Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the Area South meeting held on 4^th February 2015 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 Vincent Chainey, Dave Greene, Jon Gleeson and Peter Seib.

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 2012 (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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Tim Carroll, Tony Fife, Peter Gubbins, Ian Martin and Gina Seaton

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 Wes Read declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 13 – St Michaels Scout and Guide Hall as he is President of the Yeovil Scouts Association.

Councillor Gina Seaton declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11 – West Coker Commemoration Hall as her husband is the Chairman of the West Coker Commemoration Hall Committee.

This is a chance for members of the public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils to participate in the meeting by asking questions, making comments and raising matters of concern.  Parish/Town Council representatives may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town. The public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils will be invited to speak on individual planning applications at the time the applications are considered.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman advised members that:

·         Further work will be undertaken on the Market Street Junction and approval for the work on the Tesco footbridge will not begin until this work has been concluded.

·         Yeovil Vision – At the last Yeovil Vision meeting on the 12^th November 2014 it was agreed that a meeting would be arranged with officers from the Area Development teams, spatial planning and development control with Sunita Mills the new Service Commissioning Manager for Transport Policy for SCC.  This meeting took place on the 5^th December and Sunita was provided with a range of transport studies for Yeovil which she promised to read and she will be reporting on her initial findings and priorities for Yeovil at the next Yeovil Vision meeting on the 12^th March.

·         Support for Retailer in Yeovil – On the 14^th January I met with Gerrard Matthews who owns several retail properties in the town centre and represents several other owners and the RICS.  I have agreed to attend a future RICS group meeting in Yeovil to discuss the issues affecting the town centre.

·         Meeting with Benson Elliott – owners of the Quedam – A meeting was held with representatives of Benson Elliott the new owners of the Quedam to discuss ways in which SSDC could support them in the development of the Yeovil Town Centre.  It was a helpful and productive meeting and I am hopeful it will lead to significant announcement in the future.

·         Yeovil Markets – There will be Easter Market Promotion on Yeovil Markets with free Easter eggs for children and an Easter Hat Competition.  Music and Entertainment will also be provided.  The team are currently working on the new 2015 Spring/Summer vintage market series which commences on April 4th.

·         CCTV – We have finally received the long awaited plans from SCC and so work on commissioning the installation the cameras has been actioned.

·         Lufton School & Community facilities – Work is progressing well with the proposed schools at Lufton which includes provision for community use.  The community element of the scheme will be funded by section 106 contributions from the site.  The Team are currently consulting with the community and liasing with the architects acting for SCC on the project to maximise the benefit to the community.  The project will also include a MUGA with community access.

·         Wyndham Park – Negotiations continue with SCC and the developer to acquire the land to provide a 14 class school which would enable provision for community facilities on the existing school site.

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

Councillor Ian Martin informed the committee that he will shortly be attending the First Great Western Rail Annual Conference and would be lobbying for improvements to the Heart of Wessex Rail line.

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer attended the committee and as requested updated members on:

·         St Thomas Cross: - The Section 106 Monitoring Officer and Cllr Tony Lock had met with the developers and a start date had been given for the beginning of March, therefore work would hopefully start soon.

·         Lyde Road/Sherborne Road Junction: - The Section 106 Monitoring Officer had been in discussion with SCC and the developer who were seeking to consult with local services regarding costs and possible commencement dates.  Once this has been completed and more information is known he would update members once more. 

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

The Planning Assistant presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation show the site and proposed plans.  She explained that the application is brought to Committee under the scheme of delegation as there had been objections received, the applicant is South Somerset District Council (SSDC) and the application site is on land within SSDC ownership. 

The Planning Assistant explained further that following concerns from occupants of neighbouring properties a previous submission was withdrawn and a new location was negotiated with the applicant. 

In conclusion she referred to the key considerations as to whether there was a significant impact on visual amenity of the area and residential amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties.  She felt that as the original submission had been withdrawn to address the issues of the local neighbours it was now acceptable to the safeguarding of the residential amenity of the local residents.  She therefore considered the siting of the storage container acceptable and in keeping with the area and her recommendation was to approve the application subject to the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

In response to questions, members were informed that:

·         Various other locations were considered, however these were discouraged due to their prominence in the wider area and from public view points.

·         The lower level of the car park was considered to be discreet and the least prominent of the car parks in Yeovil.

·         The container would be used for storage purposes to serve the car washing business.

·         Other options available for storage purposes could be use of a van or renting a unit.

