Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd September 2014.

The minutes of the Area South meeting held on 3^rd September 2014 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Vincent Chainey, Jon Gleeson, Dave Greene and Pauline Lock.

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 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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Tim Carroll, Tony Fife, Peter Gubbins, Ian Martin and Gina Seaton

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.

This is a chance for members of the public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils to participate in the meeting by asking questions, making comments and raising matters of concern.  Parish/Town Council representatives 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. The public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils will be invited to speak on individual planning applications at the time the applications are considered.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman provided an update to members that:

·         Yeovil in Bloom had been awarded Gold at this year’s South West in Bloom competition.

·         Pleased to announce that James Divall will be transferring to Area South.

·         Following discussion at the Yeovil Vision meeting on the 9^th September SCC have agreed to hold making a decision on the Tesco Footbridge vs Market Street until we know the outcome of the growth deal submission in March 2015.

·         Reckleford Road Scheme – Yeovil Vision Board asked SCC to provide an evaluation and costing of two options to investigate a solution to current traffic problems.

·         Plan to hold bi-monthly Yeovil Vision Meetings from now on.

·         Currently waiting for SCC to produce a scheme for the subway and ensure work can start on the scheme as soon as possible.

·         Involved in work to look how to improve the Tuesday and Friday markets in the town centre. Further update included in this agenda.

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

There were no reports from Councillors on outside organisations.

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation showed the site and proposed plans. 

He informed members that since the agenda had been published a revised layout plan of the site had been submitted.  He explained that a response from the Highway Authority had also been received and that they now considered the revised layout to be acceptable. 

The Planning Officer therefore told members that he wished to change his recommendation of refusal as set out in the agenda, to approval of this application subject to the proposed conditions, these to include:

·         Std Time limit – 3 years

·         Submitted plans

·         Materials

·         Floor Levels

·         Trade counter ancillary

·         Visibility splay

·         Parking/turning kept clear

Shaun Travers, the Agent then addressed the committee and appreciated the recommendation was now one of approval.  He believed this application would revitalise what was a redundant site and hoped members would approve this application.

Councillor Tony Lock, Ward member, voiced his support for the change of recommendation to one of approval.   He said that he had disagreed with the original comments from the Highways Authority and felt the time period taken by them to respond to applications was unacceptable, giving little time for all parties to respond prior to determination of the application.

Councillor Tony Fife, Ward member agreed with the comments already made by the other Ward member and respected the revised comments from the Highways Authority.

During a short discussion, members voiced their full support for the application.  It was then proposed and seconded that planning permission be approved for the following reasons and subject to the conditions as read out by the Planning officer:

‘The provision of modern industrial building for ‘B class’ uses on a brownfield site causes no adverse impact upon residential or visual amenity and highway safety.  The proposals therefore comply with Policies ST5, ST6, ME3 and TP6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF’.

With conditions to include:      Standard Time limit – 3 years

                                                Submitted plans

                                                Materials

                                                Floor Levels

                                                Trade counter ancillary

                                                Visibility splay

                                                Parking/turning kept clear

On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

The application 14/02971/FUL approved subject to the following:

Justification:

The provision of modern industrial buildings for 'B class' uses on a brownfield site causes no adverse impact upon residential or visual amenity and highway safety. The proposals therefore comply with Policies ST5, ST6, ME3 and TP6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.

1.    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: drawings 3395/001/P1, 3395/ 002/P1, 3395/003/P1 and 3395/005 received 3 July 2014 and amended drawing 3395/004/P3 received 24 September 2014.

Reason: For the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The Community Health & Leisure Manager presented the report as set out in the agenda and highlighted the following:

·         Needs Assessments were developed in 2006 and up until then £0 had been secured for off-site leisure contributions.

·         By the middle of this year, around £3 million in off-site leisure capital and revenue contributions have been secured across the district.

·         Strategic leisure facilities have a larger catchment area.  These include facilities such as Sports Halls, Swimming Pool and Theatres.

