Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 29 June 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tiffany Osborne, Shane Pledger and Sylvia Seal.

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, Shane Pledger 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.

Councillor Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest regarding planning application 16/01819/FUL as he is also a member of Somerton Town Council.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 August at a venue to be confirmed.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 August, at a venue to be confirmed.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that she:

·         had attended a very positive Area North Regeneration Board meeting prior to the committee meeting.

·         Hoped to arrange an annual meeting for Clerks and Chairs of Town and parish councils in Area North.

Councillor Sue Steele noted she and the Area Development Lead North had attended a meeting with the Police Beat Manager, and they had suggested that the Sergeant, or a representative, attended Area North Committee around November.

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer presented the report as shown in the agenda which detailed signed Section 106 agreements relating to development within Area North.  He highlighted key changes in legislation since the last report with regard to contributions from schemes of 10 dwellings or less, and reminded members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Area Development Lead North presented the report as shown in the agenda which set out the work being planned and undertaken locally by the Council across Area North based on needs analysis, councillor and community concerns and priorities. She encouraged members to make contact with the Area Development Team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Assistant Director noted several updates to the Forward Plan:

·         Highways Update – confirmed for August

·         Rural Housing Needs – confirmed for September

·         Rural Transport – confirmed for November

·         Review of Area North Committee Arrangements – to be added for December

She also made reference to the Annual Parish Meeting,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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: Application to vary Conditions 2,3,4,6,7,8,9 and 10 of approval 13/04943/FUL to regularise the existing development ; 2 additional touring vans; external lighting; turning and parking area and hardstanding; landscaping schedule;1 additional storage container materials and the substitution of plans.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Proposal: Proposed demolition of two existing agricultural buildings and the erection of two replacement agricultural buildings.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report. He updated members that since the agenda had been published, a letter of support had been received detailing that farms should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Proposal: Conversion of a double garage into a one bedroom dwelling (retrospective).

The Planning Officer presented the application, and reminded members why the application had been deferred at a previous meeting. He updated members that since the application was previously considered, the applicant had supplied an Epitome of Title which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Proposal: Erection of Commercial Building under Use Class B2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes Order) 1987.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report, and explained the complicated outline of the application due to the other industrial unit permissions already granted. She highlighted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.