Agenda and minutes

Members of the public intending to attend the meeting are asked to

please note that, in the interests of health, safety and security, bags may

be searched on entry to the building. Everyone attending this meeting is

also asked please to behave with due courtesy and to conduct

themselves in a reasonable way.

Please note: if the alarm sounds during the meeting, everyone should

please exit the building via the way they came in, via the main entrance

lobby area, and then the front ramp. Please then assemble on the paved

area between the side entrance of the cathedral and the roundabout at The Deanery Road end of the building.

If the front entrance cannot be used, alternative exits are available via

staircases 2 and 3 to the left and right of the Council Chamber. These

exit to the rear of the building. The lifts are not to be used. Then please

make your way to the assembly point at the front of the building.

Please do not return to the building until instructed to do so by the fire

warden(s).

The Lord Mayor welcomed all attendees to the meeting, and made a safety announcement in relation to the fire/emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hance.

To be confirmed as a correct record.

On the motion of the Lord Mayor, seconded by Councillor Denyer, it was

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council meeting held on 18 July 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

To note any declarations of interest from the Mayor and councillors.

They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the

interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary

interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the

register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for

inclusion.

The Lord Mayor advised the Full Council that it was noted that a number of councillors had non-pecuniary interests in local parks and libraries groups in their wards but the legal advice was that this would not preclude them from debating these items under the relevant agenda items at this meeting.

Former Councillor Tom Ahmed

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor Tom Ahmed.

Councillor Shah then addressed the Full Council, in remembrance of former Councillor Ahmed.

The Full Council then stood and observed a minute’s silence in remembrance of former Councillor Ahmed.

Please note:

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item. Public forum items should be

e-mailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

Public forum items can be about any matter the Council is responsible for

or which directly affects the city.

Please note that the following deadlines apply to this meeting:

a. Public petitions and statements: Petitions and written statements

must be received by 12 noon on Monday 13 November 2017 at latest.

One written statement per member of the public is permitted.

b. Public questions: Written public questions must be received by

5.00 pm on Wednesday 8 November 2017 at latest. A maximum of 2 questions per

member of the public is permitted.

Public petitions:

The Full Council received and noted the following petitions:

Petition PP 01 – “Save Whitchurch airport, Hengrove”

Petition organiser – Daniel Fear

Petition PP 02 – “Keep library provisions in Sea Mills”

Petition organiser – Stephen Finch

Public statements:

The Full Council received and noted the following statements (which were also referred to the Mayor for his consideration/information):

PS 01 - David Redgewell – Transport issues

PS 02 - Terrence Wookey – Parks (Blaise Castle/Westbury-on-Trym)

PS 03 - Frances Beech – Parks / green spaces

PS 04 -Paula Davis – Parks (Victoria Park)

PS 05 -Jilly Edwards – Parks (Bedminster Green)

PS 06 - Mike Bond – Parks (Barton Fields Trust)

PS 07 - Mike Ingham – Parks / green spaces

PS 08 -             A Watson – Parks

PS 09 - Derek Browne – Parks (Eastwood Farm)

PS 10 - Stephen Finch – Sea Mills library

PS 11 - Sue Perrin – Parks

PS 12 - Lydia Lawson – Parks

PS 13 - Nicollette Vincent – Parks

PS 14 - Moira McMurran – Parks

PS 15 - Martha Carroll – Parks

PS 16 - Jan Hamilton – Parks

PS 17 - Isabel Rossi – Parks

PS 18 - Prof. John Briggs & Mrs Joyce Briggs – Parks

PS 19 - Robert Maclean – Parks

PS 20 - Sue Black – Parks

PS 21 - Josie Miller-Webb – Parks

PS 22 - Jennifer Gilmore – Parks

PS 23 - Becky Cridford – Parks

PS 24 - Amy Whitfield – Parks

PS 25 - Helen Carlyle – Parks

PS 26 - Sally Reay – Parks

PS 27 - Laura Cramer – Parks

PS 28 - Nikki Maloney – Parks

PS 29 -Cath Pullinger – Parks

PS 30 - Rachel Reveley – Parks (St George’s Park)

PS 31 - Frith Trezevant – Parks

PS 32 - Maureen Johnson – Saving Whitchurch airport

PS 33 -Andy McBride-Coogan – Parks (Nightingale Valley / St Anne’s woods)

PS 34 - Barrie Sadler – Parks

PS 35 - Ken Booth – Parks

PS 36 - Malindi Myers – Parks / green spaces

PS 37 - Amy Rose – Parks

PS 38 - Nicola Hodges – Parks (St Andrews Park)

