Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 October 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors, Neil Bloomfield, Graham Middleton and Dean Ruddle.

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 Clare Aparicio Paul and Sylvia Seal.

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.

As the applicant for planning application 16/04421/FUL, Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI).

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting will be held earlier than normal due to Christmas. The next meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 14 December 2016 at a venue to be confirmed.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 14 December, at the Edgar Hall in Somerton.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman thanked everyone who had voted for Langport in the Great British High Street Awards, and noted results would be announced on 12 December.

The Chairman noted the by-election for Turn Hill Ward was the following day and she looked forward to welcoming the new councillor to Area North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Councillor Sue Steele referred to some parishes in her ward that had attended a recent training event for small parishes regarding cemeteries and graveyards. The event had been very useful and might be of interest to other parishes.

The Chairman welcomed Angela Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice South Somerset (CASS) to the meeting, who provided members with a presentation about the work and future development of CASS. The presentation included information about:

·         Aims and principles of CASS

·         Vision and service charter

·         The type of help provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and explained by the funding was being sought.

In response to a comment made during a brief discussion about the lack of funding from other sources, the Clerk for Somerton Town Council explained that over recent years the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

The Area Development Lead (North) presented the report as detailed in the agenda and reminded members of the Area North priorities. She provided a short presentation highlighting examples of work and projects supported by the team, and to show the progress of some community projects.

During discussion members expressed their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

The Assistant Director (Communities) informed members of the following changes to the Area North Committee Forward Plan:

·      An annual report on Welfare Advice would be on the agenda for January

·      The Annual Area North Meeting on 9 Feb 2017 is now a confirmed date

·      Reports for the Streetscene service and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

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

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

Proposal: Proposed church car park and erection of a dwelling (revised scheme).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting that land within the blue line to the East would be used as overflow parking for the church, and that a pathway to the north to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

(Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul, having declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) left the meeting prior to the presentation and consideration of this planning application.)

Proposal: Change of use and laying of concrete base for temporary siting of pony shelter.

The Planning Officer, on behalf of the case officer, presented the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.