Agenda and minutes

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Christopher Davies.

The Committee is requested to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 28^th January 2019.

The minutes were agreed with the following minor corrections;

·         Item 13 title – swap ‘British’ for ‘Bristol’.

·         Item 13 first bullet point – add word ‘fewer’.

·         Item 14 penultimate paragraph substitute ‘helping the Downs Football League share their vision’

To note and Declarations of Interest raised by Councillors.

There were none.

To consider items of Public Forum sent to the Downs Committee. Interested parties can submit a written statement of approximately one side A4 to the Downs Committee by sending it to Democratic Services by no later than 12pm on Friday 25^th January 2019.

Please find attached a Public Forum statement received from the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge.

(1)   Robert Westlake – Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge

The Committee agreed to a request to display some items of litter at the entrance to the Downs for a few days in order to highlight the ongoing problem of managing litter on the Downs. 

(2)   Peter Weeks – Downs for People

The Committee stated that they were aware of the issues and concerns outlined and that whilst discussions were ongoing with the zoo they were unable to comment further.  The results of those discussions would be considered by the Finance and Events Sub Committee and ultimately would return to the July meeting of the full Committee.

(3)   Ms D Holvey

The statement was noted.

Please find attached details of the matters arising from the Events and Finance Sub-Group meeting held on Wednesday 27^th February 2019.

There were no further comments on the report.

The officer presented the report which had been included within the agenda papers.  She was thanked for her time and there were no further questions raised.

This report also includes a report from Mandy Leivers (Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project).

Ben Skuse introduced the report and the following points were commented on:

(1)   The breakdown of the football trailer had been unfortunate however a spare trailer was not a realistic option.  The Downs League had now been able to reconfigure the fixtures that were lost. 

In response, Councillor Dudd highlighted the need for reviewed focus on improving the quality of facilities for the Downs League to reflect the increased fees.

(2)   The new lighting proposal on Observatory Hill had been altered to remove the third unit which had been proposed for out in the open.  By a show of hands the two other units were approved.  It was reiterated however that it was the responsibility of the applicant to ensure correct planning permission.

RESOLVED: That the two lighting units proposed be approved as detailed in the proposal.

(3)   Funderworld had arrived on site for their annual event.  In response to queries, it was confirmed that permission to advertise had not been granted and that an advance Advertising and Marketing Plan would be agreed if the event took place in 2020.  Councillor Abraham thanked officers for resolving issues regarding the advertising boards that had appeared. 

(4)   Officers had investigated some unauthorised parking outside the Retreat Café.  Some signage would be displayed and cycle lanes lines re-painted.  It had been established that the Bristol Nordic walking group had been parking there to unload equipment and officers were investigating helping them with some storage options.  Enforcement was also raised as an option.

(5)   Jonathon Baker offered his support to Council Officers to further explore a policy for those using the parks as a source of business.

Mandy Leivers presented her report of Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife project education programme updates (as included within the agenda papers.  Mandy was thanked for her work and there were no further questions.

Jonathon Baker will provide an update on the above planning application which was considered at Bristol City Council’s Development Control B Committee on Wednesday 13th March 2019.

Jonathan Baker reported that the application to the planning committee had passed.  The application had now been forwarded to the Secretary of State who had planned their site visit for September 2019.  If successful, the build would take place over Winter and the premises would open in the Spring 2020.  The Architect was putting together a brief for the tender process and a report would return to the July Committee meeting.

Following the approval of the above planning application after an appeal, the Downs Committee have previously been advised by e-mail of a Section 38 application to the Secretary of State.

The following is attached:

(1) A copy of the Section 38 application and details of the Inspector’s decision at the appeal

(2) Report and Minute Extract from 13^th July 2016 meeting of the Development Control B Committee

(3) Report and Minute Extract from 21^st December 2016 meeting of the Development Control B Committee

The application was initially approved contrary to officers’ recommendations at Development Control B Committee on 13th July 2016.

It went back to a later committee on Wednesday 21st December 2016 when one of

the conditions regarding landscaping mitigation could not be complied with. It was refused in line with the officers’ recommendation.

The applicant appealed against this decision and it was overturned and allowed by the Inspector on appeal.

At the request of the Lord Mayor and Master, the Development Control Section of Bristol City Council have been requested to provide advice concerning any potential consultation process for this scheme. No response has so far been received but if it is, this will be reported verbally to the Committee.

The Committee’s views on this issue are requested.

The Committee noted the report.  It was also noted that:

1.      The bridge would also require Secretary of State approval and consent of the Downs Committee as landowner.

2.      The bridge would be privately funded, including as required for maintenance.

3.      It was not a correct assertion to state that the bridge design had been developed in consultation with the Downs Committee as no decision had been taken by the Downs Committee to support the design.

4.      At the appropriate time, a full report would be expected considering all available options and further discussion was not appropriate until that time.

1.      The Lord Mayor highlighted and the Downs Committee acknowledged that 2019 marked 25years since the assault of Marlon Thomas on the Downs at a fun fair. 

2.      The Suicide Prevention Team, a voluntary group, reported there activities to the Downs Committee.  Three suicides had been prevented and countless people spoken to who were in need of support.  The group were working to increase awareness of their organisation and sought an increased connection with the Downs Committee. 

3.      It was agreed that a site visit of the ‘Leisure Loop’ would take place on the afternoon of 20^th May 2019.  Further details would be provided to the Committee in due course.

4.      Consideration was given to the toilets on the Downs joining the Community Toilet Scheme and therefore be included on the map of the City conveniences.  Although supported in principle, it was highlighted that the expectation would be for efficient opening times.  It was established that a small fee was provided to St. Michaels Care Home to provide that service and it would be checked whether the opening times were sufficient to be included within the Community Toilet Scheme.  It was confirmed that toilets within the new café would be part of the Community Toilet Scheme.

ACTION: It was agreed that Councillors Abraham and Don Alexander along with Jonathan Baker would form a sub group to investigate further, led by Councillor Alexander.

5.      Thanks were extended to the outgoing Lord Mayor for chairing and guiding the Downs Committee during the year and service to the City as a whole.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held at 11.00am on Monday 1^st July 2019 in the Merchants Hall, The Promenade, Clifton, Bristol.

The next meeting is scheduled for the 1^st July 2019 at Merchants Hall.