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 Wednesday 4 December 2024 (12 noon, 3 clear working days before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 9 December 2024 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 26 November 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.
As a number of the public statements submitted were identical the statement was read once referencing all those who had submitted the statement.
Public Question from Sue Hobbs
In view of the current housing shortage, what are the Council’s plans to ensure that homes, including the significant proportion of social housing included in the original plans, are built on the Poole Power Station site as quickly as possible?
Are the Council pursuing grants and funds to pay for the clean up?
Does the Council have any plans to sell all or part of this land?
Response by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl
The Council has developed a 5-year plan to deliver homes across numerous sites which includes the former Holes Bay power station site. We are working with the National Government Agency, Homes England to develop our proposals for the former Power Station site, which includes maximising much needed affordable housing. This includes interventions such as grant to mitigate the flood risk, remediate the site for development and establishing partnerships for planning and building out the homes. We are exploring a range of options for how we can bring the site forward at pace.
With us, Homes England is fully committed to working in partnership with BCP Council to explore and unlock the regeneration potential of the significant landholding at Holes Bay. Recognising the complexity of the site we believe our collaborative approach can help deliver a landmark housing-led, mixed-use development that aligns with both local and national objectives.
Public Question from Alex McKinstry
On 18 January 2024, the Planning Committee voted not to enter exempt session to discuss some legal advice; whereupon the monitoring officer stated that the advice remained exempt (under Schedule 12A LGA 1972) and could not be discussed openly. Had the Committee thought on its feet, and tabled a motion that the public interest in the advice outweighed the case for exemption - and had such a motion been carried - would the Committee, then, have been able to discuss the advice openly? In short, can committees overrule officers regarding whether documents are exempt?
I ask this, apprehensive that any reports into the FuturePlaces investigation might be withheld from public view or heavily redacted - as happened with the Bayside report. I note however that Pembrokeshire Council voted to debate an alleged fraud case in open session in March 2024, thereby overruling their statutory officers.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Councillor Jeff Hanna
Thank you for the question. I am always wary of responding to hypothetical questions, but I have taken advice from the Monitoring Officer and will do my best.
The exemption applied to the report in question was under s5 Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972 “Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.”
Had the Committee tabled the motion that Mr McKinstry suggests, the Monitoring Officer, prior to any vote being taken, would have advised the Committee about the need to safeguard the Council’s legal position and this may have resulted in an adjournment of the meeting to enable further advice on the implications of any such motion to be provided to the Committee.
The Monitoring Officer’s strong legal advice is that the council should not take steps to waive legal professional privilege as to do this on any one matter has huge consequences for the safety of the legal advice across all areas of the council i.e. all legal advice provided would not be protected by legal privilege and therefore prejudice the council in any future hearings/meetings, court proceedings or whatever.
As a council we employ our Monitoring Officer to give us professional advice to safeguard the interests of the council and our residents, and my advice as portfolio holder for governance is to act on her advice.
Public Question from Alex Harman
I would like to inquire about the progress made since the Environment and Places O&S Committee meeting held on 11th September. Specifically, I'm interested in understanding the reasons behind the council's decision not to endorse the Plant-Based Treaty yet.
Given the committee's comments regarding ambitious targets, and the urgent need for environmental action, I believe endorsing the treaty would be a significant step towards demonstrating your commitment to positive change within our community.
Therefore, with proposals such as:
• Endorsing the Plant-Based Treaty as a symbol of the council's intent to prioritise sustainability.
• Mandating at least 50% plant-based options in council-controlled food services.
• Implementing measures to limit unsustainable advertising.
• and launching public education campaigns to promote plant-based diets and sustainable living.
What is preventing the council from implementing these actions?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Alex, Thank you for your question.
The topic of the Plant Based Treaty has been raised and thoroughly discussed by the Place and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee.
From a Commercial operations perspective, the mandating of 50% plant based options is being considered, but it needs to be brought forward carefully in line with procurement, and the operations teams capacity.
Changes in menu can impact competitiveness and viability in the market place, and with the council’s financial position, change must be carefully balanced. Ensuring Plant Based options are prominent is being taken forward by the Portfolio Holder and Commercial operations director to examine how we can lift our vegan options whilst maintaining our commercial position.
The Council is developing a strategy for advertising in spaces that it controls, and we anticipate this will aim to limit unsustainable advertising.
