Mid Suffolk District Council endorses the Government's goal to ensure there is a permanent shift in the numbers of people choosing to cycle and walk as opposed to using a car.
Using this goal as a guide, the Council will ensure there is sufficient officer resource to:
· review and update the Cycling Strategy, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council as the Transport Authority,
· include a prioritised, costed list of routes across the districts that include existing and proposed cycle routes and different types of cycle route provision.
· review and update the Cycling Strategy every 3 years.
· be an automatic cycling consultee on planning applications
· seek funding through section 106 money.
At the next review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the funding of cycle infrastructure will be included as an eligible project.
To support S106 and CIL bids, Council will work with partners on Supplementary Planning Guidance to seek developer contributions to link settlements to nearby towns and Key Service Centres with safe and sustainable active travel options.
The Strategy will also look to –
· Identify existing gaps in the cycle network
· Identify opportunities to work with partner organisations
· Consult and work with parish councils, businesses, residents and local community groups to determine and map routes, and prioritise cycling infrastructure
· Identify specific issues that require improvement to enhance the wider cycle network
· Improve facilities for cyclists to encourage greater cycling for leisure as well as commuting.
· Ensure funds for walking and cycling routes and cycling infrastructure are agreed in the drawing up of new S106 agreements.
· Provide high quality, secure and sheltered cycle parking facilities for our Leisure and Fitness Centres and ensure recreation grounds, car parks, shopping centres and open spaces have adequate cycle parking, including some e-cycle charging points.
· Use pragmatic approaches to secure safe cycling routes in urban areas where building new infrastructure is not feasible, for example by creating ‘quiet neighbourhoods’ by stopping through traffic and the pedestrianisation of town centres.
Proposer: Cllr Daniel Pratt
Seconder: Cllr Sarah Mansel
Minutes:
117.1 The Chair invited Councillor Pratt to move his Motion under agenda item 16a.
117.2 Councillor Pratt said that the Covid-19 Lockdown had highlighted how walking to work and cycling had become increasingly important for residents. It was beneficial for the environment and health and wellbeing. The Government’s white paper for Decarbonising Transport aimed to doubling cycling and had set aside £1.2 billion to improve active modes of transport, such as walking and cycling. The Department for Transport had listed cycling for adults as a means of transport. However, in Mid Suffolk this had declined during the past five years from 5% in 2015 to ½% in 2018 and was now the lowest in Suffolk. Walking and Cycling were beneficial for health and wellbeing and it was important that easy access to exercises and activities could be incorporated into everyday life. Reduction in traffic congestion would also be beneficial not only to the environment, but also for health and wellbeing.
The Council had pledged an obligation to climate change, and the Council should publish its vision for cycling in the area. In order to apply for the Government funding the Council should ensure that it had a prioritised and costed list of routes across the District, which the Council could work through with Suffolk County Council.
The Council could play a vital role in working with local businesses and parishes to get local consensus for the most beneficial cycling routes. Further funding could also be achieved though CIL and Section 106 contributions.
The Motion would reduce emissions from road transport and the reduction of the carbon footprint from residents and it should not be understated that it would encourage people to cycle and recognise cycling as a viable option for transport and to enjoy opportunities for outdoor activities. It was on this basis that he asked Members to support this Motion:
Mid Suffolk District Council endorses the Government's goal to ensure there is a permanent shift in the numbers of people choosing to cycle and walk as opposed to using a car.
Using this goal as a guide, the Council will ensure there is sufficient officer resource to;
· review and update the Cycling Strategy, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council as the Transport Authority,
· include a prioritised, costed list of routes across the districts that include existing and proposed cycle routes and different types of cycle route provision.
· review and update the Cycling Strategy every 3 years.
· be an automatic cycling consultee on planning applications
· seek funding through section 106 money.
At the next review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the funding of cycle infrastructure will be included as an eligible project.
To support S106 and CIL bids, Council will work with partners on Supplementary Planning Guidance to seek developer contributions to link settlements to nearby towns and Key Service Centres with safe and sustainable active travel options.
The Strategy will also look to –
· Identify existing gaps in the cycle network
· Identify opportunities to work with partner organisations
· Consult and work with parish councils, businesses, residents and local community groups to determine and map routes, and prioritise cycling infrastructure
· Identify specific issues that require improvement to enhance the wider cycle network
· Improve facilities for cyclists to encourage greater cycling for leisure as well as commuting.
