Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the face-to-face meeting and noted that those councillors attending via Teams would not be in attendance formally or able to vote.

The Council will hear any person who wishes to address it in accordance with the Standing Orders. The Chairperson will select the order of the matters to be heard.

Each person will be limited to a period of five minutes for public participation and deputations and three minutes for petitions.  This section of the meeting must not exceed 30 minutes and discussion must not refer to a current planning application.  

The Council will also receive questions from the public and provide answers thereto, subject to the Chairperson being satisfied that the questions are relevant to the business of the meeting.  

Requests must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, or to the officer mentioned at the top of this agenda letter, by noon on the day before the meeting and the request must detail the subject matter of the address.

1.     Steve Voller, resident, Wolvershill Bridge closure

Steve Voller addressed Council, highlighting the map he had provided of the area and speaking in objection to the proposed closure of Wolvershill Bridge route. He stated the closure would split Banwell in two, create further congestion and pollution, cut people off from facilities and services, increase commute times for both those traveling out of the area for work and those working within the community, and that there would also be a resulting loss to local businesses. He suggested that the council considered:

·       widening the bridge to allow for pedestrian and vehicle access

·       traffic calming in the new residential development

·       the reduction of speed limits on Wolvershill Road

·       resubmission of the local plan for public consultation

2.     Nick Manley, resident, Wolvershill Bridge closure

Nick Manly addressed Council. His view was that redirection of the traffic would lead to longer journey times and residents being cut off from facilities both within Banwell and nearby Worle, with Banwell split into two.

He stated that the roundabouts near the helicopter museum were already operating at capacity, making it counterproductive to direct further traffic towards already congested areas. He questioned why the proposed low traffic neighbourhood for the Wolvershill development could not co-exist with keeping the bridge open as those residents would require access to local amenities, commuter routes and that longer travel times and more congestion was contradictory to the council’s broader environmental objectives. He also raised concerns over the financial viability of the proposed bus services.

A Member must declare any disclosable pecuniary interest where it relates to any matter being considered at the meeting. A declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest should indicate the interest and the agenda item to which it relates. A Member is not permitted to participate in this agenda item by law and should immediately leave the meeting before the start of any debate.

If the Member leaves the meeting in respect of a declaration, he or she should ensure that the Chairperson is aware of this before he or she leaves to enable their exit from the meeting to be recorded in the minutes in accordance with Standing Order 37.

None declared.

17 September 2024, to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting of 17 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

(attached)

The Leader presented the forward plan.

Resolved: that Council note the Forward Plan.

(1) Motion to Council – Councillor Bell

Government consultation – hybrid meetings and proxy voting

(2) Motion to Council – Councillor Pryke

Government increase to the Bus Fare Cap

(3) Motion to Council – Councillor Burden

Planned saltmarsh creation

1.     Government consultation – hybrid meetings and proxy voting

Introducing his motion, the Leader emphasised the need for modernisation of the legislation to enable local authorities to operate efficiently in a modern world as their responsibilities had evolved, and to give local authorities the ability to decide what was right for them.

Seven members indicated their support for a debate on the motion.

Motion: moved by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Gibbons.

“Members will be aware that Government has launched a consultation regarding its intention to allow councils to have the ability to have hybrid meetings so that members could attend and vote remotely, and further that consultation responses are sought regarding the possibility of proxy voting by members not able to attend even by remote means.

The consultation seeks responses from individual members as well as all tiers of authorities.

The consultation can be found at Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings - GOV.UK and the online response page at Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings - GOV.UK. Members are encouraged to make any personal responses they may wish but in order for an organisation response to be provided Council is asked to approve that:

·       We want councils to be able to make their own decisions on in person, hybrid and virtual based on local needs and within a permissive legislative environment.

·       This should include arrangements for remote participation and voting where required.

·       Proxy voting should be permitted by exception (e.g. due to prolonged absence such as maternity, ill health etc).

·       Officers are asked to respond to the consultation on behalf of the council accordingly.”

In debating the motion, some members stated that there were benefits to not modernising where existing measures were working well. Members wanted to understand whether full Council would ever be subject to proxy voting and some concerns were raised that embracing technology could make officers of the council less visible.

Other members spoke in favour noting the merits of hybrid working and speaking positively about their own personal experience, observing that it was more inclusive and provided more opportunity for members to engage and balance their duties as councillors with their other responsibilities.

