Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 20th April, 2016 5.30 pm

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

Items
No. Item

131.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 16th March 2016

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th March 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.

132.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dave Bulmer and Sue Osborne.

133.

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 Jenny Kenton declared a personal interest in Planning Application No. 15/04772/OUT, as her sister lived opposite the application site.  

134.

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.

 

135.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

136.

Area West Committee - Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Minutes:

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

The Area Development Manager (West) reported the following amendments to the Forward Plan:

·         The report on the Chard Business Hub Project expected at the April meeting would now be considered at the May meeting;

·         The Ilminster Forum report would come forward in June;

·         It was not possible to provide an update on the Chard Regeneration Scheme in June and was more likely to be in July possibly August.

Members were content to note the amended Forward Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Area West Committee Forward Plan be noted subject to the following amendments:

·         Chard Business Hub Project to be added to the Forward Plan for May

·         Ilminster Forum to be moved from May to June

·         Chard Regeneration Scheme update to be considered in July possibly August

 

137.

Outdoor Gym for Ashill (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 270 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That a grant of £5,167.50 be awarded subject to conditions from the Area West Capital budget to Ashill Parish Council towards an outdoor gym.

 

Reason: To consider a grant request towards the installation of a small outdoor gym on Ashill Playing Field.      

 

(Voting: 11 in favour, 1 abstention)

Minutes:

The Neighbourhood Development Officer summarised the agenda report and with the aid of powerpoint slides showed an example of the type of outdoor gym equipment that would be installed.  She explained that one of the conditions of the grant would include monitoring and evaluation of the project and that the Parish Council would be asked to write a short report which could be used to form best practice for other parishes wishing to purchase similar equipment.

The Committee was addressed by Brenda Pyle, representing Ashill Parish Council.  She commented that the older residents of the village would benefit from the equipment as well as parents with younger age children.  In response to a member comment, she advised that the amount requested was the remaining balance and that an application for funding had also been made to Awards for All. 

In response to questions and comments raised by members, the Neighbourhood Development Officer advised that:

·         The Community Health and Leisure Service were supportive of the project;

·         The equipment was very robust and Taunton Deane Borough Council had very few issues with vandalism.

Ward Member, Cllr. Linda Vijeh expressed her support for the project and noted that the Parish Council had received funding from Somerset County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Budget.

During the discussion, the majority of members expressed support for the project and were content to approve the recommendations of the report.

RESOLVED:

That a grant of £5,167.50 be awarded subject to conditions from the Area West Capital budget to Ashill Parish Council towards an outdoor gym.

Reason: To consider a grant request towards the installation of a small outdoor gym on Ashill Playing Field.      

(Voting: 11 in favour, 1 abstention)

138.

Community Health and Leisure Service Update pdf icon PDF 252 KB

Minutes:

The Community Health and Leisure Manager summarised the agenda report, which provided members with an update on the work of the Community Health and Leisure Service in Area West.  With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she highlighted the following:

·         The services provided by the Community Health and Leisure Team including healthy lifestyles, sports development, play and youth facilities, support for young people, leisure facility development and management;

·         Healthy Lifestyles development including the success of the district weight loss programme, CLICK into Activity and Health Walks in South Somerset;

·         £163,294 had been secured from Sport England for ‘In It Together’, a 3 year district female sports participation project;

·         10,000+ people had enjoyed Play Days in 20 communities across the district;

·         Youth Days had been rolled out across the district for the first time;

·         The pump track installed at Wyndham Park, Yeovil has proved to be very successful;

·         Success of the Gold Star event where 600+ people attended to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and young people in South Somerset;

·         The increase in users of facilities at Yeovil Recreation Ground including the AGP Athletics Arena, pitch and putt and the increase in the refreshment sales;

·         Play area transformations/improvements including Packers Way, Misterton and Henhayes, Crewkerne;

·         £690,334 of S106 received for sport and play and youth facilities across the district;

·         S106 projects in the pipeline included Chard AGP, Winterhay Lane Play Area, Ilminster, Merriott hall improvements and Ilminster Cricket Club improvements;

·         Area West highlights included CLICK into Activity, new Sport 50 sessions for Ilminster and Crewkerne, 15 new trained leaders from Area West Flexercise sessions, launch of ‘In It Together’ at Crewkerne and Ilminster, Packers Way, Misterton play area refurbishment and new pavilion/community facility underway in Ilminster.   

During discussion on the report, a member commented that it would be useful if the next report could include targets for priority areas.  In response to a member question about working with small businesses, the Community Health and Leisure Manager explained that the team did work with small providers on a small scale but the team was limited by their capacity. 

The Chairman thanked the Community Health and Leisure Manager for her informative report.

RESOLVED:

1.

That the report be noted; and

 

2.

That members contact the Community Health and Leisure Manager, if they would like to discuss the current service delivery programme or recommend future priorities.

 

139.

Report for Area West Committee on the Performance of the Streetscene Service pdf icon PDF 334 KB

Minutes:

The Streetscene Manager presented his report to the Committee.  He summarised the works which had been carried out by the team including a highway weed killing operation, removal of debris from main roads throughout the district, road sweeping on behalf of Chard Town Council, accommodated requests for additional litter and dog bins, managing the number of flytips found in the district and the removal of leaves from across the area in the Autumn time.  He explained that the team was looking to develop the Parish Warden Scheme and had invested in long term maintenance works on a number of ponds across the area and would continue to develop sites over the coming season.  He advised that the team had been working closely with the Yeovil Cemetery Team and were making notable improvements to the delivery of the service.