PS 39 - Brenda Lalonde – Parks

PS 40 - Susan Acton-Campbell – Protect our Parks petition (Friends of Troopers Hill)

PS 41 - Laura Fenton – Parks

PS 42 - Kate Usher – Parks

PS 43 - Jan Armstrong – Parks (Horfield common / St Andrews Park)

PS 44 - Bex Rose – Parks

PS 45 - Sue Ryall – Parks

PS 46 - Richard Hall – Stockwood library                              

PS 47 - Kate Clements – Bristol parks (Eastville Park)

PS 48 - Margaret Macey – Stockwood library

PS 49 - Prof. Alan Preece & Mrs Sheila Preece – Motion 1- Securing the futureof Bristol’s library service

PS 50 - Rob Bryher – Parks

PS 51 - Sarah Murch – Library service

PS 52 - Paul Wheeler – Pay Policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Please note:

Up to 10 minutes is allowed for this item.

Petitions notified by councillors can be about any matter the Council is

responsible for or which directly affects the city.

The deadline for the notification of petitions to this meeting is 12 noon

on Monday 13 November 2017 at latest.

The Full Council received and noted the following petition:

Petition CP 01 – “Save Bristol’s libraries”

Petition presented by Councillor Tim Kent

Petition organiser – Councillor Tim Kent

The Full Council considered a report of the Service Director - Legal and Democratic Services setting out details of a petition entitled “Save Clifton Library.” The petition had reached the 3,500 signature threshold to qualify for a Full Council debate.

Catherine Howie, speaking on behalf of the petition organiser Mike Barton, was invited by the Lord Mayor to present the objectives of the petition.

The Full Council then debated the petition.

Following the debate, it was

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted and referred to the Mayor / Deputy Mayor for Communities for consideration and response.

The Full Council considered a report of the Service Director - Legal and Democratic Services setting out details of a petition entitled “Save Redland library.” The petition had reached the 3,500 signature threshold to qualify for a Full Council debate.

Merche Clark, the petition organiser, was invited by the Lord Mayor to present the objectives of the petition.

The Full Council then debated the petition.

Following the debate, it was

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted and referred to the Mayor / Deputy Mayor for Communities for consideration and response.

The Full Council considered a report of the Service Director - Legal and Democratic Services setting out details of a petition entitled “Bristol needs libraries.” The petition had reached the 3,500 signature threshold to qualify for a Full Council debate.

Jill Kempshall, the petition organiser, was invited by the Lord Mayor to present the objectives of the petition.

The Full Council then debated the petition.

Following the debate, it was

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted and referred to the Mayor / Deputy Mayor for Communities for consideration and response.

The Full Council considered a report of the Service Director - Legal and Democratic Services setting out details of a petition entitled “Protect our parks.” The petition had reached the 3,500 signature threshold to qualify for a Full Council debate.

Rob Acton-Campbell, the petition organiser, was invited by the Lord Mayor to present the objectives of the petition.

The Full Council then debated the petition.

Following the debate, it was

RESOLVED:

That the petition be noted and referred to the Mayor / Deputy Mayor for Communities for consideration and response.

ADJOURNMENT – At this point the Lord Mayor advised that the Full Council meeting would adjourn for a 15 minute refreshment break.

Note:

Under the Council’s constitution, 30 minutes are available for the consideration of motions.  In practice, this realistically means that there is usually only time for one, or possibly two motions to be considered.  With the agreement of the Lord Mayor, motion 1 below will be considered at this meeting, and motion 2 may be considered subject to time. 

MOTION 1:  SECURING THE FUTURE OF BRISTOL’S LIBRARY SERVICE

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Anthony Negus, Liberal Democrat, Cotham ward

“Council notes the proposals by the Mayor to reduce the amount of libraries in Bristol from 27 to 10 libraries. 

Council understands the difficult financial situation that Bristol City Council faces and the need to reduce costs during a time of reducing budgets and increasing demographic demand.

Council welcomes the petition by Love Bristol Libraries, various other library groups and campaigners, and believes there is strong public support for maintaining Bristol’s library provision.

Council notes the report from the Libraries Task and Finish Scrutiny Group, notes that it had input from all political parties and that the recommendations have the support of councillors from Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties. The report also received the endorsement of OSMB.

Council endorses the central proposal to begin work on creating a mutual model for delivery of a comprehensive library service that will be professionally led,  volunteer supported and ensures a network of branch libraries is maintained across the city. These proposals will also guarantee the jobs of professional library staff providing them with a secure future working alongside volunteers.

