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/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of public questions is 4 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
There were no public statements or petitions. There were four public questions received. All Committee members received a copy of the questions prior to the meeting. Question 1 was responded to at the meeting, the other questions were sent a response in writing.
1. Targets are out of date and the urgency for action before climate collapse is not happening at the breakneck speed required. Media, politics, the law and the police are suicidally, environmentally inactive. The Environment Agency warned 13.10.21 that we must "adapt or die". But citizens are not being educated, incentivised and motivated to Salvage and Survive. Activists are now leafletting a flier, "Should the young just shut up and die?" BCP alleges that "children will flourish" but what is their evidence in view of failure to decarbonise at speed and scale and as the world of nature unravels?
Response: Tackling climate change continues to be an unprecedented global challenge, and through our climate and ecological emergency ambitions we have a solid foundation from which we are continuing to strive to make a real difference. At this meeting, Members of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Board are presented with a new draft Climate Action Strategy for discussion. This will aim to ensure that the actions being taken will reduce the impact of climate change and its effects on residents, businesses and organisations, as well as our natural environment and biodiversity in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
2. When will the council consider the need to address the possibility and benefits of the ‘15 minute city’?
Response: BCP Council is not currently looking at introducing 15-minute cities.
While the concept may sound appealing in some ways, the infrastructure is not there to support it and is highly unlikely to be for a long period of time. Our approach is framed by the motto of our Transforming Travel work: “Your travel; your choice”, where we try to provide the conditions where residents and visitors have the opportunity to travel quickly and safely by cycle, foot or public transport rather than using a car. This contrasts strongly with other approaches, which actively concentrate on ways to discourage those who want to drive.
Through our Big Plan, we are leading every community towards a cleaner, sustainable future that preserves these outstanding environments for generations to come and helps all residents lead active, healthy and independent lives.This work not only supports the heritage, character and beauty of our unique area, but also encourages dynamic investment and regeneration; meaning residents can enjoy the individuality of their own neighbourhood and everything that the entire BCP region has to offer.
3. When will the council treat the climate programme as the emergency it is and cancel support for the air show?
Response: We have no intention whatsoever of cancelling the Bournemouth Air Festival, which is estimated to bring in around £49 million of economic benefit to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. While the Carbon footprint of the Air Festival is considerable - around 7,900 tonnes equivalent, only 240 tonnes of this - around 3% - comes from the display aircraft. The other 97% is generated by those coming to enjoy the Air Festival and activities surrounding it. This shows directly that even if it was possible to replace the Air Festival with an alternative which generated the same number of visitors, bringing the same amount of business to our hotels, shops, restaurants and bars, the Carbon savings would be very small indeed.
4. Under what circumstances would the council review its stance on the dangers of incineration and benefits of wind and solar energy?
Response: The Council is supportive of renewable energy and its use in tackling climate change. Included in the Climate Action Plan, presented to this Place Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting, is the intention to produce a Local Area Energy Plan. This will support the development of the Local Plan and address all issues of energy generation and use in the BCP area. In addition to the many Council-owned homes that already have solar PV panels fitted, we are increasing the number of assets that utilise this technology. Poole Museum recently benefitted from Government funding to install solar tiles, in keeping with this historic building, and business cases are in preparation for solar to be added to leisure centres, Council offices and other buildings in the near future.