Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 June 2015..

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 Clare Aparicio Paul, Shane Pledger, Dean Ruddle and Sylvia Seal.

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 Shane Pledger declared a personal and prejudicial interest for planning application 15/00858/FUL as the applicants were a close relation of his wife.

Councillor Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest in planning application 15/01310/FUL as he is also a member of Somerton Town Council.

Councillor Sue Steele declared a personal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 August 2015 at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 August 2015 at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman made no formal announcements.

There were no reports from members.

The Community Health and Leisure Manager provided members with an informative presentation about the different aspects of the service and the delivery of projects within Area North and across the district including:

·         Healthy lifestyles, communities and workplaces.

·         Sports development including badminton, hockey and tennis.

·         Play and youth facilities.

·         Play area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer presented the report as shown in the agenda which detailed signed Section 106 agreements relating to development within Area North.  He highlighted key changes in legislation since the last report with regard to contributions from schemes of 10 dwellings or less, and Community Infrastructure Levy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Area Development Manager (North) highlighted that a presentation about Careline had been added to the Forward Plan for November. She also noted that the Licensing Manager had been invited to provide a presentation and service update, and this would be scheduled for some time before Christmas.

The following update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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

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

Proposal: Demolition of existing care home and development of extra care units with communal facilities.

The Area Lead presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and drew members attention to the status of a permissive path leading from the site into West Street. He provided members with several updates  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Proposal: Erection of a 1.5 storey dwellinghouse and associated detached garage/annex on land adjacent to Brick House, works to a low level wall, and demolition of small dilapidated structure.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report, and highlighted to members the updated comments received from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Proposal: Erection of a 1.5 storey dwellinghouse and associated detached garage/annex on land adjacent to Brick House, works to a low level wall, and demolition of small dilapidate structure.

This application was presented and discussed in conjunction with the previous application 15.01761/FUL and comments made on that application also refer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Proposal: The erection of a four bedroom dwelling and change of use of agricultural land to residential curtilage.

The Planning officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and noted the proposal was for a low energy, contemporary designed dwelling. He explained the landscape character of the site location  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Proposal: The erection of an agricultural workers dwelling adjacent to Hillside Farm.

The Planning Officer presented the report as detailed in the agenda, and explained some of the background as to why the dwelling was needed. She also noted that financial information about the viability of the farming business had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Councillor Shane Pledger, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the meeting prior to the presentation of this application. Councillor Dean Ruddle took the role of Chairman for this item.

Proposal: Demolition of buildings and the erection of 1 No. dwelling.

The Planning Officer presented the application as shown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Councillor Sue Steele having declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the meeting prior to the presentation of this application.

Councillor Shane Pledger returned to the room and resumed the role of Chairman.

Proposal: Proposed solar park comprising the erection of solar arrays, inverters, transformers, equipment housing, security fencing, internal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.