Meeting documents

SSDC Area South Committee
Wednesday, 1st February, 2017 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber Council Offices Brympton Way

Contact: Jo Boucher 01935 462011  Email: jo.boucher@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

116.

Minutes of previous meeting

Minutes:

Councillor Nigel Gage requested an amendment be made to minute 109 – SCC Lyde Road/Sherborne Road Improvement Scheme to include assertions made by Linda Whitsun-Jones a member of the public.  He believed they had been omitted from the minutes and provides a fair and accurate view of her comments made at the time.

 

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the minutes are not a verbatim record of what was said.  Following a short discussion, the Chairman asked that members vote on whether the minutes be amended as read out by Cllr Nigel Gage, this failed by 4 votes in favour and 10 against.  The Chairman then asked whether members were happy to accept the minutes of the Area South Committee held on 4th January 2017 copies of which had been circulated, these were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

117.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Kaysar Hussain and Mike Lock.

 

118.

Declarations of Interest

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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Graham Oakes, David Recardo and Gina Seaton.

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.

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

119.

Public question time

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

 

120.

Chairman's announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman informed members of the following:

 

·         Reminder that the site visit to the Westlands Leisure complex is scheduled for Tuesday 21st February , 2-3pm or 3-4pm.  Please tell Jo if you wish to attend.

·         A short briefing is to take place at the close of the meeting presented by Nigel Collins on the project to create the Lyde Road Pedestrian and Cycleway.

 

121.

Reports from representatives on outside organisations

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

Minutes:

Councillor John Clark on behalf of the Westfield Community Association informed members of the ‘live’ Twitter and Facebook feed taking place this Saturday 4th February 2107 with a question and answer session on the topic of Energy Advice.  He also informed members that there had been no further response yet on the Community Hall but on Saturday 3rd June 2017 a display will be taking place within the hall of possible future designs of the new community hall.  He concluded that positive discussions had also taken place with the land owner next to the Co-op for the possibility of parking for the community hall.

 

122.

SSDC Welfare Advice Work in South Somerset pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Minutes:

The Welfare Advice Team Leader presented the report as set out in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation proceeded to give members an overview of the work of the Welfare Advice Work in South Somerset including:

 

  • Breakdown of annual increase in South Somerset, noting that the total figure secured for clients in Welfare Benefit payments is over 15 times more than the actual cost of the service

·         Mandatory Reconsiderations and Tribunal Statistics for 2015 – 2016, helping clients dispute over 90 decisions.

  • 5 saved tenancies equating to a saving of £13,150.
  • 9 maintained Tenancies
  • Where we are now’ - ongoing changes in Social Welfare including the 2012 Welfare Reform Act and the roll out of the Universal credit (UC) throughout SSDC from April 2017.

 

During the ensuing discussion, the Welfare Advice Team Leader noted the comments of members and responded to questions on points of detail including:

 

  • Appreciated the concerns regarding the UC benefit payments and the impact and difficulties the move from weekly to monthly payments could have on vulnerable people.
  • Early intervention is the key to saving and maintaining tenancies and expense further down the line.  Each case brings its differing issues and the team work with other agencies including the Citizens Advice centre, Yarlington Housing Group and many more. 
  • Food parcels can be provided should they be required to help bridge the financial hardship but appreciate there is not always an easy solution.
  • Yarlington Housing Group also sympathetic to their client’s situation where UC is already in force.  They have team dedicated to help their clients with any problems caused by the roll out of UC.

·         Clarified that clients already claiming Housing Benefit will continue until such time that the client has a relevant change in circumstances causing benefit to end.  This would then require the switch to claim Universal Credit.  

  • Migration due to reduction of benefits, e.g. the benefit cap, is more extreme in London where mass migration is more prevalent due to high cost of housing however, where occurring on a local level this can impact disparities of wealth in rural areas.
  • Passported benefits, e.g. free school meals, have been confirmed to continue under Universal Credit.

 

The Chairman thanked the Welfare Benefits Team Leader and the excellent work of her team.

NOTED

 

123.

Yeovil Vision and Area South Regeneration Board Update pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Minutes:

The Area South Development Lead presented the report as set out in the agenda and updated members on ‘The Hive’ workspace hub being trialled at the Yeovil Innovation Centre.  A new website is now up and running. www.thehiveyeovil.co.uk. .  Members are welcome to pop into the Innovation Centre at any time to be shown around.

 

The Assistant Director, Communities explained the ‘Yeovil Refresh’ and the work now being carried out.  She explained to members this was a key project with the work being done in a concise and rapid form.  An opportunity for members to make comment on emerging proposals will be notified.  When the final report is published in the summer the Committee will have an opportunity to consider the recommended next steps.

 

During a short discussion members spoke of the successful and worthwhile stakeholder engagement meeting that took place on 30th Jan.  They also believed the marketing group could be more pro-active in attracting businesses by various marketing methods including the possibility of video promotion.

