Decisions
Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
29/10/2024 - Key Decision Report on Future Investment Property Disposals ref: 1351 For Determination
Decision Maker: Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Made at meeting: 29/10/2024 - Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Decision published: 30/10/2024
Effective from: 29/10/2024
Decision:
Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee:
a. Passed a resolution under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting, on the basis that if they were present during the business to be transacted there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information, within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972: Reason: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
b. Approved the recommendations set out in the confidential appendix A.
c. Delegated authority to make all necessary arrangements and agreements to conclude the sales by the 31 March 2025 to the Executive Director for Resources, Strategy and Transformation in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Asset.
29/10/2024 - Update on Asset Investment ref: 1352 For Determination
Decision Maker: Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Made at meeting: 29/10/2024 - Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Decision published: 30/10/2024
Effective from: 29/10/2024
Decision:
Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Property and Investments Executive Subcommittee:
a) Agreed that this report be treated in confidence, as the case for the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing that information.
b) Agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting where there is any discussion at the meeting regarding this report and the exempt or confidential information contained.
c) Agreed the confidential recommendation in the report.
29/10/2024 - Review Performance Indicators for the Investment Portfolio and Main Risks to the Programme ref: 1350 For Determination
Decision Maker: Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Made at meeting: 29/10/2024 - Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee
Decision published: 30/10/2024
Effective from: 29/10/2024
Decision:
The Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee:
a) Considered the performance indicators for the asset management of the Commercial Investment Portfolio for Q1 2024/2025 as shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the report.
b) Considered the main risks to the programme set out under paragraph 13 of the report.
18/07/2024 - Declarations of Interest ref: 1152 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
None.
18/07/2024 - Apologies for Absence ref: 1151 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
Apologies were received from Co-opted Member Paul Hooper.
18/07/2024 - Code of Conduct Complaints 2024/2025 - Quarterly Update - Q1 ref: 1156 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
The Monitoring Officer reported on the complaints which alleged breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct within Quarter 1 2024-25. Members noted a spike in June 2024 which had been caused by multiple complaints about the same incident.
During the discussion that followed members queried if there was a better way for members of staff/clerks to be supported before they made a formal complaint against a Councillor.
With regard to formal hearings of the standards Complaint Sub Committee Members said they all wished to be kept informed with the details of the hearing. It was noted that such a hearing would be held in public.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
18/07/2024 - Code of Conduct Complaints - 2023/2024 Annual Review ref: 1155 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
The Monitoring Officer reported the Council had dealt with 88 complaints which alleged breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct. These were made up of 59 separate incidents. May 2023 had seen a particularly high number of complaints. However, the overall number of complaints was in line with the volumes that had been predicted ahead of Vesting Day.
During the discussion that followed members said the report had been helpful. Members noted some of the complaints were from Councillors complaining about each other, rather than complaints from members of the public. The Monitoring Officer said that it would be possible for further analysis of these in order to know whether anything could be done to prevent them.
Members further said they would be interested to see more detail on the 11 complaints that were upheld. Members were also interested to have analysis done to show any patterns, such as multiple complaints about the same incident.
In response to queries the Monitoring Officer confirmed that if a Somerset Councillor refused to carry out training which had been recommended by the Standards Committee then the issue could be referred back to the Committee. However, if a Parish Councillor refused to carry out such training then the Parish Council, as the sovereign council in that instance would need to consider other sanctions in accordance with their own Code of Conduct.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
18/07/2024 - Public Question Time ref: 1154 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
None.
18/07/2024 - Standards Committee Objectives, Work Programme and Priority Group ref: 1157 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 18/07/2024 - Standards Committee
Decision published: 28/10/2024
Effective from: 18/07/2024
Decision:
The Chair explained there had been a workshop session to look at actions/priorities for the Standards Committee over the next year.
Previously, the Standards Committee had agreed the following 6 objectives:
a) Has responsibility for promoting high standards of conduct by Members, Co-opted Members and Officers and for the policies and processes which support this aim.
b) Advises on the induction and training of Members and Co-opted Members on standards of conduct.
c) Monitors the operation of the Members’ Code of Conduct and recommends any changes considered necessary to the Code to the Council for approval.
d) Has responsibility for overseeing the Code of Conduct for officers and recommending any changes considered necessary to the Council for approval
e) Manages the members’ and officers’ registers of interests and gifts / hospitality;
f) Monitors the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy and make recommendations to the Council in respect of any proposed changes. The Committee has no role in Appendix 1 considering or determining member complaints as this role falls to the Monitoring Officer.
