The Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to discuss strategies for creating sustainable communities, with a particular focus on transport and active travel. The panel was also set to consider the council's response to recommendations from the Food Task Group.

Creating Sustainable Communities in North East Somerset: The Journey to Net Zero Transport Strategy

The panel was scheduled to consider the draft Creating Sustainable Communities in North East Somerset: The Journey to Net Zero transport strategy. This strategy aims to transform the transport network across Bath and North East Somerset over the next 20 years, focusing on areas including Keynsham & Saltford, Somer Valley, Hicks Gate, and Whitchurch Village. The strategy seeks to provide more travel choices, encouraging sustainable options without compromising on time or cost, to foster healthier and more sustainable communities. It outlines a plan for improvements to be delivered through a combination of public sector funding, such as the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), and third-party contributions, with engagement planned with stakeholders like the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA). The report highlighted that transport affects all aspects of life, from air quality to access to jobs, and is integral to creating sustainable communities. The strategy proposes a shift from a predict and provide approach to a decide and provide model, defining an ideal sustainable future before providing the means to achieve it. The report also detailed extensive public consultation that had informed the strategy, with further public consultation events scheduled.

Active Travel Masterplan

A comprehensive Active Travel Masterplan was presented for discussion, aiming to make walking, wheeling, and cycling the natural choice for a greater proportion of journeys across Bath and North East Somerset. The plan highlights that over a third of car trips in the district are less than 5km, a distance ideal for active travel. The masterplan aims to tackle challenges such as improving air quality, combating climate change, enhancing health and wellbeing, addressing inequalities, and reducing traffic congestion. It outlines a vision for streets and pathways that are inviting and accessible, supporting an active lifestyle and reducing reliance on cars. The report detailed the potential benefits of active travel, including environmental, health, economic, and social advantages, and identified barriers to active travel such as fragmented networks, space constraints, on-street parking, topography, and funding. The masterplan proposes a range of interventions, including the development of dedicated cycle routes, improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, and the implementation of measures like School Streets and Healthy Streets initiatives. It also detailed plans for mobility hubs, cycle parking, public bike repair stations, and the promotion of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes. The document also outlined the policy framework, including national and regional strategies, and detailed existing active travel infrastructure and planned improvements across the district.

Response from Cabinet to Recommendations of the Food Task Group

The panel was scheduled to consider the Cabinet's response to the recommendations made by the Local Food Growing Task Group. The Task Group's report had focused on improving the use of space for local food growing, preserving existing growing spaces, and creating new opportunities. The Cabinet's response indicated acceptance of most recommendations, with some partially accepted. Key areas of agreement included welcoming initiatives for diverse allotment plots and community garden spaces, and inviting allotment holders and associations to contribute to refreshing allotment rules and guidance. The Cabinet also agreed to ensure the developing Local Plan complements the aims of the Local Food Growing Strategy and to explore through Supplementary Planning Documents the potential for developers to incorporate local food growing opportunities. The council agreed to identify an officer lead for coordinating the Local Food Strategy, though this was noted as partially accepted due to existing resource pressures. The proposal to create a new Food Partnership was welcomed, and the council agreed to initiate a big food conversation through community forums. Support and sharing of good practice for town and parish councils managing their allotments was also agreed to be facilitated through Parish Liaison or Community Area Forums.