The Leader summed up and stated that proxy voting would only be relevant should a member not be able to participate for genuine reasons, and that remote voting would make participating easier, thus reducing genuine instances where members cannot partake or would need to utilise a proxy vote.

Resolved: that the motion as set out in full above, be approved and adopted.

2.     Government increase to the Bus Fare Cap

Introducing the motion, Councillor Pryke stated he was inspired by the action taken by the Labour Mayor of Manchester who maintained the £2 Bus Fare Cap and explained that the motion was a way to continue dialogue with government regarding the Bus Fare Cap.

Seven members indicated their support for a debate on the motion.

Motion: moved by Councillor Pryke  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU56

Report of Councillor Bell (attached)

The Leader presented the report and explained to members the council were looking to delegate authority to undertake the consultation and that the council were needing to make £1.5m worth of savings. He reminded members that it formed part of the budget setting process and that a budget session was scheduled on the 22 November 2024.

Motion: proposed by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Canniford that

1.      The Council delegate the publication of a consultation for the redesigned Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme to the Director of Corporate Services and Head of Support Services in consultation with appropriate members such as the Executive Member for Corporate Services further to: 

a.     a proposal being finalised

b.     options representing reasonable alternatives being confirmed

and 

c.     assurance being provided that target savings fall within the MTFP   envelope and responses were invited on potential the forms of mitigation.

Amendment: proposed by Councillor Petty

Councillor Petty requested “that the Executive Member for Corporate Services and the Executive Member for  Homes and Health be included in the recommendation.”

Resolved: that the amendment as outlined in full above, be accepted and adopted.

In debating the motion and amendment, some members stated that they could not approve reducing the support available to vulnerable households, and that doing so would increase inequalities and decrease collection rates as people prioritised paying other bills. Members recognised it was a difficult decision but that it was indicative of the financial pressures the council faced.

The Leader summed up and explained he would also be writing to the government about the numerous issues with the council tax system.

Resolved: that:

The Council delegated the publication of a consultation for the redesigned Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme to the Director of Corporate Services and Head of Support Services in consultation with  the Executive Member for Corporate Services and the Executive Member for Homes and Health further to: 

d.     a proposal being finalised

e.     options representing reasonable alternatives being confirmed

and 

f.       assurance being provided that target savings fall within the MTFP   envelope

g.     responses being invited on potential the forms of mitigation. 

Report of Councillor Canniford (attached)

Councillor Canniford presented the report. He emphasised that the report had regard to the pier structure only. He confirmed that the council had successfully bid for and been awarded the full £10m lottery grant funding for the project and noted it was a significant achievement. He explained the funding mechanisms and that no further financial risks would be placed on the council without further conversation and decisions being brought back to Council.

Motion:proposed by Councillor Canniford and seconded by Councillor Crockford-Hawley that the Council:

1                 Noted the successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund bid for £10m in support of the Pier restoration project.

2                 Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy to approve changes to the Collaboration Agreement with the RNLI, in consultation with the Director of Place and Section 151 and Monitoring Officers and in line with the proposals set out in Section 3.2 below.

3                 Accepted sole employer responsibility for the Birnbeck Pier bridge structure restoration contract to enable tenders to be issued. Appointment of a contractor will require a further Council decision, which will reflect the outcome of the tendering process and the due diligence underway outlined in 3.2 below.

4                 Approved the proposed Commissioning Plan (Section 3.3) for the works required to restore the pier, and that, subject to approval of the Procurement Plan, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, council officers may proceed with tendering these works.

5                 Required that a further report be brought back to Council to seek authorisation of the award of contract for the Pier restoration works and acceptance of sole employer responsibility for construction, prior to entering into financial commitments for the delivery of those works. 

Councillor Crockford-Hawley outlined that there were currently no shortfalls in funding and there were no risks to Council in accepting the report. It was important to note that the RNLI were reducing their organisational responsibility only.

Amendment: proposed by Councillor Cartman

Councillor Cartman outlined his intention to add safety valves and limit the council’s exposure to unexpected costs, and thus moved the following amendment. The suggested amendment being accepted by the mover and seconder of the motion it was included in the motion for further debate:

“4 - To approve the proposed Commissioning Plan (Section 3.3) for the works required to restore the pier, and to ask that the Procurement Plan is prepared for approval in accordance with Contact Standing Orders and consultation with the s151 Officer and Leader. The Procurement Plan and tendering process should be constructed so as to mitigate risks to the Council by maximising the construction risk to be held by the contractor and a fixed financial ceiling for the project within the available funding.”

