Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 12^th July 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14^th June, which had been amended and circulated following a request at the previous were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Henry Hobhouse advised that he would like an amendment to minute number 35 (Planning Application 17/01064/FUL – Land at Camp Road, Dimmer Lane). He felt that the minute should be more strongly worded to reflect the concerns of the Committee over the safety of other road users as well as the local residents.

It was also suggested that first line of paragraph 7 on page 13 would also be amended to remove the word ‘not’.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the minute should be amended to include additional wording to include the other road users and to remove the word ‘not’ from the first line of paragraph 7 on page 13.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 12^th July were agreed subject to the following amendments to minute number 35;

On page 14 of the minutes, the first full paragraph will now read,

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the planning application be refused, contrary to the officer recommendation, as the submitted supporting information lacks a thorough and detailed assessment of the likely levels of traffic that would be generated by the proposed use. Without such information it has not been demonstrated that the additional traffic could be safely accommodated on the B3153 between Ansford Bridge and Lydford Cross without detriment and safety to the residential amenities of occupiers of properties adjacent to the road and road users. As such the proposal is contrary to policies EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Paragraph 7 on page 13 will now read;

One member pointed out that as the site was included within the SSDC Local Plan; it was unfair on the land owner/developer that possibilities for the site were not clear. Members agreed that the Planning Policy team should provide support to the land owner to consider and confirm possible future uses for the site. It was agreed that this concern would be raised with the Planning Policy team for them to consider possible future uses of the site in the local plan review.

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Sarah Dyke.

In accordance with the Council’s current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), 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. 

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.  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. 

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council’s Regulation Committee:

Councillors Sarah Dyke, Tony Capozzoli, Nick Weeks and Colin Winder.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, 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 William Wallace, Mike Lewis and Anna Groskop, members of SCC (Somerset County Council), would only declare an interest in any business on the agenda where there was a financial benefit or gain or advantage to SCC which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage to SSDC.

Members are asked to note that the next scheduled meeting of the committee will be at the Council Offices, Churchfield, Wincanton on Wednesday 13^th September at 9.00 am.

Members noted that the date of the next scheduled meeting of the Area East Committee would be held at the Council Offices, Churchfield, Wincanton on Wednesday 13^th September 2017 commencing at 9am.

Mrs Melanie Hobbs addressed the Committee. She explained that she was the Chairman of the Chilton Cantelo and Ashington Parish. She advised that following rejected requests to Somerset County Council, she was looking for support from the Committee to help with the introduction of a lower speed limit through the village of Chilton Cantelo. The speed limit through the village is currently 60mph.

She explained to members that the road through the village was very narrow and that there had been a history of collisions on this stretch of road. She recalled numerous incidents which included a local child being hit by a car whilst walking to the school.  She pointed out that the traffic along this road through the village will increase as further houses are built in the area. She hoped that a speed limit could be introduced into the village.

Mrs Jane Huntington - Head of The Park School, Yeovil, addressed the Committee to further support the need for a reduced speed limit in the village of Chilton Cantelo. She explained that The Park School would be moving some of their pupils to their new site at Chilton Cantelo House for the start of term in September. She advised members that she was astounded that the speed limit through the village was 60mph.

She explained that there are blind bends, blind accesses, and no white lines and that a 20mph should be accepted for the road near to the school. She had concerns that once the term starts in September that there will be an increase in traffic from parents collecting children and by school mini-buses which would be used to carry children.

Although she understood that the decision did not rest with the Committee, she asked for the support of the Committee. She confirmed that she would be happy to support a traffic survey for the road, once term has started in September. 

Following the discussion, it was agreed that a letter would be written to Somerset County Council to support the need for an urgent review of a speed limit through the village of Chilton Cantelo.

Mr Gordon Czapiewski addressed the Committee to express concern over the Solar Park in Cucklington. He understood that there had been a change in ownership in the site and he wanted clarification over whether the planning conditions would still be relevant to the site. Councillor Mike Beech confirmed that he had spoken to the land owner and that they had offered assurance that all conditions were being complied with and that the planting on site would begin very soon.

The Chairman explained that a review was being undertaken of all of the property which was owned by the Council. He informed members that the Churchfield offices would remain, as would the adjoining stable building, until the review had been completed. Councillor Henry Hobhouse the Portfolio Holder confirmed that all SSDC owned buildings would be reviewed.

The Chairman advised that Jon Nicholson, Highways Somerset County Council had been advised in Committee about the problems with the practices of the hedge cutting contractors. Since he had received further complaints from local residents over the hedge trimming across Somerton, Keinton Mandeville and Castle Cary. The Assistant Director Communities agreed that she would obtain details and send a follow up to SCC.

The Chairman advised that he and the Wincanton Ward members had attended a meeting at The Balsam Centre to discuss concerns raised by members at the previous meeting.

The Area Development Lead confirmed that there are no immediate concerns about the financial position of the charity. However, representatives of the Balsam Centre had agreed to work with others to improve the way that individual project spend is reported. 

In response to questions from members about the long term business planning and the impact of charity investment in the nursery, the Area Development Lead agreed to circulate the current Business Plan and details of the spend on the nursery to the Wincanton ward members.

The Chairman confirmed that a letter had been sent to all parishes seeking support for an artificial grass pitch in Area East. The letter would also go to schools in September. The Area Development Lead would circulate a copy of this letter to members.

