Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 18th February, 2015 5.00 pm

Venue: The Shrubbery, Station Road, Ilminster TA19 9AR

Contact: Jo Morris 01935 462055  Email: jo.morris@southsomerset.gov.uk

Note: Please note the first item is confidential. The public part of the meeting will commence at 5.30pm. 

Items
No. Item

147.

Exclusion of Press and Public pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  that the following item be considered in Closed Session by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A under Paragraph 3: "Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)." 

148.

Historic Buildings at Risk (Confidential)

Minutes:

The Conservation Officer summarised the agenda report, which outlined the work of the Conservation Team in respect of historic buildings at risk and updated members on current cases in Area West.  The Committee was asked to note and comment on the report.

The Conservation Officer, with the aid of photographs, then detailed a number of examples of case work relating specifically to historic buildings at risk in Area West.

The Conservation Officer responded to members’ questions on points of detail regarding specific cases. 

NOTED.

149.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 21st January 2015

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2015, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and, having been approved were signed by the Chairman, as a correct record of the proceedings.

150.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jenny Kenton, Ric Pallister and Kim Turner.

151.

Declarations of Interest

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct. A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. 

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15th May 2014, where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs  2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council's Regulation Committee:

Councillors. Mike Best, Angie Singleton and Linda Vijeh

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, in accordance with the Council's Code of Practice on Planning, Members of the Regulation Committee can participate and vote on these items at the Area Committee and at Regulation Committee.  In these cases the Council's decision-making process is not complete until the application is determined by the Regulation Committee.  Members of the Regulation Committee retain an open mind and will not finalise their position until the Regulation Committee.  They will also consider the matter at Regulation Committee as Members of that Committee and not as representatives of the Area Committee.

Minutes:

Councillor Nigel Mermagen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 13: Planning application 14/05486/FUL 7 Court Farm Close, Winsham, as he lived opposite the property.  He confirmed that he would leave the room and take no part in the debate or voting on this item.

152.

Public Question Time

This is a chance to ask questions, make comments and raise matters of concern.

Parish/Town Councils may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town.

Anyone wishing to raise matters in relation to items on the agenda may do so at the time the item is considered.

Minutes:

No questions or comments were raised by members of the public.

153.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that she had received a response from the District Councils Network in reply to the Committee’s letter regarding Section 106 obligations relating to the Bradfords site planning application.  The letter accepted the Committees concerns and said they were doing all they could to lobby the Government on the issues. 

154.

Area West Committee - Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager advised of the following amendments / additions to the Area West Forward Plan:-

·         Report on the Ilminster Forum – verbal report from the appointed Member only.

·         Two new Community Right to Bid registration applications – March 2015

·         Section 106 planning obligations report – may be brought forward to March 2015

Members were content to note the Forward Plan as outlined in the agenda, together with the amendments as detailed above.

RESOLVED: That the Area West Committee Forward Plan be noted as attached to the agenda subject to the above amendments.

155.

SSDC Welfare Benefit Work in South Somerset pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Minutes:

The Welfare Benefits Team Leader provided Members with a presentation of the work of the Welfare Benefits Team.  She advised that their successes included:-

·         The team secured eight times the cost of the service in additional welfare benefits for clients.

·         The Team had a 96% success rate of welfare benefit cases taken to Tribunal level.

·         The outreach service in Area West was very well attended.

·         The team had saved 7 tenancies and maintained a further 35.

·         The Citizens Advice Bureau were now based at Petters House in Yeovil and were working in partnership with the Welfare Benefits Team.

In response to questions from Members, it was noted that

·         SSDC had more households affected by the Benefit Cap, Spare Room Subsidy and households in receipt of Discretionary Housing Payments in Somerset because it had a higher and denser population. 

·         The amount of Spare Room Subsidy depended upon an individual’s circumstances.

·         Tenants affected by the Spare Room Subsidy who were willing to downsize their property were given priority on the housing register and could also claim a Discretionary Housing Payment, which could be a one-off payment or could be an ongoing payment.

·         Universal Credit would be introduced in South Somerset on 20th April and it was estimated that around 100 claimants would be affected in the first year. 

At the conclusion of the debate, the Chairman thanked the Welfare Benefits Team Leader for attending and providing an informative presentation. 

