Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies were received from Cllrs M F Brooke, M Earl, R Maidment and C Rigby.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications. 

Notification had been received from the appropriate group leaders of the following changes in membership for this meeting of the Board:

Cllr R Burton substituted for Cllr M F Brooke

Cllr T Trent substituted for Cllr M Earl

Cllr M Andrews substituted for Cllr R Maidment

Cllr L Northover substituted for Cllr C Rigby

Councillors are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and the Council's Code of Conduct regarding Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

Councillors are also required to disclose any other interests where a Councillor is a member of an external body or organisation where that membership involves a position of control or significant influence, including bodies to which the Council has made the appointment in line with the Council's Code of Conduct.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest or other interests.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s2305/Public%20Items%20-%20Meeting%20Procedure%20Rules.pdf 

The deadline for the submission of public questions is Monday 4 November 2019.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is 12.00 noon, Friday 8 November 2019.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 12.00 noon, Friday 8 November 2019.

The Board was advised that two public statements had been submitted in relation to the agenda item on the Call for Evidence – 5G Connectivity. These were presented to the Board as follows:

Emma Johnson, local resident:

“I am a solicitor turned energy healer.  I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of microwave radiation from untested 5G technology on all living things. Did you know 252 reputable EMF scientists from 43 nations presented a petition to the World Health Organisation? Did you know 5G is uninsurable, classified as a pollutant and a high risk by Swiss Re insurance group? Did you know 5G will have a massive carbon footprint? There has been no public consultation and no consent obtained to this worldwide experiment. I trust BCP Council will join Glastonbury, Frome, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Shepton Mallet and Wellington in applying the Precautionary Principle now.”

Mike Forte, local resident:

"If you cannot answer these two questions positively I suggest that the only option is to apply the precautionary principle and call a moratorium on the BCP 5G rollout. Do I sufficiently understand the components that fall under the umbrella marketing term '5G' and what each of those elements offers over and above currently available technology? And secondly, in the absence, globally and locally, of an independent Environmental Impact Assessment: Am I satisfied that this new technology is safe to roll out in BCP where I am tasked with the guardianship of the best interests of citizens and their surroundings?"

To consider the information provided to the O&S Board in response to its call for evidence on 5G connectivity, and determine next steps based upon this consideration, as outlined within the attached report.

The O&S Board considered a report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He gave a summary of the methodology and timetable adopted by the O&S Board in its call for evidence in relation to 5G connectivity during September and October 2019.

He outlined the key lines of inquiry which had encouraged respondents to focus on the perceived benefits and concerns around implementing 5G. As well as inviting written evidence, the Board had listened to verbal submissions from interested parties at its meeting on 23 September. He reported that 220 written submissions had been received by the closing date of 7 October, and he thanked all those who had taken part. All councillors had been able to view the responses received. The purpose of today’s meeting was to consider these responses and the officer report relating to 5G and determine the next steps required, as set out in the options at paragraph 8 of the covering report.

The Board viewed a television report on 5G which had featured in a recent episode of Click, the BBC News Channel’s technology programme. The report had been brought to the Chairman’s attention by officers and provided a useful summary of some of the issues the Board was considering. Although opinions were expressed in the programme, the Chairman made it clear that the Board would be considering the agenda item on the basis of the information received in the call for evidence and the officer report.

(Note: The Board took a vote on whether to show the television report, which was supported by 12 votes in favour, 2 votes against. Cllr G Farquhar asked to be recorded as voting against.)

The Overview and Scrutiny Specialist explained how the summary of verbal and written responses had been presented in Appendix 1 of the report. A list of the main issues and comments raised by all speakers at the meeting on 23 September was provided. Views submitted in the written responses had been grouped into themes, based on three or more similar views expressed, with the numbers of respondents per theme indicated. Overall, a wide variety of views had been expressed with no clear conclusion. Appendix 2 provided some background and information in relation to 5G which had been prepared by officers to assist the Board in its considerations.

The Board considered and commented on themes which were set out in Appendix 1. At each stage officers were asked for their professional input and provided additional information in response to questions.

General comments and advisory views:

The Sector Growth Manager and the Smart Place/Urban Mobility/Major Bids  Manager outlined the main benefits of 5G technology and its potential to transform services, including transport systems, health and social care and manufacturing. It was noted that commercial operators were already planning to roll out 5G in the local area. 5G also formed part of the Council’s digital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.