Agenda item

Two public questions had been received.

1.  Question from Mr Steven Thomas to Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Councillor Alisha Lewis

Cheltenham 2030 details very radical plans to completely change the town in a way that has never been seen before. I see as well there are considerations to turn Cheltenham into a ULEZ like Bath and Birmingham. Please detail the consultations that you have carried out with the general public, and where you have obtained their consent.

Response from Cabinet Member

This particular issue falls outside the jurisdiction of the Borough Council, as we are not the designated highways authority. Those powers are held by Gloucestershire County Council, to whom this question might be more constructively addressed. It is not currently the intention of Cheltenham Borough Council to lobby GCC for such a scheme. Instead, our discussions with our colleagues at the County Council revolve around enhancing local cycle infrastructure, delivering EV charging infrastructure, and ensuring the provision of reliable low-cost bus services that align with the needs of Cheltenham's residents and businesses.

Cheltenham Borough Council is committed to promoting sustainable travel options and is working collaboratively with our residents and partners to achieve our goals. We are proud of the projects we are currently leading on in this area, including our upcoming town centre Cycle Hub. We have consulted extensively with the public on this scheme, including a survey and a survey results social event hosted in partnership with Cheltenham Zero. We were delighted to share the constructive work we are undertaking to support sustainable travel, from EV chargers to staff cycling schemes, at our recent Sustainable Travel Showcase.

Supplementary question from Mr Thomas

What is the official definition of a climate emergency?  If the Cabinet Member cannot define it, how can we know when it has ended?

Response from Cabinet Member

It would be worth referring back to Council motion declaring a climate emergency, which demonstrates that the council’s position is broadly based on the substantial impact that anthropomorphic-based climate change is having on our planet, our environment and our local green spaces, and on the planet’s future.  Our position would be that if this were to change, we would have to review the motion, but so far we are seeing increased human-based climate change so I cannot see any reason why we are likely to rescind that motion. 

2.  Question from Mr Steven Thomas to Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services, Councillor Iain Dobie

Has the sewage leak into Pittville Park lake been addressed, which has killed lots of fish? Have you spoken with the water company that is likely responsible for causing this to ensure it does not happen again.

Response from Cabinet Member

There has not been a sewage leak into Pittville Lake.

Recently we experienced a spike in fish deaths due to climatic conditions. The long dry spell we had, combined with brief storms, caused sudden oxygen loss in parts of the lake. The ‘splash aerators’ that we have in the lakes to help oxygenate the water minimised these losses.

Simultaneously, the Environment Agency (EA) reported an unprecedented number of similar occurrences across the country.

Our Green Space team subsequently mitigated the situation by extending the time periods that the splash aerators were in operation.

This is a complicated matter and is not one which the council can address single-handedly. The high temperatures that we experienced in June (the highest since records began in 1884) are very likely linked to climate change.

We will continue to work with the EA and, where appropriate, Severn Trent Water, to try to minimise the issues highlighted.

Supplementary question from Mr Thomas

The temperature in the UK didn’t rise above 32.2 degrees in June, and the highest recorded temperature in Cheltenham was 37.1 degrees in 1990, with subsequent storms which didn’t result in dead fish.  There are hot, dry spells followed by storms every summer.  Can the Member explain why this should cause oxygen loss?

Response from Cabinet Member

Having lived in Cheltenham for a long time, I remember 1976 and 1990, when the then-highest temperature was recorded in Cheltenham, but this was just one day rather than a prolonged period.  I am assured by staff responsible for parks, gardens, watercourses and lakes, that extreme temperature occurrences in limited areas of water have an effect on the ability of the water to carry oxygen.  We brought in experts to look at the situation for the fish population before the hot weather spells, and were assured that they were healthy, but analysts have confirmed that oxygen levels were reduced as a result of the high temperatures in June, and we must listen to those experts.  There is consensus among most people that there is a climate crisis, and this is taken seriously by the council.