In debating the motion including the accepted addition, members enquired about the communications plan and the need for robust communication to avoid creating public confusion about the council’s financial position. Council were informed about the activity that had taken place and that there had been a large amount of  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU58

Report of Councillor Waite (attached)

Councillor Bell presented the report. Speaking to the report, the Leader reminded members that the Climate Emergency team were a small team of officers who accounted for a small amount of council spending and that it was important to emphasise how little of the council budget was allocated for the works undertaken.

In debating the report members asked whether the council was doing enough to protect communities from climate change impacts. It was requested that the Executive Member writes to the new government and ask for their continued support at a local level and to ask for further support and freedom to achieve their targets. Members stated that without government support, net zero could not be achieved.

Councillor Bell summed up and thanked the officers and members who had contributed, noting that the council had been supporting with business grants and would continue to support business in that regard.

Motion: proposed by Councillor Bell, seconded by Councillor Gibbons and

Resolved: that:

1.     The Council noted the update on carbon emissions from the council’s own estate and activities including recent improvements on decarbonisation

2.     The Council noted the updates on carbon emissions from North Somerset

3.     The Council noted the progress on existing projects to tackle climate change, which were summarised in the report.

Report of Councillor Canniford (attached)

Councillor Canniford presented the report and stated that 95.91% of the votes cast were in favour of supporting the plan. The parish council would be eligible for 25% of any CIL receipts from developments within the Neighbourhood Plan area, instead of the normal 15%. Funding was made available to the council from the Neighbourhood Planning Grant at the sum of £20k to contribute toward the Council’s costs to develop the plan and support the referendum.

Motion: proposed by Councillor Canniford and seconded by Councillor Cartman.

Resolved: that the Council resolved to make the Wraxall and Failand Neighbourhood Plan.

Report of Councillor Gibbons (attached)

Taken under minute COU 63.

Questions must relate to issues relevant to the work of the Executive, the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Employment, Licensing, Audit or Standards Sub-Committee.

Members are requested to supply the Democratic Services Officer with a note of each question at, or just after, the meeting.  A summary note of each question will be included in an appendix to the minutes.

Oral questions were directed to members concerned and the summary notes and topics involved are contained in Appendix 1.

(1) Oral update from Councillor Gibbons on Corporate Parenting Panel

Corporate Parenting Report

Councillor Gibbons spoke to the report and provided detail around the Mockingbird Constellations and Creating Names initiatives.

Resolved: that the Council noted the report.

(1) Licencing Committee 29 October 2024

LIC Mid-year report for the Administration and Enforcement of all Licensing Regimes (draft minute extract, report and policies attached).

(2) Audit Committee 26 September 2024

Constitution change to petition processes SO 17 for adoption (draft minute extract and report attached).

(1) Licensing Committee 29 October 2024

LIC Mid-year report for the Administration and Enforcement of all Licensing Regimes.

Councillor Davies presented the draft extract and report which outlined the key Licensing Policy amendments.

Motion: proposed by Councillor Davies and seconded by Councillor Solomon.

Members raised awareness about matters unrelated to the report or policies being amended. With particular regard to the issue of out of area Personal Hire Drivers Licenses being used within North Somerset, how these were regulated and how drivers were or were not vetted. Members were reminded that they were being asked to debate and approve the report recommendations, and that the challenges were known, relevant action was being taken and that there were secure processes in place concerning the use of taxis where the council utilises these for vulnerable service users.

Councillor Davies summed up.

Resolved: that Council approvedthat the draft Statements of Principles as amended and agreed by the Licensing Committee, be adopted.

(2) Audit Committee 26 September 2024

Constitution change to petition processes SO 17.

The Assistant Director Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer

presented the draft extract and report.

Noted: that the previous Council resolution to adopt proposed changes to Standing Order 17 related to consideration of petitions had now been implemented by the Monitoring Officer and the Audit Committee.

None.

These have to be received by the Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer by 12.00 noon on the day of the meeting. 

None.

1.    Chairperson’s Announcements

2.    Leader’s Announcements

3.    Chief Executive’s Announcements

Councillor Crew shared his plans for a Christmas gathering of members proposed for 6 December 2024 and explained he would be in touch with further information.

For a matter to be considered as an urgent item, the following question must be addressed:  “What harm to the public interest would flow from leaving it until the next meeting?” If harm can be demonstrated, then it is open to the Chairperson to rule that it be considered as urgent. Otherwise the matter cannot be considered urgent within the statutory provisions.