This Council is also seeking to create positive change by working with the community to educate and support moves towards plant-based diets and sustainable living, but we need to work with the public on this.
Public Statement from Daniel Glennon
The heart-breaking floods that hit Valencia and Barcelona in Spain a few weeks ago, killing 250 people and causing thousands to lose their homes and livelihoods, are a stark reminder that climate breakdown is here, now. It’s not a problem for future generations to deal with or that will only affect far-off continents. As the planet continues to warm, such disasters will become more frequent, more devastating and more widespread. The need to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases could not be more urgent.
The council has an opportunity to show real climate leadership by considering becoming a Plant-Based Council. Food accounts for one third of greenhouse gas emissions, more than our whole transport system. Studies have shown that vegan diets produce 75% less emissions; transitioning to a plant-based food system would also reduce land use by 75%, freeing up land for rewilding and carbon sequestration.
Public Statement from Suhaila Simmonds read by the Chief Executive
As a BCP resident I do NOT support being twinned with a town in an apartheid state and one that is actively carrying out a genocide, and that this twinning arrangement must end now. I was not asked to vote for this twinning in the first instance and deem it very strange that it would have been actioned without residents being involved.
Note: Similar statements were also submitted by Ian Simmonds, Ula Simmonds, Najla Hayden and Elizabeth Elwick
Public Statement from Tammy Sullivan and Torin Van Breda
I’m Tammy, Assistant Music Leader of the Bournemouth National Open Youth Orchestra Ensemble (NOYO for short) run by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra here in BCP. I’m Torin and I play the French Horn in NOYO.
NOYO is an inclusive orchestra for young disabled and non-disabled musicians. It allows musicians to perform together playing both traditional and new music. What makes NOYO different is it brings together old and new instruments like Clarion which you play with eye or head movement.
It provides a platform to start making music and then get involved in other things. I’m doing a Silver Arts Award and helping organise the next concert. NOYO has given me loads of opportunities and has opened new doors and I recently joined a brass band.
NOYO is one of many unique initiatives made possible by BSO because of BCP cultural funding, and we want to thank you for this support.
Public Statement from Nick Greenwood read by the Chief Executive
In July 2019, the BCP Council joined two-thirds of UK Councils in declaring a climate emergency. However, history reminds us that majority consensus does not always equate to a correct stance. As Councilors, do you possess the scientific expertise necessary to evaluate whether your advisors are genuinely independent from the influences of political ideology and nepotism that often positions climate change as an undisputed scientific fact? I urge you to consider the courage it would take to establish a Scrutiny Committee that revisits the critical questions, engaging independent expert climate scientists either in person or through virtual platforms. This committee could facilitate discussions on the expansion of NET ZERO, which carries significant financial implications. Any gaps in knowledge may lead to decisions made without a solid evidence base, ultimately risking the misallocation of public funds. Let us ensure that our approach to this pressing issue is both informed and judicious.
Public Statement from Nicola Harris
I stood here in July, inviting this council to join dozens of cities endorsing the Plant Based Treaty to address one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from the food system. Since then, 4 new cities have endorsed it, and I urge BCP to be bold and next. An open letter in your inboxes, signed by Dr Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, and the Bournemouth University Sustainability Team, urges you to assess the impact of endorsing the treaty. Let me remind you that recent weeks have brought us flooding, fallen trees, and a cliff fall. Achieving the Paris Agreement's 1.5C target is only possible by lowering food emissions. Please let 2025 be the year that BCP shows leadership by expressing support for a global Plant Based Treaty and creates an action-plan like other supporting cities, including Edinburgh, Amsterdam and West Hollywood. Our future is in your hands.
Public Statement from Felicity Porter
I am Felicity Porter and I am Chair of the Mudeford Wood Preschool.
We are being evicted from Mudeford Wood Community Centre in July next year, our home of over 30 years.
It is a BCP building leased to the Mudeford Wood Community Trust, you we rent us our space.
We are a successful pre-school, currently serving 70 local families, a waiting list and 18 staff. My 2 eldest sons attended the setting and both thrived.
I am gravely concerned about the loss of the pre-school in Mudeford, both for local families but also for all the dedicated staff who are set to lose their jobs.
We are working incredibly hard to find a solution for this valuable community resource. We are asking for your support as councillors to help us find a way forward and secure its future for the benefit of our community.