Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Hobbs, Kravis and Munt.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on 20/12/2024.

Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Climate and Place held on 20/12/2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

One public question was received, posted here: (Public Pack)Public Question from Mr. David Redgewell Agenda Supplement for Scrutiny Committee - Climate and Place, 17/02/2025 10:00

The officers have provided this response:

1)    In order to develop the package of measures for the 2025/26 funding allocation the council used the 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) ambitions as a starting point.  We used our experience of measures that had been successful in achieving the BSIP goals with our previous funding. We used feedback from bus operators, bus users and the Bus Advisory Board. The package was designed to fit within the parameters set out in the Department For Transport's guidance.

2)    The Local Transport Plan will set the future policies for transport in Somerset but it isn't specific about the schemes that will be developed and delivered.  This will be part of future work that will be set out in implementation documents such as any future revisions of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

To receive an update from the Service Manager, Governance Scrutiny. To assist the discussion, the following documents are attached:-

(a)  The Committee’s work programme

(b)  The Committee’s outcome tracker

Please use the following links to view the latest Somerset Council Forward Plans and Executive Forward Plan of planned key decisions that have been published on the Council’s website:

Somerset Council Forward Plans

Somerset Council Executive Forward Plan

The Chair invited Jamie Jackson, to update the committee on its work programme and outcome tracker.

•           It was raised that there is a list of backlog items that needs to be allocated a time to bring them to the committee based on the draft corporate meetings calendar.

•           The Vice Chair mentioned that he wished to bring attention to the Section 19 reports from 2023 to the Scrutiny as it seemed insufficient in its content and his parishes were dissatisfied with the report. He also wished to bring the Rights of Way issue to this committee – to review how they are operated.

•           A member suggested using member briefings to look at items in the backlog and being mindful of the agendas for this Scrutiny.

•           It was raised that this committee has not received the transport and place section of the Council’s new budget to review as it sits within the remit of the members to scrutinise.

•           A member wished to log his dissatisfaction with the agenda items from other Scrutiny Committees coming to this Scrutiny as it leaves less time to discuss and review the work done by the Task and Finish groups set up by this committee.

•           It was requested that the Task and Finish group report on the Energy Plan be added to the agenda for the Executive Meeting when the items get discussed later this year.

•           Cllr Mansel requested and emphasised that this committee needs to see a report highlighting the Energy Plan and its relation to the Local Plan and was advised that an item had already been brought to the December meeting, but officers are happy to provide a detailed response.

•           It was requested that the Green Financing Road Map for Somerset Council be given precedence and brought forward so that the committee can contribute to it not only has a lot of financial potential but also for the climate emergency.

To receive an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The Chair invited Cllr Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder, to introduce the item and Matthew Prince, Transport Policy – Subject Matter Expert, to present the draft Local Transport Plan, which focuses on a vision-led approach rather than the traditional predict and provide model. The plan aims to integrate transport with planning, public health, and the environment, and includes strategies for reducing carbon emissions and improving connectivity.

Vision-Led Approach: The LTP sets out a vision for the future of transport in Somerset, focusing on creating places that people want to live in, with activities they need to access. This approach moves away from predicting future traffic and providing infrastructure to meet those predictions and instead focuses on deciding what kind of places and transport systems are desired and providing for those.

Integration with Other Plans: The LTP is designed to work in conjunction with other plans, such as the Local Plan, public health strategies, and environmental policies. This integration ensures a cohesive approach to planning and development across the county.

Carbon Emissions Reduction: A significant focus of the LTP is on reducing carbon emissions to meet climate targets. The plan includes strategies for promoting sustainable transport options, such as public transport, cycling, and walking, to reduce reliance on private cars.

Place-Based Approach: The LTP adopts a place-based approach, recognizing that different areas have different needs. The plan categorizes areas into urban and rural types and tailors strategies to meet the specific needs of each type.

Public Consultation: The draft LTP will go out for public consultation to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This consultation process is crucial for ensuring that the plan reflects the needs and desires of the community.

Funding and Investment: The LTP outlines the need for multi-year funding settlements to provide stability and allow for long-term planning. The plan also emphasizes the importance of securing investment from various sources, including government grants and private sector contributions.

Technology and Innovation: The plan includes the use of new technologies to improve transport systems, such as traffic signal prioritization for buses and digital demand responsive travel services. These innovations aim to make transport more efficient and user-friendly.

Community Engagement: The importance of engaging with various community groups, including elderly residents, tourism organizations, and businesses, was emphasized. The plan aims to ensure that all voices are heard and considered in the planning process.