Council calls on the Mayor to bring forward new proposals based on the long term future of Libraries, an important principle for the ambitions of a Learning City.  This new proposal to have a strategic approach that delivers a professionally led mutual model that embraces volunteers and secures the future of the library network.”

MOTION 2 (subject to time):  PROTECTING OUR PARKS

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Weston, Conservative, Henbury and Brentry ward

“Council is convinced that the Mayor’s ‘new ways of delivering parks and open spaces’ strategy is based on a totally flawed and unworkable cost neutral funding model.

It has long been realised that parks and green spaces are treasured public assets which provide a wide range of health benefits, places for leisure and relaxation, as well as helping to improve the urban environment.

Previous threats to Bristol’s substantial amount of accessible green space (1500 hectares), contained in the controversial 20-year Parks & Green Space Strategy (P&GSS) were fiercely opposed in our city, and this experience should act as a warning to any politician who dismantles or inadvertently damages this precious Victorian heritage.

Council recognises that there are huge financial pressures on local authorities, and many competing demands on limited resources.  For this reason, it is accepted that greater commercialisation and income generation has to be a part of helping to maintain the city’s diverse mix of parks and play spaces. Here, volunteers and community groups  ...  view the full agenda text for item 168.

Motion 1 – Securing the future of Bristol’s library service

Councillor Negus moved the following motion:

“Council notes the proposals by the Mayor to reduce the amount of libraries in Bristol from 27 to 10 libraries. 

Council understands the difficult financial situation that Bristol City Council faces and the need to reduce costs during a time of reducing budgets and increasing demographic demand.

Council welcomes the petition by Love Bristol Libraries, various other library groups and campaigners, and believes there is strong public support for maintaining Bristol’s library provision.

Council notes the report from the Libraries Task and Finish Scrutiny Group, notes that it had input from all political parties and that the recommendations have the support of councillors from Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties. The report also received the endorsement of OSMB.

Council endorses the central proposal to begin work on creating a mutual model for delivery of a comprehensive library service that will be professionally led, volunteer supported and ensures a network of branch libraries is maintained across the city. These proposals will also guarantee the jobs of professional library staff providing them with a secure future working alongside volunteers.

Council calls on the Mayor to bring forward new proposals based on the long term future of Libraries, an important principle for the ambitions of a Learning City.  This new proposal to have a strategic approach that delivers a professionally led mutual model that embraces volunteers and secures the future of the library network.”

Councillor Clough seconded the motion.

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED (32 members voting in favour, 31 against, with 1 abstention), and it was then

RESOLVED:

Council notes the proposals by the Mayor to reduce the amount of libraries in Bristol from 27 to 10 libraries. 

Council understands the difficult financial situation that Bristol City Council faces and the need to reduce costs during a time of reducing budgets and increasing demographic demand.

Council welcomes the petition by Love Bristol Libraries, various other library groups and campaigners, and believes there is strong public support for maintaining Bristol’s library provision.

Council notes the report from the Libraries Task and Finish Scrutiny Group, notes that it had input from all political parties and that the recommendations have the support of councillors from Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties. The report also received the endorsement of OSMB.

Council endorses the central proposal to begin work on creating a mutual model for delivery of a comprehensive library service that will be professionally led, volunteer supported and ensures a network of branch libraries is maintained across the city. These proposals will also guarantee the jobs of professional library staff providing them with a secure future working alongside volunteers.

Council calls on the Mayor to bring forward new proposals based on the long term future of Libraries, an important principle for the ambitions of a Learning City.  This new proposal to have a strategic approach that delivers a professionally led mutual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval for the publication of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan for consultation.

Councillor Beech moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Threlfall seconded the report.

Following debate, upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED (59 members voting in favour, 9 against with 2 abstentions):

That Full Council agrees that:

1. The draft West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) in Appendix A to this report be

published for consultation under regulations 19, 20 and 35 of the Town and

Country Planning (Local Planning) England) Regulations 2012.

2. If the JSP is ready for independent examination, it be submitted to the Secretary of State before the end of March 2018 under regulation 22 of the regulations along

with the other submission documents required by regulations; and

3. The Service Director for Planning, or any other Director with responsibility for

Strategic Planning, is delegated the authority, in consultation with the Cabinet

Member for Strategic Planning and City Design and in co-ordination with Bath

and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset Councils, to:

a) make modifications to the JSP if needed, either prior to publication or prior to submission; and

b) respond to issues arising during the examination, including making modifications to the JSP.

The Full Council considered a report seeking adoption of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

Councillor Dudd moved the report and the recommendation contained therein.

