Chair's Report

Vice-Chair and Acting Chair’s report to FoBRA AGM

This is a brief report as I have only assumed the responsibilities of Chair due to Justin Draeger’s recent statement that he was not standing for Chair at this AGM.

The executive committee currently comprises the following: Chair, Vice-Chair and Planning Lead, Treasurer, Transport Lead and Webmaster. The executive committee has been seeking urgently to recruit and appoint a new secretary, and a new Treasurer due to Neil Barnes’ request to step down. I’m delighted now to be able to report that we are confident that these roles will be filled shortly.

We are in the process of updating and cleansing the database of membership. This is work in progress, and RA contacts are currently limited to the primary contact on the basis that we would expect them to cascade any information down to individuals in their own RA. The new executive committee will take up this work and report to the Committee in due course.

Due to recent events whereby the Vice-Chair has taken on the mantle of Chair of FoBRA, it has been necessary to make it clear to the membership that FoBRA is constitutionally required to avoid party political bias.

As for the business during the year:

• Transport Group have been very involved in Cleveland Bridge Closure; emerging Low traffic neighbourhoods; B&NES journey to Net Zero; Implementation of the CAZ and monitoring its effect on emissions; B&NES Active Travel initiatives.
• Planning sub-committee has reported on all Planning applications and their outcomes that were deemed to be of interest to FoBRA RA’s ; Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU) consultation; discussions with Planning Officers .
• Regular meetings of the FoBRA executive via Zoom format with Richard Samuel, Deputy Leader of the Council, allowing frank and open discussion on a variety of topics.
• Following progress on the evolving change of use of Entry Hill Golf Course, and the High Common.
• Monitoring any proposed changes for The Rec.