to reclaim public space for the people of Radstock, and also create room for more ambitious blue-green flood mitigation infrastructure, “greening up” and tree planting.
Answer from Cllrs Paul Roper and Sarah Warren
B&NES recognises and acknowledges the need to do more to improve conditions for active and sustainable transport within Radstock town centre. Currently, given its location at the confluence of two major A roads, the town centre is dominated by traffic. This can create a barrier to those wishing to walk, wheel or cycle as well as contributing to increased noise and poor air quality levels in the town. As part of the new Local plan, we will build on the transport improvements set out in the Radstock regeneration plan. This will include a detailed investigation into how the highway network currently operates in Radstock as well as the options available and the improvements that can be made in order to make a step change in the conditions for those travelling via active and sustainable modes around the town.
14. Question from Liam Kirby and Dom Tristram: With the projects at the Old Paint Works and Trinity Church now both looking to significantly improve the cultural offer in Radstock, there is a great opportunity to seize the opportunity of growing a real creative scene in the area. House prices in the area are (relatively) low, so potentially attractive to creative professionals. Could the ideas in Project 4 (Brownfield sites) be shifted more to use of spaces for creative pursuits (workshops, studio space, rehearsal space) over generic office/retail? This could significantly reduce the necessary investment required to get spaces “up and running” compared to requiring full fit-outs for more commercially-minded use.
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper
It is great to see the Old Print Works Arts now open in Radstock, with the Trinity Church purchase by Radstock Town Council also progressing. This administration has supported both projects through our work on the Radstock Town Centre Regeneration Action Plan and associated grant funding. The brownfield sites identified in project 4 of the Action Plan are predominantly in third party ownership, so ongoing discussions with landowners will be essential. They can come forward for a range of uses in line with town centre planning policies in place both nationally and locally including those mentioned, subject to viability and securing planning consent if/where needed. We have sought to test various options to see what might be viable through the Action Plan to actively encourage their reuse.
15. Question from Liam Kirby: Radstock is generously served with cycle paths toward Frome, Bath, and Midsomer Norton, and is on National Cycle Route 24. It has the potential to be a real “hub” for cyclists – if you’ll excuse the pun. However, when cyclists arrive in town, they are presented with unclear, dangerous, and inadequate links between the routes. While the wayfinding ideas in the Regeneration Plan will certainly improve matters, without safe segregated cycle routes through the centre to connect the paths, the town will remain a danger to cyclists and an impediment to improving cycling uptake. At the November 2023 Full Cabinet meeting, the Council unanimously passed the Vision Zero Motion which advocates for safe speeds, street design improvements, behaviour modifications, and enhanced post-collision response to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. How will the council ensure that Vision Zero is implemented to ensure that those wheeling and walking through the centre of Radstock will be protected?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
Improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling in Radstock have been identified through our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which can be viewed here. We are also currently developing our Active Travel Masterplan which will provide a framework for plans to improve active travel links across the district. We will continue to investigate future funding opportunities to implement the routes in the LCWIP and Active Travel Masterplan.
16. Question from Anne Coghlan: In Cabinet Paper E3502, it states that:
“The Service will use the carbon baseline work undertaken during 2023 to inform its ongoing response to the climate and ecological emergency. The actions required to achieve net zero by 2030 will be set out and costed during 2024.” What baseline world has been undertaken and how will the 2030 deadline be achieved?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper
We commissioned the Bath based firm 3ADAPT to work with us to deliver an assessment of the Service’s Carbon Baseline. This assessment is attached. We are now working with 3Adapt to develop an action plan to understand the measures we need to take to achieve net zero by 2030. As noted in the business plan this will be explored over the remainder of 2024 and the implications of this considered in the 25/26 Business Planning cycle. We are about to advertise for a staff member to lead on our environmental action plan work which will help move this forward with more vigour over 24/25.
17. Question from Anne Coghlan: Mount Rd and Lyme Rd Liveable Neighbourhoods are highly unlikely to receive funding through CRSTS, because they do not follow funding criteria. How are Liveable Neighbourhoods going to be funded if CRSTS money doesn’t come through?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
All of the Liveable Neighbourhoods submitted in the Full Business Case (FBC) will meet the funding requirements of the Combined Authority. We have secured the early release of CRSTS funding to implement an initial element of the Lyme Road/Charmouth Road LN. Any Liveable Neighbourhoods not included in this FBC will be considered for introduction using future funding as this becomes available.
18. Question from Anne Coghlan: In the Budget it states that WECA funding for LoveYourHighStreet is being welcomed in many quarters in B&NES. Lambridge Ward has the thriving local shops of Larkhall Square where many traders are concerned by the threat of developments in the local area. What action will the council take to support “Larkhall Square” traders to ensure that this vibrant shopping quarter remains in place?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper
Larkhall local centre is identified and protected in the B&NES Local Plan. While it is not currently one of the four local high street improvement pilot areas which form part of the current WECA funded Love our High Streets, it is possible that this scheme could be extended by the grant funders in which case we will look to prioritise funding to areas of need. If there are specific improvements being sought by the community, we encourage dialogue with us to see what funding opportunities can be identified to help deliver these. There are additionally opportunities for traders and businesses in Larkhall to benefit from the Council’s business support programmes more information can be found on our Business and Skills webpages
19. Question from Barbara Gordon: Could the Council confirm that any new EV charging infrastructure will not be placed on pavements?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
New public EV charging infrastructure (EVI) has so far been built by B&NES off-street in council car parks. As we move to building new public EVI on-street a minority may need to be located in the footway. However, we are setting specifications to ensure best possible pedestrian access in these circumstances. More specifically, B&NES will be utilising the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund from HMG to roll out on-street residential EVI across the district at scale. In developing a technical specification for this EVI we have defined the primary location for the charging device to be in the kerbside carriageway. However, in recognition of the range of sites across the district and their varying localised context, we have identified a secondary option of locating EVI charging devices at the kerbside of the footway. In that case we have stipulated a minimum footway width needs to remain to allow footway user accessibility, in line with DfT best practice guide “Inclusive Mobility” (2021). Each EVI location will be reviewed by B&NES officers to ensure it is appropriate, meets specifications and provides accessibility for both drivers and pedestrians.
20. Question from Barbara Gordon:
I understand that Councils can refuse planning permission if a development is likely to clash with provisions in ‘emerging’ Local Plans, even in locations where the plan has not yet been adopted. BANES states that in the currently developing Local Plan that: ‘The Council has not undertaken the detailed further assessment that is required to ascertain the degree of harm of smaller non-strategic sites, such as some of the component land parcels of this previously proposed allocation. There will be other non-strategic sites in different parts of the city too. The suitability of these sites and any other sites put forward as part of this consultation will need to be assessed as part of the preparation of the Draft Local Plan.’
