Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mike Beech, John V Chainey, Pauline Clarke, Tony Fife, Marcus Fysh, Nigel Gage, Jenny Kenton, John Richardson, Gina Seaton, Kim Turner, Barry Walker, Linda Vijeh and Vega Sturgess, Strategic Director.

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 6^th November 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th November 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 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 15th 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.

Councillors Terry Mounter declared a personal but non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 9 (Loan to Drayton Community Venture) as Ward Member and Councillors William Wallace, Derek Yeomans and Anna Groskop declared personal but non-pecuniary interests in Agenda item 8 (Adoption of Housing Strategy Implementation Plan) as members of Somerset County Council.

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.

Ms Vivien Cornelius asked members of the Council to join with her in wishing Yeovil Town Football Club well in their forthcoming FA Cup matches.

Mr Nick Laurence asked to address the meeting directly preceding Agenda item 9 and this was agreed by the Chairman.

Councillor Tony Capozzoli thanked Mr Bud Budzynski for the entertainment provided at the function held the previous evening and the Chairman thanked all those involved in organising an enjoyable evening.

The list of Chairman’s Engagements was noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning referred members to the report in the agenda and explained that the proposals outlined a slightly differently configured pool to ones proposed in the past and that the involvement of Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset Councils greatly reduced any risks involved.

(Voting: unanimous in favour of recommendation)

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

In the absence of the Leader of Council, as Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Policy, Councillor Tim Carroll introduced this item. He proposed an amendment to the recommendation as contained in the report as follows:

The Council is asked to formally adopt the Housing Strategy Implementation Plan subject to reconsideration of the Temporary Accommodation matters on page 60/61 of the plan due to the recently announced consultation on proposed funding reductions in Supported Housing Grant by Somerset County Council.

At the conclusion of the debate Members were content to agree the revised recommendation.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Mr Nick Laurence, elected Chair of the Drayton Community Pub Ltd addressed members outlining the community’s vision for the village pub.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning advised that he had no hesitation in recommending to members the amended proposal set out in the report as circulated. Following a short discussion, members voted unanimously in favour of the amended recommendation.

 (Voting:  unanimous in favour)

The report of Executive Decisions was noted.

The report of the Audit Committee was noted.

The report of the Scrutiny Committee was noted.

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

There were no Motions submitted.

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, 15^th January 2015 in the Council Chamber, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.