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 mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
(a)Public Questions
Public Question from Daniel Glennon
The science is clear that meat and dairy are major contributors to the climate and ecological emergencies. Other councils, for example Oxfordshire County, Oxford City, Cambridge City, Exeter City and Lewisham Borough, are ensuring that all food served at events is plant-based – could BCP council do the same? This is the logical next step after having declared a climate emergency. It will help normalise plant-based eating, which according to an Oxford University study, is the most effective thing an individual can do to reduce their environmental impact. So, given the climate and ecological emergencies declared by this Council, will the Council ensure that all food and drink provided at internal events is plant-based, as other councils have done? Even if this only applies to refreshments at a small number of events per year, it shows leadership, and will be a small step that sends a powerful message.
Response by Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Thankyou for your question, I welcome your challenge. I do believe in leading by example and I agree that changing to a meat and dairy free diet is an important component in reducing our personal carbon footprint. However, we do feel we should start by promoting and encouraging rather than mandating plant-based options in the first instance.
The Leader and I have both been in correspondence with representatives from The Plant Based Treaty Organisation and the Leader met with them earlier today and has committed to talking to those councils that you have listed who have adopted these principles.
We are happy to consider the implications of such a decision in the next review of the climate plan and from a personal perspective I will seek to promote the concept throughout the organisation.
Public Question from Alex McKinstry
On 28 February the Standards Committee upheld a complaint against Cllr Mark Anderson, which revolved around a street-cleaning initiative that was politically calculated. Summing up that night, the Chair of Standards announced that there were "other areas of concern" which the Committee had identified, and they would be asking the Chief Executive to conduct "a thorough, further investigation" into those concerns.
Can the Leader of the Council clarify what, precisely, the Chief Executive was asked to investigate; when he will be reporting back; and via what mechanism?
If on the other hand no investigation is underway - and I say that because we've heard nothing about this matter since February - can the Leader confirm when the decision was made to abandon, or simply not proceed with, any investigation; who was involved in the making of that decision; and the reasons for that decision?
Response by Councillor Vanessa Ricketts, Chair of the Standards Committee
“I would like to thank Mr McKinstry for his question, as I too do not like loose ends and this has given us the opportunity to publicly conclude this matter.
As the then interim Chair of Standards, I sent an email to the Chief Executive on 1 March 2023 asking that he consider making inquiries into additional areas which were associated with, but not directly, the subject of the complaint before Standards Committee. The Chair of Standards also requested that the Chief Executive refer the complaint to Dorset Police, asking them to review their decision not to take any further action. This was done and Dorset Police confirmed their initial decision not to investigate the matter further.
The Chief Executive then met with the Statutory Officers and, after establishing some facts internally, including a lack of wider examples, agreed that it would not be proportionate to take any further action.”
Public Question from Zoe Tees (read by Soo Chapman)
Given that BCP Councils Head of Climate Dr Montgomery's stark warnings in the "Councillors' Workbook on Acting on Climate Change" of October 2022 and BCP's February 2023 Draft Climate Action Strategy 2023-2028. When will BCP council and all councillors have a meeting to discuss the workbook and various actions needed, such as promoting plant-based catering for all institutions, including schools now that the charity Pro—Veg provides free consultations for councils and schools?
Response by Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Thank you for Zoes question, when first appointed I circulated the Councillor Workbook that was produced by our Head of Climate, Dr Matt Montgomery to all councillors back in June 2023, to ensure that both old and new members had sight of it.
Matt has now unfortunately left the organisation, but we conducted two training sessions for members last week on climate change. We have also been reviewing progress against the climate change action plan that was previously circulated and published.
We are planning a series of awareness raising events both within the council and with the public, with most schools running as Academy Trusts in the area they are no longer directly in our control, but we will certainly be working with them including to sign post them to available resources such as promoting the link to Pro-Veg information. Schools who want to take this further can do so.
Reducing consumption of meat and dairy products is an important strand in reducing our carbon footprint.
Public Question from Conor O’Luby (read by the Acting Chief Executive)
"On 7th January 2020, BCP Council held a public consultation event at the Bridge, Littledown, regarding future developments on the Wessex Fields site. Please set out your current thoughts on development and whether the results of the consultation play any part in them.”
Response by Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places
I would like to thank Mr O’Luby for his question, I remember the event at The Bridge in Littledown on 7th January 2020 where I presented to residents and partners around the options open to us at that time for Wessex Fields. This administration takes public consultation seriously and will always consider the views of the public and explain where things requested by the public cannot be progressed.? I have asked officers to ensure that the output from that meeting is provided for background when proposals come forward for the site.
