Agenda item

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

Members of the public and visiting councillors may speak at the committee, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance.  Please complete this form (https://forms.office.com/r/Y87tufaV6G) by 5pm on Deadline(registertospeakdeadline) or call (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

Imogen Dawson addressed the committee regarding the agenda item “Strategic Outline Case for Station Approach and a summary of the matters she raised were as follows.

1. She welcomed the emphasis on regarding carbon net zero, biodiversity net gain, and sustainable development and the focus on environmental, social, and economic benefits.
2. She was encouraged by the environmentally friendly urban mobility and sustainable transport aspects.
3. She welcomed the desire to deliver a high-quality development with a strong sense of place.
4. She was concerned over a lack of emphasis on important matters in the proposals for Gladstone Street and Cattle Market sites and at the possibility of student housing instead of housing for long-term residents.
5. That there was concern about noise disturbance from heavy goods vehicles and congestion.
6. She noted that there was a desire for a mix of housing options, including shared ownership.
7. She referred to the findings from the City Science report on parking usage and forecasting.
8. That there was a need to address traffic and congestion problems, especially at the Carfax Junction.
9. There were concerns about a multi-story car park exacerbating traffic issues.
10. She wanted to highlight the caveats about risks, unpredictability, and financial crisis and was concerned over the challenges in getting a viable scheme in line with the development brief.
11. She believed there to be difficulty in resolving movement-related issues with Hampshire County Council and bus operators.
12. She recommended the council to suspend work and expenditure on the Station Approach development at the current time.

Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management and Emma Taylor responded to a number of these points within the introduction to the agenda item.

Councillor Malcolm Wallace addressed the committee regarding the agenda item “Q4 Performance Monitoring” and raised the following matters:

1. Regarding Local Suppliers - The Council's spend with local suppliers (KPI VLE13) was declining. What actions was the Council taking to reverse this trend?
2. Concerning Winchester City Council Carbon Emissions (TCE01) - In 2021/22, the Council's carbon emissions decreased by only 3% compared to 2019/20 (excluding COVID impact in 2020/21). What was the breakdown of these emissions, and was the Council still on track to achieve zero emissions by 2024?
3. Concerning Winchester City Council Carbon Emissions - The target for Council carbon emissions in 2022/23 has increased more than threefold to 3,750 tCO2e (previously 1,075 tCO2e). How were these targets set?
4. Regarding Traffic Movements - Why does the vehicle movements metric (TCE07) focus only on Winchester City? Additionally, it was forecasted that the M3J9 works would increase traffic in the district instead of reducing it.
5. Regarding Carbon Neutrality

·       When was the Health & Environment Policy Committee planning to discuss the new initiative for a utility scale renewable energy project?

·       Could Members receive a briefing on the HCC carbon assessment tool that would be used in future council processes and reports (p273)?

·       The Carbon Footprint Report for 2022/23 was scheduled to be delivered to the Carbon Neutrality Board in July 2023 (p273). How could Councillors access this report?

6. Regarding the Winchester Movement Strategy - Could officers clarify the statement made in the project update summary about the reallocation of funding for walking and cycling measures from Active Travel England (DfT) to other areas? Does this mean the mini-Holland bid would not be funded?

Dawn Adey, Strategic Director thanked Councillor Wallace for his questions and proposed that officers convene a meeting with Councillor Wallace, the relevant Cabinet Member(s), and officers.