The following points were discussed and noted:

1)         A shift away from predict and provide feels to me like a shift towards a more high-risk strategy that could potentially leave us at risk of fighting against market dynamics and shifts and risks putting us up against the required or wished behaviour of residents. – The decide and provide came down from the Department for Transport and Ministers two or three years ago. What we're saying is we know that we can't build loads and loads of roads. We can't build a way out of it. We've tried in the past. It hasn't worked. We would like to implement a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

To receive a presentation updating the committee on Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding for 2025-2026.

The Chair invited Cllr Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder, to introduce the item and Sunita Mills, Head of Transportation, presented the bus service improvement plan, which includes several key initiatives aimed at enhancing bus services across Somerset. The plan focuses on continuing successful existing services, introducing new technologies, and expanding service hours to better meet the needs of the community.

Evening Bus Services: Continue existing evening services in Taunton and extend them to other areas like Yeovil and Bridgewater.

Park and Ride Fare: Maintain the successful £1 park and ride fare to encourage usage and reduce congestion.

Digital Demand Responsive Travel: Introduce digital booking for demand responsive travel, allowing users to book trips one hour in advance via an app or phone call.

Expanded Operating Hours: Extend operating hours for demand responsive travel to better accommodate commuters and students.

New Vehicles: Add new minibuses to improve the quality and reliability of demand responsive travel services.

Transport Hubs: Develop and enhance transport hubs in Taunton and Bridgewater to improve connectivity and user experience.

Service Adjustments: Make changes to existing routes (e.g., 51 and 11 in Yeovil) to improve reliability and coverage.

New Routes: Introduce new routes, such as between Wiveliscombe and Wellington, to better serve the community.

Overall Goal: Enhance bus service reliability, coverage, and user experience across Somerset through targeted improvements and new technologies.

The following points were discussed and noted:

1)         A member sought clarity on why feasibility studies were marked up as Revenue Expense – officers advised that it would only become a capital expense at the point at which we commit to delivering something capital. If we never commit to deliver it, we have to revenue it.

2)         Does the minibus trial have potential for much rural connections? – yes, but it is dependent on the success of our digitisation initiative.

3)         DfT is looking at this as a nationwide action.

4)         Potential to communicate about this service better with broader areas within Somerset. Councillors to support by helping promote the service in their divisions.

5)         Digitisation dependent on phone services but that is a major issue in rural areas – customers need it to be viable before they can use the service.

6)         People move to Somerset because this is a beautiful place, but a lot of the services are focused on major town hubs. We mustn’t forget rural Somerset and the settlements that are dying down due to connectivity issues.

7)         Can’t deny that this is a real challenge, but it is a product of how buses and bus services are funded in this country. As a county, we are running our own services which is not seen elsewhere.

8)         BSIP is about trialling in Taunton so we can roll it out and go wider in other rural areas of Somerset.

To receive an update on the Active Travel Delivery plan.

The Chair invited Cllr Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder, to introduce the item and Alan Muir, Principal Transport Planner to present.

The Active Travel Delivery presentation emphasized the importance of integrating active travel into the broader transport planning framework. By improving infrastructure, engaging with the community, and leveraging technology, the plan aims to promote cycling and walking as sustainable and healthy transport options. These initiatives will help reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and create a more connected and accessible transport system.

Integration with Local Transport Plan: Active travel initiatives are integrated into the Local Transport Plan, focusing on promoting cycling and walking as sustainable transport options.

Infrastructure Improvements: Plans to improve infrastructure for active travel, including better cycling and walking paths, secure bike storage, and traffic signal prioritization for cyclists.

Community Engagement: Emphasis on engaging with community groups to understand their needs and promote active travel options.

Technology and Innovation: Use of new technologies to enhance active travel, such as digital demand responsive travel and traffic signal prioritization.

Health and Environmental Benefits: Highlighting the health and environmental benefits of active travel, including reduced carbon emissions and improved public health.

Overall Goal: Promote and facilitate active travel (cycling and walking) as sustainable and healthy transport options through infrastructure improvements, community engagement, and innovative technologies.

1)    Is there additional money to apply for school streets? – same process but no specific details at present.

2)    Awaiting rural guidelines form Active Travelling, due to be released in March, which would affect things in the future and this piece of work.

To receive a verbal update from Cllr. Henry Hobbhouse (Vice-Chair) on the Task and Finish Group.

Due to time constraints, this item was kept short.

First meeting took place and awaiting second meeting based on data, meeting should take place in April.

This is a standing agenda item and will provide details of information sent to Committee members in between meetings, that cover the Committee’s policy areas.

The following items to be circulated in the upcoming week:

1.    Economic Strategy Update

2.    Gravity Contract Update

3.    Highways Contract Update

If Committee members have any questions or comments on the information, please contact the Committee Administrator on democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk in the first instance and before the date of the meeting.

The following items were circulated:

1.    Economic Strategy Update

2.    Gravity Contract Update

3.    Highways Contract Update