Planning applications for development are determined in accordance with the adopted Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Local Planning Authority can apply some weight to policies in emerging Local Plans dependent on the stage of plan preparation reached, the extent of any unresolved objections and degree of conformity with national policy. The Local Plan options document is at a very early stage in its preparation and does not include policies. Therefore, only very limited weight would be applied to it in decision-making. There are a range of policies in the adopted Development Plan (principally the Core Strategy, Placemaking Plan and Local Plan Partial Update) that will be used in decision making which relate to the scale, form and design of development in the city. These policies enable the Council, as a Local planning Authority, to refuse applications for inappropriate development in environmentally sensitive areas of Bath. Each application is determined on its own merits against these policies. For information the section of the Options document that is quoted relates to the consideration of whether any smaller non-strategic sites on the edge of the city, including the lower slopes of land adjoining Weston, could be suitable for development particularly in the context of environmental sensitivity e.g. relating to impact on the World Heritage Site and its setting and the Cotswolds National Landscape. These sites will be considered very carefully in progressing the emerging Local Plan towards the next stage in its preparation. We are transparent in terms of the sites/locations we have considered and why we have rejected some and not proposed them as options. The process is summarised in a Topic Paper (see link below). The Topic Paper refers to two main assessment documents that set out why we have rejected some sites i.e. the HELAA (Hosing and Economic Land Availability Assessment) and an Areas of Search Assessment https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Topic%20Paper%20Strategic%20Development%20Locations.pdfhttps://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/document-and-policy-library/local-plan-options-evidence-base-draft-housing-and-economic-landhttps://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/document-and-policy-library/local-plan-options-evidence-base-strategic-place-assessments
I am writing to you about the failure of the Right to Buy scheme and am asking that you please sign this parliamentary motion calling for it to be abolished.
This matter is important to me because I have seen first-hand in our constituency the impacts of the current housing crisis, a crisis which the Right to Buy has significantly contributed to.
Social housing was intended as a collective resource to ensure that everyone, no matter their financial situation, was afforded their universal human right to shelter. Now 40% of the social housing sold off via Right to Buy ends up in the hands of private landlords who profit off of this public asset.
Two million council homes in England have been sold off to private individuals since the inception of the Right to Buy. This has significantly depleted our already limited social housing stock, while the government fails to build enough council homes to replace those we have lost.
Selling off homes which are intended to house those most in need has led to immense levels of housing inequality and housing shortages for people on low incomes. Consequently, we are now seeing record rates of children living in temporary accommodation and over 300,000 people homeless in England at this very moment.
I am sure that ensuring every person in this country has a safe, warm and affordable home is important to you.
Scotland and Wales have already welcomed the abolishment of the Right to Buy in acknowledgement of the scheme’s failings. It is only right that we now do the same here in England.
I am asking you to please sign this parliamentary motion which calls to abolish the Right to Buy.
On Tuesday, the Green Group had the opportunity to speak at the full council meeting for the first time about the Budget decisions made by the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Joanna Wright, the leader of the Green Group, used her statement to point out that despite the council’s claims of supporting the community, many people in B&NES are still facing issues like unemployment, inadequate housing, and poverty. Councillor Wright criticised the Budget for cutting spending instead of allocating more resources to tackle these urgent problems, which only makes things harder for those already struggling. The Green Group believes there should be a clearer and fairer process for deciding the Budget.
Councillor Wright stressed that simply attributing budget cuts to central government isn’t sufficient. She pointed out a lack of transparency and cooperation within the Liberal Democrat’s decision-making, evidenced through the proposed £802k cut to important third-party organisations. The delays in making these cuts demonstrate that concerns regarding Budget transparency are broad.
Concerns were also raised about subsidies for buses, with Councillor Wright saying, “This Budget overlooks the annual Transport Levy paid by B&NES to WECA for subsidised buses, which remains unchanged at £5.195 million from last year’s £5.195 million.
“There’s a lack of awareness by the council that inflation has increased travel and staffing expenses.
“As a result, this Budget falls short of ensuring subsidised buses on crucial routes, which is essential for those with limited transport access. It’s clearly another budget cut.”
The inconsistency between the council’s promises and actions underscores the need for a review of the Budget. Councillor Wright highlighted this concern again over the consideration on Liveable Neighbourhoods without a Circulation Plan, she noted, “While roadblocks have been put in place, there’s still no Circulation Plan for Bath or North East Somerset, which could quickly make neighbourhoods better places to live for many.”
Transparency issues were further emphasised regarding the allocation of resources, with questions raised about the use of public funds, particularly regarding a council-owned company’s expenditures on property acquisition. Councillor Wright highlights, “The Greens wonder why Aequus, a company owned by the Council, spent £3.02 million to buy 22 family homes, but building 5 two-bedroom and 3 one-bedroom council flats on Lower Bristol Road will cost £3.2 million.
“There’s uncertainty about public money usage, especially with the council spending over a million a year on temporary housing. Additionally, concerns arise because the Leader of this council is the sole shareholder at B&NES for Aequus.”
Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes also stressed the need to reevaluate Budget priorities to ensure inclusivity for all residents of B&NES. She notes that the Budget disproportionately focuses on Bath City Centre, widely neglecting Bath and Northeast Somerset.
Green Councillor Sam Ross shares concerns about the Council’s neglect of rural communities. She highlights the implementation of parking charges in rural areas like Midsomer Norton and Radstock has unintended consequences including detrimental effects on businesses and residents. The Green Group contends that the Budget inadequately addresses or accurately assesses the full impact of their proposals.
To address these concerns, the Green Group proposes two amendments to the Budget Council, focusing on implementing school streets and reforming councillor parking permits.
School streets, which restrict traffic during school pick-up and drop-off, are vital for enhancing road safety, air quality, and promoting active travel among children. With a significant percentage of morning trips related to education and many parents concerned about traffic speeds near schools, implementing school streets in B&NES is imperative for ensuring safer and healthier transportation options for children.
The Green Group Leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, notes: “Last year in the 2023/24 Council budget meeting 32 Liberal Democrats voted against the Green Party Amendment for a School Street in B&NES, promising that school streets were going to be delivered in some form in the next budget.
“To date we see no delivery of a school street in B&NES and only the suggestion of ‘soft school street’ options and £40K for school improvements to the smallest school in B&NES, which does not suffer from through traffic.”
Additionally, the Green Group underscores the importance of equity in transportation policies, proposing an end to paper parking permits for councillors and discontinuing free parking in Bath for councillors representing wards within the city of Bath while performing official duties. These changes are necessary to demonstrate that councillors should not receive privileges above residents regarding transportation and to align with the council’s commitments to address the climate emergency and promote sustainable travel options.
Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, adds: “I understand councillors have busy schedules and need to get around efficiently, but as leaders, we should also be willing to change our transportation habits to set a better example.”
During the Budget Council, Councillor Mark Elliot called the Green Group’s amendment “a stunt” without responding to our proposal to cease an outdated practice that is lacking in transparency.
The amendment received 40 votes against, 3 for (the Green Councillors) and 7 abstentions, and therefore was unsuccessful.
ITEM 8 – BUDGET & COUNCIL TAX Amendment from the Green Group Amendment for:
i)School Street; Bath and North East Somerset Council has declared a Climate Emergency and wants deliverable actions to reduce vehicle mileage by 25% per person by 2030.
ii) Parents driving children to school creates car journeys in B&NES and it is known that in Bath alone 51% of car trips between 8am and 9am are related to education.
