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 on Wednesday 17 April 2024 [mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day on Monday 22 April 2024 [mid-day the working day before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 9 April 2024 [10 working days before the meeting].
Minutes:
The public questions and statements set out in the minutes below are printed as per the wording used within the submissions made in accordance with the constitution.
Public Question from Philip Gatrell (Read out by the Chief Executive)
REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO SCRUTINY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: Two public statements at the Council’s meeting on 20 February 2024 profile increasing complaint decisions by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman against the Council and - contrary to Sections 5 and 5A of the cited “1989 Act” - internal failure to report those decisions to Members.
A public statement at the Audit and Governance meeting on 11 April 2024 underscores this concern by explanatory précis of the correct statutory obligations for incorporation in the Constitution.
Ombudsman decisions regarding maladministration and service failures include children’s and adults’ care, planning, the environment and Members’ conduct. They reflect Council performance and are relevant to not only directly affected Members and committees but also every Councillor’s awareness.
Ombudsman decisions currently average six monthly. Following the Monitoring Officer’s obligatory notification of decisions to all Members, will the Leader ensure the Council’s or Cabinet’s actions including under Subsections S5(5) or S5A(9)?
Response by the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynmic Places, Councillor Vikki Slade
I would like to thank Mr Gattrell for his question.
The Council's responses to LGSCO decisions are appropriately addressed in a number of ways and according to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This includes through the Audit and Governance committee, and I would refer Mr Gattrell in particular to the January meeting of this committee where the updated Assurance Review Framework was debated and approved by the Council.
The Monitoring Officer has reviewed this and is of the professional opinion that these do not trigger the statutory reporting requirements under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Public Question from Philip Stanley Watts
In the light of the threat of flooding and implications of climate change.
Could the cabinet member tell me BCP councils response and need for proper flood defences.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Thank you for your question.
The Councils response to climate mitigation was summarised in the annual climate report that came to Cabinet in March, this continues to be developed but it also needs individuals, companies and other organisations across the BCP area as elsewhere to recognise the issue and to take action.
Our Flooding and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team has been developed over recent years and is held in high regard across the region, they are dedicated to bidding for funds and implementing measures to protect our communities and the current work on Hengistbury Head long groyne and the replacement of a number of wooden groynes on the seafront and the maintenance of drains in the cliff face are all part of that work.
Sea defences around the West Quay of Poole are also currently being designed along with a Hundred Year Plan for the entire Christchurch Bay.
We have just experienced the wettest and warmest March on record and with saturated ground a number of locations have flooded repeatedly. Several areas of cliff along the rural Dorset coast have fallen and we are fortunate that there is sustained investment and long-term thinking in creating plans for the entire sea and harbour frontage of BCP, and as you highlight proper flood defences where homes are at risk.
Sea level continues to rise and it seems that the modelling is being out paced by reality, we are also actively looking at the inland flood risks, both from river catchments and from extreme rainfall events and an Inland Surface Water Management Plan is also under development. We will need to work with the Environment Agency, with water companies, neighbouring local authorities and landowners to better hold water in the landscape and to mitigate the risks, we also need to maintain a focus on other aspects of climate change and mitigation
Public Question from Adam Osman
This council has declared an environmental emergency as of 5 years ago.
We will hit 1.5 degrees of warming. Millions of people will become refugees. There will be floods and food shortages in the UK. Our children will live through the greatest economic and social collapse ever.
20mph limits, an instant, affordable measure would be a start.
Councillor Dove, you are concern that speed isn't the cause of accidents, correct. But you know lower speed gives drivers time to react and reduces the severity of accidents when they occur, preventing an accident. Do you not support 20mph limits when you know this is?
A slow rollout of limits is proposed. How can we act slowly in an emergency? Is it money or resources? It is too late to be slow, there isn't enough time. Will BCP raise the barriers to implementing 20mph to the UK government and the public?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Thank you for your question.
With apathy and inaction we will undoubtedly exceed the targets as set in the Paris Agreement of 1.5 degrees centigrade above preindustrial levels, and the economic and social collapse that you highlight will displace many people worldwide.
