Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on
24 September 2014.

Councillor Terry Mounter requested an amendment to minute 72, Declarations of Interest, to indicate that he had declared a personal interest for agenda item 10. 

Members were content that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2014, copies of which had been circulated, be approved and signed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pauline Clarke, Barry Walker and Derek Yeomans.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 November 2014. Venue to be confirmed.

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 November 2014 (venue to be advised).

Mrs M Chambers addressed members and read out a statement about drainage in Somerton, raising a number of concerns about the drainage infrastructure system, availability of maps of drainage systems, and disappointment about the new gully cleaning schedules.

In response to the statement made, Councillor David Norris commended the work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Councillor Sue Steele noted there was a new PCSO covering Islemoor.

Councillor Patrick Palmer noted a meeting had recently taken place in Long Load regarding a bund in the Long Load Bridge area. He had great hopes that something positive would come out of the meeting.

Councillor Sylvia Seal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

Sam Best, SSVCA Chief Executive officer introduced herself and explained the work of the organisation. Her comprehensive presentation included information about:

·         The aims, background and structure of the SSVCA

·         Community transport

·         Furnicare

·         Voluntary Sector Support

·         Somerset Emergency Volunteers

·         Achievements over the past year

·         Plans for 2014 and beyond

During discussion,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

The Community Office Support Manager presented the report as detailed in the agenda. She highlighted there had been a reduction in opening hours at all offices and more customers were now using the internet and telephone to access services. It was noted that although there had been a reduction in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

The Engineer presented his report as detailed in the agenda. He addressed some of the comments made during public question time and informed members that a meeting was taking place the following day with the Somerton Flood Action Group.

He highlighted it was important that members noted appendix A which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

The Area Development Manager updated members that the following items would be added to the Forward Plan:

·         as agreed at item 10, a presentation from Somerset County Council about roles and responsibilities regarding flooding and land drainage

·         presentation from the Levels and Moors Local Action Group

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

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

Application proposal: The erection of a dwelling.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He advised that since writing his report, an additional letter of support had been received which mentioned the site had deteriorated over the years and the supporter looked forward to the site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Application proposal: Erection of a detached dwelling and garage.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He provided members with several updates including:

·         On page 41 of the agenda, under principle of development, reference had been made to a separate application 14/03436/DPO. He confirmed that since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

Application proposal: Erection of a building for B1, B2 and B8 uses with associated infrastructure, parking and landscaping.

The Area Lead introduced the application and reminded members of the site and the history.  He referred members to the Google Earth display before them, which was a little out of date  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.