School streets are traffic restrictions implemented in front of schools during opening and closing times. They aim to enhance road safety and air quality, encouraging more children to walk or bike to school. This benefits their health and well-being while also reducing vehicle miles in B&NES. The Green Party is calling for a budget spend of £200,000 for a one-off school street in B&NES to be delivered out of the capital budget spend to be delivered from the £2.887m Local Highways Improvement (LHI) (formerly Transport Improvement Programme) as set out in Annex 5 (iii), in agreement with the relevant Cabinet Member and responsible Officer. Removing the proposed safety improvements in Bloomfield Rd and Widcombe Hill which are set at £240,000 combined because these schemes do not deliver LTN 1/20 compliant cycling infrastructure.
ii) Immediate retraction of paper parking permits for all Councillors. Also, to cease providing free parking in Bath via MiPermit for Councillors representing wards within the City of Bath while performing Council duties.
Bath and North East Somerset has declared a Climate Emergency and is committed to providing the leadership to enable this scale of ambition to be realised. Councillors recognise that this requires a significant and fundamental shift within all sectors of the community, including those holding public office.
B&NES Council has in place an electronic parking system in place called MiPermit that allows all councillors to park anywhere when undertaking council duties for free. Presently 15 councillors in B&NES use paper parking permits which allows them to park anywhere in B&NES at any time, without having to verify their parking decisions. The MiPermit system ensures that possible misuse of this paper permit by councillors for possible shopping or attending sporting fixtures cannot take place, due to the need to properly date and time parking, which can be verified and justified to HMRC.
HMRC sees “Parking charges as earnings”, “unless the charge was for parking at or near your workplace” therefore the possible misuse of the paper parking permit could be seen by HMRC to be giving “your employee money to pay for parking charges, it counts as earnings and you must add it to your employee’s other earnings and you may have to deduct and pay tax and National Insurance”. By not declaring proper use of the paper parking permits HMRC could see the actions of the councillors as fraudulent. https://www.gov.uk/expenses-and-benefits-car-parking-charges/whats-exempt
The Green Party is urging an immediate end to paper parking permits for all Councillors. Also, to cease providing free parking in Bath via MiPermit for Councillors representing wards within the City of Bath while performing Council duties.
This council is demanding all residents to cut vehicle miles by 25% per person by 2030. Councillors can also use public transport or walk, wheel, scoot or cycle instead or use the Tier e-scooter or e-bike.
The sum of £1,100 as part of the savings from this retraction of paper parking permits and MIPermit is to be divided among the 11 community libraries within BANES to support the vital work they deliver for the community.
Proposer for Green Group Amendments, Schools Streets and Parking Permits Given by Cllr Joanna Wright
Last year in the 2023/24 Council budget meeting 32 Lib Dems voted against the Green Party Amendment for a School Street in B&NES, promising that school streets were going to be delivered in some form in the next budget. To date, we have see no delivery of a school street in B&NES and only the suggestion of “soft school street” options and £40K for school improvements to the smallest school in B&NES, which does not suffer from through traffic.
For the last 30 years, children have increasingly been taken off the roads, and have been replaced with cars instead. This creates a vicious cycle whereby the volume of traffic makes the roads unsafe so parents will drive their children everywhere.
Parents driving children to school is a massive problem in Bath with 51% of trips between 8am and 9am are related to education.
60% of parents are worried about traffic speeds outside schools when their children walk to school.
School streets would offer a solution to these problems.
School streets are restrictions on traffic at school opening and closing times to improve road safety and air quality and increase the number of children travelling actively to school.
Traffic restrictions are enforced using access signs, temporary bollards, and in some cases Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.
Since July 2021 BANES became one of 12 local authorities in England, outside of London, to be given new civil enforcement powers to use Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
These new powers could be used to implement school streets. Revenue from enforcement could contribute to the cost of future school streets.
School streets are being implemented across the country.
Why are there no plans for school streets in Bath?
BANES states that it is committed to reduce vehicle mileage by 25% per person by 2030. It is implementing roadblocks through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement. It is implementing Resident Parking zones and increasing the cost of parking, yet the very people making these decisions have the ability in some cases, through the paper parking permit system given to councillors, to park anywhere at any time.
Our amendment to the budget calls for a school street in B&NES. It also importantly demonstrates to all residents that councillors should be no more privileged than any other group when moving around the district and the Green Party is urging an immediate end to paper parking permits for all Councillors. Also, to cease providing free parking in Bath via MiPermit for Councillors representing wards within the City of Bath while performing Council duties.
Therefore, I propose the amendments as set out for a school street and changes to councillor parking permits.
Seconder Statement to the Amendments – Stated by Cllr Saskia Heijltjes
I would like to second the Green Group Amendments for a school street to be delivered in B&NES in 2024/24 and for changes to Councillor parking permits.
This council is repeatedly asking residents to re-evaluate how they move around and we have signed up to the Climate Emergency, to the West of England’s Joint Local Transport Plan, the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans and created the Journey to Net Zero Forum. These documents and groups are committed to changing how we travel around. Yet the very people who have voted in this chamber for these changes are still given the ability to park anywhere in B&NES. This is not setting an example. It is clearly showing that we think ourselves privileged and exceptional. I have no doubt that many councillors have many other commitments and need to be able to move around the district in the most efficient way possible. But we do need to remind ourselves that as decision makers then we need to be showing that we too can change in part our transport behaviour. For Bath Councillors, we do have buses, the option to use e-scooters or e-bikes and these alternatives offer a way to reduce road miles. Should a Bath councillor with a disability need support for access, then we appreciate that this should be given.
According to ROSPA, every month 1,200 children are injured in traffic related collisions within 500 metres of their school. We know anecdotally, many parents are too anxious to allow their children to walk or cycle independently because they are so concerned about dangerous drivers. In 2022, 40% of children aged between 5 and 10 were driven to school. In the context of one quarter of primary school children becoming obese by the end of year 6, and the resulting lifelong health implications, we believe it is vital to enhance opportunities for children and young people to walk and cycle safely.
Some of the 15 Liveable Neighbourhoods areas are near schools, but this is not good enough. A Liveable Neighbourhood near a school doesn’t offer the same experience as a school street and therefore doesn’t achieve the goal necessarily to reduce parents driving their children to school.”
We know that many councils are delivering at speed schools streets – Islington has 34 school streets. A year has passed and still children in B&NES have not one school street.
The Green Group would like to thank the Section 151 Officer and his team for the work put into this report.
B&NES has core policies centred on prevention, delivering for local residents, preparing for the future, tackling the climate and ecological emergency, and giving people a bigger say. These strategies should guide all our actions.
The Liberal Democrat group has been making political decisions about where money should be spent or cut.
Meanwhile, residents of B&NES are dealing with more unemployment, more households waiting for social housing, and around 4,000 people fell into absolute poverty last year. Recent data shows a 40% rise in households in temporary accommodation.