We need to pursue a range of measures to reduce the pressure and to mitigate the impact across all energy use, heating and cooling spaces, growing our food and how we travel. There are also impacts regarding biodiversity loss, freshwater scarcity and sea level rise.
I cannot answer for the knowledge or views of an opposition councillor but I agree that driver reaction times with lower speeds reduces the severity and likelihood of crashes, a huge body of evidence supports this.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states ‘in built up resident areas RSPA believes that 20mph represents the best compromise between mobility and risk’. They also highlight that 20mph limits are not just a road safety measure, it is important also to consider as you highlighted they increase the opportunities for walking and cycling, they provide improvements in quality of life indicators such as health improvements, community cohesion and better air quality as well as the reductions in road crashes and casualties from lower vehicle speeds.
We declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and we do need to act with urgency across a wide range of measures. Setting 20mph limits should help in supporting safer journeys including encouraging people to consider how they travel for some trips in the urban area. To ensure these measures are appropriate we have committed to working with communities and consulting on implementing these measures and we will take further funding opportunities as they arise.
This needs to sit alongside individuals choosing to better insulate their homes, turning down the thermostat, considering a low meat diet, reducing air travel and living lighter on the planet in order to mitigate the climate changes that are increasingly manifest.
Public Statement from Diana Butler
With the loss of half our BCP day centres - libraries could fill a vital gap in day service provision. Groups with specific needs could use facilities on 'library closed' days.
With the rise in social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression - libraries provide a safe meeting place for inclusion, friendship, support, education, skills.
Our libraries have experienced, caring staff who provide for all ages - including work experience for young people and sessions for parents and babies. "What's On" library activities include talks, crafts, games, events and children's sessions.
Libraries could generate income through room hire - as Hamworthy does.
The Day Opportunities Strategy and Library Strategy should be considered
together - resources could be shared.
Libraries fill a social, educational & health void in our communities.
Vastly reducing staff & hours - will increase need & expense elsewhere.
Redundancies will affect lives. Staff & residents must be heard.
Public Statement from Joanne Keeling
The decision-making process regarding Wessex Fields is deeply troubling. Initially, the Asset Disposal Working Group advocated for an open sale, expressing concerns about securing best value for this vital employment site for BCP. However, a sudden shift occurred during the Overview and Scrutiny meeting, where Councillors voted to sell to UHD. Many of these Councillors were also members of the ADW Group, raising questions about the change in position. One cannot help but wonder what other influences swayed the councillors' decisions. It would seem logical for BCP to solicit bids, considering both development plans and financial considerations, to maximise benefits for the community. Particularly alarming are reports suggesting that the proposed purchaser may receive a substantial discount on the red book valuation, courtesy of the council's unusual contribution to further infrastructure. Despite assertions of openness and transparency from this administration, incidents like these cast doubt on their sincerity.
Public Statement from Daniel Parkin
During a Council meeting last year Cllr Mike Cox stated that the council will be moving to a cashless system amongst the kiosks and car parks to save the Council money. When questioned further by Cllr Joe Salmon, Cllr Cox responded that any wider equalities impact would always be considered. Cllr Salmon asked for the hard data on this and as far as I know, has not been made available.
Following my own FOI request, and a complaint to the ICO, the officer who responded could find no information of any meeting regarding this. I raised an appeal for a senior officer to review - again there was no trace
Please can the Council, or Mike Cox, publish this data and any minutes taken, to confirm any risks that would be a concern and the Ragg rating, along with the potential cost savings.
Public Statement from Elizabeth Glass (Read by Daniel Parkin)
The consultation on 20mph has been very poor. Many businesses on the A35 and local residents had not received letters or knew of the proposed scheme.
I understand that in the last 5 years there were 162 collisions on this stretch of the A35. Of these 25 were speed related, 3 classed severe. The speed had not been recorded. How can this be used as evidence to support the 20mph case?
In Bath a report one year after the introduction of the zones indicated that the rate of people killed or injured had gone up in 7 of the 13 zones, possibly due to the reduced speed zones giving a false sense of security. In Wales they are now U turning on 20mph.
