Agenda item

Motion A

Proposed by: Councillor Clucas and seconded by: Councillor Fisher

 

In view of the concerns expressed by residents who live in the  area, where the significant traffic flow makes crossing the road at the junction, entering or egressing Windyridge Road by pedestrians or vehicles, hazardous, GCC Highways is requested to look into providing a roundabout or traffic lights at the Windyridge Road/Swindon Road junction. It is further requested that a response is made to Cheltenham Borough Council in relation to timeline and processes to consult residents.

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Clucas informed members that residents had been trying to get answers to their questions to GCC since 2016.

 

Councillor Fisher seconded the motion.

 

Upon a vote the motion was CARRIED with one abstention.

 

Motion B

Proposed by: Councillor Jeffries and seconded by: Councillor Bickerton

The West Cheltenham strategic allocation in the Joint Core Strategy has been found sound in the inspector’s report.

 

In the very short period that this site has been progressed residents of Springbank have had little opportunity to react given what has been a very fluid situation, getting involved, informed and organised has been very limiting due to the condensed timescales.

 

Views ranging from no development at all to we need homes and jobs are widespread, indeed an entire range of opinions between these two points can be heard.

 

This has been reflected in only one sentence in the inspector’s report at para 192.

 

There is a feeling amongst residents that having worked extremely hard to have their voices heard they have been ignored.

 

This is especially evident given the creation of a Springbank neighbourhood forum and their formulation of a green space application to Cheltenham Borough council.

 

The green space was carefully crafted and developed taking in a wide range of views, wrapping around four specific walking routes which are subject to a rights of way application which has been submitted to Gloucestershire County Council.

 

Residents across several decades have utilised these walks and the green space has been designed from that starting point, to benefit the existing and proposed new communities both residential and commercial.

 

The Springbank neighbourhood forum green space application has not been given any consideration by the JCS inspector in her report, this is fundamentally unfair and inconsistent given her inclusion & reference to other green space applications, such as those proposed in the north west and south Cheltenham areas / sites.

 

Given the statement in the JCS final report (para 196) which states that each strategic allocation should have its own directions for developers, on infrastructure and transport etc, Council should agree that a requirement within such direction is also a requirement for green infrastructure.

 Therefore, Council resolves to: -

 

Use the example of the Swindon Village and Leckhampton green space applications and acknowledge the Springbank Neighbourhood Forum's NPPF Local Green Space (LGS) application as the residents preferred green space in the west Cheltenham strategic site.

 

Recognise the importance of the Springbank Neighbourhood Forum NPPF LGS applications indicative layout in the context of the whole west Cheltenham strategic allocation, for any ongoing discussion with the development consortium who are currently preparing a planning application.

 

In proposing the motion Councillor Jeffries said that it was very important for this piece of work to be done and this motion would help to ensure that green space would be taken into account and residents were engaged in the process.

 

In seconding the motion Councillor Bickerton said it was important to be mindful that this area in Springbank was an area of greenbelt.   Whilst one might recognise the special circumstances for development there was a compelling argument set out in the Springbank LGS application for protection of a highly valued part of this greenbelt under the new NPPF designation.   

 

He referred to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) section 52 which stated that “The supply of new homes can sometimes be best achieved through planning for larger scale development, such as new settlements or extensions to

existing villages and towns that follow the principles of Garden Cities. Working with the support of their communities, local planning authorities should consider whether such opportunities provide the best way of achieving sustainable development.”

 

He also referred to the ideas of Ebenezer Howard’s in his book entitled Garden Cities of Tomorrow, published in 1902.   The overall goal for Howard is to combine the traditional countryside with the traditional town. For too long residents have had to make the unfulfilling choice between living in a culturally isolated rural area or giving up nature to live in a city, but "human society and the beauty of nature are meant to be enjoyed together."

 

He referred to section 76 in the NPPF which stated that “Local communities through local and neighbourhood plans should be able to identify for special protection green areas of particular importance to them.”

