Meeting documents

SSDC Area North Committee
Wednesday, 27th August, 2014 2.00 pm

Venue: Village Hall, Chilthorne Domer

Contact: Becky Sanders, Democratic Services Officer 01935 462596  Email: becky.sanders@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

47.

Minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 July 2014.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2014, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and, having been approved as a correct record, were signed by the Chairman.

48.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Graham Middleton, and an apology for absence for the first part of the meeting from Councillor Pauline Clarke.

49.

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 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 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 Terry Mounter, Shane Pledger, Sylvia Seal and Paul Thompson.

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:

There were no declarations of interest.

50.

Date of next meeting

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 September 2014 at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

Minutes:

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 September 2014 at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

51.

Public question time

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

52.

Chairman's announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman noted that he and Councillor Derek Yeomans had visited the site of the Thorney Flood Bank to see construction in progress, and Councillor Yeomans provided members with a brief verbal update on progress.

53.

Reports from members

Minutes:

Councillor Sue Steele, commented that a recent press article indicated there was a possibility that the B3168 in Ilminster could be shut for up to two years. She had contacted the Leader of Somerset County Council to raise her concerns directly about the impact of the closure.

Councillor Paul Thompson  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

54.

County Highway Authority - Update pdf icon PDF 35 KB

Minutes:

The representative from the Highway Authority had not attended the meeting as planned, and no apologies had been received. It was agreed to ask an officer to attend the meeting in September.

55.

Grant to Kingsbury Episcopi Church Rooms Management Committee (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That a grant of £4,000 be awarded to Kingsbury Episcopi Church Rooms Management Committee, towards the cost of refurbishments to the church rooms, to be allocated from the Village Hall Grants district wide capital allocation and £341 from the Area North revenue grants budget, subject to SSDC standard conditions for community grants as detailed in appendix A to the agenda report.

Reason:

To facilitate refurbishment works to the Kingsbury Episcopi Church Rooms.

(Voting; Unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Neighbourhood Development Officer (North) presented the grant application for funding towards refurbishment works of the Kingsbury Episcopi Church Rooms, as detailed in the agenda, and highlighted the usage of the building.

Ward member, Councillor Derek Yeomans commented it was a small amount of funding being requested for something with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

56.

Community Grant to Norton-sub-Hamdon Community Land Trust - Start-up Costs for Community Shop (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That a grant of £9,346 be awarded to Norton-sub-Hamdon Community Land Trust towards the start-up costs of operating the village post office and general store to be allocated as £4,673 from the Area North capital programme (Local Priority Schemes), and the remaining £4,673 from Area North revenue grants budget, subject to SSDC standard conditions for community grants as detailed in appendix A to the agenda report and the following additional conditions:

·      SSDC may seek repayment of the grant if the shop is closed within five years of opening

·      Norton CLT to confirm terms of proposed lease with respect to any interim change of ownership of the freehold.

Reason:

To facilitate the acquiring and operating of the village post office and shop in Norton Sub Hamdon.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager (North) presented the grant application for funding towards the start-up costs of acquiring and operating the village post office and shop in Norton Sub Hamdon, as detailed in the agenda report. She explained that some costs could not be finalised until the transfer was confirmed and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

57.

Area North Development Plan - Budget Update pdf icon PDF 314 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager (North) presented the report as detailed in the agenda, which provided an update on the progress of projects taking place in Area North had been supported by the Area and District Executive capital programme. The report also provided information on the position of the Area North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

58.

Assessment of Nominations Under Community Right to Bid pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Minutes:

Members were content to note the report that informed councillors of the decisions to place The Bell Inn, Ash and Drayton Arms, Drayton onto the SSDC Register of Assets of Community Value.

The ward member queried the area nominated for the Drayton Arms nomination.  The Area Development Manager (North) agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

59.

Flood Recovery and 20 Year Flood Action Plan Update pdf icon PDF 20 KB

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager (North) provided members with a brief verbal update. She reminded members of the current main activities locally and gave the progress updates including:

·      Thorney ring bank – work started on site

·      Muchelney access – Drayton link to be constructed by winter

·      Muchelney ring bank – will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Area North Committee Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager (North) advised that as an officer from the Highway Authority had not attended this meeting as planned that they would be requested to attend the next meeting in September.  As discussed during the previous agenda item, a report and presentation about flood recovery grants and marketing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

61.

Planning Appeals pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

 

62.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined By Committee pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

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

63.

Planning application 13/03663/FUL - 1-4 West Street, Somerton pdf icon PDF 924 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Demolition of various structures, erection of 7 no. 2 bedroom houses, refurbishment of existing premises along West Street to create 6 retail units and  change of use and extension of various 1st floor residential and business accommodation to 7 flats (6 no. 2-beds and 1 no.1-bed).

The Area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

Planning application 14/02558/FUL - Banbury House, 5 Old Somerton Hotel, New Street, Somerton pdf icon PDF 581 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Erection of three bedroom dwelling house - retrospective- resubmission of planning application 13/03703/FUL.

The Planning Officer presented the report on behalf of the case officer, as detailed in the agenda. He advised there were no updates to report and highlighted to members the approved plans and the detail  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

Planning application 14/00230/FUL - Land OS 0002, Bearley Lane, Tintinhull pdf icon PDF 593 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: The erection of a 1.3mW anaerobic digester with associated plant and works. The aim of the development is to generate energy and digestate for spreading as a soil conditioner and fertiliser.

Members were advised by the Planning Officer that the reason for referral to committee had been omitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

Planning application 14/02962/S73A - Spruces, Cathanger Lane, Fivehead pdf icon PDF 463 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Section 73A application to remove condition 4 of planning approval 96540 dated 09/08/1973 (Agricultural occupancy condition).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and highlighted briefly the history of the site and applicants position. As no justification had been supplied for the removal of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Planning application 14/01163/FUL - Bridge Horn Barn, Henley, Langport pdf icon PDF 443 KB

Minutes:

Application proposal: Retention of detached garage and engineering works to facilitate new access (retrospective).

The Planning Enforcement Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda. She highlighted to members the differences between the approved plans and the scheme as built.

Mr P Dance, agent, briefly addressed members and commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.