Agenda item

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 no later than 12pm on 15 September 2023.  

·      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 12 September 2023.  

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

Please send submissions to Democratic Services at democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk.

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

The following public forum statements were received and noted by the Committee.

Statement Number 1: Robert Westlake – Friends of Downs and Avon Gorge

Statement Number 2: Susan Carter – Downs for People

Statement Number 3: Mark Ashdown – Bristol Tree Forum

Questions were received from:

Susan Carter – Downs for People (2xQ)

Answer to Q1 regarding wildlife on the Downs being of global significance - The Wildlife Project Manager confirmed that the Downs is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, a local designation which is given for a variety of reasons. The Avon Gorge is a SSSI (national designation) and a SAC (international designation). Natural England has been asked for advice as to how much impact some misuse of the Downs and the Avon Gorge by the public is having on the rare species and the Gorge’s SSSI status. NE will be carrying out a study as such next year. The WP manager also pointed out that preserving the ecological balance of the Downs is essential to the Downs being a sustainable green space  for the people of Bristol.

A supplementary question was asked about a possible tutorial being arranged for members of the Downs Committee regarding habitat for wildlife. The Wildlife Project Manager undertook to arrange this.

Answer to Q2 about costs of Sea Wall café proposal – answers to be supplied after the meeting by the Finance Officer.

Mark Ashdown – Bristol Tree Forum (2xQ)

The two questions submitted had already been answered during discussion under agenda item 6.