Decisions

That planning application 2024/0906/LBC be DEFERRED so that the applicant can consider an alternative option.

Votes – 5 for, 3 against

That planning application 2024/0334/REM be APPROVED as per Officer recommendation and two further conditions.

Vote - Unanimous

That planning application 2024/1164/FUL be REFUSED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, as there was an adverse impact on the landscape character.

Votes – 6 for, 4 against

On the evidence before it, having considered all the circumstances, the Sub-Committee grants the application for a new premises licence as applied for, together with the submitted operating schedule, subject to the terminal hour for live and amplified music being 23:00, provided that the noise management plan is completed and provided to the Licensing Team at the earliest opportunity.

That planning application 2023/1515/OUT be DEFERRED subject to clarification that the means of access as proposed can be provided without requiring land owned by a third party other than the highway authority.

Votes - 8 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention

The Planning Application 2023/1625/FUL be APPROVED as per officer recommendation and one further condition.

Votes – 8 in favour, 2 abstentions

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor David Fothergill.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to agree the proposed Council Size submission to the LGBCE, as endorsed and recommended by the Constitution and Governance Committee.

Councillor David Fothergill proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor John Hunt.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

·       Send a letter from Councillor Bill Revans, Council Leader, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling on the Government to postpone cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and for an impact assessment to be undertaken.

·       Commit the Council to signing the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.

·       Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners in Somerset were supported in claiming their entitlement.

·       Work with our Voluntary Charity Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) partners to ensure that a substantial proportion of the Household Support Fund available from 1st October 2024 until 31st March 2025 was spent, awarded and utilised to help people in Somerset who were struggling with fuel poverty.

Councillor Heather Shearer proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Andy Hadley.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

1.    Continue focus on an expanded corporate parenting responsibility following the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in May 2024 – see Background Papers.

2.    Support and promote a whole council approach to create practical and specific offers following the decision to view Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic

3.    Extend its thanks to the Somerset Care Council’s young people for all the hard work that they had undertaken.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor David Fothergill.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

      i.         Approve the following appointments as co-opted members on the Harbour Management Advisory Committee:

·       Neil Adams

·       Nick Dunsby

·       Stuart Scorgie

·       Richard Parsons

     ii.         Approve the appointment of Councillor Claire Sully as the Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Adults and Health.

    iii.         Approve the appointment of Alison Wyatt as an employer’s representative on the Pension Fund Board.

Councillor Ross Henley proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Tim Kerley.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

1)    Approve the proposed changes to Part I1-Senior Management Structure (see Appendix A).

2)    Approve the proposed changes to Part I2 – Officer Scheme of Delegation set out in Appendix B2.

3)    Approve the proposed changes to Part I3-Statutory and Proper Officers; and

4)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make the necessary changes to the Constitution.

Councillor Ross Henley proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Tim Kerley.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to approve that the Contract Procedure Rules and Standing Orders were adopted into the Council’s Constitution as replacement for the current Section I6 with effect from the date that the Procurement Act 2023 was live – currently 24th February 2025.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Liz Leyshon.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

2.1Note the new structure for the Council’s senior leadership team as set out in Appendix A.

2.2Approve the dismissal by reason of redundancy of the Service Director Legal, Governance and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer) as per the recommendation of the Special Members Panel and delegate authority to the Chief Executive to agree the final date of dismissal and the final redundancy payment (in line with contractual entitlements).

2.3With effect from the date of dismissal by reason of redundancy of the Service Director Legal, Governance and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer), Council appointed and designated Alyn Jones, Executive Director – Resources, Strategy and Transformation as the Council’s Monitoring Officer on an interim basis until the appointment of a permanent Monitoring Officer.

2.4Approve the redundancy costs for the posts as set out in Appendix B, as Full Council approval was required for costs that exceeded £100,000 and delegated authority to the Chief Executive to agree the final date of dismissal and the final redundancy packages, noting that such settlements would not exceed contractual redundancy pay or the payment required under statute to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Resolved:

That planning application 24/01665/HOU to consider an application for the demolition of conservatory and erection of single-storey rear extension together with loft conversion, internal alterations and open porch at Kings Gatchell, Higher Street, West Chinnock, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 7QA be APPROVED.