 

He also referred to section 77 which set out criteria when Local Green Space designation would not be appropriate for certain areas.  

 

 

MIND (the UK Mental Health Charity which advises the Government, had commissioned two studies from the University of Essex, which confirmed that participating in green exercise activities provides substantial benefits for health and wellbeing.

 

The Springbank LGS shape was trying to capture and protect some of those features that give the landscape its character, the views across the escarpment, the hedgerows and old Whitehall Farm orchard and pond, all key wildlife habitats, and a stand of oak trees that Cheltenham Tree Group  estimate that have been a feature of the area for over 100 years, and of course to create/maintain a green corridor connecting Springbank to Hayden and beyond.

 

He concluded that the motion raised the question of what could be afforded in terms of green space in Cheltenham. This  LGS application obviously was coming forward in response to the new JCS strategic site or new policy relating to the development of the west of Cheltenham and Springbank should not be treated any differently  from Leckhampton and Swindon Village.

 

 

Councillor McKinlay as the Cabinet Member responsible for the local plan, acknowledged that this was an outstanding issue and he would be happy to consider the indicative layout proposed by the SNF as an alternative starting point.

 

A member stressed the importance of green space to good mental health and therefore all of the green space should be seriously reviewed.

 

The Mayor supported the motion and in the interests of justice and fairness it was important that people of Springbank had their views heard.

 

Upon a vote the motion was CARRIED unanimously.  

 

 

Motion C

Proposed by: Councillor Clucas and seconded by: Councillor Harvey

 

Council places on record its thanks to the Parish Councils across the county, who have written with their support for retaining a consultant led, Type 1, 24 hour full A&E facility at Cheltenham General Hospital.

It recognises that in Cheltenham, North and East Gloucestershire, there is real concern at the potential downgrading of A&E to an Urgent Care Facility, overseen by non-specialist GPs.

 

It recognises the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board and asks that it consults with Cheltenham residents as to the long term future of medical services.

 

It regrets that the STP promised for Spring 2017, has not yet been published.

 

It notes the statement by the MP for Cheltenham, Alex Chalk, to a meeting of stakeholders that he fully supports the retention of a full, 24 hour, A&E service at CGH. It requests the Member of Parliament to write to GCC, asking that the Health Scrutiny Committee, HOSC, urgently re-examine proposals which downgrade the A&E facility.

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Clucas wished to put on record her thanks to 25 parish councils in Gloucestershire who had written expressing their support for the motion approved by Cheltenham Borough Council on 16 October 2017 in respect of the retention of full A&E services at Cheltenham General Hospital and the need to consult with the Council and Cotswold residents in respect of future plans.

 

She was concerned about the difference between an urgent care facility manned by GPs and nurses and a full A&E service, particularly as there was a shortage of GPs and it took 7-10 years to train a medic.

 

She had already talked to Cheltenham’s MP and he was committed to fighting to retain a 24 hour A&E service for Cheltenham and North and East Gloucestershire.

 

In the debate that followed Members supported the motion and acknowledged that the removal of the A&E service from Cheltenham General affected a much wider area of the Cotswolds. Members felt they needed to do everything they could within their lobbying powers to ensure services continue to be free at the point of need and available to all. That included a fully staffed 24-hour A&E facility in Cheltenham. Failure to provide this would have a real impact on the committee and present a risk of people dying. Others felt the NHS was in crisis and suffering from lack of funding.

 

In seconding the motion Councillor Harvey had a real fear that Cheltenham General hospital would be downgraded to a community hospital. He felt   the Health and Well-being Board and the CCG should be much more challenging and he encouraged the GCC Cabinet Member responsible to take this forward. He reminded Members that previously GHOSC had only agreed by a small margin to support the pilot for changes within A&E and they should continue to challenge and scrutinise the work of the Health and Well-being board.

 

Upon a vote the motion was CARRIED unanimously.