Agenda item

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum.  The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.  Public Forum items should be emailed to scrutiny@bristol.gov.uk and please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:-

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by 5pm on Friday 1^st March.

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 6^th March.

a. Public Questions

Public questions were received as follows:

1. David Redgewell - questions on transport issues:

It was noted that written responses to these questions had been provided to the questioner and published in advance of the meeting.

In response to a supplementary question from the questioner, it was confirmed that currently there were no proposals to move the bus shelter function to the West of England Combined Authority.  The Combined Authority had also indicated more generally that it would not be able to progress with discussions in relation to any potential transfer of transport functions from Bristol City Council at this time.

In response to a further supplementary question from the questioner, it was noted that there were ongoing community concerns about the lack of effective bus services serving the city, including the Stapleton area.

2. Helen Powell - questions on Stoke Lodge playing fields - incorrect registration of land at HM Land Registry:       

It was noted that written responses to these questions had been provided to the questioner and published in advance of the meeting.

Via a supplementary question, the questioner referred to the decision taken by the Public Rights of Way Committee as the appropriate regulatory committee to register the land as a Town and Village Green and asked which member(s) of the Executive had subsequently issued instructions to officers to object to the registration.

In response, officers commented that the Executive had not supported the registration of this land as a Town and Village Green; officers were unable to comment further in respect of this supplementary question.

3. Ian Beckey - questions on transport issues:

It was noted that written responses to these questions had been provided to the questioner and published in advance of the meeting.

4. Cllr Tessa Fitzjohn - questions on Culture and Creative Industries service:

It was noted that written responses to these questions had been provided to the questioner and published in advance of the meeting.

5. Dan Ackroyd - questions on transport, risk and housing issues:

It was noted that written responses to these questions had been provided to the questioner and published in advance of the meeting.

In response to a supplementary question from the questioner, it was confirmed that as part of the approach in taking forward liveable neighbourhood schemes, proactive outreach work to communities was undertaken to explain proposals and support local people in

terms of their awareness and understanding of the different transport options available in the area.

Via a further supplementary question, the questioner queried whether this scrutiny commission would push for an inquiry into how the Barton House emergency evacuation had been handled.  In discussion, the Executive Director: Growth and Regeneration commented that the Council recognised that the evacuation had been a very serious incident, resulting in significant impacts for the residents affected. The actions taken would be reviewed to identify lessons that could be learnt. Most tenants had now returned to their homes in Barton House and had been supported in this; officers continued to work with those tenants who remained in temporary accommodation.

b. Public Statements

Public statements were received as follows:

1. Felicity Pine: Stoke Lodge Town and Village Green registration

2. Helen Powell: Stoke Lodge Town and Village Green registration

3. Emma Burgess: Stoke Lodge Town and Village Green registration

4. Sue Sage and Ian Beckey: Transport issues

5. Jackie Lewis: Transport issues

6. Dan Ackroyd: Quarter 3 risk report

7. David Redgewell: Transport issues

Those in attendance at the meeting presented their statements.