Governance review

The council agreed to establish a cross-party working group to examine alternative arrangements for the council’s democratic structure to bring back recommendations to Full Council in September with a view to a new set of arrangements to be in place by or before the start of the 2020-21 municipal year. You can read the motion in full on the agenda for last night’s meeting – item 6. http://apps.n-somerset.gov.uk/cairo/docs/doc29624.htm

MetroWest Phase 1 – Portishead Rail

We heard a presentation detailing the MetroWest Phase 1 project – which centres on the re-opening of the disused railway line and reintroduction of a regular train service between Portishead, Pill and Bristol. Councillors then agreed a report to enable the submission of the Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate. The DCO application seeks powers to build and operate the disused section of railway from Portishead to Pill, gain environmental consent to undertake works to the existing freight railway through the Avon Gorge and obtain powers for the compulsory acquisition of land. You can read more about the project in the council press release and more detail in the report to Council. https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news/government-approval-sought-for-major-transport-scheme/

Housing Infrastructure Fund (Forward Fund) commissioning plan approval

A decision is expected within the next few weeks from central government on the £100m bid submitted to construct a bypass for Banwell and a new secondary school at Locking to complement the planned housing growth outlined in the West of England Joint Spatial Plan. The report sought approval from members to enable procurement decisions to be delegated to the Executive Member for Planning and Transport once the funding decision is announced. There is more detail in the report presented to Council last night. http://apps.n-somerset.gov.uk/cairo/docs/doc29685.pdf