The Priority Groups were made up as follows:
Priority Group One: Councillor John Bailey, Councillor Brian Smedley, Councillor Frances Nicholson, David Stripp and Paul Hooper.
Priority Group Two: Councillor Frances Nicholson (chair), Robin Horton and Alan Hemsley.
Priority Group Three: Councillor Hugh Davies, Councillor Martin Dimery (chair) and Sally Foster.
Co-opted Member David Stripp said he had been part of the Group who had been tasked with researching the complaint process. The Group had devised a questionnaire to get feedback from those who had lodged complaints. The Group hoped the questionnaire would help the Council to improve the service.
During the discussion that followed the Committee welcomed the questionnaire including the suggested changes that had been made to the draft which was circulated at the meeting.
Further suggestions included:
· The question about how straight forward the complaints form had been should be graded 1 – 5, rather than yes/no
· The question about response times should be changed to read something like did you get a response within 5 days, and if not, how long did it take?
· The column referring to complaints against an officer of Somerset Council should be removed
The Monitoring Officer offered to help the Group work on the detail of the questionnaire.
RESOLVED
1. That the actions/priorities for the Standards Committee be:
Action |
By whom |
By when |
1. Review the Officer’s Code of Conduct |
Monitoring Officer |
January 2025 |
2. Complaints Report: 2.1 Ongoing Review 2.2 Refresh Code of Conduct Training 2.3 SALC to be involved with Standards Committee 2.4 Support Package for Parish Councils 2.5 Cross Reference analysis of complaints 2.6 Detail to be recorded of upheld complaints
|
Priority Group 1 Priority Group 2
Scott Wooldridge
Scott Wooldridge
Monitoring Officer
Monitoring Officer |
The next meeting |
3. To consider whether to include Co-opted Members on Complaints hearings |
Priority Group 2 |
Next meeting |
4. Petition for review of structure (national) |
Scott Wooldridge |
Next meeting |
5. Hearing Sub Committee – information to be sent to all Standard Committee Members |
Monitoring Officer |
Ongoing |
6. Date of next meeting |
Scott Wooldridge |
ASAP |
2. That the Monitoring Officer work with Co-opted Member David Stripp to amend the draft questionnaire as discussed.
21/10/2024 - Transform Family View ref: 1349 Implemented
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee received a presentation and demonstration on Transform Family View – around using data to support integrated working across the partnership.
Noted the huge potential - and is an excellent piece of work.
Agreed that would be useful for an all member briefing to be arranged.
Lead officer: Richard Selwyn
21/10/2024 - Items for Information - Standing Item ref: 1337 Implemented
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee noted the following items for information:
(a) Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report – circulated on 19 September 2024
(b) Funding and provision for children with additional needs - consultation – circulated on 26 September 2024
(c) Somerset Children & Young People’s Plan – circulated on 10 October 2024
21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families Work Programme ref: 1339 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee received and noted the Committee’s current work programme, outcome tracker and the Executive Forward Plan of planned key decisions in the coming months including Executive meetings.
It was agreed that the following items will be added to the work plan:
- LGSCO complaints directed to Somerset – December mtg
- Supported internships
- DoE strategically (successes)
- Role of LCN’s / City / Town / Parish Councils in provision of youth support
Noted that all Cllr’s have received basic DBS checks – officers are looking into issue of enhanced checks.
21/10/2024 - Public Question Time ref: 1345 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
There were no questions asked, statements made or petitions presented.
21/10/2024 - Minutes from the Meeting held on Wednesday 18 September 2024 ref: 1340 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families held on Monday 21 October 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.
21/10/2024 - Apologies for Absence ref: 1346 Information Only
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
Apologies were received from Councillor John Hunt and from Rev’d Tobie Osmond and Mary Cox – co-opted members. Ruth Hobbs (co-opted member) attended the meeting remotely.
21/10/2024 - Funding and provision for children with additional needs - feedback on consultation ref: 1347 Implemented
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee received a presentation outlining this consultation and received an update on the responses received as at 21 October 2024
The Executive will be considering recommendations at the meeting on 4 November 2024 which will also include proposals about monitoring.
Agreed that the Sufficiency Strategy will be added to work plan and as an agenda item at December mtg.
The Committee was generally supportive of the proposals and plans; has concerns about how will be implemented; need to be child focussed; like to be kept up dated – item to March ’25 meeting.
Lead officer: Amelia Walker
21/10/2024 - SWAP Audit on Education Health and Care Plan Payments ref: 1348 Implemented
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee received a presentation on the recent audit of EHCP payments (copy of audit report).
The audit on Inclusion financial management and control will be circulated when available, for information.
