Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings held on 19 May 2016 and 25 May 2016.

The minutes of the meetings held on 19 May 2016 and 25 May 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for a late arrival were received from Councillors Adam Dance and Dean Ruddle.

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 2112 (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 15^th 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 Clare Aparicio Paul, Shane Pledger and Sylvia Seal.

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.

Councillors Tiffany Osborne and Derek Yeomans each declared a personal interest regarding planning applications 15/04736/FUL and 15/04737/LBC as they are also members of Curry Rivel Parish Council.

Councillors Neil Bloomfield and Graham Middleton each declared a personal interest regarding planning application 16/01012/FUL as they are also members of Martock Parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 27 July 2016 at a venue to be confirmed.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 27 July, at a venue to be confirmed, but likely to be Norton Sub Hamdon Village Hall.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Councillor Neil Bloomfield commented on a recent planning appeal decision which dismissed residential development of up to 91 dwellings on land north of Lavers Oak in Martock. He made reference to some of the Inspector’s comments and also took the opportunity to thank the Planning Officer and Area Lead for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Community Office Support Manager presented the report which provided an update on the number if customers visiting the offices from April 2015 to the end of March 2016. She highlighted key statistics within the report and noted that looking to the future the service would be encouraging and supporting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Streetscene Manager presented the report as shown in the agenda, which informed members about the performance of the Streetscene Service in Area North from November 2015 to May 2016. He highlighted to members key points including:

·         Road sweepers had been kitted out with new fittings to deal with areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Community Health and Leisure Manager introduced the report and provided a brief presentation to highlight key points including:

·         The work of the team

·         Headline statistics for 2015 regarding:

o   Weight loss programmes

o   Participants in moderate intensity sport

o   Funding streams

o   Health Walks

o   Play Days and Youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Assistant Director (Communities) noted there were no updates to the Forward Plan as published in the agenda.

During a brief discussion members made the following suggestions:

·         Highways Update – would like an officer to attend with the next report.

·         Policing and Safety – would like an update report or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Members noted the report that detailed recent planning appeals which had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.

Members noted the schedule of planning applications to be determined at the meeting.

Proposal: Outline application for the erection of a single dwelling and associated garage with some matters reserved.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report. He noted there were some local objections due to highway safety and visual amenity, and updated members that a further two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Proposal: Proposed single dwelling, amended access and extended curtilage to include cottage orchard.

The Planning officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting the main reason for a recommendation of refusal was due to the location of the dwelling.

Mr S Berkieta, spokesperson for Compton Dundon Parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Proposal: Installation of a pitched roof to replace an existing flat roof and erect a rear extension (amended scheme).

The Planning Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda report. He highlighted to members the application was at committee solely due to the applicant’s position within SSDC and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Proposal: Removal of existing sheds and glasshouses, conversion of a stone barn to dwelling and the erection of three dwellinghouses.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and also referred to the associated application for Listed Building Consent. He noted the primary reason for recommending refusal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Proposal: Removal of existing sheds and glasshouses, conversion of a stone barn to dwelling and the erection of three dwellinghouses.

This application was presented and discussed in conjunction with the previous application 15/05688/FUL and comments made on that application also refer to this application.

The Planning Officer explained that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Proposal: Demolition of attached lean-to on side elevation of dwelling and demolition of all timber buildings at the rear of the site; the erection of two dwellings and the formation of an access driveway, parking and turning.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He updated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Proposal: Erection of a dwelling, car port and revised alterations to existing access and driveway.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He noted the main reason for the recommendation of refusal was the issue of the access and the impact on the listed building.

Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Proposal: Erection of a dwelling, car port and revised alterations to existing access and driveway.

This application was presented and discussed in conjunction with the previous application 15/04736/FUL and comments made on that application also refer to this application.

The Planning Officer explained that the officer recommendation in the agenda  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.