Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Media

Items
No. Item

EC.038

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Norman Kay and Ashley Smith.

 

EC.039

Declaration of Interests

To receive declarations of interest.

 

Minutes:

There were none.

 

EC.040

Minutes pdf icon PDF 287 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED               That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021 are approved as a correct record

 

Councillor Jones asked for an update on the Strategy and Partnership discussion for the Severn Estuary Recreational and Mitigation Strategy due to be reported at Committee in Spring 2023 and how Members could be involved. 

The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development advised that initial discussions on the Strategy would take place at the Strategic Planning Advisory Board.

 

EC.041

Public Question Time

The Chair of the Committee will answer questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

 

deadline for receipt of questions

noon on Friday, 25 March 2022

 

Questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive, Democratic Services,

Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud and can be sent by email to Democratic.services@stroud.gov.uk

 

 

Minutes:

There were none.

 

EC.042

Environment Committee Budget Monitoring Report Q3 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 533 KB

To present the 2021/22 forecast outturn position against the revenue budgets and Capital Programme that the Committee is responsible for, in order to give an expectation of possible variances against budget.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Accountant provided an overview of the projected net revenue underspend of £327K for the revenue budget and an underspend of £1.62 Million for the Capital Programme. She referred the Committee to Table 1 and specific numbering within the report that provided narrative on the underspend for the revenue budget section.

 

Councillor Mossman asked for an update on the insurance claim under Paragraph 3.8 of the report and what the claim related to in relation to the theft of diesel. The Accountant advised it was an insurance dispute at Gossington and would speak with the budget holder to provide further context outside of Committee. Councillor Mossman continued and asked for progress on the multi-service contract vehicle electrification under paragraph 4.4 of the report. The Accountant advised she would speak with the budget holder to provide an answer outside of Committee to all Members.

 

Councillor Sutton enquired about the number of miles per full charge for the road sweeper. The Chair, Councillor Turner, asked the Accountant to confirm this with the Community Services Manager and inform Committee.

 

Councillor Jones asked when the detail relating to the additional transport modelling for the Local Plan under paragraph 3.7 of the report would be available. The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development advised the update had been completed and would be published in the forthcoming weeks once the consultants had responded to the National Highways and Gloucestershire County Council comments.

 

Proposed by Councillor Sutton and seconded by Councillor Brown.

 

On being put the to vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

To note the outturn forecast for the General Fund Revenue budget and the Capital Programme for this Committee.

 

 

EC.043

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – Project Variation : Cam & Dursley Rail Station pdf icon PDF 359 KB

In December 2020, Environment Committee approved the project Bid to create improvements at Cam and Dursley Rail Station that would encourage sustainable travel. The County Council are requesting SDC’s support in making some changes to the project works delivered.  

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer reminded the Committee of the background of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) before outlining the project variation proposal from Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) for the Cam and Dursley Rail Station project.  This asked for £25K of the £75K commitment to be repurposed to provide additional cycling racks, motorcycle parking and a car parking space, as well as other related infrastructure to improve pedestrian and cycle accessibly to the site. The repurposed money was a result of car parking provision not being deliverable under the original anticipated timescales and budget.

 

The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer and Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development answered Members questions relating to the report with the following answers:

 

  • GCC would take a more holistic and strategic approach when reviewing the parking and cycling provisions at the station, including roadworks, footways, and public transport.
  • There wouldn’t be any impact on future applications for CIL in relation to car parking improvements for the site.
  • There was no bid limit for organisations on the maximum they could request, instead the limit was the funds available in the annual CIL budget.
  • The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer advised she was unable to comment on questions relating to the engineering side of the bid/proposal, she would report back to Members outside of Committee. 
  • GCC would be looking at bus provisions as part of the Service Improvement Plan with the Department for Transport (DFT).
  • CIL bid applications would re-open in late spring/early summer and close in September.
  • The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer advised she would ask GCC of any additional schemes and report to Members outside of Committee. 
  • Since the CIL bid was put in, planning permission on Signal Road had been approved for 41 spaces due to commuters from Stroud and Stonehouse using the Cam/Dursley station. SDC also received money from DFT to explore the introduction of a new station from Bristol Road, Stonehouse to Bristol which would also have its own parking facilities.

 

Councillor Mossman proposed that an amendment be made to the decision that clarification was sought on the need for a new bus shelter. Councillor Haydn Jones suggested ‘new’ be changed to ‘replacement’.

 

The Chair asked if Members would be happy for the amended decision to include ‘subject to clarification from the lead officer on the need for a replacement bus shelter’ and would Members accept it as a friendly amendment. Committee agreed to accept as a friendly amendment.

 

Proposed by Councillor Layfield and seconded by Councillor James.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

To note the CIL funding Project Variation Form submitted by GCC and agree to the amended project proposals subject to clarification from the lead officer on the need for a replacement bus shelter.

 

 

EC.044

2030 Annual Report (2021-2022) pdf icon PDF 137 KB

To present the 21-22 Annual Report on the 2030 Strategy and Master Plan for approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The 2030 Strategy Manager explained that the 2030 engagement board had been established and the report reflected on progress made across the 7 key priorities and continued future progress over 2022-2023. The report had been used to engage with communities to encourage communities and to follow the example of SDC and partners.