Noted looking to change systems and highlighted timescales. The Chair will write to Executive around concerns.
Lead officer: Amelia Walker
21/10/2024 - Children's Services - Budget Monitoring update - Month 5 ref: 1344 Implemented
Decision Maker: Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Made at meeting: 21/10/2024 - Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families
Decision published: 25/10/2024
Effective from: 21/10/2024
Decision:
The Committee received a presentation on the budget position as at the end of Month 5.
It was agreed that:
(a) officers will produce explanation paper on differences between residential / IMS.
(b) officers will provide breakdown of placements out of county by ages for CLA.
Lead officer: Christian Evans
22/10/2024 - Planning Application 14/02554/OUT and 15/03942/FUL - Land at Upper Mudford, Primrose Lane, Yeovil, Somerset. ref: 1341 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning Committee - South
Made at meeting: 22/10/2024 - Planning Committee - South
Decision published: 23/10/2024
Effective from: 22/10/2024
Decision:
Resolved
That planning application 14/02554/OUT to approve an outline application for development of a Sustainable Urban Extension to comprise up to 765 dwellings (Use Class C3), 65 bed care home (Use Class C2), employment land (Use Class E), retail units (Use Class E (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii) and hot food takeaway), community building (Use Class F2), health care facility (Use Class E(e)), primary school playing pitches, landscaping, open space and drainage infrastructure, access and associated highway works (GR 357198/118268) at Land at Upper Mudford, Primrose Lane, Yeovil, Somerset be APPROVED subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Planning Obligation/Agreement and the stated planning conditions, as per the amended recommendation set out in the Officer’s presentation:
Whilst the Council considers the proposal to be in conflict with particular policies within the Development Plan, namely elements of YV2 and the requirements of HG3, the Council's lack of a five-year housing land supply and the assessment of material considerations lends significant weight when considering the ‘planning balance’. In this case, the site is located in a sustainable location with access to a range of services and facilities. The proposal is not considered to result in such a significant and adverse impact upon the landscape, visual amenity, residential amenity, highway safety, flood risk/drainage or ecology/biodiversity as to justify a refusal of planning permission. Therefore, in terms of the 'planning balance', it is considered that there are no adverse impacts that would 'significantly and demonstrably' outweigh the benefits of providing up to 765 dwellings, a neighbourhood centre, employment land and a care home with public open space, community, play and recreation facilities in this sustainable location. The environmental information submitted with this application has been taken into account as part of the consideration of this application and in formulating the officer recommendation and by Members in deciding to grant outline planning permission. ?
The proposal is considered to be in accordance with Policies SD1, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, YV1, YV2, YV5, EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, EQ4, EQ5, EQ6, EQ7, HG5, HG6, TA1, TA3, TA4, TA5, TA6 and HW1 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028, and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.
Voting: Unanimous in favour
Resolved
That planning application 15/03942/FUL to approve an application for engineering works to create two attenuation basins and a landscape buffer to support application 14/02554/OUT at Land at Upper Mudford, Primrose Lane, Yeovil, Somerset be APPROVED subject to the stated planning conditions as per Recommendation 1 of the officer’s report.
Voting: Unanimous in favour
22/10/2024 - Planning application 20/02014/REM - Land At Head Street, Tintinhull, Yeovil, Somerset. ref: 1343 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning Committee - South
Made at meeting: 22/10/2024 - Planning Committee - South
Decision published: 23/10/2024
Effective from: 22/10/2024
Decision:
Resolved
That planning application 22/02014/REM to approve a reserved matters application pursuant to condition 1 (appearance, landscaping and scale) and condition 5 (biodiversity enhancements) of outline planning approval 16/04608/OUT for the erection of 28 dwellings and associated works at Land At Head Street, Tintinhull, Yeovil, Somerset be APPROVED subject to the prior completion of a Deed of Variation, and the Planning Obligation/Agreement and the stated planning conditions.
Voting: 5 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention,
22/10/2024 - Planning Application 22/01598/OUT - Land South Of High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset. ref: 1342 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning Committee - South
Made at meeting: 22/10/2024 - Planning Committee - South
Decision published: 23/10/2024
Effective from: 22/10/2024
Decision:
Resolved
That planning application 22/01598/OUT to approve an outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the creation of commercial buildings under Use Class B2 and B8 at Land South Of High Street , Sparkford, Yeovil be APPROVED subject to a S106 to secure a Travel Plan, and the negotiation of an additional planning condition to control overnight parking on the site if appropriate, the details of which to be delegated to the Planning Service in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee South.
Voting: 6 in favour, 2 against.