 

The Chairman confirmed that he was also now Portfolio Holder for Yeovil Town Centre Regeneration and with the help and support needed would ensure the message was given that ‘Yeovil is open to business’ as usual.  In response to a member request he believed that members were able to attend the Area South Regeneration Board by invitation only but would make enquiries whether a member could attend at their own request.

 

The Chairman thanked the Area South Development Lead for her excellent report.

 

NOTED

 

124.

Changes to Yeovil Bus Services pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman explained this report was purely to notify members of the proposed bus service changes and consider whether they wish to make representation on this issue.

 

During discussion members made several comments including the following:

 

·         Following recent headlines regarding disabled access are all reduced service buses still fully accessible to the disabled.

·         Ensure these services are continually reviewed bearing in mind future developments and the enhancement of existing road networks in the area.

·         Ensure that people who are no longer on a direct route are aware of other provisions to support which may help alleviate the current situation, for example the promotion of the SSVCA Community Transport.

·         Appreciate that unfortunately these changes are happening all over Somerset, but with the collective help of Parish Councils this could alleviate some of these issues in the rural areas, even if only for the short term. 

 

In response to members’ comments, the Transport Strategy Officer confirmed that:

 

·         All single decked buses are fully disability compliant and that by 2020 all buses will be disability compliant.  However there is usually only one space provided for wheelchairs and the driver can only request for people to move, they have no power to enforce this.

·         Discussions have taken place with the operators of commercial local bus services to ensure that we are pro-active in helping to serve future developments and the enhanced road network. 

·         The bus operator has made these changes now to ensure continued viability of the routes.

 

Following a short discussion, members agreed that the Assistant Director, Communities in agreement with the Chairman prepare a letter making representation on the comments made. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That members note the notified changes and make representation on this issue.

 

125.

Area South Committee Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 38 KB

Minutes:

The Assistant Director, Communities informed members that the Section 106 update report on the Strategic Key Sites would be brought to the April committee and the Area South Development Plan 2017/2018 be brought forward to the May committee.

 

She noted members request for further updates under agenda Item 8 regarding the ‘Yeovil Refresh’ and hoped that a final report could be brought to the June or July committee. She would confirm this with members as soon as possible.

 

Councillor David Recardo asked whether it was possible for the Dorcas House Statement of Accounts item to be renamed for future reference, as Dorcas House has now been disposed of and it might be confusing for new councillors.  The Assistant Director, Communities noted this request and would investigate further the possibility of this request.

 

RESOLVED:

(1)

that the Area South Forward Plan and the comments of Members be noted.

 

(2)

that the reports identified by Members be added to the Area South Forward Plan.

 

(Voting: Without dissent)

 

 

126.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

 

127.

Planning Application 16/04661/FUL - 3 Newton Road, Yeovil BA20 1NF pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The Area Lead South presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans. 

 

He updated members that:

 

·         The recommendation as set out in the agenda report should be amended to read ‘Grant permission for application 16/04661/FUL subject to the receipt of an acceptably signed unilateral undertaking pursuant to the required planning obligations’.

·         The applicant has requested that Condition 9 be amended to add one hour at the beginning and end of the proposed weekday construction hours and invited members to consider this request.

 

He also read out a letter received from Yeovil District Hospital supporting the application explaining how the scheme helps the hospital provide much needed accommodation for its nursing and medical staff.

 

He also explained to members:

 

·         The comparison of parking provision both already consented and proposed. He clarified the parking strategy and explained that local circumstances can justify the deviation of levels if situated in a sustainable location. 

·         That the applicant had submitted a draft unilateral undertaking with funding obligations toward off-site affordable housing, sport, art and leisure and contribution toward public realm improvements within the area.

 

The Area South Lead believed the proposal would provide much needed housing and help regenerate the area.  He considered the proposed parking provision to be acceptable and in accordance with the parking Strategy and the proposed planning obligations would help fund local projects and contribute toward the much need public realm improvements for this part of Yeovil 

 

He concluded that on this basis and with the amendment to his recommendation as previously read out and with members to consider the applicants wish to amend condition 9 was to approve for reasons as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions, the Area South Lead clarified:

 

·         The proposed management arrangements and parking provision for the site and availability of any off-site parking and incentive for other forms of sustainable transport.

·         Satisfied with the conditions imposed to safeguard the potential land contamination of the site.

·         Confirmed planning permission was granted in 2006 for 83 flats on this site but was not implemented.

 

Mike Bellamy, Highway consultant spoke in support of the application.  He referred to the parking provision which is considered acceptable and in line with policy guidance and also referred to the success of the recently renovated neighbouring Western Gazette building.  He believed it was in a highly sustainable location close to many local facilities and confirmed that SCC highways were happy with the scheme and hoped members would support the application.

 

Mark Thomas, the applicant also addressed the committee.  He referred to the success of the redevelopment of the Western Gazette building and stated his intention to build this scheme as soon as possible.  He referred to the much needed public realm improvements for the area and in response to a members question explained the procedure for postal deliveries within the flats, the rental process of car spaces for tenants and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.