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. Members of the public are encouraged to register to speak earlier.

Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Statements must be relevant to the agenda item.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public received in accordance with the constitution. No person or organisation may submit more than two questions to the meeting. No question may be sub-divided into more than two related parts.

Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above (acting on behalf of the Proper Officer) no later than 5pm on 13 February 2024 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. Questions submitted no later than 5pm on 15 February 2024 may receive a verbal response. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

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

Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice.

The Chairman explained the procedure that would be followed for public participation at the meeting in accordance with the constitution.

Although statements and questions would normally be considered during the relevant agenda item, as it was likely to be a lengthy meeting the Chairman offered the opportunity to those present for questions and statements to be received under Item 6 instead.

Details of questions received during the item are detailed below. The full list of questions submitted for the meeting together with responses were set out in the Agenda Supplement.

Question P24-01 - Clive Spencer

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked relating to government’s preferred options for the on new future homes standards, and whether this would be sufficient to maximise the energy performance of new and existing buildings and if it could impact on zero carbon targets.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, stated he agreed with the concerns expressed, and that he had often sought to push government to move quicker in relation to energy efficiency housing standards.

Question P24-03 - Andrew Nicolson

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked on whether work had been undertaken to review the rail strategies referred to in the question, and when would the public consultations take place on the Local Transport Plan and how long would they be open.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding, responded by stating that work was ongoing on all strategies linked to the Local Transport Plan. She noted the limited role of the council in relation to rail, and that it was awaiting government guidance but was developing its strategies, with consultations aimed for Summer 2024.

Question P24-04 - Andrew Nicolson

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked seeking clarity on reference to pathways to a carbon neutral study for Wiltshire, and for details on consultation with stakeholders and if it included local public transport groups, neighbouring authorities and national active travel groups.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding, responded by stating the consultation was on issues and opportunities, and would liaise with officers for details on those who had been consulted.

Question P24-05 - Adrian Temple-Brown on behalf of Julian Jones

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked on whether the council had defined any climate or environment related catastrophe which would cause it to recommend zero meat or dairy consumption and make fixing the climate and environment its top priority.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, stated that the data referenced within the submitted question was based on an intensity of farming which did not apply in Wiltshire, and noted Motion 24-01 - Supporting Wiltshire’s Farmers and Food Producers - which was to be debated later in the meeting.

Question P24-10 - Jeremy Wire

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked on what the council’s policy on reporting to Members the environmental impacts of Motion 24-01 - Supporting Wiltshire’s Farmers and Food Producers - and whether its Climate Team was looking at methane emissions.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, stated that the debate on the Motion would determine whether officers would then undertake work on any impacts.

A statement was then received from Hazel Parker on behalf of Box Parish Council asking that the proposed reduction in funding for Visit Wiltshire be reconsidered.

A statement was then received from Peter Wragg, Chairman of Visit Wiltshire, stating the organisation had outperformed targets and had been highly praised by Visit England, and that sought continued investment by the council for benefit of the county.

A statement was then received from Brig Oubridge, noting the five-year anniversary of the passing of a climate emergency motion by the council. He stated the problems facing the climate were more severe than ever and encourage the council to tackle the issue though insulation of houses to appropriate standards and bringing forward policies such as food collection, demand further funding from central government, and work with other local authorities co-operatively.

A statement was then received from Francis Morland regarding the council tax approval proposals at Item 10, stating that the precept setting meeting of Dilton Marsh Parish Council had not been quorate, and that this issue needed to be addressed.

Note: The Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management, and Strategic Planning, provided an update on the point raised by Mr Morland during consideration of that item later in the meeting.

A statement was received from Adrian Temple-Brown regarding the Wiltshire Design Guide. He raised concerns regarding the environmental and carbon impacts of development, and that the council was not taking action to address the problems.

A statement was received from Adrian Temple-Brown regarding Motion 24-01 - Supporting Wiltshire Farmers and Food Producers - regarding the difficulties for farmers to unshackle from environmentally damaging practices, and that diversification into rewilding and reforesting was essential. He urged the council to be vocal about the damage caused by livestock emissions.

Question P24-06 - Adrian Temple-Brown on behalf of Julian Jones

A written response was provided as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. A supplementary question was asked regarding annual government figures regarding the county’s ruminant population, and calculation of global heating estimated to be caused by that population.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, asked the questioner to contact him directly for a written response.