Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 15th July, 2015 5.30 pm

Venue: Village Halls

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

Items
No. Item

18.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 21st May 2015 and 17th June 2015

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 21st May 2015 and 17th June 2015, 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.

19.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ric Pallister and Linda Vijeh.

20.

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 Sue Osborne declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 – Request for a Community Grant – Chaffcombe Village Hall, as the Ward Member.

At the time of the item, Councillor Jason Baker declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Chard Carnival Park Project, as a member of a carnival club.

21.

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.

22.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

23.

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.

Members noted that the August Area West Committee meeting would only be held if there were planning applications to be determined.

In response to a member comment, the Area Development Manager (West) confirmed that an update report on the Chard Regeneration Scheme would be presented to the Area West Committee in September.

Cllr. Mike Best made a request to give an update on A Better Crewkerne and District (ABCD) in February rather than January.  An update on the Ile Youth Centre Management Committee from Cllr. Val Keitch would be given in January instead.

Members were content to note the Forward Plan attached to the agenda subject to the above updates.

RESOLVED:

That the Area West Committee Forward Plan be noted as attached to the agenda subject to the above amendments.

(Resolution passed without dissent)

24.

LEADER Programmes for Rural Economic Development - Heart of Wessex Progress Report pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Minutes:

The Assistant Director (Communities) summarised the report, which updated members on the progress with establishing district wide coverage of the new LEADER programme for rural economic development and the success of the funding bid for the new Local Action Group (LAG) Heart of Wessex.

 

During the ensuing discussion, the Assistant Director (Communities) and the Area Development Manager (West) responded to questions on points of detail which included the following: 

 

·         Clarified that the governance arrangements and geography of the Blackdown Hills Partnership and the Making it Local Action Group were different;

·         Explained in more detail the implications of changing any governance arrangements regarding member representation on the AONB and whether this would affect the ability to draw down funding;

·         The Assistant Director (Communities) agreed to set up a briefing session on the Heart of Wessex Programme for the affected ward members;

·         Further information on the Heart of Wessex Programme including the funding criteria and framework was available on the website;

·         The Assistant Director (Communities) agreed to invite Cllr. Mike Lewis, the member representative on the Heart of Wessex Steering Group for the LAG to report back separately to the Area West Committee;

·         The Area Development Manager (West) agreed to invite the Making It Local Programme Manager, who had only recently been appointed, to provide a briefing to members.

 

The Chairman thanked the Assistant Director (Communities) for attending the meeting.

 

RESOLVED:

That the success of the bid for government funding for Heart of Wessex which, together with Making it Local, gives full LEADER coverage in Area West be noted.

 

25.

Community Health & Leisure Service Update pdf icon PDF 250 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:

·         Staffing Structure within the Community Health & Leisure Service;

·         Healthy lifestyles development including the success of the flexicise scheme, health walk leader training and Sport 50 programme;

·         A bid to Sport England for funding worth £194,000 had been successful to develop physical activity opportunities from GP surgeries specifically benefiting Crewkerne and Chard;

·         Sports Development including successful delivery of schools tennis programme, badminton competitions and area cricket finals;

·         Play & Youth Facilities – support being provided with the Henhayes Play Area refurbishment, refurbishment of Packers Way Play Area, Misterton and improvements to the skateboard park in Horton;

·         A Bike Fest Event was being held on 12th August at Birchfield Park; 

·         Support provided to youth clubs and the development of playschemes and holiday activity programme;

·         The success of the Gold Star Awards;

·         Securing Planning Gain – Officers have supported the development of a new Community Pavilion/Community Facility in Ilminster.  If successful £113,000 would be spent in Area West.  Other schemes supported included New floodlighting at Chard Tennis Club and advice provided to Chard Town Council to take forward the provision of temporary changing at Jocelyn Park.

During the ensuing discussion, the Community Health and Leisure Manager noted the comments of members and responded to questions on points of detail.  Members were informed of the following:

·         In response to a question regarding the Health Walks Leaflet and encouraging young people to take part, members were informed that there was only one health walk that took place at the weekend due to issues with recruiting lead walkers at weekends and that participants were mainly older people.    Buggy walks and activities within the Healthy Workplace Programme were aimed at younger people;

·         In terms of working with businesses, the Healthy Lifestyles Officer already worked closely with gyms and leisure centres as part of the Active South Somerset.  The team were limited by their capacity but would give consideration to the possibility of undertaking further work with businesses in the future;

·         Steve Barnes, the Play & Youth Facilities Officer would be able to provide assistance with the Disclosure & Baring Scheme;

·         The 1610 Leisure Centre in Chard offered its own concessionary discounts and were not part of the Passport to Leisure Scheme;

·         With regard to the lack of playing pitches in Chard, members noted that some work had been undertaken and that negotiations were ongoing;

·         Members were informed that in line with updated national planning guidance, work on a new playing pitch strategy would be undertaken.

