Meeting documents

The Assistant Director (Legal and Corporate Services) provided Members with an update on the listed building at risk and responded to questions from them on points of detail.

Following a short debate, Members unanimously agreed to support option one as detailed in the appendix to the report for the long  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 August 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2014, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and, having been approved as a correct record, were signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jo Roundell Greene, Sylvia Seal, Paul Thompson and Barry Walker.

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 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.

Councillor Terry Mounter declared a personal interest in Agenda item 10, County Highway Authority Update, as the company he worked for was involved with the earthworks at Muchelney.

Councillor Shane Pledger declared a DPI (Disclosable Pecuniary Interest) in Agenda item 24: Planning Application 14/03405/FUL – Land at The Manor, Cross  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 October 2014.  Venue to be confirmed.

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 October 2014 (venue to be advised).

There were no questions from members of the public present.

In the absence of the Vice Chairman, the Chairman invited Councillor Derek Yeomans to act as Vice Chairman for the meeting and Members were in agreement with this. 

Councillor Sue Steele advised that she had attended a Flooding Group Steering meeting and she asked if the Area North Committee could look at other areas which may be at risk of flooding in the future.  The Area Development Manager (North) noted that the Council’s Engineer and Civil Contingencies Manager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The Assistant Highway Service Manager provided Members with an update on Highway issues in the area.  He advised that:-

·         The surface dressing programme was completed but not signed off so if Members had any issues with remedial work, let him know.

·         General resurfacing of pavements in the area was ongoing.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

The Housing and Welfare Manager provided Members with an update of the number of people seeking housing in the district.  She explained the assessment of housing need into band categories depending on the urgency and circumstances of those requiring housing and the policy change in February 2014 which required that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

The Arts and Entertainment Manager and the Arts Development Officer provided the Committee with an update and power point presentation on the various arts projects taking place across the district and at the Octagon theatre (presentation attached). 

At the conclusion of the debate, Members thanked the Arts and Entertainment Manager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer reminded Members that the Section 106 agreements provided control to development and the monies levied on the developer were used to mitigate the impact of the development and deliver local facilities.  Since his last report to the Committee, the service had been audited both internally  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Terry Mounter be appointed to serve on the Somerset Levels & Moors Local Action Group Executive Board. 

The Area Development Manager (North) advised that the Affordable Housing Development Programme had recently been presented to District Executive and members may be interested in a presentation on the Area North element of the programme.  This was agreed.  The earlier request to look at other areas which may be at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

During discussion it was noted that it would be beneficial for members to see all the planning appeal decision notices across the district for reference and information.

Members were content to note the report that detailed recent planning appeals that had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.

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

Application proposal:The conversion, extension and rebuild of redundant farm buildings to form 3 residential units, new hay barn to form one residential dwelling and conversion of open barn to create garaging/workshop.

The Planning Officerpresented the application as detailed in the agenda.  He advised that since writing his report,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Application proposal:The replacement of existing stable with a single dwelling and the formation of associated access and driveway.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. She said that two letters had been received from neighbours, one in support of the application and one raising concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

Application proposal:The erection of 4 No. dwellings with associated access, garages, parking and landscaping.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda noting that it was a small wind-fall site next to the existing Chapel Field development.  There were no updates to report and the recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

Application proposal:Demolition of garage and workshop and the erection of 1 No. dwellinghouse and garage (Outline).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda noting that it was recommended for approval as a departure from policy ST3 of the Local Plan which was under review.  However,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

Application proposal:Erection of 2 No. detached dwellinghouses, garages and parking with associated access and landscaping.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda noting that it was a full application for two dwellings.  The existing hedge to the front of the site would be removed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

Application proposal:Proposed erection of new dwelling with detached single storey double carport and creation of vehicular and pedestrian access.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda noting that it was 650m from the edge of the development area and 1.2km from the key services found  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Application proposal: Erection of a gatehouse dwelling

(Councillor Shane Pledger having earlier declared a DPI left the room during consideration of this item.  Councillor Derek Yeomans assumed the role of Chairman for this item).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda noting that it was before  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.