NOTED.

156.

Area West Development Plan and Budget Progress Report (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

  RESOLVED:

1.

That the current Area West Capital Programme and Reserve be noted;

 

2.

That a further £2,500 be allocated from the Area West Reserve towards the costs of the study of 7 – 13 Fore Street, Chard; and

 

3.

That the current position on community grants and other project budgets held by Area West be noted.

Reason: To note the current Area West Capital Programme and to agree an allocation from the Area West Reserve.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager drew Members attention to the list of projects being supported by the Area Development team and the grants awarded.  He noted that Members had earlier allocated £5,000 towards a feasibility study of 7 – 13 Fore Street, Chard however, the cost of the study had increased to £7,500 so a further £2,500 was recommended to be allocated to the project. 

In response to a question, the Area Development Manager confirmed that the ground investigation work at Forton, commissioned by Area West Committee, would be completed shortly. This would inform the best course for delivery of community facilities so it was prudent to keep the funding allocation until the outcome of that work was known.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to confirm the recommendations of the report.

  RESOLVED:

1.

That the current Area West Capital Programme and Reserve be noted;

 

2.

That a further £2,500 be allocated from the Area West Reserve towards the costs of the study of 7 – 13 Fore Street, Chard; and

 

3.

That the current position on community grants and other project budgets held by Area West be noted.

Reason: To note the current Area West Capital Programme and to agree an allocation from the Area West Reserve.

(voting: unanimous in favour)

157.

Planning Appeals pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the details contained in the agenda report, which informed members of two planning appeals, which had been dismissed.

NOTED.

158.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications to be determined by the Committee.

159.

Planning Application 14/05486/FUL - 7 Court Farm Close, Winsham pdf icon PDF 452 KB

Minutes:

Application Proposal: Alterations to existing dormer window, formation of additional dormer window to front elevation and the erection of car port.

(Councillor Nigel Mermagen, having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the room during consideration of this item).

The Planning Assistant introduced the report with the aid of slides and photographs and summarised the details of the application as set in the agenda report.  She advised that two further letters of objection had been received, citing the detrimental effect upon the area and the precedence which it would set in a conservation area.  The key considerations were visual amenity, impact on conservation area, highway safety and residential amenity and her recommendation was to grant permission subject to conditions.

In response to questions from Members, the Planning Assistant and the Area Lead Planning Officer confirmed that:-

·         No additional fences or walls were permitted in the Close under the original planning permission. 

·         Building Regulations would not be required to carry out the work.

·         The Conservation Area pre-dated the building of the Close.

·         The proposal would still be acceptable in planning terms if it was within the designated Conservation Area.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr J Stevens and Mr J Chance in objection to the application.  Their comments included:-

·         The 41 listed monuments in the village were under threat from the principle of the development.

·         The proposal would not solve the issue that the existing garage was too small.  The existing garage could be extended or remodelled instead.

·         The proposed car port would be a substantial structure with an infilled gable.

·         The SSDC design guide said that garages and car ports should be 1m back from the front of a property. 

·         The car port could be fenced in and used for other purposes.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr M Taylor, Agent for the applicant.  His comments included:-

·         The existing front elevation of the property lacked design and balance and the existing dormer window was out of balance.

·         The two proposed dormer windows were within ratio and would be constructed using bespoke materials.  To prevent any overlooking, they could be glazed with obscure glass.

·         The car port would be a bespoke architectural feature built with oak posts and a slate roof and would enhance the property.

 

The Ward Member, Councillor Sue Osborne, said that no-one had any issue with the two dormer windows but the car port was a problem in the small cul-de-sac.  She said if the Committee were minded to support the application then there should be no more gates or enclosure permitted around the car port. 

 

During discussion, varying views were expressed.  Some Members felt the dormer windows were an improvement in the Close and there were no valid reasons to refuse the application whereas others felt the proposal set a precedent in a Conservation Area and the strength of local opposition should be taken into account.  It was proposed and seconded to approve the application, subject to an additional condition to ensure that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 159.

160.

Date and Venue for Next Meeting pdf icon PDF 17 KB

Minutes:

Members noted that the next meeting of the Area West Committee would be held on Wednesday 18th March 2015 at The Guildhall, Chard.