This is a budget of cuts, referred to as ‘savings’. The Tory govt has let down all councils financially and created budgets slashed to the bone. B&NES has had few options but to take measures that will push more individuals into dire situations, possibly causing more long term financial problems. A fair and equitable solution for all residents through progressive taxation is not offered by the right wing, who see taxes and state involvement as interfering. I am still waiting to see fairness and opportunity created by the free market.
Blaming the Tories for this B&NES budget alone distracts from the choices made. The lack of collaboration by this administration has been evident in various Scrutiny meetings.
The third sector, which carries out many essential duties through Council contracts, is facing funding cuts due to this budget. Additionally, these charities and community groups were not adequately warned by B&NES about significant cuts to core services.
Despite claims by Cabinet Members that they discussed the cuts with the third sector, the response from the third sector was clear: this did not happen. They were given only 8 days’ notice, with the “consultation” occurring over the Christmas period. This approach doesn’t give communities a greater say, prioritize prevention, or improve people’s lives.
The unanimous vote by scrutiny on January 15th to delay proposed budget cuts to not-for-profit sector services until the consequences are better understood highlights the growing concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the budget-setting process.
Cuts of £802K are now set to take place over 2 years instead of 1. The Green Group urges better dialogue between B&NES and external agencies by this Lib Dem-run Council to prevent catastrophe for many residents, whose lives are already on the brink.
The Budget gives great emphasis to the £1.7 billion handed to WECA since 2017 and its positive impact for B&NES. This is somewhat surprising given the very public spats between the B&NES Leadership team and the Metro Mayor.
This budget overlooks the annual Transport Levy paid by B&NES to WECA for subsidised buses, which remains unchanged at £5.195 million from last year’s £5.195 million. . There’s a lack of awareness by the council that inflation has increased travel and staffing expenses.
In the past, the Liberal Democrats didn’t accurately predict inflation. With inflation currently at 2%, shouldn’t this budget plan for changes accordingly?
As a result, this budget falls short of ensuring subsidised buses on crucial routes, which is essential for those with limited transport access. It’s clearly another budget cut. Despite the Liberal Democrats’ advocacy for buses, there are none at any NES bus stops. The Lib Dems have prioritised pursuing government funding based on the criteria outlined by the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement. While we’ve seen roadblocks implemented, there’s still no Circulation Plan for Bath or North East Somerset, which could quickly transform neighbourhoods into more liveable spaces for many. It’s crucial to ensure that people feel safe walking, cycling, or using wheeling to get to school, shops, or visit friends. These habits are essential at a time when reducing car travel is crucial for addressing the Climate Emergency and public health. This is about lives, not just votes.
The Leader is the sole shareholder at B&NES for Aequus, a company wholly owned by the Council, yet it is still not clear why it has cost Aequus £3.02 million to buy 22 family homes but will cost £3.2 million to build 5 two bedroom and 3 one bedroom council flats on a level site on Lower Bristol Road? This is public money and many are unsure how well it is being spent, especially when temporary housing is now costing the council over a million a year.
This budget states that B&NEs will build 4359 affordable homes, but these are not affordable to most, what is needed is a budget to deliver social housing to ensure fairness across our communities. And remember it was under the LibDem/Tory coalition that “affordable rents” became the new normal.
This budget claims that B&NEs will construct 4359 affordable homes, but they aren’t affordable for most people. What’s really needed is a budget to provide social housing, ensuring fairness across our communities. It’s important to remember that it was under the LibDem/Tory coalition that “affordable rents” were introduced removing the emphasis on social housing.
Further 5.8.2 in this report lists the proposed disposal of 7 council owned properties including Lewis House, and 12 James Street. This asset sale appears unplanned and done to pay for capital spending approved previously, that can’t be paid for now with the budget shortfall. If so, should the capital programme (full and provisionally approved) items not be reviewed and the less urgent and effective ones delayed. For example £5m on Commercial Estate Refurbishment? The Lib Dem’s have decided to sell off the family silver, with little or no explanation to residents who own these public properties.
Money raised from the Clean Air Zone is barely documented with only a blank row showing no revenue expenditure on page 2 of Annex 1. This is not transparent politics.
The Green Party is unsure that the political strategy to focus on prevention, deliver for local residents, prepare for the future, tackle the climate and ecological emergency and give people a bigger say has been properly calculated in this budget.
You’re receiving this email because you signed a petition to stop Lidl from opening a supermarket and a car park on the riverside plot of wood and grassland on the London Road in Lambridge, directly across the river from the National Trust’s Bathampton Meadows.
We are writing to you with an update.
Last week, the applicant (Lidl’s developers) released upwards of 50 new documents onto the planning portal. As a result, the planning department has reopened the consultation. Among this flurry of new information in support of Lidl’s application were the two maps below.
Lidl is now asking for an additional car park on the existing Bath Rugby sports field to accommodate 100 cars and with HGV access.
So now we are looking at both a supermarket with an adjacent car park and a separate overflow car park on a riverside sports ground where flooding is commonplace, where endangered beavers and other wildlife live, at the entrance to our World Heritage city in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on a street already clogged with traffic and above EU safety air pollution levels.
You might reiterate to the planning department your initial objection (on some or all of the grounds mentioned above). You might also object to these additional plans for a car park on a sports field.
Say: these plans should not be part of Lidl’s application; they constitute a separate planning application.
Ask: Why are they included with Lidl’s application?
Once again residents are having to say: We want green space, not more car parking.
PLEASE register your opposition today. The consultation closes on February 29th.
As the sole shareholder at B&NES Council for Aequus can you explain why it has cost £3.02 million to buy 22 family homes but will cost £3.2 million to build 5 two bedroom and 3 one bedroom council flats on a level site on Lower Bristol Road?
Answer from Cllr Kevin Guy
The full purchase costs of the Ukrainian/Afghan LAHF properties is yet to be finalised but will be around £6m, depending upon final properties purchased. This will be funded by £3.04m of Government funding with the remainder being funded by rent supported borrowing and Council funding. The site on Lower Bristol Road, known as Argyle Works, is being used to construct 8 highly energy efficient new homes for social rent as part of the B&NES Homes Programme. To ensure value for money, the works contract was procured in compliance with contract standing orders via a tender process. The cost of the scheme has been influenced by a number of factors, including that the land requires decontamination and that the site was historically a gravel pit and therefore requires a very complex foundation design. The £3.2m scheme will be funded by £1m of Government grant with the remainder being funded by rent supported borrowing and Council funding.
Question from Cllr Joanna Wright
As the sole shareholder at B&NES Council for Aequus can you explain the £1.6 million paid in administration fees to Aequus?
The Council’s Quarter 3 budget monitoring report has a forecast of £1.6m loan allocation to Aequus for 2023/24. The Council has successfully secured £3.04m of Government funding to help fund the purchase of 22 homes for Ukrainian/Afghan residents which is being undertaken in partnership with Aequus. This funding is being supplemented by a Council loan to Aequus to enable the purchase of the 22 homes, the Council loan element will be repaid using rental income. It will take time to complete all 22 purchases hence it is expected that a proportion of the Council loan will only be spent in 2024/25.
