Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone. Introductions were made and safety information was shared.

Apologies for absence were received from members David Powell, Fiona Francombe and Councillor Paul Goggin. Officers Kevin Jay (Finance Manager) and Richard Fletcher (Parks Service Manager.

To note and Declarations of Interest raised by Councillors.

None declared.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting on 13 January 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Members noted that with regard to Minute no.10, extract set out below, Councillor Gooch and Robert Bourns did not recall that the principle of development had been agreed, only legal framework being sought –

 ‘Legal framework summary for the Padel Courts/mini golf course to be provided by legal team as soon as possible. The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the principle of the development proposal. Noted that the legal challenge to this proposal was not accepted by the Downs Committee’.

The Chair ran through actions from the previous meeting and further updates were given and included in the Action Tracker.

Noted that there were no matters arising from the last Events & Finance Sub Group to be considered by the Downs Committee at today’s meeting.

Up to 30 Minutes is permitted for this item.

To consider items of Public Forum sent to the Downs Committee. Interested parties can submit:

·      A written statement of approximately one side A4 which must be received 2 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting that means no later than 12pm on 5 March 2025 at 5pm.

·      A maximum of 2 written questions (which will be answered verbally at the meeting) must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, it means that your question(s) must be received no later than 5pm on 4 March 2025.

·      You will have the opportunity to ask one supplementary question arising directly out of each of the original questions or replies.

Public Questions and Statements should be submitted via our webform:

www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

Please note that your statements and questions will be sent to Committee Members and published on Council’s website prior to meeting.

Statements

A public forum statement from Susan Carter was received and noted by the Committee.

The committee received a report from the Downs Advisory Panel noting that since the last meeting of the Downs committee the Panels dedicated email address and phone line had received and logged twenty-five contacts, the content of inquiries remained unchanged with complaints about kerbside vehicle dwelling continuing to dominate.

The Panel had debated several items and had numerous recommendations, as set out below, for the committee to consider.

Recommendation (1)

{1a} That the Downs committee and other agencies provide clear and timely evidence of incursions onto Downs land and ensure all incidents including anti-social behaviour are reported to the City Council and where appropriate the Police.

{1b} Ensure the legal process including recent changes to legislation for managing Travellers is properly implemented including longer and more comprehensive injunctions.

Discussion highlighted the problem of obtaining quality and consistent reporting of antisocial behaviour given that the police had advised that many instances were not of a criminal nature. It was felt that it was important to record a pattern of behaviour in addition to isolated incidents, the main determinant being enough detailed accurate information, including dates, times etc, for the police to be able to take appropriate action.

On being put to the vote members unanimously agreed the recommendation.  

Recommendation (2)

{2a} That the Downs committee request from the chair of the Housing & Homes Delivery Policy Committee (H&HDPC) that proposals and recommendations made on the 14th of February are backed up with a timeline and action tracker.

{2b} That the Downs committee supports a recommendation that the DAP is represented at any future public meeting.   

The Chair agreed to write to Councillor Barry Parsons (Chair of H&HDPC) to action the above recommendations.

Recommendation (3)

That the Downs committee supports a proposal for a trial road closure of Ladies Mile on the 18th of May 2025.

Discussion centred on combining the closure with a street party, however members were advised that at least two months’ notice would have to be given if formal arrangements were to be made, including traffic management, signage, stewards and avoidance of other events taking place on the Downs. If more informal arrangements, then at least two volunteers would be necessary. Support could possibly be sourced through charitable services such as ‘Playing Out’.

Action – DAP and BCC officers to form a working party to liaise on the best way forward to facilitate the road closure of Ladies Mile as proposed.

Recommendation (4)

That the Downs Committee accepts the proposal to manage particular parts of the Downs to create areas of tussocky grassland that will be of greater conservation value.

On being put to the vote members were unanimously agreed that this action be taken.

Recommendation (5)

That the Downs Supervisor works with the Conservation officer to assess current condition of picnic benches, consider any repairs where practical, identify suitable alternative locations and relocate.

On being put to the vote members were unanimously agreed that this action be taken.

Recommendation (6)

That Downs Committee grants permission for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Committee received an update report from the Business Development Manager on business opportunities at key locations across the Downs. These included –

a)      Zoo - North Car Park

b)      Stoke Road Pitches including proposed Mini Golf facility and Padel Courts.

c)      Stoke Road changing rooms. 

d)      Sea Walls site.

e)      Private Training Operators.

f)       Lottery heritage Funding.   

Members noted that the legal framework summary for the Padel Courts/mini golf course would be provided by legal services under exempt business after this meeting. It was also noted that figures associated with the costs of the proposal would not be available at the current time.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee received an update report from the Area Parks Supervisor summarising the work on the Downs for the summer season. In addition, a proposal to replace eroded signage at the cliff edge was requested.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and replacement signage at the cliff edge be approved.   

The committee received an update report from the Events Officer on 2024 events that had taken place since the last meeting and future events in 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Events report be noted.

The committee received the Forecast report for 2024-25. Since the last report in November the forecasted net deficit had remained the same at around £147k.

RESOLVED – That the Forecast report for 2024-25 be noted.

The committee received a report for February and March 2025 giving a summary of activities of Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife learning and community engagement programme.

Points arising from discussion were –

• Grateful thanks was given to the Society of Merchant Venturers, The Nisbet Trust, The Pople Family Trust, and Basil Brown Charitable Trust for stepping in to provide funding for the engagement staff for the remainder of 2025 until the end of March 2026. Bristol Zoological Society was also continuing to fund and host the engagement side of the project, this would ensure that the engagement aspect of the project would continue through the year ahead.
• Natural England had been asked to contribute its views on the impact of increased human activity on the Downs and the ecology of the Avon Gorge. Noted that good quality management was essential to maintain the ecological value of the area.
• Concern was raised about an unauthorised tent that had been erected on the Downs which had led to abusive behaviour from the occupants toward the community engagement team and children when undertaking education projects, this had been reported as a crime and was an ongoing safeguarding issue. Councillor O’Rourke agreed to meet the AGDW Manager after the meeting to seek solutions to this and the Lord Mayor agreed to contact the appropriate BCC officer to inform of the ongoing position and to seek potential resolution.

RESOLVED – That the Downs Community Engagement report for February and March 2025 be noted.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held at 11 am on 9 June 2025 at Merchants  Hall, Bristol.

The next meeting will be held at 11 am on Monday, 9 June 2025 at Merchants Hall, Bristol.

The Lord Mayor informed members that a proposal had been received in respect of Leslie MacDonald who had become the first to fly a Bristol Boxkite over the Downs on Friday, November 11, 1910, and that his achievement should be commemorated on a Blue Plaque somewhere in the area.

Agreed that DAP liaise with the proposer and report back to the Downs Committee with a recommendation.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC - DCR8

Members of the public may only be excluded where the committee is considering information that has not been made public. It shall be at the discretion of the chair as to whether information should be considered in public or in private.

The committee ‘may make rules for the conduct of their own business’ under Section XI of the Downs Act.

Legal Advice regarding north car park and proposed Padel Courts and Mini Golf Course on the Downs was given.