Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings held on 22 April 2015 and 21 May 2015.

The minutes of the meetings held on 22 April 2015 and 21 May 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 Terry Mounter, Shane Pledger, Sylvia Seal and Paul Thompson.

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.

Councillors Tiffany Osborne and Derek Yeomans each declared a personal interest in planning application 15/01502/FUL as they are also members of Curry Rivel Parish Council.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 July 2015 at the Edgar Hall, Somerton (to be confirmed).

Members noted that the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 July 2015 at the Edgar Hall, Somerton.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman welcomed new members of the committee and thanked previous members for their work and commitment. He noted a letter of gratitude would be sent to all the retired councillors.

The Chairman also informed members of the news that Tony Fife, a councillor who had served for many years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Councillor Derek Yeomans noted that a member of the public had asked him to draw members attention to the last meeting of the Abattoir Liaison Group where a complaint had been received about noise at the abattoir. Since the meeting monitoring had taken place and found noise levels to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Assistant Highway Service Manager presented his report as detailed in the agenda, and noted that several updates had been left with the Committee Administrator to circulate as necessary.

In response to a comment about an issue in Isle Brewers regarding works to a highway that was understood not to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Streetscene Manager summarised the report as shown in the agenda. He highlighted to members the work of the team and other key points including:

·         The team were currently in the middle of the weed-spraying programme – on course for two full treatments a years

·         It was hoped to further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Area Development Manager (North) introduced the report as shown in the agenda and gave a comprehensive presentation which included information about:

·         The work of the team and Area North priorities for 2014/15

·         Statistical information about the service

·         Community projects including examples of success stories

·         Summer children’s holiday play schemes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

The Area Development Manager (North) introduced the report and explained that members were advised to defer making appointments to the Somerset Waterways Advisory Committee and the Levels & Moors Task Force, pending future funding arrangements for the new Somerset Rivers Authority.

During discussion it was also agreed to defer making an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

(Voting: 11 in favour, 2 against)

The Committee made the appointment of members to serve as the substitutes for the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

The following updates to the Area North Committee Forward Plan were agreed:-

·         Area North Development Plan – Review of Priorities – moved to September 2015

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

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

Proposal: Proposed erection of a 2 bedroom dwelling.

The Planning Officer presented the report as detailed in the agenda, and briefly reminded members of the neighbouring site where the previous committee had granted permission about a year ago.

Mr M Williams, agent, commented the location was an infill plot and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Proposal: Proposed erection of an agriculturally tied dwelling.

The Planning Officer presented the application as shown in the agenda report which was for a fairly large four bedroom dwelling. He explained that the main reason for the recommendation of refusal was because it was felt there was not currently adequate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Proposal: Erection of an attached single storey annexe.

The Planning Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and explained that the proposal was considered to be of poor design. It was felt the proposal, with two en-suite bedrooms, in effect equated to a new dwelling.

Mr B Bristow,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Proposal: Install a dual pitch roof to replace an existing flat roof and erect a rear extension.

The Planning Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda report. He highlighted to members the application was at committee solely due to the applicant’s position within SSDC and not for any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Proposal: Demolition of existing single storey flat roofed extension and outbuilding, alterations and erection of a two storey extension.

The Planning Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda report. He highlighted to members this application was also at committee solely due to the applicant’s position within SSDC and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.