The Council meeting on Thursday 20 March 2025 saw councillors debate and vote on several key issues, including the expansion of Bristol Airport, improvements to planning gain transparency, and the future of Liveable Neighbourhoods in Bath. Decisions were made regarding the appointment of an interim S151 Officer and the designation of the Council's Chair and Vice-Chair for the upcoming year.

Opposing Bristol Airport Expansion

Councillors reaffirmed their opposition to the expansion of Bristol Airport during the meeting. The Liberal Democrat motion, proposed by Councillor Dave Harding and seconded by Councillor Paul May, was passed with 44 votes in favour and 3 abstentions. The motion noted that communities within Bath and North East Somerset, along with local campaign organisations and neighbouring authorities, also oppose the expansion. It expressed regret that Bristol Airport had controversially won permission to expand from 10 million to 12 million passengers per year despite significant opposition, and that further expansion to 15 million passengers per year was being consulted upon. The council believes that airport expansion is incompatible with the West of England Councils' efforts to tackle the Climate Emergency, the UK Government's legally binding climate targets, and advice from the Climate Change Committee. The council resolved to oppose the expansion in its response as a statutory consultee to any forthcoming planning application, and called on all locally elected representatives and candidates for the West of England Combined Authority elections to do the same. The council also requested that the Leader write to the Secretary of State, the aviation minister, and local MPs to inform them of the Council's position.

Improving Transparency and Community Engagement Around Planning Gain

A motion from the Labour Group, proposed by Councillor Dave Biddleston and seconded by Councillor Matt McCabe, aimed to improve transparency and community engagement regarding planning gain. This motion was unanimously passed. The council acknowledged the government's targets for increased housing development and the role of 'planning gain' – developer agreements for funding or in-kind provision to mitigate development impacts. It recognised the importance of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements in ensuring developers contribute to local infrastructure and community improvements. The motion highlighted concerns raised nationally about the lack of transparency in how CIL and Section 106 funds are collected, allocated, and spent. The council resolved to review its processes for engaging with smaller councils and communities to identify local priority projects for CIL and Section 106 allocations, and to bring annual CIL reports to full council each year. Furthermore, the council committed to providing regular updates on funded projects, comprehensive training for councillors and town/parish councils on development gain, and investigating options to improve reporting and transparency, including establishing a publicly accessible online register for Section 106 obligations and CIL funding. The council also resolved to undertake work to examine how Section 106 agreements are drawn up to ensure maximum deliverability.

Liveable Neighbourhoods for the East of Bath

A motion from the Green Group, The East of Bath Deserves Better: A Community-Led Liveable Neighbourhood for the East of Bath, proposed by Councillor Joanna Wright and seconded by Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, was not carried. The motion noted the strategic aims of the Liveable Neighbourhoods Programme, also referred to as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), which aim to improve air quality, enable active travel, and reduce congestion. However, it raised concerns that these objectives were at risk of being undermined by poorly designed interventions that displace traffic. The motion highlighted issues with the Camden Road bus gate proposal (E3418), citing a lack of proper traffic modelling, pre-implementation analysis, and clear evidence in the Full Business Case (FBC). It also pointed to potential increases in carbon emissions and air pollution, financial risks due to a lack of transparency in procurement and costs, and inadequate public consultation and stakeholder engagement. The council acknowledged the need for evidence-based decision-making, a holistic traffic management plan, and the potential for negative impacts on local communities. The motion resolved to ask Cabinet to obtain funding for a full traffic modelling exercise, an independent cost-benefit analysis, an air quality assessment, and a community impact assessment. It also called for a strategic, fully modelled traffic management plan for Bath and a thorough public consultation process. Despite these acknowledgements, the motion was lost with 5 councillors voting in favour, 33 voting against, and 6 abstentions.

Other Decisions and Discussions

• Annual Report of the Charitable Trust Board: The Council considered and unanimously resolved to note the Annual Report of the Charitable Trust Board for 2023/24, as proposed by Councillor Tim Ball and seconded by Councillor Oli Henman.
• Constitution Recommendations: The Council unanimously agreed to amendments to the Council Rules (Section 3.1 of the Constitution) and parallel sections in Cabinet rules (Section 3.2) as recommended by the Constitution Working Group. This was moved by Councillor Shaun Hughes and seconded by Councillor Manda Rigby.
• Appointment of Interim S151 Officer: The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mr Jeff Wring as Interim Section 151 Officer from 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025. This was proposed by Councillor Kevin Guy and seconded by Councillor Shaun Hughes. Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires local authorities to appoint a Section 151 Officer to manage their financial affairs. Mr Wring, the council's Director of Financial Services, Assurance and Pensions, is a qualified accountant with extensive experience. An honorarium of £5,000 per annum will be paid for this additional responsibility.
• Announcement of Chair & Vice-Chair Designate: Councillor Liz Hardman was named as Chair of the Council (Designate) for the 2025/26 Council Year, and Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall as Vice Chair (Designate). This designation is for forward planning purposes and will be formally elected at the Annual Meeting in May 2025. The motion was proposed by Councillor Kevin Guy and seconded by Councillor Dave Biddleston.
• Waiver of Councillor Attendance Rule: The Council unanimously resolved to approve a request for a waiver of the 6-month councillor attendance rule, as per Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972. This allows for an extension of the attendance period for a councillor who has failed to attend meetings. The motion was proposed by Councillor Kevin Guy and seconded by Councillor Tim Warren. The specific details of the waiver were discussed in a part of the meeting from which the public was excluded.

During the public speaking session, several statements were made. Lee O'Bryan and Paul Stansall spoke about the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, calling for improved consultation and evidence-based proposals. Patrick Rotheram welcomed the cancellation of the Camden Road Bus Gate scheme and called for a comprehensive city-wide traffic movement strategy. Alex Keane, representing the STBG collective, expressed disillusionment with the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, citing a lack of transparency and accountability. Gareth Eynon stated that the Walcot Liveable Neighbourhood scheme simply moved congestion and relocated pollution. Adam Reynolds spoke in support of road danger reduction measures and the Liveable Neighbourhoods Policy. Jackie Head, Stephen Clarke, and Louise Leeder spoke in support of the motion to oppose Bristol Airport expansion, highlighting climate impacts and questioning economic benefits. Jimena Alamo, president of the University of Bath Student Union, raised concerns about student housing, citing rising rents and poor living conditions. Charlotte Lucas expressed deep concerns regarding the Council's new Provider Agreement with Early Years Providers, warning of detrimental impacts on children's early education and well-being.