Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2015, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read, and having been approved were signed by the Chairman as a correct of the proceedings.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mike Best, Linda Vijeh and Martin Wale.

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 Regulation Committee

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

Councillors. Mike Best, Sue Osborne and Angie Singleton

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 Jenny Kenton declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8 – Securing Future Facilities for Chard, as her grandson attended Chard School.

Councillor Jenny Kenton declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Planning Application No. 15/04985/FUL, as the applicant.  She left the room during consideration of the item.

Councillors Dave Bulmer and Amanda Broom declared personal interests in Planning Application No. 15/04985/FUL, as members of Chard Town Council.

Councillor Garry Shortland declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application No. 15/04985/FUL, as a friend of the applicant.  He left the room during consideration of the item.

Prior to the start of the item, Councillor Sue Osborne declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 8 – Securing Future Facilities for Chard, as a parent of a child at Chard School and she had also been involved with the 2013 school saving.  She left the room during consideration of the item.

This is a chance to ask questions, make comments and raise matters of concern.

Parish/Town Councils 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.

Anyone wishing to raise matters in relation to items on the agenda may do so at the time the item is considered.

No questions or comments were raised by members of the public.

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

Reference was made to the agenda report, which informed members of the proposed Area West Committee Forward Plan.

The Area Development Manager (West) informed members that a proposal to deliver a work hub project in the Lace Mill would be brought to the Area West Committee for consideration in February.

Members were content to note the Forward Plan as attached to the agenda subject to the above amendment.

(Resolution passed without dissent)

Sgt. Rob Jameson from Avon and Somerset Constabulary was welcomed to the meeting and he gave a short presentation on local issues, crime trends and initiatives. Particular reference was made to the current financial pressures within the force, the installation of a new crime management IT system and its implications and the latest position with staffing and the increasing responsibility on the PCSOs.  He informed members that there was an increase in recorded crime throughout the Force but crime figures in Area West were down.  He also referred to a number of local issues happening within Area West.  

The police officer responded to questions from members.

The Chairman thanked the police officer for attending the meeting. 

Reason: To seek approval to fund a condition survey of Chard School as part of the strategy to protect and enhance the use of historically important buildings in Chard Town Centre.

(Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Councillor Sue Osborne left the room during consideration of the item)

The Area Development Manager (West) summarised the report which asked members to approve £5,000 from Area West towards the costs of a building condition survey.  He explained that the District Council would retain ownership of the contents of the survey.

In response to questions, the Area Development Manager (West) advised that:

·         The school would need to raise some funds towards the costs of the building condition survey.  The cost of a suitable condition survey would be around £6,500;

·         He was not aware of any similar projects that would be presented in this way;

·         If there was further collaboration with public access to the buildings, the Council may be able to assist in moving it forward.

Members supported the recommendations outlined in the report.

Reason: To seek approval to fund a condition survey of Chard School as part of the strategy to protect and enhance the use of historically important buildings in Chard Town Centre.

Ile Youth Centre Management Committee (Ilminster)

Councillor Val Keitch gave a verbal update on Ile Youth Centre Management Committee.  She informed members that a couple of new members had joined the Management Committee.  She advised that numbers at the Ile Youth Centre had increased and the Committee was working hard to obtain funding with the hall being let out most days of the week.  The Victorian evening had been a great success and was attended by lots of people. The youth club raised funds from the event by running a Santa’s grotto.

NOTED.

The Committee noted the details contained in the agenda report, which informed members of appeals received and allowed.

NOTED.

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications to be determined by the Committee.

Application Proposal: Alterations to front elevation and the change of use of shop (ground floor and first floor) to 1 No. dwellinghouse

(Having earlier declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as the applicant, Councillor Jenny Kenton left the room during consideration of the item).

(Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application, Councillor Garry Shortland left the room during consideration of the item).

The Planning Officer introduced the report and with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda.  There were no updates to the report.  The key considerations were impact upon the Conservation area, Highway safety and parking and residential amenity.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.

In response to member questions, the Planning Officer advised that:

·         An employment study had not been undertaken as it was not required as the application site was outside of the primary shopping area and primary shopping frontage;

·         Policy was supportive of a mix of retail and residential use;

·         The primary shopping frontage was defined within the Local Plan.  The line stopped at Combe Street.

The Committee was addressed by the applicant, Mr A Kenton.  He informed members that there were currently nine empty shops in Chard.  The property had been advertised to be sold for six years and had been empty for the last two years and had fallen into disrepair.  He advised that historically the property had been a town house and he hoped to bring the property back to use and give the high street a lift.  Chard was currently lacking in four bedroom properties and the property would be large enough for a large family.  The property had a garden and garage and at least two parking spaces.  He advised that the windows on the ground floor would be double glazed possibly triple glazed.

The Ward Member, Cllr Amanda Broom commented that her main concern related to the impact on residential amenity.  Although the property was outside of the main shopping frontage, it was an extremely busy area with a large amount of takeaways.  She found it very disappointing that another property was coming forward for change of use.  She supported the installation of triple glazing to the new windows. 

During discussion on the item, a member also raised concerns with regard to residential amenity and felt that the property could be a victim of vandalism and shared the concerns of the Environmental Health Officer.  He felt that the windows should be of toughened glass.  A member speaking in support of the application felt that it was a person’s choice to live in the property and that there wasn’t the demand for retail units in the current climate and felt that there were no reasons to refuse the application.  Another member felt that policy supported the proposal and that vandalism was at the owner’s risk.  He felt that the proposal would make the area safer and improve the High Street.

Members were content for the Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Area West Committee would be held on Wednesday 17^th February 2016 at 5.30pm at the Victoria Hall, Crewkerne.