Voting: 7 in favour

Resolved:

That planning application 24/01469/FUL to consider an application for Erection of self-build dwelling, formation of new access and landscaping with retention of existing cottage for ancillary and incidental use at Raymonds Farm, Underhill, Pen Selwood, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8LL be APPROVED.

Voting: 7 in favour

Resolved:

That planning application 23/02258/OUT to consider an outline application with some matters reserved except access for the erection of up to 46 dwellings with associated works including the formation of a vehicular access, provision of open space and landscaping on land west of South Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7NY be DEFERRED for the following reasons:

1.    Provide further information in terms of a case law decision and its relevance to this application

2.    Consider the Policy position in terms of potential conflicts with EQ2, EQ3 and SF5

3.    Further information to be provided in terms of the conservation area and location of the site relative to the setting

4.    Further detail to be presented to members in terms of the LVIA

Voting: 7 in favour

Resolved:

That planning application 22/02814/FUL to consider an application for full planning permission for the erection of 29 dwellings, formation of vehicular and pedestrian access from Station Road, landscaping, parking, drainage and other associated infrastructure works at Land Os 6200, Land East of Station Road, Castle Cary, Somerset be APPROVED.

Voting: Unanimous in favour

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, subject to S106 and travel plan on land South Of, High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset be DEFERRED to the next meeting for the following reason:

The Planning Officer advised that there are errors within the report and outstanding consultation responses.

Voting: 8 in favour, 1 abstention

The Committee received and noted the presentation which outlined details of the audit requested by the Director of Children’s Services. This audit had been initiated because of complaints made by parents about delays in the Education Health and Care Plan payments process.

It was agreed that the action plan will be shared, and the audit report will be considered at the next meeting of the Committee on 21 October 2024.

The Committee noted the following items for information:

(a)2023 KS4 and KS2 outcomes / performance for each MAT – circulated on 8 August 2024

(b)Somerset Council Engagement and Participation AR for 2023-2024 – circulated on 12 August 2024

The next meeting will be held on is on Monday 21 October 2024 at 10am and will be held in the JMR, Deane House, Taunton.

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.

Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families held on Wednesday 7 August 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

The following declaration of interest was made at the meeting:-

(a)  Cllr P Clayton – non-pecuniary – agenda item 9 refers – is a Consultant independent Panel member Adopt South West

The Committee received a presentation on the deep dive undertaken on Children Looked After and areas being explored and further areas to explore.

Agreed that the Executive Director will write to the President of the Family Division formally and ask support in trying to reduce the length of time Court proceedings are taking, as there are judicial areas, including Taunton which are taking longer than other areas.

The Committee received and noted the update from Cllr E Potts-Jones on recent work undertaken by the Standing Panel for Education Standards.

The next meeting of the Panel will be on 13 November 2024 and all committee members are welcome to attend. The notes from the meetings will now be shared with committee members.

The Committee received a presentation which provided an update on the budget position for Children’s Services – Month 4 (2024/25).

The Council is asking for views on proposals which aim to ensure provision for children with additional needs – the consultation runs to 18 October 2024 and will be discussed at the October meeting of the Committee.

The DSG Deficit Management Plan will be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee noted the update position.

The Committee received and noted the report from the meeting of the Regional Adoption Agency Joint Scrutiny Group, held on 25 July 2024 and the Groups’ current Terms of Reference.

Agreed that the Chair, Vice Chair, Cllr Nicolson and the Executive Director will meet to review the terms of reference, with a view to formulating a response which will then be shared with the Committee.

It was noted that there will need to be further discussion by the Scrutiny Group about the terms of reference and its review by the Strategic Board before the Scrutiny Group can sign it off.

Further to the meeting held on 13 September 2023, the Committee received and noted the update on the recommendations made by the External Placements Task and Finish Group.

Further to the meeting held on 7 August 2024, the Committee received an update presentation on the Somerset Joint Targeted Area Inspection of the multi-agency response to serious youth violence in Somerset.

The Executive Director advised the multi-agency action plan needs to be signed off by Ofsted before it can be brought into the public domain.

Noted that once the action plan is formally published, the SSCP has responsibility for its implementation.

It was agreed that the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, will contact the ICB with regard to concerns about the implementation time for single system; and the Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, regarding the action re police intelligence and sharing of information, for her views / plans to improve the system.

The Committee will receive an update in 3 months (February 2025).

Agreed will present the work on ‘Transform’ in Somerset to a future meeting of the Committee.