Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John V Chainey, Peter Gubbins, Graham Middleton, Terry Mounter, David Norris, Ros Roderigo, Kim Turner and Andrew Turpin.  Apologies were also received from Mark Williams, Chief Executive, Vega Sturgess, Strategic Director and Donna Parham, Assistant Director.

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 17^th July 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 17^th July 2014, copies of which had been previously circulated, were approved as a correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made.

Questions, statements or comments from members of the public are welcome at the beginning of each meeting of the Council.  The total period allowed for public participation shall not exceed 15 minutes except with the consent of the Council and each individual speaker shall be restricted to a total of three minutes.  Where there are a number of persons wishing to speak about the same matter, they should consider choosing one spokesperson to speak on their behalf where appropriate.  If a member of the public wishes to speak they should advise the committee administrator and complete one of the public participation slips setting out their name and the matter they wish to speak about.  The public will be invited to speak in the order determined by the Chairman. Answers to questions may be provided at the meeting itself or a written reply will be sent subsequently, as appropriate.  Matters raised during the public question session will not be debated by the Council at that meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public present.

The Chairman read out a statement regarding the assistance provided by SSDC officers to a group of illegal immigrants found in a lorry at Southfields, Ilminster on 19^th August. 

Councillor Sue Steele advised that the SSDC Playdays held in Ilton on 10^th and 19^th August had been attended and enjoyed by over 88 local children and she thanked the staff in the Community Health and Leisure team for arranging them.

Councillor Sylvia Seal, as Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, advised that Yeovil Country Park and Ham Hill had both received a Green Flag award for the 9^th successive year.  Chard Reservoir had also received the same award for the 5^th successive year.  The award was in recognition of the highest possible standards for maintenance and excellent facilities.  The Chairman joined her in congratulating the staff of the Countryside team for their achievement. 

Councillor Ric Pallister advised that, as Leader of the Council, he was reassigning part of the Area South Portfolio.  He confirmed that he would be taking Community Safety into his Portfolio, leaving the Yeovil Vision within the Area South Portfolio.  He would then invite Cllr Tony Fife to oversee the Community Safety role on his behalf.  There would be no financial implications in taking this decision and, as required in the Constitution, he was reporting this to Council for information.

The list of Chairman’s Engagements was noted.

The Community Health & Leisure Manager provided Members with a short power point presentation on the successful Gold Star Awards, which were held each year in conjunction with the Western Gazette to recognise local young people and the adult volunteers who worked with them.  She listed the categories for the awards as: Against the Odds (Junior), Contribution to the Arts (Junior), Junior Club of the Year (Junior), Inspirational Young Person of the Year (Junior), Young Achiever (Junior), Sports Coach of the Year (Adult), Young Sports Performer of the Year (Junior), Young Carer and Lifetime Achievement Award (Adult).  She encouraged Members to nominate people from their Wards who they felt should be recognised and invited all Members to attend the presentation ceremony on 28^th October at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. 

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the Junior categories were for under 18’s and the Lifetime Achievement award could be for a person of any age. 

Several Members who had attended previous presentation evenings expressed their support for the event and encouraged all Members to attend an enjoyable and entertaining evening. 

Councillor Sylvia Seal, as Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, thanked officers of the Community Health & Leisure team for arranging the annual event.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning introduced the item, outlining the four further main modifications which the Planning Inspector had highlighted in his letter of 16^th July following the public hearings in June 2014. 

He advised that following approval by Council, the proposed modifications would be released for public consultation between 28^th August and 10^th October and the results of the consultation responses would be reported to District Executive and Council before submission to the Planning Inspector.

Councillor Martin Wale asked that recommendation 1 be reworded to approve for public consultation the further Main Modifications to the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).  This was seconded and on being put to the vote, was carried (voting: 45 in favour, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

(Voting: 45 in favour, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

The Assistant Director (Legal and Corporate Services) said the Parish Council were no longer quorate, and were unable to co-opt new Councillors.  Therefore, three District Councillors had agreed to temporarily act as Rimpton Parish Councillors to progress urgent business.

There was no discussion and Members unanimously agreed the recommendations of the report.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

The Assistant Director (Legal and Corporate Services) advised that the proposed changes to the HR Management Rules and Disciplinary Policy would bring existing SSDC policies in line with current legislation and ACAS guidelines. 

There was no debate and Members were unanimously in favour of the recommendations of the report. 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

The report of Executive decisions was noted.

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Full Council would take place on Thursday, 18^th September 2014 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.

Subsequent to the meeting, it was agreed that the next scheduled meeting of the Full Council would take place on Thursday, 6^th November 2014 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.