Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil.

Contact: Jo Boucher, Case Services Officer (Support Services) - 01935 462011  Email: jo.boucher@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

51.

Minutes of previous meeting

To approve the minutes of the Area South Committee held on Wednesday 5th December 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 5th December 2018 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

52.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Graham Oakes.

53.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Gina Seaton declared a personal interest as she is a member of the West Coker Parish Council.

 

Councillor Sarah Lindsay declared a personal interest in Item 11 Planning Application 18/01704/FUL as she knows a local resident.

54.

Public question time

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

55.

Chairman's announcements

Minutes:

There were no Chairman’s Announcements.

56.

Reports from representatives on outside organisations

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

Minutes:

Councillor John Clark informed members that Hammond Builders had won the contract for the demolition of the existing Westfield Community Hall with the project aiming to be complete by November 2019.

 

 

57.

Citizens Advice South Somerset (CASS) pdf icon PDF 40 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Angela Kerr, Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Advice South Somerset to the meeting.  With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she informed members of the work and future development of Citizens Advice South Somerset.  Points mentioned during her presentation included the following:

·         In 2017/18 CASS helped 5,784 people with the main area being Welfare Benefits, others included Debt, Employment, Family and Housing.

·         Key Statistics in Area South 2018/19 with the main client issues around benefits, tax credits and council tax arrears.

·         New this year included:

·         the ‘Winter Line’ a multi-agency event connecting up support for people over the winter especially identifying the needs for the elderly.

·         Working with students at Yeovil College to help engage and show how CASS can help young people.

 

·      Assist Advice Pathway – A specialist service assisting people with acute mental health support needs during their recovery and resettlement.

 

·      Advice for people Living with Cancer and identifying any difficulties especially people who claim Universal Credit.  The service is funded by Macmillan which ends in December however hopeful this service will continue.

 

·      Homelessness Reduction Act – 60 referrals since April – Addressing debt and poverty for clients in housing need – partnership with SSDC.

 

·      How clients access the services and investment in the digital services. Since April the service had handled over 1000 cases by email or web map.

 

In conclusion she explained to members the current situation regarding the Somerset County Council cuts to the core funding of the service and the disappointment and impact this may have of the future of the service and the public.

 

A copy of the powerpoint presentation will be circulated to members with the draft minutes of this meeting.

 

During discussion members raised comments including the following:

 

·         Voiced disappointment of SCC regarding the cuts to the core funding of CASS but were happy that SSDC were requesting that the District Executive agree a one off additional financial contribution to mitigate the worst effects of the cuts. 

·         More support and advice was needed for some people on Universal Credit who were struggling to cope and manage their money responsibly.

 

The Chairman thanked Angela Kerr, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice South Somerset for attending the meeting.

 

58.

Area South Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Minutes:

The Case Officer, Support Services presented the report and updated members that:

 

·         The Western Corridor Update quarterly report be included for the March committee.  She said Andy Coupe SCC Strategic Manager Infrastructure Programmes would be available from 1.30pm to allow members to speak to him prior to the meeting if they have any specific local queries, to avoid matters of detail being debated at the meeting.

·         Awaiting further detail with regard to the Somerset Highways maintenance programme update report as they have yet to appoint an Assistant Highway Service Manager.

·         It is hopeful that the Yeovil Crematorium Redevelopment Proposals presentation would be brought to the March committee.

 

Following a short discussion it was agreed that the Case Officer, Support Services liaise with the Senior Planning Advisor regarding the request for SCC Education to attend committee to discuss the future demand and requirements for Education in Yeovil.

 

A member suggested an update regarding the iAero project.  However, following a brief discussion most members were content to look at the project website for information at this time.  

 

RESOLVED:

(1)

that the Area South Forward Plan and the comments of Members be noted.

 

(2)

that the reports identified by Members be added to the Area South Forward Plan.

 

(Voting: Without dissent)

 

 

59.

Appeals (For Information Only) pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Minutes:

Prior to considering the Planning Applications, members referred to a recent press article regarding future road improvements to the Wyndham Park Development on Lyde Road.  In response the Senior Planning Advisor clarified to members the current situation and agreed to keep members informed on any future detail.     

60.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

61.

Planning Application 18/01704/FUL - 47 Rowan Way Yeovil BA20 2NP pdf icon PDF 489 KB

Minutes:

Proposal: Erection of an attached dwelling.

 

The Specialist – Development Management presented the application as detailed in the agenda and explained to members this was a revised application following a previous refused application for a 3 no bed dwelling.  She confirmed there were no further updates to the report.

 

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she proceeded to show the site and proposed plans and referred to the key considerations being the principle of development, design and Access and Highway.  She concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her recommendation was to approve the application and the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions the Specialist – Development Management confirmed that:

 

·         The height of any fencing erected on the front boundary could be restricted by condition. Any fencing erected on the side boundary can be up to 2 metres in height.

·         There were no restrictions contained in any planning policy’s regarding the building line and therefore this would not be a planning reason to refuse.

 

Councillor Nigel Gage, Ward member noted Yeovil Town Council’s objections and believed the proposal was in breach of the building line and was an overdevelopment of the site.

 

Councillor John Field, Ward member said that although the proposal was beyond the building line the application was extremely marginal and on balance would support the officer recommendation for approval.

 

During discussion members made several comments including the following:

 

·         Raised concern regarding the building line, however acknowledged this was not a reason to refuse the application. 

·         If approved could set a precedent for future applications.

·         Satisfied with the proposed design and considered it acceptable within the streetscene.

·         Requested a condition be imposed to ensure the treatment of the front boundary fencing of the site.

·         Need to ensure members are fully aware of the current regulations regarding boundary fencing on an open plan estate.

 

The Specialist – Development Management advised that an ‘open plan estate’ condition could be imposed to safeguard the treatment of the boundary fronting on to Rowan Way.

 

During a short debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to refuse the application for the following reason ‘

 

‘The proposal by reason of the size, scale and design would result in the congruous form of the streetscene being on an established building line, to the detriment of the character of the area, as such the proposal is contrary to policy EQ2 of the adopted South Somerset Local plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF’.

 

On being put to the vote this was lost by 2 votes in favour, 12 against and 1 abstention.

 

There being no further debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation, as set out in the agenda report and subject to an additional ‘open plan estate’ condition.

 

On being put to the vote this was carried by 13 votes in favour, 2 against and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.