· Ensure funds for walking and cycling routes and cycling infrastructure are agreed in the drawing up of new S106 agreements.
· Provide high quality, secure and sheltered cycle parking facilities for our Leisure and Fitness Centres and ensure recreation grounds, car parks, shopping centres and open spaces have adequate cycle parking, including some e-cycle charging points.
· Use pragmatic approaches to secure safe cycling routes in urban areas where building new infrastructure is not feasible, for example by creating ‘quiet neighbourhoods’ by stopping through traffic and the pedestrianisation of town centres
117.3 Councillor Pratt MOVED the Motion which was SECONDED by Councillor Mansel.
117.4 Councillor Amorowson asked how much behaviour change programmes would be part of this Motion.
117.5 Councillor Passmore asked if it was currently possible for the Council to fund cycling paths through CIL and Section 106 agreements.
117.6 The Assistant Director - Sustainable Communities clarified that cycling path highways were not part the CIL funding scheme, but that Section 106 contributions could be funding future foot paths in the District.
117.7 Councillor Fleming proposed an AMENDMENT to the Motion and said that as Cabinet Member for Environment, she was committed to promoting sustainable and safe means of travel and that as a result of Covid-19 Pandemic, it would be possible to build on behavioural changes. She proposed a Sustainable Travel Plan rather than a Cycling strategy, which would be collaborated upon with Suffolk County Council, the key partner in implementing this plan. The action plan would enable development of meaningful projects, costed and consulted upon and would be deliverable, subject to securing suitable funding. She believed that the Council was committed to getting residents active and for the Council to lead the way for developing sustainable travel across Suffolk. She referred to the amendment as detailed in the Agenda and PROPOSED the amendment to the Motion, which was SECONDED by Councillor Flatman.
Mid Suffolk District Council endorses the Government's goal to ensure there is a permanent shift in the numbers of people choosing to cycle and walk as opposed to using a car.
Using this goal as a guide, the Council will ensure there is sufficient resource to:
At the next review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), consider the funding of agreed cycle infrastructure as eligible projects under the CIL Position Statement for both Councils alongside a comprehensive assessment and production of a funding and delivery strategy which considers all other funding opportunities that exist. The CIL Expenditure Framework review must be subject to the current viability assessment, confirming that this inclusion of cycling within CIL expenditure would make the existing or any new CIL charges viable and in turn therefore make the cycling infrastructure deliverable
To support S106 and CIL bids, Councils will work with partners on supplementary guidance on planning to seek developer contributions to link settlements to nearby towns and Key Service Centres with safe and sustainable active travel options.
The Action Plan will also look to –
· Identify opportunities to progress Sustainable travel across the Districts
· Identify existing gaps in the walking and cycling network
· Identify opportunities to work with partner organisations to develop sustainable travel options
· Consult and work with parish councils, businesses, residents and local community groups to determine and map routes and prioritise walking and cycling infrastructure.
· Identify specific issues that require improvement to enhance the wider sustainable travel network.
· Seek to improve facilities for walkers and cyclists to encourage greater walking and cycling for leisure as well as commuting.
· Provide high quality, secure and sheltered cycle parking facilities for our Leisure and Fitness Centres and ensure recreation grounds, car parks, shopping centres and open spaces have adequate cycle parking, including some e-cycle charging points.
· Review opportunities to secure safe cycling routes in urban areas where building new infrastructure is not feasible, for example by creating ‘quiet neighbourhoods’ by stopping through traffic and the pedestrianisation of town centres.
117.8 The Chair asked if Councillor Pratt accepted the amendment and he responded that he accepted the amendment as detailed in the Agenda.
117.9 Councillor Morley PROPOSED a second amendment, to remove the words: ‘as opposed to using a car’, which was SECONDED by Councillor Richardson.
117.10 Councillor Pratt did not accept this amendment.
117.11 Councillor Eburne asked for a ‘point of order’ and queried which amendment Members were voting for.
117.12 The Monitoring Officer clarified that the Motion with the first amendment, was accepted by the Councillor Pratt, the proposer, and therefore had become the substantiated Motion and that Members would now be debating the second amendment, which was to remove the words ‘as opposed to using a car’.