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation, the Health Lifestyles Officers informed members about the Click into Activity Project.  Information provided during the presentation included:

·         Background and outline of the project;

·         Early milestones and targets;

·         Key outcomes and sustainability of the project.

In response to member questions, the Health Lifestyles Officer informed members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Area West Committee Working Groups - Appointment of Members 2015/16 (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

(1)

That Councillor Martin Wale be appointed to serve on the Chard Regeneration Scheme Project Board.

 

(12 in favour)

 

 

(2)

That Councillor Val Keitch be appointed to serve on the Click Into  Activity Steering Group.

 

(Resolution passed without dissent)

 

Reason:  To appoint members to working groups for the municipal year 2015/16.

 

Minutes:

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve on working groups within Area West for 2015/16 in addition to the appointments made at the meeting in June.

 

A request was made for an update report from the Click Into Activity Steering Group to be included as a future item on the Area West Committee Forward Plan.

 

RESOLVED:

(1)

That Councillor Martin Wale be appointed to serve on the Chard Regeneration Scheme Project Board.

 

(Voting: 12 in favour)

 

(2)

That Councillor Val Keitch be appointed to serve on the Click Into Activity Steering Group.

 

(Resolution passed without dissent)

 

Reason:  To appoint members to working groups for the municipal year 2015/16.

 

27.

Request for a Community Grant - Chaffcombe Village Hall (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That £7,191 be awarded to Chaffcombe Village Hall Committee towards alterations to the internal layout of the hall.

 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

Reason:   To agree an application for funding.

Minutes:

The Neighbourhood Development Officer summarised the agenda report, which asked members to consider an application for financial assistance from Chaffcombe Village Hall Committee towards alterations to the internal layout of the hall. 

The Neighbourhood Development Officer explained that the hall was a popular and well used venue.  Photographs were shown illustrating the existing internal layout which had proved to be unsuitable.  The aim of the project was to pull back the existing wall to create a rectangular internal layout.  He explained that funds had been secured for 50% of the total project costs and that Area West were being asked to fund the balance. 

The Committee was addressed by Mr Stan Robinson, Chairman of the Chaffcombe Village Hall Committee.  He commented that there was no shop or pub in the village and that the village hall was very important in generating community spirit in the village.  He explained that the aim of the scheme was to undertake alterations to further expand the use of the hall so that further activities could take place. 

In response to members’ questions, the Neighbourhood Development Officer confirmed that planning permission for the works had been granted and that the only alteration was moving the wall straight back.

The Ward Member, Cllr. Sue Osborne expressed her support for the project and commented that the hall was very valued and that by increasing the capacity further events could be held.

During discussion, members expressed their support for the project and commented that they were impressed with the low cost of the project as a result of voluntary work being undertaken.  Members noted that a grant was awarded by the Area West Committee in September 2012 but the Neighbourhood Development Officer had taken the view that the projects were distinct from each other.

Cllr. Sue Osborne expressed her thanks to the Neighbourhood Development Officer, who was leaving the authority shortly, for the help and support he had provided within her ward.

Members unanimously agreed the recommendation outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

That £7,191 be awarded to Chaffcombe Village Hall Committee towards alterations to the internal layout of the hall.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

28.

South Somerset Carnival Park Project pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Minutes:

The Area Development Manager (West) introduced Steve Dawe, joint Chairman of the South Somerset Carnival Park Committee, who had been invited back to provide more detail about the South Somerset Carnival Park Project. 

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation, Steve Dawe gave an informative presentation about the project.  Points covered in the presentation included:

·         The current problems being experienced with a lack of building locations

·         The solution being a permanent carnival park

·         Plans for the immediate future

·         The social, economic and business development benefits of providing a carnival park in the region

·         Benefits to individuals, the wider community and companies

·         Economic worth

·         Outline of project costs

·         Potential funding sources and next steps

A copy of the presentation slides were circulated to members at the meeting.

Prior to discussion on the item, Cllr. Jason Baker declared a personal interest in the item, as a member of a carnival group.

During discussion members unanimously expressed their support for the South Somerset Carnival Park Project and thanked Steve Dawe for his excellent presentation.  Members felt that it was important for the local carnival scheme to be maintained. Although, some concern was expressed over sustainability, members were sure that the project could be in achievable in time and by working in partnership.

RESOLVED:

That the aims of the South Somerset Carnival Park project be supported by the Area West Committee.

 

(Voting: unanimous in support)

29.

Planning Appeals pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the details contained in the agenda report, which informed members of an appeal that had been dismissed.

NOTED.

30.

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 19th August 2015 at 5.30pm at the Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne.  The meeting would only take place if there were planning applications to be determined.