Question from Cllr Joanna Wright
In the November 2023 questions to Cabinet, a question was asked about the length of time councillors are given to read papers to ask Cabinet questions on, which was approx. 30 hours. You answered the question with the following statement: “The time limits are set in the Constitution and the Cabinet is not responsible for the determining the Constitution. The Constitution is determined by the Council.”
As the Leader of Council who is committed to collaborative and transparent working and wants to make sure that there is a wide representation of councillors on the council working full-time, who and/or may have caring responsibilities. Do you think the time frame should be amended or a committee system put in place so that questions and due diligence on how the council is run using tax money is properly scrutinised?
Answer from Cllr Kevin Guy
The deadlines set out in the Constitution are those agreed by the full Council. The scheme is not necessarily intended only for questions related to the agenda items (except for a Special meeting) and more often they will touch on all aspects of the Cabinet’s programme. The B&NES scheme enables detailed and informative responses to questions. The option of shortening the time between the deadline and the meeting is not a realistic option, as significant officer resource is usually needed to research and formulate answers for the Cabinet Member’s consideration and approval. As you’ll be aware, the number of questions received is high, and the complexity and detail of those questions usually requires significant officer time. This is done on top of officers’ and Cabinet Members’ busy workloads. Giving officers and members even less time to prepare complex responses would possibly result in more responses not being ready in time for the meeting and provided within 5 working days of the meeting (thereby removing the option of a supplementary question at the meeting.)
B&NES is not out of step with practice across nearby Councils regarding deadlines, which mostly vary between 4 and 2 days, or some with no notice; however, it’s worth pointing out that, for those that accept questions at the meeting with no advance notice, the response will by nature be a lot less detailed without the benefit of research and officer input. This is not the arrangement that B&NES has adopted within its Constitution.
I do not share your view that a committee system would increase scrutiny or have any particular bearing on this process, as detailed responses will always need time for preparation, regardless of the forum in which they are raised.
Question from Cllr Saskia Heijltjes
Are all officers within the Placement Management and Highways teams trained in government statutory LTN 1/20 (Local Transport Note Cycle Infrastructure Design)?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby and Cllr Sarah Warren
Place Management undertakes a wide range of Services from bereavement management to cleansing. Highways are part of the Place Directorate they maintain and deliver schemes for all highway assets such as Street Lighting and Public Rights of Way. Officers designing walking and cycling infrastructure are competent in LTN 1/20 (Local Transport Note Cycle Infrastructure Design) and associated staff members have the right level competence commensurate with their roles.
Question from Cllr Saskia Heijltjes
In the Transport Improvement Programme, a ‘school street or pedestrian improvements’ is planned for Swainswick Primary School for next year’s budget. Officers stated that a school street would cost around £200,000 to implement. Is the budgeted £40,000 of funding for a School Street? Why is there a mention of a School Street in the Transport Improvement Programme?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby and Cllr Sarah Warren
The Draft Local Highway Improvement Programme for 2024/25 includes £40,000.00 for Swainswick Primary School, which would be used for pedestrian improvements. The concept of a School Street will be reviewed as part of the project. Any potential School Street would be delivered as a separated programme of works
Question from Cllr Saskia Heijltjes
At the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel meeting on 9 November 2023, a ‘trial a series of school streets’ was listed in the Journey To Net Zero Update report. Which schools have been identified to have a School Street implemented in 2024/25? The only mention of a School Street in the budget papers is the ‘school street or pedestrian improvements’ for Swainswick Primary School in the Transport Improvement Programme for 2024/25. Where is the rest of the trial?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby and Cllr Sarah Warren
We are currently undertaking a prioritisation process to help inform a programme of trial School Streets across B&NES, to be delivered during the 2024/25 financial year and beyond. As this process is ongoing it is not yet possible to provide a list of schools that have been selected for a scheme.
Question from Liam Kirby
Recent changes have been made to Weston High Street; the new road layout was instigated with the aim to make the high street safer “for all users”. However, this new layout has not improved the situation for cyclists. Why is BANES prioritising the safety of people parking their cars and not of people cycling?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
The echelon parking bays have been modified to discourage motorists from parking with their vehicles partly on the footway adjacent to the shops. To achieve this, the centre line in the High Street was moved over slightly, and a hatched area was introduced behind the echelon parking bays so that motorists are given a greater degree of comfort that the rear of their vehicles will not be damaged by passing vehicles if they park correctly. The benefit for cyclists using the High Street is two-fold. Firstly, north-west bound cyclists have a hatched ‘buffer zone’ between the rear of parked vehicles and the carriageway running lane and, secondly, the south-west bound traffic lane is now narrower (3m), which discourages motorists from attempting to overtake cyclists. The previous lane was of a width (between 3.2m and 3.9m) where motorists may have been tempted to overtake a cyclist when there was insufficient room to do so.
Question from Liam Kirby
The percentage of households with no cars or vans has decreased from 22% in 2011 to 19.9% in 2022. However, households who own or have availability to use 2, 3 or more cars or vans has increased from 35.7% to 38.4%. What are BANES doing to stop this growth which impacts the health and wellbeing of residents? (See page 76 of Strategic Evidence Base Nov 2023).
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
The latest Census for 2021 for B&NES indicates that levels of car ownership have increased since the previous Census undertaken in 2011. This trend is in line with national data that has seen a 17% increase in the number of households in England with access to 2, 3 or more cars and a drop of 3% in households that don’t have access to a car between 2011 and 2021. The growth in households having access to 2 or more cars in B&NES is less than the national figure at 16% between 2011 and 2021, growing from 26,284 to 30,460. Equally the decline in the number of households with no access to a car in B&NES is less than the national figure at -2.2%. Whilst this overall growth in car ownership is a continuation of a previous trend, the rate of car ownership has accelerated in large part due to the effects of the Covid pandemic. During the pandemic people were unable to use public transport and consequently many families who didn’t own a car were forced to purchase one in order to make journeys that they otherwise previously would have undertaken on bus or rail.
As part of our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, B&NES has a target to achieve a 25% reduction in kilometres travelled per person by car each year. Reducing levels of car ownership is key to delivering this target through the provision of more sustainable travel options for those living and working across the district. We plan to do this through large scale investment in active travel and public transport schemes in order to make walking, wheeling, cycling as well as travel by bus and train much more attractive and a viable travel choice for more people.
Question from Liam Kirby
Last mile delivery by cycle is thriving in many cities, including neighbouring Bristol with Freight Consolidation centres being put in place to enable this transition. What is B&NES doing to progress Freight Consolidation centres in this authority?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
As part of a wider package of transport measures, B&NES has put in place a number of last mile transport service improvements. Last mile delivery refers to the very last step of the delivery process when a parcel is moved from a transportation hub to its final destination.
B&NES future plans for freight consolidation are included in the Journey to Net Zero Transport Plan that was adopted in May 2022. Further Journey to Net Zero Plans are in the process of being developed for many of our other towns and communities across B&NES. These will include references to any further freight consolidation schemes planned across the district.
Question from Erica Davies
In a recent email from a Senior Case Officer in the B&NES Planning team, they stated that the legal obligations were fulfilled regarding the application, whilst also stating “I agree the drawings do not show the full impact on your property”.
