Agenda item

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Please contact the officer named above for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public  received in accordance with the constitution. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above no later than 5pm on Tuesday 19 November 2019 in order to be guaranteed of a written response, and no later than 5pmon Thursday 21 November 2019 in order to receive a verbal response.  Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

A number of questions and statements by members of the public were received as follows:-

·                     Jacqui Johnston had submitted a question about the provision of sustainable transport to which a response had been provided as set out in the Summons.  Ms Hill was not present at the meeting and was therefore unable to ask a supplementary question.  A written response would be sent to Ms Johnston.

·                     Jane Laurie had submitted a question about climate emergency and made a statement to which a verbal response was provided. Cllr Clewer explained that the Council had acknowledged the climate emergency in February 2019 and had resolved to seek to make the county of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030. Since that time the Council had been planning to review its key strategy and policy documents and the plans that flowed from them, including those in respect of biodiversity and green space. This was in parallel with continuing the work which was already being carried out across a range of services. While carbon sequestration, biodiversity and green spaces were not a solution in isolation of all the measures the Council and other organisations and residents of Wiltshire need to put in place, they play a part.

Ms Laurie did not ask a supplementary question. A written response would be sent to Ms Laurie.

·                     Lou Barry had submitted a question about a commitment to a massive road building programme and climate emergency to which a written response would be sent.  Cllr Clewer explained that the Council did not have a massive road building programme. Instead the focus was on targeted infrastructure improvements at key locations relating to the strategic highway network, where necessary, to improve connectivity and support economic and housing growth to meet local needs.

Ms Barry was not present at the meeting and was therefore unable to ask a supplementary question.

·                     Lou Barry had submitted a question about the proposed SSSI designation for Trowbridge Woods and the provision of a 100m development buffer zone around Biss Barn Ancient Woodland site near Trowbridge to which a written response would be sent. Cllr Toby Sturgis explained that the requirement to conserve Ancient Woodland, as a protected habitat, was clear within legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework. Alongside this, Natural England and the Forestry Commission had issued joint standing advice on conservation of Ancient Woodlands. This framework and advice were applied in relevant decision making across the Council.

Ms Barry was not present at the meeting and was therefore unable to ask a supplementary question.

·                     Christopher Humphries had submitted question about the protection of Wiltshire’s ancient trees and woodlands from harmful development and activities to which a verbal response was provided. Cllr Sturgis reported that the requirement to conserve Ancient Woodland, as a protected habitat, was clear within legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework. Alongside this, Natural England and the Forestry Commission had issued joint standing advice on conservation of Ancient Woodlands. This framework and advice were applied in relevant decision making across the Council. The Council benefitted from a team of Ecologists who advise the Council in its decision making.

Mr Humphries did not ask a supplementary question. A written response would be sent to Mr Humphries.

·                     Rowena Quantrill made a statement about the Council’s policy regarding climate change and the effect on trees and land usage.

·                     Adrian Temple Brown made a statement made a statement about climate change and considered that actions so far being taken had made little difference to the situation.

·                     Peter Cousins made a statement about the work undertaken by the Cabinet Member responsible for transport and did not consider that these duties fitted well with other Council work.