Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Process by which a planning decision be considered by committee

From an officer.....



The criteria are contained in the Constitution, in Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions, Section 2 D Guidance.  For convenience I have copied them below.

D. General principles applying to the exercise of delegated powers by
officers
(a) Delegated officers must refer matters to the relevant committee as
they consider appropriate having regard to the following factors:-
i) whether the matter would have such an effect on
communities, businesses or individuals such as the matter
ought to be considered/determined by councillors;
ii) whether a councillor, applicant or other person with a
significant interest has requested that the matter be
determined by committee;
iii) whether there is evidence that the public or councillors have a
significant actual or potential interest in the matter such as
would give rise to a desire or expectation that it be determine
by councillors;
iv) whether the matter is likely to involve consideration of
disputed or uncertain matters of fact or law or whether the
decision gives rise to a fine balance between various options
such as might reasonably give rise to an expectation that the
matter will be considered by councillors;
v) where it is desirable that representations made in relation to
the matter by an applicant, objector other interested party
should be heard and considered by councillors;
vi) the need for consistency of approach in the council’s decision
making process;
vii) whether there are any specific national or local policy or (in
relation to development control decisions only) development
plan implications arising from the matter under consideration
which are of such significance that they might reasonably
give rise to an expectation that they ought to be considered
by councillors;
viii) whether the legal consequences of the matter of such
significance that it should be considered by councillors.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

What the Windmill Hill LibDems forogot to mention about St Catherines Place..............


I noticed this little piece from the latest Windmill Hill LibDem Focus.

I hasten to say that I supported the St Catherines Place development. I know others didn't but I decided for a variety of reasons to support, and did so publicly. (All explained on another post on this blog)

Anyway, what the LibDems have failed to mention is the following:

Firstly, the SCP development ran across two meetings. At the first meeting neither LibDem councillor Christian Martin nor LibDem Councillor Alex Woodman turned up.

It is only by the merest chance that there was no decision at that meeting, and therefore only by the merest chance that these LibDems had a say.

And at the second meeting, I understand that the proposal was approved by 7 votes to 2.  Who proposed the motion to accept the proposal (the one about which LibDems in Windmill Hill are complaining)?

The same LibDem councillor Alex Woodman.

Friday, 26 September 2014

Supporting Camden Road Bridge planning application 4/04262/FB

I have decided to support the foot/cycle bridge which will cross the New Cut between Camden Road and the Chocolate Path......here is my submission


I strongly support the building of this bridge.

I think it will be extremely popular with Southville and Ashton residents and will become a significant walking and cycling route into town. It therefore has obvious benefits in terms of helping sustainable transport in the city.

I support the resolution passed by the Greater Bedminster Community partnership which states

'1. A protected crossing of Coronation Road in the area of Camden Road be provided due to the severe difficulties faced by pedestrians and cyclists.

2. That the new bridge is linked into existing and planned cycling/walking routes in Greater Bedminster, notably the 'green-walkways' and through legible city signage. The partnership requests that council travel planners work with the GBCP to ensure these element dove-tail together.

3. Existing natural history including trees should be protected and suitable mitigation be provided where there is a loss of trees or other vegetation.'

I have read other comments and do not particularly agree that the design of this bridge is any worse than the other options considered.

I note a comment about the impact on the Chocolate Path, but can't tell from the design whether this is so. Even so, I regard the building of the bridge as more important.

Finally, I would also support at least a partial closure of that end of Camden Road to traffic, and we take the opportunity to create an people-friendly entry point to Southville

Friday, 15 August 2014

Council response to bus petition

Here is the council's response to me handing in a 1300 signature bus petition requesting a better bus service from BS3 to Templemeads. What I really want is an additional bus down North St, but it looks like the council isn't very interested.
 
 
 

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Letter to the post re cycing and the Cycling campaign strategy

Dear Sir

While I am in no way surprised at the way in which the local media has focussed on the crass and insensitive use of a tank by RPS protestors at last weeks council meeting, it has drawn attention away from other parts of the council meeting.

In particular, it has drawn attention away from the excellent cycling manifesto. The manifesto, produced by Bristol Cycling Campaign, asks for a number of things which will increase the rates of cycling within the city. It has substantial levels of support – indeed, like the RPS protest, also broke the 3,500 vote barrier to force a debate.

The measures proposed will be familiar to many of us. A cycling network and proper funding for cycling. A cycling network would be great value for money compared with other transport schemes. Implemented properly, it would act as an encouragement for cyclists of all age and all levels of experience.

And more cycling benefits us all in terms of health, fitness, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is  the fastest way to travel over shorter distances. And being a value for money solution for the individual, employers and authorities is truly socialism on wheels.

Bring it on.

Monday, 7 July 2014

Open letter to George, Brian Allinso and Metrobus re Blue finger/Stoke Park

This is already doing the rounds, but then I wrote it, and for that matter, I suggested it, and asked people to support it.


To George Ferguson, Brian Allinson and the Metrobus  proponents
Cc to Mark Bradhsaw

From Kerry McCarthy MP, Charlotte Leslie MP, and Councillors Daniella Radice, Lesley Alexander, Estella Tincknell, Gill Kirk, Claire Hiscott, Bill Payne, Wayne Harvey, Rob Telford, Tim Malnick, Gus Hoyt, Charlie Bolton

We the undersigned call on you to reconsider elements of the Hengrove-Northern Fringe metrobus project.

We believe that low carbon efficient public transport AND local, accessible food and places to grow it, are both a vital part of the future to Bristol’s position as both a sustainable city and the ‘Green capital of Europe’.

We support any action that can be taken to ensure that Bristol and South Gloucester local authorities find innovative and collaborative solutions to transportation and congestion challenges, without compromising the excellent and valuable work that is producing food from some of our best land.

As such, we call on you to devise and implement alternative public transport solutions which will NOT result in the loss of ANY Grade 1 agricultural land along the M32 corridor, specifically at Stapleton allotments, Feed Bristol, Sims Hill, or on any former market-garden sites. Any proposed transport solution should look first at brown field sites, and should resolve rather than cause  congestion in the local area. It should not compromise the use of high quality agricultural land by important and effective charities, community groups and local people, for the benefit of all. We note the proposed changes you suggested at cabinet on 1st July but need to be convinced that these make any meaningful difference to the land affected.

We are also concerned about the proposal to run a section of the new road across Stoke Park. This historic piece of landscape is valuable not only as the 'green lungs' for North Bristol but also because it contains ancient woodland, rich meadows full of rare species and a number of heritage buildings.

We believe the loss of such land is utterly incompatible with Bristol’s ambitions to be a Green Capital, and we urge you to think again.