Please can you explain why the council can accept and approve planning applications without mandatory documents?
Answer from Cllr Matt McCabe
The Council as local planning authority requires submitted applications to be accompanied by information (plans, drawings, accompanying reports) that meets both national and local standards. Applications that do not meet these standards do not get validated and so the statutory time period for deciding the application would not even begin until these standards are met.
The standards are published on the planning pages of the Council’s website, along with best practice guidance for plans and drawings. When assessing the application, it is for the planning case officer to satisfy themselves that the submitted information is adequate, along with information gathered during any site visit. The quote provided is not accompanied by any information about the application that it refers to and the context of the quote is also not known. I cannot, therefore, speculate as to what is meant by the quote, however I wish to provide reassurance that applications are not decided without the required information being submitted and are often supplemented by information gathered from a visit to the application site.
Question from Erica Davies
In the November 2023 questions to Cabinet, a question was asked about costs of the Kate Raworth event. The answer given stated that:
The total cost of the event was £2,362.25. This includes both the costs of preparing and delivering the event itself and follow up work to collate and analyse workshop outputs, including an independent report and collation of mapping to produce a legacy resource for wider community.”
When will this wider resource for the community be put in place?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
The independent report from the workshop has been shared directly with participants and will be published on the Council’s website shortly so that key insights can be viewed more widely. Mapping of local organisations actively working on social and environmental challenges is available on request, and we are looking for a partner organisation that can host and manage this resource in future. We will be using this mapping as an input for our own future conversations with communities across the district.
On a regular basis, frequent disruptions occur on Walcot Street, causing significant delays and issues for passengers commuting to and from the city centre, leading to substantial congestion in the east of Bath. Will you take prompt action and implement necessary measures to ensure smooth bus operations in the east of Bath?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper and Cllr Manda Rigby
As part of a Milsom Quarter public realm design project, further work is being done to look at options to improve this area together with the area in front of St Michael’s Church, Green Street and New Bond Street. All designs will be consulted on publicly before being progressed for funding bids.
It should be noted that the Podium car park is privately owned land. While it is not possible for the Council to deliver all elements of the Masterplan, as they are not in our direct control, we have sought to identify areas for improvement beyond our landownership across the area. Our Highways team have advised there are unfortunately no quick measures that can be brought in to ease the congestion in Walcot Street.
Question from Barbara Gordon
The Report as recommended in Citizens Panel presented to Cabinet in November 2022 stated that the Council ‘revisit all options for through traffic reduction on the route from the valley floor to Claverton Down’ and ‘recommence the Transport Improvement Programme in the Claverton down Area’. As a new Liveable neighbourhood/road closure in New Sydney Place/Sydney Road by the side of the Holburne has recently been proposed by the Cabinet Member and Ward Member for Bathwick, how will the “Revisit” of a safe active travel route connecting many residents from the city of Bath to Claverton Down be taken forward?
Answer from Cllrs Manda Rigby and Sarah Warren
The proposed through traffic restriction on Sydney Place is as part of the Council’s Liveable Neighbourhood programme. It will provide improved links throughout the local area and support more people to travel by active modes of transport. As part of the Active Travel Masterplan, which is currently in development, it is the Council’s ambition to improve walking and cycling links between all major educational and employment destinations within the district.
Question from Barbara Gordon
The stepped access from the canal towpath into Sydney Gardens was planned to be improved by creating a step-free accessible ramp into the park as part of the £3.4 million Heritage Lottery Funded major refurbishment. The ramp was scrapped from the project due to lack of budget. What are the current plans to put this accessible entrance in place to allow for everyone to access the park, including people with walking aids, in wheelchairs and with pushchairs?
Answer from Cllrs Sarah Warren and Manda Rigby
Step free access to the canal towpath from Sydney Gardens is available from Beckford Road. Further access improvements may be considered in future if a suitable funding source becomes available.
Question from Barbara Gordon
The exit from the canal towpath at Beckford Road is a well-used entry and exit connecting to Sydney Gardens. As active travel is one of the main priorities in the Council’s strategic plans to enable residents to have healthier lives, when will a formal crossing be put in place on what is now a 20mph road to ensure that everyone is safe on a major A road?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
Work is underway to obtain funding for and design for a crossing at this location.
Question from John Christian
At a recent public meeting on Housing Development and the Local Plan held by Councillors in Saltford Cllr Matt McCabe said that “although the West Of England Combined Authority under the Metro Mayor should have been responsible for developing the Local Plan together with the Local Transport strategy, the Metro Mayor had stepped back from this responsibility and handed the Local Plan back to B&NES and other unitary authorities and now the West of England Mayor is only handling local transport including the A4 consultation.”
When and how did the Metro Mayor notify B&NES that they were handing back responsibility for the Local Plan?
Answer from Cllr Matt McCabe
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) was preparing a Mayoral Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) that would have addressed strategic planning issues across the WECA area. The WECA Mayor wrote to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in May 2022 to advise that work on the Spatial Development Strategy had been halted. The three unitary authorities’ Local Plans therefore, will address both strategic and non-strategic issues. This position was confirmed on the B&NES Council website in summer 2022. The Metro Mayor is responsible for producing and delivering the sub regional Transport Plan (Joint Local Transport Plan), details of the current JLTP4 can be found here. WECA has started work on JLTP5.
Question from John Christian
Are B&NES happy with the local transport proposals being advocated by Metro Mayor and do they see any problems of coordination between the Local Plan and Transport Plan proposals?
Answer from Cllr Matt McCabe
B&NES are part of the project team for all transport projects being led by WECA. On behalf of our residents and businesses we seek to steer, influence and advocate for the best outcomes. We are listening closely to representations on the recent consultations, this will inform any decisions we make.
Question from John Christian
Can the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development guarantee residents that there is a regular dialogue between the Metro Mayor and B&NES to ensure that public money is well spent?
Answer from Cllr Matt McCabe
Ensuring that public money is spent in the most effective way possible is of paramount importance to B&NES and the Combined Authority. Close working between the officers of the Combined Authority and B&NES officers is fundamental in bringing forward significant investment for our district that aligns with our Corporate Priorities. All the projects are subject to assessment ensuring value for money, with opportunities for public scrutiny through the WECA Committee system.
Question from Christopher Wright
In the Transport Improvement Programme, a ‘school street or pedestrian improvements’ is planned for Swainswick Primary School for next year’s budget. Officers stated that a school street would cost around £200,000 to implement. Is the budgeted £40,000 of funding for a School Street? Why is there a mention of a School Street in the Transport Improvement Programme?
Answer from Cllrs Manda Rigby and Sarah Warren
The Draft Local Highway Improvement Programme for 2024/25 includes £40,000.00 for Swainswick Primary School, which would be used for pedestrian improvements. The concept of a School Street will be reviewed as part of the project. Any potential School Street would be delivered as a separated programme of works.