·         Confirmed that residents were now happy with the siting of the container.

·         SSDC have overall control of the land through the lease and therefore granting planning permission would not compromise any future development of the use of the car park.

·         CCTV covers the area where the container is to be sited.

During members discussion several points were raised, including the following:

·         Little different to that of the designs of recycling skips or clothes banks that until recently were located in the same car park.

·         Local residents were now happy with the position of the container.

·         Did not compromise the car parking of local residents.

·         Concerns over the safety aspect of the container which may exacerbate anti social behaviour due to the close proximity of Club Neo.

·         Was the rental income from this application a consideration?

In response to members’ comments, the Area South Lead confirmed that the rental costs were not part of the application and therefore should not be a consideration.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved as per the officers recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried by 12 votes in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions.

Resolved:

To approve application 15/00510/FUL subject to the following conditions:

01.       The siting of a storage container, by reason of its form, design and location,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

(Voting:12 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the agenda report.  She informed members that Hardington Mandeville Parish Council wanted to purchase a community defibrillator that would help give an additional Health and safety resource for the village.  She confirmed both ward members expressed their full support and hoped that members would support the application.

Members commented that it was an excellent provision for the village which could save lives in a situation where time is critical and evidence in other areas had showed some excellent results. 

Members voiced their full support of the application and it was therefore proposed and subsequently seconded to agree an award of £1,374 toward the funding of a community defibrillator.  On being put to the vote this was carried by 12 votes in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.

(Voting:12 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)

(Voting: unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the agenda report.  She informed members that she had worked closely with the Active and InTouch project at Birchfield last year but unfortunately Vista who ran the project closed in December 2014.  She appreciated the concern of sustainability but confirmed that Somerset Care and Repair have been actively searching for sustainable sources of funding since taking over the project, as they can see that it benefits many local people.

Members commented that it was an excellent organisation and a worthy cause which would benefit the local community.  Members voiced their full support of the application and it was therefore proposed and subsequently seconded to agree an award of £5,000 toward the funding of the Active and InTouch Project.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

(Voting: unanimous)

 (Voting: unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the agenda report.  She informed members that the hall had recently been acquired by the West Coker Commemoration Fund and is now being used for a wide range of community uses.  The hall however is in need of renovation and a feasibility study looking at the possible modernisation of the hall would help to make it more sustainable.

Mr Clive Seaton Chairman of the West Coker Commemoration Hall spoke in support of the application.  He said the improvement of the hall would bring it up to modern day standards to include disabled toilets, kitchen upgrade and wi-fi.  It was an active committee with new trustees and he was grateful for the support given by the Area South Development team.  He concluded that the study was needed to identify the work required and to give an estimation of costs in order to begin fundraising for the development.

During a short discussion members raised several points including the following:

·         The hall is an asset for West Coker village with huge potential for future use.

·         Sought clarification regarding the legal restraints of the hall.

·         Voiced support for the new committee to help upgrade and modernise the hall which is much needed.

·         Need to move forward and support the improvements required for the hall.

In response the Neighbourhood Development Officer informed members that any previous legal restraints had been resolved and the Charity Commission were happy with the current position. 

There being no further discussion it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to agree an award of £2,500 toward the funding of a feasibility study.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

 (Voting: unanimous)

 (Voting: unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the agenda report and informed members that the Ward members were in full support of the application.

During a short discussion members raised several comments including the following:

·         An excellent committee which included many capable volunteers which accommodated many local groups including a local youth club.

·         The refurbishment was needed in order to keep up with the current legalisation to provide baby changing facilities, mobility access etc.

There being no further discussion it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to agree an award of £3,000 toward the refurbishment of the Abbey Manor Community Hall.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

 (Voting: unanimous)

 (Voting: unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the agenda report.  She informed members that the Scout and Guide Hall was in desperate need of a new heating system and that the new treasurer has assured the officer that they would successfully budget for the future maintenance.  She clarified that although the hall was frequently used for Scout and Guide activities it was available for other community use.

Members voiced their support of the application and there being no further debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to agree an award of £1,445 toward the new heating in the Scout and Guide Hut.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

 (Voting: unanimous)

In response to questions Councillor Peter Gubbins informed members that he had spoken to Richard Needs at SCC regarding the release of the extra traffic lane at Wyndham Street and Market Street and that the delay was due to the required signage.  He would request a further update at the next Yeovil Vision Board and update members at the next meeting.

(Voting: Without dissent)

Members noted the Planning Appeals.