 

Councillor Mossman referred to the amendments made to the 6 June 2019 Environment Committee minutes which referred to the establishment of a cross-party Member and Officer group and for urgent action to be taken to ensure budget discussions for 2020-2021 included funds to install multiple charging points, including superfast points in SDC car parks and land. Councillor Mossman believed these actions had not happened. The 2030 Strategy Manager advised the budget was used for fleet vehicles and charging points in SDC estates with a small budget (around 12K) remaining for good decision making on wider economic developments. An Officer Action Group had been set up and were looking at electric vehicle infrastructure in consultation with the South West Energy Hub. A business case needed to be explored in respect of SDC car parks. Councillor Mossman asked for an estimated timeline for completion and the 2030 Strategy Manager advised an options appraisal would be within the next 6 months.

 

The 2030 Strategy Manager, Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development and the Chair, Councillor Turner, answered Members questions in relation to the report with the following answers:

 

  • The 2030 Strategy Manager would discuss with Councillor Brown outside of Committee on the specific information he was seeking on the Council housing stock retrofit.
  • SDC lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was an F and the Council were working towards an average EPC across SDC stock of a C rating.
  • The Biodiversity and Nature Recovery Officer was a separate post to the potentially joint funded SDC and Forest of Dean District Council post for the Severn Estuary.
  • The Sharpness Railway bid was unsuccessful primarily based on unconfirmed growth in the area. The emerging Local Plan had a commitment to develop public transport and sustainable access with one aspect being reintroducing passenger services to the trainline to the Sharpness development settlement.
  • Environmental Health were looking at air quality monitoring provision including monitoring locations, the potential to extend existing provisions and partnering with the Community Liaison Group.
  • Terminology such as ‘waste hierarchy’ related to waste services/curbside collections and was kept in due to a focus on recycling still being prominent with the public and Council.
  • GCC’s Director of Economy and Environment had identified a potential project to address the excess waste heat from the incinerator at Javelin Park however, further conversations were required on feasibility. SDC did not have the ability to enforce as it was a GCC project and instead Members could only encourage actions.
  • The 2030 Strategy Manger would check with biodiversity colleagues on whether SDC had responded to DEFRA’s Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations and Implementation consultation and would inform Councillor Jones.

 

The Chair, Councillor Turner, asked Committee if they would accept  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC.044

EC.045

Walking and Cycling Task and Finish Group: Findings and Recommendations pdf icon PDF 342 KB

To report the findings of the Walking and Cycling Task and Finish Group and make subsequent recommendations

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Chair of the Task and Finish (T&F) Group, Councillor Layfield, shared his gratitude to the stakeholders, Councillors and officers involved, outlined the key considerations and some of the key recommendations from the groups findings. Engagement with Parish and Town Councils had been undertaken to identify current projects and how SDC could support them. The T&F group received submissions from approximately 45 projects that were in varying stages of development and consisted of projects such as footpath improvements, improved signage, pedestrian crossings, towpath widening and cycling and wheelchair improvements.

 

Councillor Sutton suggested that notices should be placed along canal paths advising cyclists to use audible devices for means of warning to which Councillor Mossman echoed support. Councillor Layfield advised better infrastructure for cyclists was needed as towpaths were not suitable for walkers and cyclists. Councillor Brown agreed with Councillor Layfield and advised Committee of his doubts in terms of te improvement signage would make.

 

Councillor Watson commended the group for putting ‘walking’ first in the T&F group title and not wholly focusing on cycling.

 

Councillor Brown asked for a comment to be made on the T&F group priority list and the Cam and Dursley greenway in relation to Councillor Tippers comment on multi-use roads. The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Growth advised that GCC had a prioritisation tool. The group had thought about creating a similar tool for local schemes that considered criteria such as modal shifts, catchment areas, deliverability, links to strategic routes and deliverability.

 

Proposed by Councillor Watson and seconded by Councillor Layfield.

 

Councillor Tipper asked whether an annual report was sufficient. The Chair, Councillor Turner advised in addition to the formal annual report she and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Layfield would regularly check with Officers on the budget spending. The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development reminded members that it was an objective in the Council Plan and included in performance monitoring.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

a.           To thank the Task and Finish Group for its work and its recommendations;

b.          Support the recommendations as set out in Appendix A;

c.           Request an annual report on progress with walking and cycling schemes.

 

EC.046

Strategic Planning Advisory Board

Minutes:

The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development provided Committee with an update on behalf of Councillor Smith who was not in attendance. The group had their first meeting on the 22 March 2022 and discussed the terms of reference, the scope and issues for the group and their work programme. Discussion also took place on the Local Plan progress to examination, SDC’s initial response to the Governments Landscape Review paper, democratic accountability, affordable housing on social priority list and supporting carbon capture in protected landscapes. Planning appeals relating to strategic planning significance would remain as a standing item for future meetings.

 

EC.047

Stroud Regeneration Committee pdf icon PDF 278 KB

Minutes:

A written report was circulated ahead of Committee. There were no questions.

 

EC.048

Performance Monitoring pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Councillor Bennett advised Committee that the quarter 4 report in June would include any missing updates and data from the projects which hadn’t been updated prior to publication. She asked Members to contact herself or Councillor James on any specific areas Members wanted to look at for future reports.

 

EC.049

Member Questions pdf icon PDF 307 KB

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

Minutes:

A Member question was submitted and was answered by the Chair, Councillor Turner. There were no supplementary questions. (Refer to the recording of the meeting).

 

 

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