Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 August 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sylvia Seal.

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.

At the time the item was discussed, Councillor Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest in Agenda item 15: Planning Application 15/03374/FUL: Lawrences Farm, West End, Somerton, as a member of the Somerton Town Council who had submitted comments on the application.  He clarified that he was not a member of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 October 2015 at the Edgar Hall, Somerton.

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 October 2015 at the Edgar Hall, Somerton.

Mr P Thompson, a resident of Over Stratton, stated that Wessex Water were due to close the road through the village from 5^th October to carry out essential maintenance, however, there had been no communication on how essential services like carers visiting the elderly, emergency vehicles or refuse and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

The Chairman advised that he had recently attended the opening of the new youth park at High Ham and the all-weather grass pitch at Huish Academy.  He said both facilities were first class and he was pleased to note that the all-weather grass pitch was already very popular with many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Councillor Sue Steele reported that Ilton had benefitted from two SSDC play days arranged during the school holidays and asked the committee to note her thanks to Stewart Talbot for his work.  She further reported that she had recently been delighted to open the newly refurbished play area in Ilton  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer introduced the report and outlined the refurbishment work which had already been carried out at the hall and the final project to improve wheelchair accessibility and upgrade the disabled toilets.  She said that the Parish Council had promised 41% of the cost and local fundraising had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

The Area Development Manager stated that the Strode College Community Education Advisory Committee met 4 times per year and she asked that someone with an interest in Community Education volunteer to represent SSDC.

Councillor Crispin Raikes indicated that he was willing to represent SSDC on the Committee and this was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

The Area Development Manager advised that although the report was for information, it was the first Community Right to Bid application which new Councillors had experienced and this was an opportunity to ask questions. 

The Ward Member, Councillor Derek Yeomans, outlined the difficulties which had been experienced in establishing exactly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The Area Development Manager provided Members with a power point presentation of draft priorities for the area as identified in the report and suggested that an informal workshop be held to discuss these and more detailed local work across the area which the committee could support through its budgets and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

The Area Development Manager (North) advised that a presentation on the Licensing Service would be added to the Forward Plan for the December meeting and also a Countryside Service report and an update from the Police would be added at a future date.  She confirmed that no date had yet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

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

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

Proposal: Erection of 3 dwellings and associated parking (revised scheme to withdrawn application 14/03026/FUL)

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting that the site already had permission for 8 dwellings, of which 6 were completed.  The proposal was to change a single storey bungalow into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

It was noted that this application had been withdrawn from the Agenda.

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

The Planning Officer reminded Members that they had deferred the application two months previously for further financial information on the viability of the farm.  The Economic Development Officer had reviewed the accounts and confirmed that there was adequate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.