Question from Christopher Wright
At the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel meeting on 9 November 2023, a ‘trial series of school streets’ was listed in the Journey To Net Zero Update report. Which schools have been identified to have a School Street implemented in 2024/25? The only mention of a School Street in the budget papers is the ‘school street or pedestrian improvements’ for Swainswick Primary School in the Transport Improvement Programme for 2024/25. Where are the rest of the School Streets being trialled?
Answer from Cllrs Manda Rigby and Sarah Warren
We are currently undertaking a prioritisation process to help inform a programme of School Streets to be delivered from the next financial year onwards. Therefore, it is not yet possible to provide details of which school(s) have been selected as initial trials.
Question from Anne Coghlan
The important active travel link between North East Somerset and Bath, the Devonshire Tunnel, one of the Two Tunnels, has been shut since the flooding mid-January 2024 and it is suggested this tunnel could be closed for months. Sustrans has passed the work to repair this tunnel to B&NES. As it is not possible to get around the tunnel unless you can push your bike over muddy paths, when will the blocked pipe be fixed? Will a diversion route be signposted?
Answer from Cllrs Manda Rigby and Sarah Warren
Sustrans are responsible for the management of Devonshire Tunnel and have not passed this across to the Council. However, Officers have engaged with Sustrans throughout the recent flooding issues and have provided assistance where this has been possible, but we are unable to provide a timeframe in which the tunnel will be reopened. There is currently no appropriate signed diversion that can safely be put in place. However, utilising funding from Active Travel England’s Capability and Ambition Fund, we are working on the feasibility and design of a permanent improved active travel link between Lyncombe Vale and the Two Tunnels.
Question from Anne Coghlan
A recent BBC investigation found councils which have a statutory responsibility for footpaths had 4,000 more access issues on public rights of way in 2023 than in 2022. What is the number of public rights of way that are blocked in B&NES? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67937253
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby
At the time we received the FOI request (which is presumably the source for the original story), there were 283 obstructions on the rights of way network in B&NES. However, it’s important to note that only a very small number of these obstructions actually prevent the public from using a path and many of those obstructions, while still requiring resolution, are far more minor. For example, included within this number would be paths where something such as maybe a planter or a log pile has been placed within the legal width of the right of way but not on the section of path which the public regularly use.
Overall, there was a 6% reduction in the number of obstructions in B&NES compared with the same period in 2022.
Question from Anne Coghlan
Cabinet Project Lead for Highways mentioned there was no time to implement a school street in Lyme Rd/Charmouth Rd area, Bath. A key piece of the co-design in Lyme Rd is the school street element, but this could not be brought forward into the ETRO because as stated by the Cabinet Project Lead for Highways, the necessary time required to work that part of the proposal was not in place. When will the necessary time be put in place for this key co-design element and what is in the budget for school streets?
Answer from Cllr Manda Rigby and Cllr Sarah Warren
While a School Street was not included in the forthcoming trial Liveable Neighbourhood for the Lyme Road/Charmouth Road area, further interventions in all of the current and forthcoming trial Liveable Neighbourhoods will be considered for inclusion in the Full Business Case that will be submitted to the Combined Authority. If a School Street is not included in the Full Business Case, the school would still be considered for such a scheme as part of the separate School Streets programme which is currently under development.
Question from Grace Wiltshire
B&NES Council has hired a local company, Cool Ventures, to run a workshop on how to sell on Etsy for business owners and charities. The date of this workshop was 22 November 2023. Please explain how this is a good use of taxpayer’s money in the present climate when funding to vital services is being cut?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper
The workshop delivered by Cool Ventures is part of our Universal Business Support Project, which is 100% funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Investment Fund. No local council spending was incurred on this workshop, or any aspect of the project.
The project is targeting a minimum of 900 residents, businesses and third sector representatives through one-to-one support, mentoring, coaching and thematic workshops over the course of three years, with the target of at least 450 clients being able to demonstrate productivity gains as a result of the support received. New business starts and job creation are two other targets of the project, which along with productivity gains are key aspects of our new Economic Strategy. Economic growth and job creation in Bath & North East Somerset will help improve local government finances and help us fund vital services. Thanks to the 100% UK Government funding, the project is free at the point of delivery to ensure that income is not a barrier to anyone wishing to receive support in order to start or grow their enterprise.
The workshop in question (and in fact every workshop delivered on the project) is in response to demand. Etsy and similar sales platforms have become increasingly popular to new start-up and part-time enterprises as a route to market, hence digital skills using such platforms are very much in demand. Digital skills workshops and webinars tend to be very popular in terms of numbers attended – we are simply responding to demand. As well as requests for help with Etsy, the cost-of-living crisis is driving more and more individuals to find alternative ways to generate additional income. Etsy provides a platform for creative hobbyists and artisans to market their products in a wider setting and a cost-effective way (they don’t need a website and fees are very reasonable). So this is highly accessible for anyone regardless of their level of technical ability, and enable users to generate an additional income which may not be available to them otherwise.
The workshop is run in the evening to enable those working during the day to attend. It is highly practical and is aimed at entry level sellers / entrepreneurs and covers:
How to set up the 1st shop
Advice on pricing and profitability
How to market effectively and be visible in front of the right audience without the need for expensive equipment and investment.
The workshop is delivered by a local expert, who has successfully been selling on Etsy for 12 years and also supports Etsy sellers independently for 5 years (this is outside of the Universal Business Support Programme).
Attendees leave with a workbook and are able to access further 121 support if needed.
Attendees can attend other workshops to enhance their business knowledge.
Question from Grace Wiltshire
According to the Strategic Evidence Base from November 2023, over 600,000 kms were travelled by Council staff for business travel (decreased from over a million kms in 2015/16). Why do staff travel so many kms by car for business travel and what analysis has been undertaken to suggest that some of these journeys could be taken by public transport, scooter or cycle instead, potentially saving money and improving staff health?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
The strong trend in business mileage reduction has continued from the baseline and 2019/20 (pre-covid) with consequent reduction in Co2e and cost.
2022/23 has seen an increase of 37% from 2021-22. This was predictable as both B&NES Council and the wider district recovered post Covid and returned to a significant level of increased activity and council services responded to greater in person demand across the district. The swift organisational adoption of both blended working and enhanced virtual technology has enabled this to be better managed reducing travel for internal/ partnership meetings.
For 2022/23 75% of staff business travel was by staff delivering services in Adult Social Care, Adult Health Care & Housing, Children’s Services & Education. Demand for these services has risen and therefore staff have been required to travel to manager authorised home & school visits, children’s safeguarding visits, some of which involved significant out of district travel, and education support visits.
For the financial year 2022/23, 72k miles were transferred from grey fleet to managed emission free or energy efficient pool cars delivering a reduction of 6.9 tonnes of CO2e.
The council continues to promote sustainable travel to staff including salary sacrifice bikes through staff benefits, access to pool bikes and business train travel, see attached Existing Measures, and requires all mileage claims to be reviewed against the Travel Decision Guide. The corporate Travel Policy has been updated to reflect the Corporate Strategy Climate Emergency priority and includes maximum limits for car mileage for travel between office hubs, with incentives for using private (non-salary sacrifice) bicycles with a locally agreed rate payable at 40p per mile and council staff sharing cars as vehicle passengers on official duties at 5p per mile.
