MINUTES

AGENDA

1. LORD MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS [CPR 2.1(2)(iv)]

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 21st JULY 2009 [CPR 2.1(2)(ii)]

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21st July 2009.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST [CPR 2.1(2)(iii)]

Note: To ensure accountable, open and transparent local democracy, a register of the financial interests of councillors, co-optees and advisers is available for public inspection. If you wish to see it please contact Mr Ian Pagan, Democratic Services Manager; telephone 0117 922 2387, email ian.pagan@bristol.gov.uk

4. REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC [CPR 2.1(2)(v)]

(30 minutes)

(a) Petitions

(Deadline for notification – 12 noon on 14th September 2009)

(b) Statements

(Deadline for notification – 12 noon on 14th September 2009)

(c) Questions

Notification of Petitions, and Statements should be either e-mailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk or faxed to 0117 9222146 or sent to Bristol City Council, Democratic Services Section, Room 220, Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR to arrive by the specified deadline.

It should be noted that these deadlines will be strictly enforced.

5. REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL – PETITIONS ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC [CPR 2.1(2)(vi)]

(a) Petitions (Deadline for notification – 12 noon on 14th September 2009)

(Statements and Questions please see Item No 11 on this Agenda)

6. URGENT BUSINESS [CPR 2.1(2)(vii)]

7. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE

(Time limit – 1 hour 30 minutes)

A. HEADLINE STRATEGY FOR WASTE AND STREETSCENE

Council is asked to consider and comment on the above strategy.

(Report of the Cabinet)

8. REPORTS FROM SCRUTINY AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES

(Time limit – 1 hour 30 minutes)

A. REPORT OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL SELECT COMMITTEE

Council is asked to consider and comment on the recommendations of the Select Committee.

(Report of the Audit Committee)

9. REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER/SERVICE DIRECTOR, LEGAL

A. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

Members are asked to approve the appointment of an additional independent member to the Audit Committee.

B. APPOINTMENT OF RECORDER OF BRISTOL

Members are asked to approve the appointment of a Recorder of Bristol.

(Report of the Monitoring Officer & Service Director, Legal)

10. MOTIONS [CPR 2.1(2)(xi)]

(Time limit – 45 minutes)

A: COUNCILLOR R EDDY TO MOVE:

“Further to the Full Council resolution of 14th October 2008, this Council reaffirms its opposition to the unrealistic, unworkable and unsustainable house building figures contained in the proposed changes to the Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (RSS).

Council welcomes the delay in adoption of the RSS as a result of a legal challenge against the East of England Plan, and hopes this time will be used by the Labour Government to reconsider their housing targets - particularly in the light of the remaining uncertainties surrounding the housing market.

In addition, Council continues to oppose the contemplated unparalleled destruction of open spaces and the Green Belt, which would result from such intensive development.

Council is specifically concerned about the additional numbers proposed for Bristol, the size of the south west extension at Ashton Vale and the over-development intended in the south east and northern parts of the city (particularly when there are no plans to improve or provide the necessary infrastructure alongside such new development).

Council believes that the Local Authorities concerned are best placed to determine the level and location of new housing developments within their boundaries.

In the event of any failure by the Secretary of State to significantly reduce Labour’s housing numbers, Council calls on the Leader of Council to explore with our neighbouring authorities the possibility of mounting a joint challenge in the Courts to the South West Regional Spatial Strategy.”

B: COUNCILLOR H HOLLAND TO MOVE:

WHOLE COUNCIL ELECTIONS FROM 2011

In September 2003 Council welcomed the consultation on the cycle of local elections in England undertaken by the Electoral Commission.

Council then agreed the following recommendations:

- That the current four-year period of office for councillors should be retained

- That there should be all out elections held once every four years

- That a day should be set nationally specifically for local government elections

Council notes that the legislation is now in force to allow the Council to change from our current “elections by thirds” each year to “whole council elections” every four years. (Local Government Act and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007).

Council expresses its strong view that a move to whole council elections is in the interest of Bristol and all who live here and council resolves that there be a consultation on the proposal. Council requires that a report be prepared for the next meeting (November 10th 2009), which sets out how the consultation will be undertaken.

Council additionally resolves to convene an extraordinary meeting of Council as soon as is practicable (as required by the Act) to review results of that consultation and to decide whether to change the electoral arrangements to whole council elections every four years for Bristol City Council from May 2011.

C: COUNCILLOR N HARRISON

CLIMATE CHANGE

Council notes that climate change is a reality and that the city is already committed to a range of carbon reduction targets. Council recognises that it has a responsibility to help prevent dangerous climate change and that doing so will create local jobs, reduce fuel poverty and create local economic benefits.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Support the Friends of the Earth “Get Serious About CO2” campaign.

• Commit to reducing emissions in its area year-on-year towards a goal of cutting emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020.

• Produce a carbon reduction action plan for both its own operations and the wider city by Spring 2010, with implementation proceeding as soon as possible.

• Report annually on progress towards the delivery of the 40 per cent target.

Council also, however, recognises the vital role of national government, whatever its political ‘colour’, in carbon reduction at a local level and that a 40 per cent target in Bristol cannot be achieved without real and rapid successes on electricity production and public transport solutions at a national level.

Council therefore further resolves to support the Friends of the Earth campaign for national action, including assisting local authorities with additional funds and legal powers to make radical changes and for a new duty on councils to act on climate change by 2012.

D: COUNCILLOR B LEWIS TO MOVE:

LOCAL BUS INDUSTRY

“Council welcomes the report undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) into the local bus industry and the stated inclination to refer this market to the Competition Commission (CC) - subject to the outcome of public submissions received by 15th October 2009.

Council notes that OFT itself recognises the benefits which derive through the efficient operation of a free market - ie that this mechanism is the most likely to lead to improved services and encourage innovation.

However, the recent study has identified a number of factors or unfair practices - such as predatory pricing to eliminate rivals and exploiting a monopolistic position to charge higher fares - which “prevent, restrict or distort competition” in this sector.

Council believes that an examination of how bus services operate in Bristol is urgently required given the extraordinary high level of fares levied on passengers and the apparent virtual monopoly enjoyed by First Bus in the City.

Accordingly, Council calls on the Leader of Council to formally request a detailed enquiry or investigation by the Competition Commission into our local bus providers.”

11. REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL [CPR 2.1(2)(vi)]

(40 Minutes)

(b) Statements

(Deadline for notification – 12 noon on 20th July 2009)

(c) Questions

Notification of Petitions, and Statements should be either e-mailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk or faxed to 0117 9222146 or sent to Bristol City Council, Democratic Services Section, Room 220, Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR to arrive by the specified deadline.

It should be noted that these deadlines would be strictly enforced.