Councillor Colin Winder suggested that the Area East Committee meetings should be audio recorded. Some members agreed that it would be useful to record the meetings going forward. It was proposed and seconded that the meetings will be recorded in line with the policy. On being put the vote, this was carried 7 votes in favour, and 3 against.

RESOLVED:  that future meetings of the Area East Committee would be recorded.

(Voting: 7 in support, 3 against)

Councillor Colin Winder requested that the licensing team ensure that charity collections in the Castle Cary and Wincanton area during carnival week, are for carnival club collections only. The Assistant Director agreed that she would speak to the Licensing Manager to see whether this was possible.

He also explained to members that there was a ‘Future Employment Land Requirements in Somerset’ consultation and he felt that this should be discussed by members. The Chairman agreed that should a workshop be required, that this could be organised. Councillor Henry Hobhouse explained that he was unsure whether there was a demand for employment land within Area East.

Councillor Tony Capozzoli offered his thanks to the Assistant Director (Communities) for her help with drainage problems at Limington. He wanted clarification over whether a response had been received to the letter which had been sent to RNAS Yeovilton in relation to Bridgehampton. The Assistant Director agreed that she would look into this further.

He also informed members that there had been a fatality in a road traffic incident which had occurred in Ilchester and that in a separate incident, the Market Cross had been knocked down by a driver.

Councillor Mike Lewis commented that the hedge and verge trimming which was occurring was damaging signs, particularly tourist and local event signs. In response to a query it was clarified that parishes could clean and repair signs if they wished under a recently approved SCC policy.

(Voting: unanimous)

The Assistant Director (Communities) presented her report to members. She explained that the recommendation was to approve an annual funding contribution of £2000 under the terms of the partnership arrangement.

She pointed out that the details of journeys recorded were provided on page 7 of the agenda. She explained that this is 8 trains on the line up and down each day with a smaller number on Sundays. She advised there had been an increase on the demand and that this overcrowding has caused some accessibility issues. Reliability issues have been taken up with the Train Operating Company GWR.  

She pointed out that;

·         The Partnership has an excellent website which publishes timetables and that they are working with GWR on establishing the case for an hourly service south of Westbury.

·         Plans have been developed to look at possible south side platform access for Bruton station.

·         Additional car parking spaces are being developed at Castle Cary station.

During the discussion she responded to members questions. One question related to whether funding was offered to other train partnerships. The Assistant Director advised that she was unaware of an approach to SSDC for funding for other mainline services. She confirmed that she would be happy to look into this in relation to SW Trains and Templecombe Train Station

Members commented that they were unhappy that not all fares were being collected from passengers.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the funding be allocated to The Heart of Wessex Partnership. The Assistant Director would prepare a letter from the committee to GWR to accompany the confirmation of funding to raise concerns about short trains and fare dodging.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that members

1)    Noted and commented on the work undertaken by the Partnership in  2016/17 and that a similar report would be taken to Area South Committee and

2)    Approved a funding contribution from the members discretionary budget for 2017/18.

(Voting: unanimous)

(Voting: unanimous)

The Area Development Lead East presented his report to members. He advised that Community Capital Grant Requests are ordinarily considered in June and December, however due to an unsuccessful grant from Viridor, this application was being considered urgently as delay could result in elements of the project failing.

He advised members that all other funding and permissions were in place.

Councillor Anna Groskop, the Ward Member, advised that the community had worked really hard to secure this project and hoped that the funding would be approved.

It was proposed and seconded that the contribution of £5000 towards the purchase and installation of a Multi Use Games Area be approved.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that members agreed a contribution of £5000 towards the purchase and installation of a new Multi Use Games Area, a new path and planting

(Voting: unanimous)

The Area Development Lead East presented his report to members. He explained that he had reviewed the inconsistencies in the way in which LIC’s were operating.

He explained that the Service Level Agreements with the LIC’s had been adapted to reflect minimum standards required to cover opening hours and available services. He explained that this was an opportunity to renegotiate the funding for LIC’s across the district.

He explained that additional support/funding for recruitment, IT and training may be required by some centres.

RESOLVED:  that members noted the report and endorsed the approach taken.

The Assistant Director (Communities) explained that the Community Transport report was moved from the August agenda to ensure that both the Transport Officer and the SSCAT Manager could both attend at the same time. One member pointed out that this would be the last meeting in which the SSCAT Manager would be attending as he would be retiring.

The Assistant Director advised that due to staff changes, the Area East Policing report would appear on an agenda later in the year.

It was suggested that the Balsam Centre report would return to the Committee in January to allow time for the WCV board to complete work on the accounts. The Area Development Lead agreed that he would arrange a meeting between the Wincanton Ward Members and the relevant member if the Board for WCV to discuss the progress of improving the reporting within the accounts.

The Chairman advised that the S106 for Henstridge remained unsigned, due to an unpaid sum of money. The Chairman suggested that a report be considered by the Committee or for the Committee to insist that the S106 be signed by SSDC. He pointed out that the landowner has signed the agreement, and that SSDC had not signed the agreement.

It was proposed and seconded that a letter would be sent to the SSDC Legal Services team to advice that it is the wish of the Committee that the agreement be signed within 3 months or for the report to return to a Committee meeting for a resolution. This was unanimously agreed by members.

RESOLVED:  that members agreed that a letter would be sent to the SSDC Legal Services team to advice that it is the wish of the Committee that the agreement be signed within 3 months or for the report to return to a Committee meeting for a resolution. This was unanimously agreed by members.

Members noted the appeals which had been received and allowed were noted.