Agenda item
Public Issues
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:-
The deadline for the submission of public questions is Friday 5 July 2019.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is 12.00 noon, Thursday 11 July 2019.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 12.00 noon, Thursday 11 July 2019.
Minutes:
The Leader reported that a public question had been submitted by Michael Forte.
Public Question from Michael Forte, local resident:
“Have the parties (BCP, Contractors and Sub-contractors) involved in the current programme to implement 5G technology in the BCP area undertaken a full Environmental Impact Assessment for all areas impacted (including the impact on wild and domestic animals, insects, plants and the health of humans) and openly shared the results of these with Cabinet Members?”
Response by Councillor Vikki Slade (Leader of the Council):
“No, a Full Environmental Impact Assessment has not been undertaken. For any Council led 5G deployment in the Lansdowne testbed, we will be looking at the environmental impact as part of the process. This will be shared with Cabinet Members. For commercial 5G deployment, the responsibility will be with the Mobile Network Operators to meet planning requirements and adhere to guidelines set by International Commission on Non-Ionising Radio Protection (ICNIRP).”
The Leader reported that the following statements had been submitted:
Statement from Sheela Hagan, local resident:
“I represent a growing number of BCP residents concerned about 5G. We were not consulted, and I do not give my permission to be part of the 5G experiment. Concerned tourists and visitors may boycott BCP should 5G rollout. Whether 5G is harmful to life on Earth, is not clear. Numerous scientific papers question its safety to life. Lloyds refuse to cover 5G illness claims, our Government, have a basic duty of care, to safeguard citizens. A number of towns, are postponing 5G rollout whilst investigating its safety. Our Council should halt 5G until its safety has been confirmed.”
Statement from Sarah Ward, local resident, in relation to agenda item 6: Holes Bay, Poole (former Power Station Site) Acquisition Strategy:
“The Power Station site gives BCP Council an opportunity to illustrate its commitment to tackling the climate emergency through innovative, sustainable and zero carbon delivery. By using a ‘community wealth building’ approach, using local skills, materials and supply chains, BCP could also support the local economy. The housing crisis means record numbers are living in inadequate but expensive housing and there is a huge increase in rough sleeping. The council must focus on how this development can be part of the solution by providing truly affordable and social housing alongside infrastructure that meets the growing demands the development will bring.”
Statement from Alix Digby-West, Power House Project Leader, in relation to agenda item 6: Holes Bay, Poole (former Power Station Site) Acquisition Strategy:
“The Power House – Poole is a local charity working towards building a landmark cultural and community centre in the heart of the Regeneration Area, connecting the new communities together and with the existing communities of Poole and Hamworthy. Our focus is creative arts, well-being, and enhancing youth provision and intergenerational activities in Poole. We are concerned that the current application for the former power station site does not provide sufficient community facilities. We believe a new approach is needed to deliver a sustainable community and homes for local people, while providing a more creatively planned public realm for all.”
Statement read out by the Leader on behalf of Sarah Fisher, local resident, in relation to agenda item 15: Community Governance Review Petition – Throop and Holdenhurst:
“Over 50% of residents signed the petition for a Community Governance Review in the belief that present arrangements do not properly represent the views and needs of the local community. This needs to change.
.
The creation of a Throop and Holdenhurst Parish council will enable residents to have a real say in the future of their local community, including the maintenance and protection of its unique geographical area, by allowing meaningful consultation and involvement in matters such as:
· Planning and development.
· The maintenance of three conservation areas and Green belt.
· Improvements to road infrastructure and road safety.
· Community sustainability.”
Petition regarding 5G technology from Michael Forte, local resident:
The Leader invited Mr Michael Forte to present a petition of signatures regarding 5G technology. Although the signed petition was received after the deadline, the Cabinet was willing to accept the petition due to the level of public interest. As there was no specific agenda item on 5G the matter would not be discussed at this meeting.
“I would like to bring to your attention that it is the view of many people in the community that they feel very concerned about the proposed introduction, installation and operation of 5G technology in the BCP City Region. Their primary fear is that this new and largely untested 5G technology still has not had any publicly available official government safety reports or environmental or health risk assessments before the nation is to be fully exposed to it. It is experimental technology which contravenes the Nuremberg Code. The outdated official government exposure guidelines and criteria for Radio Frequency does not cover the effects of 5G frequency emissions. Independent peer reviewed research results indicate that it is extremely likely to cause significant health issues for people, animals, insects and even bacteria exposed to it. The long term effects of exposure to 5G are unknown, especially for vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women and the infirm who are more at risk than adults.
The UK Government has not stated that 5G is a safe, time proven
technology without risks to health. Nor have they disproved or
countered reports from scientists and health officials who have
expressed and documented their serious concerns about the public
exposure to 5G frequency emissions. An increasing number of
countries, states and cities that have looked at the peer
documented facts and potential health risks have decided to say no
to 5G technology. Until there are test results and health
assurances to confirm these frequencies do not pose a significant
health risk or damage to the environment and living organisms, the
Precautionary Principle must be applied. Glastonbury Town Council
has accepted its responsibility for environmental impact and
community health regarding 5G frequency emissions. The Council can
now fully investigate and take the proper advice in order to make
an informed decision regarding exposure to this technology. There
are genuine health concerns in the BCP community about the roll-out
of 5G. I speak on behalf of the citizens represented by this
Cabinet who have genuine concerns regarding the impact of 5G and
ask that these concerns be acknowledged and acted upon. There is an
expectation that BCP Council will respond to its community's
concerns and in mitigation accept that it has a Duty of Care and
Social Responsibility to be proactive by invoking the Precautionary
Principle while it considers fully the consequences of introducing
5G technology.
There is new
hope in the community that the newly-formed Unity Alliance
Administration puts people before politics.”
The Leader thanked Mr Forte and assured him that the Council would take forward the issues raised in the petition, and in previous correspondence on the same subject, as part of its engagement process