Before committing substantial sums of taxpayer money, I urge the council to re-assess its position on this scheme and have a thorough consultation across the entire conurbation.
Public Statement from Nick Greenwood
The United Nations Flag flies over this Town Hall symbolising the direction of travel within.
Through Freedom of Information requests we discover the UN 2030 Agenda, has been followed by BCP since 2019, producing the ‘BCP COUNCIL CORPORATE STRATEGY’ (note the word Corporate).
This Strategy is full of specious, untested, impractical utopian ideas having no regard for cost/benefit analysis.
Ideologically driven and goals dependant on renewable energy currently without any empirical data.
The Strategy claims a ‘Climate Emergency’ being a trojan horse aligning itself to an authoritarian New World Order seemingly desired by too many BCP Councillors. 15 minute Cities, open prisons initially requiring us to seek Council permission to leave by car after 100 times per year. Blanket 20 mph polluting speed restrictions. Net Zero is a term best suited to our Bank Accounts once the Politicians have spent their way into this dystopian nightmare.
Public Statement from Patrick King
17 March 24
Secretary for transport :
Councils received strengthened guidance on 20 limits, reminding them to reserve for sensible and appropriate areas only such as outside schools with safety and local support at the heart of the decision.
Authorities expected to consider this guidance, could have implications for future funding.
2 Oct 23
We will remove annoyances that irritate drivers and get in their way, like making parking less problematic.
This Council report shows preference for all areas implementation of 20 limits.
and concerns of insufficient parking availability.
Why is Creekmoor Park and Ride not functioning?
Why propose closing Beach road carpark?
These contravene the latest guidance, rendering the report redundant, necessitating adjournment and procedural review.
20 April 24 Saturday
Welsh minister
"Poorly, inconsistently implemented with many roads unreasonably changed to 20 limits."
"Communities to own speed limit decisions rather than imposed upon them”
Public Statement from Siobhan Harrington, CEO, University Hospitals Dorset, NHS FT
This is a win-win decision. The land has unique value to NHS & partners.
Health-led campus leads to high-quality jobs, like research & education.
We need more homes, especially for the NHS key workers, who will walk to work.
UHD is an environmental custodian who can make this a net zero site.
This proposal is popular, common-sense use of the land. It’s supported by neighbouring landowners.
We’re local, with a long-term view. We have every interest in making this work.
Expert opinion has set the price, following the due process, so a fair deal for taxpayers.
We’ve developed a joint vision for the site, over many years. BCP are no longer leading on developing the site, UHD is best placed to progress this.
UHD’s track record includes £24m Pathology Hub, £13m for electrical upgrade, Net-zero buildings. We are keen to further deliver, with partners, the vision for this site.
Public Statement from Rob Whiteman, Chairman, University Hospitals Dorset, NHS FT
We are keen to work in partnership for the benefit of all our residents. That means taking One Estate approach for best public value.
We’ve prepared a briefing for our stakeholders, on our intentions for Wessex Fields. As a public body we are putting this in the public domain. https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/uploads/comms/uhd_-_wessex_fields_brief_to_bcp_apr_2nd_v1.pdf
We are very keen to meet and discuss this with any councillors and partners. This has been our first opportunity to address councillors. To help explain why we are so keen to progress we also have this short video https://youtu.be/A21heSdLqqE
Thank you
Public Statement from Diana Butler
Local road safety is the shared responsibility of Council, Police, contractors and the public.
We need more education & safety awareness for road & pavement users :-
Where & how to cross the road safely, vehicle stopping distances, driver blind spots, being visible to drivers. Cyclists using cycle lanes or cycle paths where provided and using a bell on shared pathways. Drivers watching for hazards and adhering to speed restrictions.
Mass 20mph roads will affect duration of journeys, 999 response times, reduced attention to the road ahead whilst checking the speedometer and reduce fuel efficiency by using lower gears.
The majority of drivers are law abiding. It is the reckless who create the most danger and they have no respect for speed restrictions.
"Dorset Police will not be able to supply additional resource to monitor and enforce" proposed 20mph limits but could surely catch reckless drivers and illegal scooting.