Agenda and draft minutes

To elect the Chair of the Area Committee for the 2020-2021 municipal year.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Celia Phipps be elected Chair for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Charlie Bolton and Chris Davies.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on the 19^th September 2019

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 19^th September 2019 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To hear any declaration of interests from Councillors on the Area Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

Please see the public information sheet attached to the agenda for information and detail about public forum processes.  For this specific meeting, the deadlines are:

·       The deadline for Public Forum Questions is 5pm on Friday 24^th July.

·       The deadline for Public Forum Statements is 12 noon on Wednesday 29^th July.

·       The deadline for registration to speak at the meeting is 12 noon on Tuesday 28^th July.

Please email to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

Members considered the public forum statements and questions submitted in advance of the meeting.  In response to questions about various highway schemes, the Community Resources Manager confirmed that he would give a direct response to the members of the public, but that a full update on CIL and S106 schemes would be circulated to all members at the end of August and published on the website.

Members noted the statements submitted for consideration.

The Community Resources Manager introduced the report and drew attention to the following:

·         Members would receive an update by the end of August on progress on previously approved Section 106 (S106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) transport, parks and community projects;

·         A decision had been taken to pause 2020 CIL and S106 decisions with the exception of S106 monies specified for tree planting and replacement so works could start in the 20/21 planting season;

·         Members were asked to consider the request for the award of an additional sum from CIL to enable delivery of the Eastwood Farm Park renovation project approved at the AC’s 2019 meeting;

·         There was currently a CIL deficit of -£21,545.68 due to decisions made by the Committee at its meeting on 19th September 2019 and it was agreed that no new projects would be funded as a result of the deficit;

·         Members were asked to consider the proposed tree planting and replacement scheme using the available £17,599.83  to plant 23 trees and, if approved, to further consider if the residue of £29.34 should be added to the maintenance budget or keep in the existing S106 tree planting budget

In considering the request for additional CIL funding to meet the £10-12k shortfall to deliver the Eastwood Farm park renovation project, Members noted the current situation and money already secured by the community.  It was moved by Cllr Rippington and seconded by Cllr Carey that Community Infrastructure Levy funding up to the value of £10,000 be put towards the Eastwood Farm Park renovation project, on condition that only the required funding be drawn down if additional funds are secured from other community funding.

The Tree Bristol Officer confirmed that the proposals were for replanting trees rather than new trees and, following a request from Members, undertook to look into the suggestion of planting in Victor Road.  He also welcomed any suggestions about other new sites for tree planting and confirmed that future proposals would include a map and the common, rather than Latin, names of the trees.

In relation to future meetings, the Community Resources Manager undertook to talk to Chairs of the 6 Area Committees with a view to considering a similar timetable to the one agreed in the previous year with Councillors engaging with communities about proposals prior to a decision in the autumn. It was agreed that if any Members had a view on the timescale they should contact the Chair directly.

RESOLVED that

(1)   the proposed updating of progress on previously-approved projects in the light of Covid-19 impacts be noted;

(2)   the decision to pause 2020 CIL and S106 decisions with the exception of S106 monies specified for tree planting and replacement be noted;

(3)   the CIL and S106 monies available at 30th June 2020 and the 2 S106 contributions which are at risk as outside their ‘committed by’ date be noted;

(4)   the funding for the S106 Tree Proposal submitted from the following S106 allocations be approved as follows:

·         23 Tree Replacements =  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.