Question from Grace Wiltshire
According to the Strategic Evidence Base from November 2023, the percentage of EVs registered to a BANES address increased from 0.2% in September 2018 to 1.2% in September 2022. What is the council doing to enable more people to switch to an EV including many residents who live in terraced housing with no ability to charge electric vehicles and the only other option being to charge at the higher rate on the council’s limited EV points?
Answer from Cllr Sarah Warren
B&NES will be rolling out on-street public residential EV charge points through the central governments Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project. LEVI is a £400 million capital project from central government with the main aim of building on-street public residential charging to address the EV charging needs of those residents who do not have off-street parking. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) are leading a bid for LEVI funds, which includes provision for B&NES. The LEVI project will be delivered with a commercial Charge Point Operator (CPO) to benefit from sector expertise in delivering at scale. Final applications are currently being assessed by the Department for Transport and with the current schedule we could see charge points on-street from early 2025. The council is acutely aware of the challenges facing residents with no off-street parking. Following a WECA review into on-street home charging technologies, systems providing cable channels sunk into the footway were identified as the favoured option. To this end we will be trialing cable channel products on public footways in B&NES. A public report on the cable channel trial proposal provides more details. The trial is awaiting funding confirmation from WECA, with an expected public launch July 2024.
Question from Dominic Tristram
It has been reported that Bath Rugby at the Rec in central Bath will be creating a huge balloon made up of hundreds of metres of plastic sheeting to enable hot air to be blown across the pitch for 24 hours; it is presumed that this is needed because Bath Rugby have embedded plastic filaments all over the pitch. Did Bath Rugby request consent for embedding plastic filaments and was it accompanied by a pitch management plan?
Answer from Cllr Matt McCabe and Cllr Sarah Warren
We believe that there is some confusion about this. These are two separate things.
The “plastic filaments” that have been “stitched” into the pitch is a tried-and-tested system used throughout the sporting world to improve the stability of the pitch. This was recently installed, initially to goal areas and subsequently across the rest of the pitch. The 20cm deep artificial fibres intertwine with the grass roots to form a stable pitch that can take three times as much playing as a normal grass pitch. This did not require any additional consent. We can confirm that a pitch management plan was not required for this work.
The “huge balloon made up of hundreds of metres of plastic sheeting to enable hot air to be blown across the pitch for 24 hours” we believe refers to the frost covers that are routinely spread over the pitch during prolonged periods of cold and icy conditions to protect the pitch to prevent freezing and allow safe use of the pitch. The use of these covers is triggered by the Premiership, when there is a televised game that may be affected by frost. These covers have been used in previous years.
“Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Broad Street Place is an unusual example of public space in Bath that is central yet traffic-free. It has huge potential to benefit residents, visitors and businesses by being regenerated into a peaceful green space that people want to spend time in. I’m pleased that Bath Neighbourhood CIL Funding is supporting this vision to become a reality and look forward to seeing the space being enjoyed as a fantastic asset for the community.”
This space is not accessible due to steps from Walcot Streets and a step from the access point from Broad Street. What is B&NES doing to make this an inclusive space and allow access for people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters?
Answer from Cllr Paul Roper and Cllr Sarah Warren
This Neighbourhood CIL funded project will provide new seating, playable space, new planting, public art, lighting and will provide improved surface materials around the trees.
There is currently stepped access into the site from Walcot Street and a single step on the access from Broad Street. Re-profiling the step-access from Broad Street is not in scope of the current funding, however, the Council has done design work to facilitate this in future. Subject to funding being secured to deliver it, it is anticipated this will be a future phase.
Question from Dominic Tristram
What can be done by B&NES to hold Bath Rugby to account for failures to exercise due care towards the wider public when there are flood incidents? A similar failing occurred in mid-January of last year when the river flooded.
Answer from Cllrs Matt McCabe and Tim Ball
If a flooding incident causes wider issues for the public, debriefs and enquiries are held which look into the actions of statutory bodies and organisations in respect of decisions and outcomes.
If a flooding incident causes wider issues for the public, debriefs and enquiries are held which look into the actions of statutory bodies and organisations in respect of decisions and outcomes.
B&NES Green Group expresses disappointment in the recent Labour-led call-in regarding the Southlands Liveable Neighbourhood (LN) Scheme. The call-in, aimed at challenging the decision to make the experimental traffic regulation permanent, undermines critical efforts to address the climate emergency and promote sustainability in the region.
The Southlands LN Scheme is aligned with the core policies of B&NES, emphasising the urgent need to combat the climate and ecological emergencies while engaging residents in decision-making processes. Despite initial opposition highlighted in consultation results, subsequent data reveals significant support for the trial scheme, with 39% of respondents backing it and 41% of respondents saying they live in Southlands, acknowledging its positive impact on themselves and their area.
Criticism surrounding increased journey times by car overlooks the broader objective of reducing private car usage by 24% by 2030, in line with the council’s sustainability goals. Investment in measures to enable walking, wheeling, and cycling is essential to encourage sustainable modes of transportation.
It is crucial to recognise that consultations such as the one on the Southlands LN are not referendums but tools for gathering feedback to inform decision-making. The focus should remain on addressing public health concerns, including childhood obesity, and creating safer streets through initiatives like Vision Zero.
The Green Group has long advocated for a circulation plan to address wider transport issues comprehensively. In fact, Green group leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, has flagged this issue continuously to the Council, writing in a statement to B&NES Cabinet back in January 2022: “This local Council […] has failed to put in place a broader circulation plan.”
The failure to implement such a plan by the current administration hampers progress toward sustainable mobility solutions. The absence of a holistic approach risks exacerbating traffic problems and inhibiting the transition to greener modes of transportation.
Green Councillor Sam Ross’ inquiry to Cabinet in September 2023 about the circulation plan for Bath underscores the persistent need for strategic planning to enhance traffic flow and prioritise sustainable transport options. The absence of a comprehensive strategy undermines the effectiveness of individual interventions like the Southlands LN Scheme.
Considering the ongoing climate crisis and the imperative to reduce air pollution, it is essential to prioritise evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting active travel and enhancing public health and wellbeing. The Green Group urges all parties to refocus efforts on collaborative solutions that prioritise the long-term sustainability and resilience of Bath and North East Somerset.
Green Councillor, Saskia Heijltjes, adds:
“When I asked for an update on the circulation plan at the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel in January 2024, I was told the work on the circulation plan had just been started.
“That is simply not good enough. I believe the circulation plan should have been finalised much sooner, and certainly before putting in place multiple Liveable Neighbourhoods across Bath.”
In response to Councillor Heijltjes’ request for an update on the circulation plan, Cabinet Member Councillor Rigby said: “Everyone would prefer to do it the right, other way around… We are really clear that overall, we need a circulation plan.”
Cllr Joanna Wright is ward member for Lambridge and is the Green Group Leader at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Published on behalf of Joanna Wright and Bath and NE Somerset Green Party by Michael Coffey, c/o Ravenscroft, Sydney Road, Bath BA2 6NT 