Councillor O’Rourke seconded the report.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

At this point, on the motion of the Lord Mayor, it was agreed that standing orders be suspended to allow the meeting to continue for a further 30 minutes.

On the motion of Councillor Abraham, seconded by Councillor Breckels, it was

RESOLVED:

That the report recommendation be put to the vote.

On being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED (43 members voting in favour, 18 against, with 4 abstentions):

That the Pay Policy Statement for the period 15 November 2017 – 31 March 2017 be adopted.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval for the Head of Paid Service designation being rotated on an interim basis between the current Strategic Directors on a 3 month cycle until a permanent designation is made.

Councillor Dudd moved the report and the recommendation contained therein.

Councillor O’Rourke seconded the report.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED (42 members voting in favour, 18 against with 4 abstentions):

That the Head of Paid Service designation be rotated on an interim basis between the current Strategic Directors on a 3 month cycle until a permanent designation is made.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval of changes to the membership of the Licensing Committee.

The Lord Mayor moved the report and the recommendation contained therein.

Councillor Jackson seconded the report.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the resignation of Councillor Beech from the Licensing Committee be noted, and that Councillor Pearce be appointed to serve on the Licensing Committee.

Councillor Cheney, Deputy Mayor for Finance, Governance and Performance moved the report.

Councillor Stevens seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Lord Mayor moved the report.

Councillor Smith, Cabinet member for Housing seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Lord Mayor moved the report.

The Mayor seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Lord Mayor moved the report.

Councillor Campion-Smith seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jos Clark, Chair of the Audit Committee, moved the report.

Councillor Stevens, Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Note:

For information only: the motions set out below were also submitted for this meeting.  Due to time constraints (see agenda item 12 above), the motions set out below will not be considered at this meeting.

As follows:

a. SENIOR MANAGEMENT SEVERANCE SETTLEMENTS

Motion submitted by: Cllr Eddy, Conservative, Bishopsworth ward

“Council is increasingly concerned that the role of its Human Resources committee is being weakenedparticularly in the recruitment and removal processes followed for its most senior management posts.

Whilst private settlement agreements or confidentially clauses can be expedient or useful for employers and departing employees alike, this practice also fosters frustration, suspicion and cynicism towards how local government is run.

Confidential severance payments are contrary to the Mayor’s professed long-held commitment to achieving greater transparency, openness and accountability in decision-making bodies. Indeed, it is often the case that even the existence of such a deal – let alone its contents - is deemed highly confidential and subject to legal redress.

Whatever the merits/demerits of these kinds of contractual terms, it is this Council’s considered view that there should be very limited circumstances for the application of  these compromise arrangements especially in relation to early redundancy or severance of first and second tier officers. 

Moreover, these expensive exercises are damaging to the reputation of this cash-strapped Authority and in reality are rarely successful in remaining concealed.

Accordingly, Council calls on the administration to limit the use of such settlement agreements and to make appointments more open and transparent in the future."

Motion submitted by: Cllr Eddy, Conservative, Bishopsworth ward

Date submitted: 3 November 2017

b. COFFEE CUPS COST THE EARTH

Motion submitted by: Cllr Clare Campion-Smith, Liberal Democrat Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze

“Council notes growing concern about ‘single use’ drinking cups and the effect on the environment.  Concerns are based on the following:

·         To make takeaway coffee cups waterproof, the card is fused with polyethylene. This material cannot be separated out again at a standard recycling plant.

·         There are only 2 highly specialised recycling facilities in the UK that are able to recycle such coffee cups.

·         UK throws away 2.5 billion coffee cups a year, creating approximately 25,000 tonnes of waste.

·         Only 0.25% of the 7 million coffee cups thrown away every day in the UK are recycled.

·         Over 6.98 million coffee cups thrown away each day go to landfill or end up in the environment.

·         Paper or cardboard coffee cups which are properly recyclable in the public waste disposal system do exist.

Council therefore calls on the Mayor:

To request the government to legislate for a small charge to be levied on such cups noting the success of the plastic bag charge in increasing the use of ‘bags for life’ and reducing plastic.

To require a small charge to be levied on the cups in use in the Council House and other venues controlled by the Council to initiate a change in habits for consumers and purveyors.”

Sources:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news-parliament-2015/disposable-packaging-coffee-cups-plastic-bottles-inquiry-launch-16-17/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40951041

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36882799

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/30/reusable-incentives-could-slash-disposable-coffee-cup-waste

c. MENINGITIS

Motion submitted by: Cllr Gill  ...  view the full agenda text for item 178.