Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 20th July, 2016 5.00 pm

Venue: The Guildhall, Chard

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

Items
No. Item

23.

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)." 

24.

Historic Buildings at Risk (Confidential)

Minutes:

The Conservation Officer, with the aid of photographs, 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. 

 

Members requested a further update report in 1 years’ time.

NOTED.

25.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 15th June 2016

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15th June 2016, 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.

26.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Garry Shortland.

27.

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, Sue Osborne and Angie Singleton

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 Mike Best and Councillor Angie Singleton declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 (Crewkerne Community Grant Applications).

28.

Date and Venue for Next Meeting

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area West Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 17th August 2016 at 5.30pm at the Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne.

Minutes:

Members noted that the next meeting of the Area West Committee would be held on Wednesday 17th August 2016 at 5.30pm at the Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne. 

29.

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.

30.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

31.

Area West Committee - Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Minutes:

Reference was made to the agenda report, which informed members of the proposed Area West Committee Forward Plan.

 

The Assistant Director (Communities) advised members that both the confidential update on the Chard Regeneration Scheme and the Environmental Health Service update report would be rescheduled to the September meeting of the Committee, rather than the August meeting.

 

It was also suggested that an update report on the Corporate Parent Role could be included on the August agenda.

 

RESOLVED:

That the Area West Committee Forward Plan be updated and noted as attached to the agenda.

 

32.

Crewkerne Community Grant Applications (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 361 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That subject to the standard terms and conditions, the following grant requests be supported with funds from the Area West Capital Reserve:

 

(1)

£10,000 to Crewkerne Rugby Football Club towards new floodlighting with the following additional terms and conditions:

a.    The Club receives confirmation in writing of funding from RFU Lead Up and Legacy programme.

b.    The Club and Crewkerne Town Council agree a satisfactory lease for use of the existing rugby pitch and floodlights.

c.    The club develop a sinking fund in line with Rugby Football Union recommendations to fund future floodlight replacement.

 

(Voting: 13 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention)

 

 

(2)

£12,500 to Crewkerne Town Council towards a new skate park in the town.

 

(Voting: Unanimous)

 

 

(3)

£12,500 to the Henhayes Centre towards a new extension.

 

(Voting::Unanimous)

 

Reason:

To agree grants towards three projects in Crewkerne.

 

Minutes:

It was suggested that the 3 grant applications would be discussed separately.

 

The Senior Sport and Healthy Lifestyles Officer presented his report to members to detail the grant request for flood-lighting at Crewkerne Rugby Football Club.

 

He explained to members that then club had seen impressive levels of growth over the last few years, but that the pitch was now in poor condition, due to over training on the pitch. He explained that the proposed flood lighting would allow training on the whole pitch and not just areas which are currently lit.

 

He pointed out to members that all other rugby clubs competing at this level, across the district, have flood lighting.

 

He used a PowerPoint presentation to show the existing lighting and proposed floodlights. He clarified for members that planning permission had be approved and that the rugby club is not situated close to many residential properties.

 

Simon Shackleford spoke in support of the grant application. He explained to members that the rugby club had grown over the last 5 or 6 years and that there had been improvements in both coaching and facilities. He advised that the club now attracted more players and supporters and thanked SSDC for their continued support in the club. It was his view that lighting was the next step in developing the rugby club and that this would also increase safety.

 

Councillor Angie Singleton spoke in support of the application and expressed her thanks to local residents who had attended the meeting to support the application.

 

Councillor Marcus Barrett congratulated the team on raising a significant amount of funding themselves and offered his support to the application.

 

The Senior Sport and Healthy Lifestyles Officer responded to questions from members.

 

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved as per the officer report.

 

On being put to the vote, this was carried 13 in support, with 1 abstention.

 

The Area Development lead presented her report to members which detailed the grant request for funding towards a skate park in Crewkerne. She explained that it had been 2 years since the Crewkerne skate park had been removed and that it was hoped that a new skate park could be opened in Crewkerne.

 

Annette Roffey spoke in support of the application. She advised that she had been working with younger members of the community for a number of years to try to develop a skate park and hoped that their hard work and commitment could be rewarded.

 

Tom, Joe and Finley addressed the Committee to speak in support of the application. They explained to members that they had been working hard for a number of years on fund-raising events, such as cake sales to raise funds for the project.

 

The Area Development Lead responded to questions to members. She explained that the proposed stake park was more modern, safer, quieter and more durable than the previous skate park.

Councillor Angie singleton spoke in support of the application and offered praise to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

33.

S106 Planning Obligations pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Development Control Manager  presented the report to members.

 

He advised that there had been a change to policy which no longer meant that affordable home contributions could be sought from small scale residential developments of 10 homes or less.

 

He also advised that South West Audit Partnership had recently assessed the s106 procedure and had found it to be robust and fit for purpose.

 

He responded to members’ questions.

 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the actions taken in respect of the monitoring and managing of the Section 106 Planning Obligations be endorsed.

 

34.

Planning Appeals pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the appeals that had been received and dismissed as outlined in the agenda report.

35.

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

Minutes:

The Committee noted the schedule of planning applications to be determined by Committee.

36.

Planning Application 15/04866/OUT - Land Rear of The Bell Inn, Broadway Road, Broadway pdf icon PDF 664 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Outline application for residential development (for up to 25 No. dwellings.) with associated vehicular access arrangements, relocation of parking for Norbeth and The Bell Inn.

 

The Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.

 

He advised members that following the previous meeting, where it was considered that the highway access was a main issue, the site access had been amended.

 

Plans were shown on the presentation to indicate these amendments. The plans also illustrated a large refuse truck entering the site and the planning officer suggested that it would be unlikely that, a truck of this size, would be used by Somerset Waste Partnership to collect refuse in Broadway. He further pointed out that emergency vehicles are smaller than the truck used in the illustrative plan. It was his view that the proposed access was acceptable.

 

He responded to questions from members.

 

Councillor Linda Vijeh spoke in objection to the scheme. It was her view that the additional dwellings would result in a significant rise in traffic through the village and had concerns over the cumulative effect of various planning applications in Broadway.

 

The SSDC Highway Consultant clarified how the the traffic movement figures were developed and explained that they were carried out during peak hours. He also advised of a typing error contained within the report which stated that he considered the traffic movements to be severe. He pointed out that the statement should read that he did not consider the traffic movements to be severe.

 

During the discussion, concern was raised over pedestrian safety and the erosion of the countryside.

 

Linda Jones, a representative of the Parish Council, addressed the Committee. She advised members of some of the results of a housing survey which had been circulated to over 300 homes, of which there was a 42% response. These results included that 56% of residents felt that Broadway was overdeveloped and 1 in 4 households felt that there was a need for affordable homes. She advised that Broadway had an extremely limited bus service, which ran term time only. She also advised that Broadway was not a sustainable location.

 

Christine Trueman, a representative of the Parish Council, also addressed the Committee and spoke in objection to the application. She raised concern over the cumulative effect of applications in Broadway and sewerage problems in the village. She further advised that the proposal would be dangerous and questioned the additional traffic movements which would result from this application being approved. She felt that this application would be inappropriate for Broadway.

 

Mr R Baker, Mr D Swain and Mr J Labrom spoke in objection to the application. Their comments included;

 

·         The access is inadequate and should be able to accommodate large vehicles such as removal lorries and delivery vehicles.

·         Concerns over safety. The road is no more than a country lane.

·         Parking on the site would be limited.

·         There would be around 30 cars on site, not 20 as detailed in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.