Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

All members were in attendance.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

No disclosures of interest were declared.

There were no Chairperson’s announcements.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 September 2020.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 September 2020, be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services
three clear working days before the meeting

(contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk  or 01962 848 264).

Chris Gillham (on behalf of Winchester Friends of the Earth), addressed the committee regarding agenda items 7 (Winchester Movement Strategy) and item 10 (AQMA Annual Update). Phil Gagg (on behalf of WinACC), John Beveridge (on behalf of the City of Winchester Trust) and Councillor Horrill addressed the committee regarding agenda item 7 (Winchester Movement Strategy) and Phil Joyce (on behalf of Extinction Rebellion) addressed the committee regarding item 8 (Petition – Winchester Extinction Rebellion). A summary of their comments are set out as follows:

In summary, Chris Gillham stated that the Winchester Friends of the Earth appreciated the efforts given to the Movement and Access Strategy.  However concerns were raised in respect of the rationale for priority three and questioned why reference the declaration of climate emergency had been omitted. , with no clear purpose relatable to the vision and priorities. . In respect of agenda item 10, Mr Gillham stated that due to the significant health consequences of air pollution, they were concerned to see the proposals to reduce the area of the Air Quality Management Area and considered that this proposal sent out the wrong message.

In summary, Phil Gagg stated that the work carried out to date on the Movement Strategy was welcomed. However, due to transport resulting in under 60% of the districts emissions, WinAcc considered that the Strategy needed to align more closely with the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) to enable to Strategy to bring about a carbon reduction equal to 60% of the district’s carbon emissions by 2030, with more work required to demonstrate how the Strategy would deliver its share of the CNAP. Mr Gagg made reference to the need to quantify co2 reduction targets, detail of the concentration of traffic reduction encouraging modal transfer to walking and cycling, which he stated was strongly supported by the public.  He concluded that a robust carbon reduction framework was crucial to achieving targets.

In summary, John Beveridge stated that it was important to ensure that maximum consensus regarding traffic reduction in Winchester was achieved.  Traffic changes should be experimented in the first instance. Other areas (such as Durham & York) that had successfully introduced low car zones, could be considered as an example.

In summary, Councillor Horrill stated that she agreed with the various points raised by the public speakers and that this initiative was hugely important for the district.  The level of cooperation between the Council and Hampshire County Council was important and the clear way forward given the County Council’s responsibility for Highways. Fundamental to the report was the need to remove traffic from the town centre to allow more of the important initiatives to take place successfully and to provide more safe space for pedestrians and cyclists. It was recognised that Park and Ride was very significant to this and that progress in this respect within the report still appeared to remain slow. It was noted that the Vaultex site was providing additional provision, but that further changes were necessary to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

RESOLVED:

            That the work programme for 2020/21 be noted.

 (Presentation)

The committee noted that a revised presentation had been made available prior to the meeting on the Council’s website here.

Councillor Tod provided an update and clarified that this was a joint project with Hampshire County Council, with a scope primarily regarding the City of Winchester, focussing on reducing traffic. He stated that the next Board meeting was due to take place shortly, which would include the approval to release phase two of the works, together with options and data detail. This information would be made available to Members in due course.

The Chairperson welcomed Geoff Hobbs, Principal Transport Planner from Hampshire County Council to the meeting who, together with the Head of Programme, gave a presentation on the priorities for movement across Winchester, the joint studies and the progress made to date and delivery going forward.

Members asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by relevant officers and the Cabinet member accordingly

RESOLVED:

That the content of the presentation be received and the comments of the Committee be noted.

(Presentation)

The Head of Programme outlined the details of the petition submitted by Extinction Rebellion Winchester which was submitted and considered by Council at its meeting on 8 July 2020 and was referred to the committee for further consideration and response.  The committee received a presentation which is available on the Council’s website here.

Members asked questions and raised comments regarding travel safety for all, with the increased use of electric scooters and electric bikes as well as those walking and cycling, which were responded to by officers and the Cabinet member accordingly.

In conclusion, the Chairperson announced that the Head of Programme would provide a full response to all the points raised within the petition submitted by Extinction Rebellion Winchester and thanked Phil Joyce for addressing the committee on this matter.

RESOLVED:

          That the contents of the presentation be received, the comments of the committee be noted and a full response to the petition submitted by Extinction Rebellion Winchester be provided by the Head of Programme.

(Presentation)

Councillor Porter provided an update on the Council’s latest positon with its health partnerships arrangements in response to the key strategic and policy issues facing the Council and the Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing gave a presentation on the positive strong partnerships that have been developed, an update on the progress of the Winchester and District Health and Wellbeing Board and sought the views of the committee on a number of proposals for its delivery going forward.  The presentation is available on the Council’s website here.

Members asked questions and raised comments regarding public health and hospital facilities, issues arising in areas of deprivation, the need for engagement with the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), and all health groups, providers and partnerships which were responded to by officers and the Cabinet member accordingly.

RESOLVED:

          That the contents of the presentation be received and the comments of the committee be noted

(Presentation)

The Chairperson announced that due to the late running time, the presentation of this item would be deferred for consideration at a future meeting of the committee or Member briefing, to be advised in due course.

The presentation is available on the Council’s website here.

            Resolved:

         That the presentation be deferred for consideration at a future      meeting or briefing to be advised in due course.