Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 7^th November 2018 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cathy Bakewell, John Field, Nigel Gage, Tony Lock and Wes Read.

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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Mike Lock, Tony Lock and David Recardo.

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.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that Helen Rutter, Communities Lead was leaving the Authority at the end of the year and wished to thank her for all her hard work and commitment to Area South Committee.  Members reiterated their thanks and wished Helen all the very best for the future.   

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

Councillor John Clark informed members that they were within £15,000 of the sum required to start build on the Westfield Community Hall and would continue fundraising.  He hoped that demolition would start before Christmas and wished to thank Area South Committee and officers for all their help and support.

Councillor Rob Stickland informed members of the current situation with the SCC Youth Service as it is due to close in January 2019.

Andy Coupe, Somerset County Council’s Strategic Manager Infrastructure Programmes with the aid of slides presented members with an update of the Programme of Works.

He updated members on the works in progress and gave an overview of the future programme including:

·         Huge progress had been made at Lysander Road roundabout following the opportunity to undertake night works which has helped to accelerate the programme. The signals/lighting have been erected ahead of schedule and the signals would be commissioned before Christmas.

·         Good progress was being made at Westlands Roundabout with Cartgate resurfacing on schedule.  The final surfacing on the roundabout has also been completed and works were ongoing to complete the road markings.   This was the next set of traffic signals to be completed and expected switch on would be early in 2019.  

·         At Copse Road, excellent progress with night works elsewhere had afforded the opportunity to undertake night works to remove the old road surface, lay a new surface and install ducting for traffic lights.  Signals and Lighting installation would commence shortly, and the signals would be commissioned early 2019. 

·         The works at Bluebell Roundabout were largely complete with finishing works ongoing.  The interim road safety audit had been completed.  The scheme designer was currently considering the report and any appropriate measures which need to be undertaken.

·         The Stourton Way toucan crossing was now largely complete. Street Lighting works were continuing to disconnect the existing columns on the northern section of cycleway and install supplies to the new columns located within the green areas.

·         The Preston Road roundabout would be the focus of works once the Westland and Lysander works were complete. Works on Lufton Way associated with drainage and road construction would complete before Christmas when the associated road closure will be lifted.  Works have commenced on the strengthened embankment on the Asda corner of the junction.

He said there were about 80 staff working on the programme and that the full benefits of the scheme would only be achieved once all works had been complete.   He pointed out that as with any new junction or road layout, the changes would take time to get used to particularly the Westlands roundabout and that they would continue to explore opportunities to accelerate the works were possible. 

During discussion the Strategic Manager Infrastructure Programmes noted the comments from members and responded to questions including:

·         The configuration of the signals at the Copse Road Junction to facilitate movements from Stourton Way (North). 

·         The dropped kerb at the new exit from Asda on Bunford Lane and understood this to be a temporary pedestrian feature that would be removed when the works in that area were completed.

·         Landscape works at the Preston Road junction would be undertaken at the end of the programme would be undertaken at the end of the programme once all other works had been completed.

·         Concern regarding the surfacing of the Stourton Way cycle/footway.  It was noted that surface had been laid to the required specification, though it was likely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The Locality Manager presented the report and with the aid of a powerpoint slide highlighted to members the priorities identified by members of the Area South to be presented to District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan due to go to Full Council in February 2019.

He explained the next step was to produce delivery plans and identify the key people to lead on these and become part of the Area + teams.

During discussion the Locality Manager and Lead Specialist Strategic Planning noted the comments from members and responded to questions including:

·         Acknowledged that new initiatives and priorities would continue to emerge throughout the year, however with a new leaner organisation there was the need to align the resources with delivery of the Council plan. There would of course be some flexibility of resources but this has yet to be finalised and will be allocated according to need.

·         Appreciated the requirement for leisure and tourism and the promotion of healthy lifestyles nonetheless believe the full Council Plan adequately covers as a Council wide priority.

·         Agreed to investigate the current position of the family history centre and inform the member direct with further details.

There being no further debate members agreed the priorities for the Area to be presented to District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan.

RESOLVED:

That members agreed the priorities for the Area to be presented to District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan.

(voting: unanimous)

 (voting: unanimous)

The Communities Lead presented the report and explained to members:

·         The partnership focus was the promotion of the line and Yeovil ‘day out’.

·         Continued funding from GWR and commitment toward links from station, however expected delays owing to SCC and hoped this would be a commitment brought forward in 2019/20.

·         New chairperson now in place for partnership who will be looking at objectives of the partnership as explained in the agenda report.

·         Highlighted the service performance problems and with the support of the Chief Executive of SSDC, a letter and further discussion to take place questioning the plans to reinstate regular service on the line.

During a short discussion, members voiced their concerns regarding the unreliability of the service as this was a priority and agreed to its continued support of the partnership.  It was then proposed that members approve the funding contribution of £1,000 to the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That Members:

1)      Noted the service issues that have affected the line.

2)     Noted the work undertaken by the Partnership in 2017/18 and that a similar report is being taken to Area East Committee.

3)     Approved a funding contribution of £1,000 from the Transport Scheme Grants budget for 2018/19.

(voting: unanimous)

The Communities Lead presented the report and updated members that:

·         The Area Plan report be taken out from February as it had been brought today’s committee.

·         The Western Corridor Update quarterly report be included for the March committee.

·         Further discussions to take place with SCC Education to bring forward a report regarding the future demand and requirements for Education in Yeovil.  This will be brought to committee in the New Year.

Councillor Graham Oakes asked that a report be brought to committee regarding the Yeovil Eastern Corridor Improvement works to give members an opportunity to feedback and discuss the ongoing problems and issues of the scheme.  

(Voting: Without dissent)

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

Proposal: The erection of 1 commercial unit and the erection of an extension to existing unit with associated parking and turning facilities.

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and explained to members the reason the application is presented to committee was that the Council is part-owner of part of the site.

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she proceeded to show the site and proposed plans.  She also updated members that a request had been received from the applicant requesting that the landscaping condition be amended to ‘pre occupation’ rather than ‘pre-commencement’ as they were very keen to start work on site as soon as possible.  She was happy to agree this amendment.

In conclusion she referred to the key consideration being the principle of development, protection of Ecology/Trees and Highways and concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her recommendation was therefore to approve the application and the conditions as set out in the agenda report with the amendment to condition 05 regarding landscaping of the site.

In response to a members’ question the Area Lead Planner confirmed that all existing trees were protected with no further trees to be removed from the site.

The agent then addressed the committee and said this proposal would provide extra commercial space for a successful local firm and help the expansion of other businesses in the area.  He voiced his disappointment at the considerable length of time it has taken for a decision to be made on this application and asked that the committee make further amendments to the conditions in order for his client to be able to commence work immediately without further delay and help put new jobs in the town. 

In response the Area Lead Planner acknowledged the length of time the application had taken to be brought to committee, however explained the trees on site would need to be fully protected before any work starts on site and reiterated her agreement to amend the landscape condition as previously stated.  She gave her commitment to work with the applicant to bring forward any discharge of conditions as quickly as possible and agreed to inform the Area South committee the time taken for work to commence on site.

Following a short debate members agreed to adjourn the meeting to seek legal advice on the request to make amendments to the proposed conditions of the application.

Following the break the Senior Planning Lawyer advised members that it would not be appropriate at this time to re-negotiate changes to the conditions of the application with the agent, other than those amendments previously stated and agreed with by the Area Lead Planner regarding the landscape condition. She explained conditions were drafted for good reason, for example to ensure the protection of the trees and in guidance with relevant officers; they should not be altered at this time.

Ward member, Councillor Peter Seib voiced his support of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.