117.13 Members debated the second amendment including:
· That the removal of the words did not alter the contents of the Motion.
· That it would be a fundamental shift to the reduction of carbon dioxide, if the words were removed.
· That there was a division between utility and leisure cycling and that the aim of the substantiated Motion was to get people out of their cars and use the bike, as a mode of transport.
· That without the words the substantiated Motion would be pointless
· That there was a disregard for the fact that Mid Suffolk District was a rural area and that some residents had to rely on cars to get to shops, medical appointments and the inclusion of the words would make some people feel guilty.
· Some Members thought it was necessary to make people feel guilty to encourage them to get out of their cars.
117.14 Councillor Morley spoke on her amendment and said that for some, cycling was not an option, however as part of the Wellbeing and Health Strategy the initiative was to get people moving as quickly as possible to support their health and reduce the use of the car. She was prepared to withdraw her amendment.
117.15 Councillor Field thought that the substantiated Motion was an excellent Motion and had great value and followed the intentions of Mid Suffolk and Suffolk County Council. There clearly was a model shift in getting people to move out of cars and he PROPOSED to vote, which was SECONDED by Councillor Matthissen.
117.16 Councillor Mansel spoke as the seconder for the Motion and said that she was pleased with the substantiated Motion, as this would go some way to get an integrated cycling transport network across Suffolk. This would make it easier for people to enjoy the beautiful countryside. She appreciated that in some rural areas of the District, people still needed cars and she did not expect people to cycle unrealistic distances to go shopping. She pointed out that there was a difference between utility and leisure cycling, and the aim was to get encourage people to use the bike as a mode of transport and to continue to do so.
117.17 Councillor Pratt summed up and said he agreed that the substantiated Motion was not to stop people using cars, as this would still be necessary for some, but to encourage people to utilise the use of bikes and shift the mode away from using the cars as transport. He thanked Councillor Fleming for the amendment which enriched the Motion.
117.18 The substantiated Motion was put to Members for voting and the vote was CARRIED.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED: -
That Mid Suffolk District Council endorses the Government's goal to ensure there is a permanent shift in the numbers of people choosing to cycle and walk as opposed to using a car.
That using this goal as a guide, the Council will ensure there is sufficient resource to:
That at the next review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), consider the funding of agreed cycle infrastructure as eligible projects under the CIL Position Statement for both Councils alongside a comprehensive assessment and production of a funding and delivery strategy which considers all other funding opportunities that exist. The CIL Expenditure Framework review must be subject to the current viability assessment, confirming that this inclusion of cycling within CIL expenditure would make the existing or any new CIL charges viable and in turn therefore make the cycling infrastructure deliverable
To support S106 and CIL bids, Councils will work with partners on supplementary guidance on planning to seek developer contributions to link settlements to nearby towns and Key Service Centres with safe and sustainable active travel options.
That the Action Plan will also look to –
· Identify opportunities to progress Sustainable travel across the Districts
· Identify existing gaps in the walking and cycling network
· Identify opportunities to work with partner organisations to develop sustainable travel options
· Consult and work with parish councils, businesses, residents and local community groups to determine and map routes, and prioritise walking and cycling infrastructure.
· Identify specific issues that require improvement to enhance the wider sustainable travel network.
· Seek to improve facilities for walkers and cyclists to encourage greater walking and cycling for leisure as well as commuting.
· Develop a Funding strategy to sit alongside the Sustainable travel Action Plan detailing how each priority action could be funded and ensure a pipeline of core projects is developed and costed including where appropriate from new S106 agreements.
· Provide high quality, secure and sheltered cycle parking facilities for our Leisure and Fitness Centres and ensure recreation grounds, car parks, shopping centres and open spaces have adequate cycle parking, including some e-cycle charging points.
· Review opportunities to secure safe cycling routes in urban areas where building new infrastructure is not feasible, for example by creating ‘quiet neighbourhoods’ by stopping through traffic and the pedestrianisation of town centres.
Work in partnership with SCC regarding improved public transport across the Districts and consider new forms of sustainable travel such as e bikes and e scooters if appropriate locations.