Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 17 May 2018 and 27 June 2018.

The minutes of previous meetings held on 17 May 2018 and 27 June 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

All members of the Committee were present at the meeting.

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 Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Clare Aparicio Paul, Neil Bloomfield and Sylvia Seal.

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.

Councillors Neil Bloomfield and Graham Middleton both declared a personal interest for planning application 18/00143/OUT as they are also members of Martock Parish Council.

Councillor Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest for planning application 17/04121/FUL as he is also a member of Somerton Town Council.

Just before item 12 was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 August 2018 at the Edgar Hall, Somerton.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 August 2018, at the Edgar Hall in Somerton.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairmen informed members that four new graduate interns were present for part of the meeting to observe proceedings.

Councillor Neil Bloomfield provided a brief update following a recent meeting of the Police & Crime Panel, and noted there had been some discussion about PCSOs possibly being provided with electric bicycles in the near future. In response to a comment, he explained that PCSOs would not have any additional powers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Environmental Services Manager presented the report as detailed in the agenda, and highlighted key points including:

·         Been an unusual year due to the extremes of weather with snow earlier in the year and currently the heatwave.

·         Provision for dealing with litter in lay-bys and the central reservation along the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Communities Lead reminded Committee that a briefing note had been circulated to members regarding evaluation and feedback from the Annual Area North Parish Meeting.

She informed members of the following additions to the Forward Plan:

·         An update report around October regarding the impact of closing the Langport Community Office.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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

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

Proposal: The erection of a single dwellinghouse (Outline application with all matters reserved).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He explained the indicative plans for the site which showed all of the existing trees were to be retained. He explained that the existing access was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Proposal: Alterations to include demolition of 2 No. buildings and the erection of 1 No. dwelling (live / work unit).

The Area Lead presented the application and updated members that agent details were incorrectly shown on the printed agenda and advised of the correct details. Members were informed that comments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.