FuturePlaces were asked to look at possible development options at the Wessex Fields site as part of their project portfolio.? The results of past consultation were passed to FuturePlaces so they could understand the views of key stakeholders at the outset of the project.
The Council is currently undertaking a review of the way in which regeneration work is delivered, and a paper will be coming to Cabinet on 27 September and the subject of a Scrutiny meeting on 20th September.
Public Question from Daniel Parkin
In December, there were 144 16-17 year olds in the care of BCP, 28 of whom were living in semi-independent or independent accommodation with no day to day care or supervision.
8 months on, this number has risen to 526, with 65 receiving no day to day care. This is an increase of 365% in care and 232% in unsupervised care. So could I please ask the following:
A) Can you shed any light on why this significant increase has taken place;
B) What plans, if any, are in place to reduce the instances of vulnerable children entering unsupervised accommodation;
C) What are you doing to address the fact that these children’s records are still on paper file, to the point where your department couldn’t give me basic details of how many of these children receive counselling or support?
Response by Councillor Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People
Thank you, Mr Parkin, for your question and providing me with the opportunity to talk about young people at full council.
All council officers and councillors in this chamber, and throughout the Council, are Corporate Parents so we all have an interest in this question.
I have an answer for you based on our data. I would love to have a dialog with you about this but, unfortunately, Full council doesn’t provide opportunity for this. However, I would welcome the chance to discuss your question with you further as I am sure that my answer will raise further questions for you.
In December 2022 there was 508 children in care (aged 0 to 18), within this cohort we had 143 children who were 16 and 17. 63 children living in semi-independent living arrangements. All these children were receiving support, the package of support offered would depend on level of need.
A We currently have 534 children in care aged 0 to 18.
From this cohort we have 151 children aged 16-17 years old,
65 children are living in semi-independent living arrangements.
All of these children will be receiving a package of support that is assessed against individual need, as we have a statutory responsibility to provide this.
B There has not been a significant increase in vulnerable children living in semi-independent accommodation, the number has increased by only 2 children in the past two months.
C All children’s records are kept electronically. We do collect data to manage/monitor performance including the number of children who receive support.
As I said. Please do get in touch with me directly so that we can have further discussions.
Public Question from Philip Stanley-Watts (read by the Acting Chief Executive)
In the light of the crisis in the concrete of some public buildings what inspections have taken place on bcp public buildings. also will there be a more sustainable building materials policy within the planning framework.
Response by Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places
The council is assessing all of its corporate estate, including BCP Homes buildings, to identify any buildings that due to their age or construction, may contain RAAC. The information we currently have on our building stock does not suggest that RAAC is present in our buildings, but we are carrying out a comprehensive review over the coming weeks to confirm the situation.?
This will include all properties owned by the council, including those leased out to third parties or used by community organisations. It should be noted that the presence of RAAC does not mean that a building is inherently unsafe, it would be necessary to understand how it has been used and what condition it is in, in order to determine any mitigation measures that may be required.
In respect of your second point, the climate change chapter in the local plan will require new buildings to take a fabric first approach to energy efficiency. Whilst we won’t be prescribing materials developers will have to reduce energy loss and demonstrate this through an energy statement.
Whereas the local plan deals with external appearance, the Building Regulations cover the technical aspects. The Future Homes Standard will come into effect through Building Regs in 2025, when the local plan is adopted. This standard will require that new homes are net zero ready.
For commercial buildings we will continue to require BREEAM Very good or excellent standards, which will require developers provide sustainable buildings.
(b)Public Statements
Public Statement from Soo Chapman
This chocolate teapot represents the failure of policies and communications regarding the terrifying emergencies acknowledged by Dr Montgomery's report of a year ago as well as by BCP's draft Climate Action Strategy of February 2023.
Spelling out the emergencies, and multiple risks to well-being must be prioritised immediately before more precious time is lost. Decarbonisation at speed and scale is essential. The ecosystems that sustain us continue to collapse.
Such appalling failures must not be allowed to happen. Tobias Ellwood points out that every citizen, "....must unite to tackle this huge threat to our planet and humanity."
Yet environmental literacy continues to be undermined and the risks underplayed. The public deserves an easy-to-understand immediate update, with guidance and incentivisation as to how they can all help before society breaks down, we lose everything, and bequeath a most desperate legacy to those we should be safeguarding.
There were no petitions received for this meeting.