During the ensuing discussion, the Streetscene Manager noted the comments of members and responded to questions on points of detail as follows:

·         A member thanked the Streetscene Manager and his team for their work and support at Furzehill, Chard and commented that the work had made a huge difference;

·         He had taken the best environmental approach as possible on the use of Glyphosate and was consistently monitoring government guidance on the matter;

·         A member thanked the Streetscene Team for their help in dealing with a flytipping issue in Ilminster.  It was suggested that a meeting could be held with the landlord of the site;

·         A member commented that he was pleased with the works at Snowden Park and queried whether works would be undertaken to the path linking the road at the Redrow site;

·         A member referred to the problems of block gullies in Area West and queried whether there was enough demand for the purchase of a jetty.  In response, the Streetscene Manager agreed to look into the possibility;

·         A member raised the issue of neglected planting at the Taylor Wimpey site in Crewkerne.  The Streetcene Manager agreed to visit the site.  

The Chairman thanked the Streetscene Manager for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

 

140.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes:

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

141.

Planning Application 14/04399/FUL - Land At Crewkerne Road Chard pdf icon PDF 738 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Erection of 72 dwellings with vehicular access and supporting infrastructure

The Area Lead West introduced the report and with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda.  He advised that the site was located on land within phase 2 of the Chard Plan and that the principle of the development was considered to be acceptable.  The application was a full application and therefore all details were up for consideration.  With regard to Highways and Parking he confirmed that the scheme proposed a new access onto the A30 and provided 174 parking spaces slightly above the standard required. He confirmed that the Highway Authority was satisfied with the scheme.  In referring to the design and layout of the scheme he commented that 36 dwellings per hectare was an appropriate level for the site.  In terms of the relationship with Numatic International Ltd, he advised that the nearest house would be located 50 metres from one of the Numatic buildings.  The bedrooms and living space of the nearest dwellings would be located to the north away from the noise source with appropriate glazing and fencing.  He further advised that a noise assessment had been undertaken at the request of the Council’s Environmental Health Officer.

The Committee was addressed by the Council’s Economic Development Manager.  He commented that throughout Numatic International Ltd’s 47 year history, the company had followed a continuous programme of expansion of its facilities to meet the increasing demand for products.  Their current plans for expansion would result in a 25% sales increase and increased workforce with extended shift patterns to meet demand. He explained that Numatic already had permission to manufacture in plot 8 which would introduce a new noise level on site.  He referred to the development constraining expansion of the company and the likelihood of noise complaints which could force Numatic into considerable expenses.  It could prevent the creation of new jobs and hinder economic growth in Chard.     

In response to questions from Members, the Area Lead Planning Officer advised that:

·         There would be two blocks of affordable housing within the site.  There was no specific policy on splitting up affordable housing;

·         There was a drop of 13 metres from the A30 down to the bottom of the site;

·         The proposed housing would be built in the best way to prevent noise travelling;

·         The Senior Environmental Health Officer explained that the houses at the lower end of the site would form a buffer and confirmed that noise levels within the site were acceptable:

·         The Community Health & Leisure Service had not requested on site play provision and considered the distance to other play facilities to be reasonable;

·         The Legal Services Manager advised that the Council had a duty under the Environmental Protection legislation to investigate noise issue complaints;

·         The row of houses nearest to the bottom end of the site would be affordable homes;

·         The Senior Environmental Health Officer confirmed that there would be no habitable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

142.

Planning Application 15/04772/OUT - Land North of Tatworth Road and Adjacent To Forton Road Chard pdf icon PDF 888 KB

Minutes:

Application Proposal: Development of up to 200 residential dwellings (including up to 35% affordable housing), introduction of structural planting and landscaping, informal public open space and children’s play area, surface water attenuation, access points from Forton Road and Tatworth Road and associated works (outline)

 

The Area Lead West introduced the report and with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda.  He advised that this was an outline application and was subject to reserved matters with the exception of the access.  He commented that the principle of the development was acceptable and the site was part of the Chard Plan and would provide a key element of the new strategic road from the A30 to the A358.   He updated that Wessex Water had undertaken an assessment and that further modelling was required.  The Highway Authority had raised a capacity issue but was not severe to warrant refusal.  He advised that the development would also make significant contributions towards the provision of affordable housing, education, sport, play and community facilities.  His recommendation was for approval.

 

In response to members’ questions, the Area Lead West informed members of the following:

 

·         The possible use of photovoltaic panels would be considered at the detailed design stage;

·         Sustainable development conditions could be imposed but not included as part of the Section106 agreement;

·         The scheme did not trigger the development of a new school and the Education Authority had confirmed that additional capacity could be facilitated in the local schools;

·         £1.25m would be set aside to address the school capacity issue;

·         The S106 contribution for education provision would go straight to Somerset County Council. A condition could be included to ensure that the funding was protected for the Chard schools.

 

The Committee was addressed by Sue Wyatt, Paul Ackroyd and Andrew Stoodley in objection to the application.  Comments expressed included the following:

 

·         Concerns in relation to the private water supply that crosses the site and the need for the supply to be rerouted. The pipe was less than a metre deep and would be destroyed by heavy machines;

·         The junction at Chardstock Lane was a ‘blackspot’;

·         Concerns over flooding at Wessex Close;

·         The junction at Forton Lane had no capacity;

·         The need for a sufficient landscaping area between existing houses at Wessex Close and the new houses.

 

The Area Lead West explained that the detailed layout of the scheme would be considered as part of a future planning application.  He advised that the developer would have to address the issue of the private water supply crossing the site and make sure that existing systems would not be affected.  Members were informed that NHS Somerset had been informed about the application but no response had been received.  The response to the Policy Officers on the Chard Plan indicated that the existing medical facilities could cope at the present time.

 

Ward Member Cllr. Jason Baker commented that he was mindful that all three schools were under considerable strain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.

143.

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 May 2016 at 5.30pm at Swanmead Community School.