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer also highlighted to members that facilities are now starting to be put into place as a result of the monies being received.  He highlighted that not only were local facilities being delivered but that a number of larger projects were also underway, consequently showing that money was not unnecessarily being kept back.

In response to questions, the Community Health & Leisure Manager informed members that:

·         Playing pitches were classed as a priority as they also served as a space for informal recreation.  Should developers wish to provide additional facilities such as tennis courts this is within their gift.

·         Strategic facilities to serve the community generally within a 30 minute drive time.

·         Community Halls are categorised in a different way to Sports Halls, this is mainly due to the size.

Members thanked the Community Health & Leisure Manager for her informative report.

NOTED

(Voting: 11 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)

The Area East Development Manager presented the report as set out in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation explained to members the work undertaken by the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership during 2013/14. 

She also explained to members that:

·         A similar report had been taken to Area East Committee to seek financial support which had been strongly supported and funding confirmed.

·         The importance of continuing to support the partnership and help improve and develop the station.

·         Work concentrating on ‘Fixing the Link’ – series of signs for arriving passengers helping them on their way into town by the bus link or on foot

·         Work on raising awareness and improving the line and securing better services in the future.

Councillor Ian Martin as Heart of Wessex line member for Area South told members that it was essential to approve the proposed funding in order to continue the work of the partnership.   He explained the need to gain extra rolling stock on the line and further work to link the surrounding community with the line.

During discussion various points were made by Members:-

• The trains ran beyond capacity and there was a need for more carriages.
• Essential that Somerset County Council continue to fund the partnership in the next financial year.
• Concern about the linking between bus and train services and the need for 106 funding to strengthen bus services from Wyndham Park.
• HOW Partnership has been a success and membership is essential in order to continue to make representation at a higher level.
• Support the work in continuing to advertise and market the line guides.

·         Voiced concern believing the balance of funding went toward administration and believed the work would take place in any case should community groups request it.

At the conclusion of the debate, the majority of Members were in favour of allocating the funding to the Partnership (voting: 12 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions).

(Voting: 12 in favour, 1against, 0 abstention)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the report and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation informed members of the:

·         Successful re-opening of the Post Office Facility at Westfield.

·         Re-opening of the waiting room and deep clean of Yeovil Bus Station.

·         Completion of the re-development of South Western Terrace.

In response to questions, the Neighbourhood Development Officer informed members that:

·         The Bus Station was privately owned but would look to approach them to consider costing’s for allowing planters to be positioned upon the station railings.

·         Looking at alternative arrangements for the Bus Shelter contract which ends June 2015.

Members thanked the Neighbourhood Development Officer for her excellent work and informative report.

NOTED

The Area South Development Manager presented the report as set out in the agenda and outlined to members the areas of work and achievements during 2013/14. 

During a short discussion members thanked the Area South Development Manager for a very comprehensive report and approved the Area Development South Development Plan for 2014/15.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the report and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation updated members on:

·         Proposals to improve the Tuesday and Friday markets, with work to begin in October.

·         Summary of the annual income of the Yeovil markets.

·         Success of the Vintage Market located in King George Street.

During discussion various points were made by Members:-

·         Voiced their support and congratulations on the success of both the Vintage and Food markets.

·         The need to focus on raising the standard of products on sale at the Tuesday and Friday markets

·         Uncertain of the viability of the Tuesday market.

·         Welcomed the Neighbourhood Development Officer’s role to undertake the overall management and promotion of the Yeovil markets.

At the conclusion of the debate, members were in full support of the proposals of new incentives and managements processes to improve performance of the Yeovil markets and thanked the Neighbourhood Development Officer of her excellent work.

NOTED

The Area Development Manager agreed to supply further information to Councillor Gina Seaton who requested information regarding the Council’s Day Nursery.

No further requests were made by members.

(Voting: Without dissent)

Members noted the Planning Appeals.