Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mike Beech, John V Chainey, Tony Fife, Dave Greene, Tim Inglefield, Mike Lewis, Shane Pledger, Angie Singleton and Paul Thompson.

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.

Councillor Patrick Palmer declared a personal interest in agenda item 6, Adoption of the South Somerset Local Plan, as he had interest in the land mentioned on paragraph 8.42 on page 113. He stated he had sought advice and would not leave the room unless that particular point was debated.

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.

Mr R Meecham, representing Brympton Parish Council, asked what was the cost of producing the Local Plan to date, and what were the risks and implications if the Plan was not adopted at this meeting?  In response, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning stated that the issues would be discussed further under agenda item 6.

Mr A Quantrell thanked officers and members of the Council for their painstaking work in developing the Local Plan and bringing it forward to this meeting.  He urged members to adopt the Plan without delay to facilitate planned and sustainable development across the district.

Ms A Lock stated that both she and her organisation (CCDRA) fully supported the recommendations contained within the Local Plan and endorsed the plan for sustainable development and said that adopting this plan represented one of the most important decisions ever taken by the authority.

Mr M Hoyton asked members not to take this decision until after the forthcoming General Election rather than rush through such an important issue for political expediency.  He said that there were a number of inconsistencies within the Plan and that insufficient time had been allowed for public debate.

The Chairman informed members that this was likely to the last Council Meeting prior to the Elections in May 2015.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning introduced the item stating that the recommendations as set out in the agenda asked for authority to extend discretionary rate relief. The recommendations were subsequently moved and seconded and it was unanimously agreed to confirm them.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning outlined the comprehensive and thorough process undertaken in order to bring this Plan before members including numerous opportunities for both elected members and residents to consider and comment on the content.

Members were informed that the adoption of the Local Plan represented an opportunity for South Somerset District Council as a Local Planning authority to take a leading role in delivering sustainable development for our communities.  Members were informed that following an initial consideration by the Inspector, several amendments were identified and the Plan now before members had been revised accordingly to reflect the Inspector’s comments.  Following these revisions, the Inspector found the Plan sound and available for adoption.

The Portfolio Holder went on to explain that two risk matrices had been prepared, showing the considerable risks faced by the authority should members vote not to adopt the Plan.

The Portfolio Holder concluded by thanking all members of the Spatial Planning team for their hard work and dedication in preparing the Local Plan,

In response to questions from members, the Portfolio Holder – Finance and Spatial Planning and the Principle Spatial Planner responded that:

·      it is estimated that to date £2.7 million has been spent on producing the Plan.

·      The Environment Agency have been involved in all aspects of developing the Plan and no major issues had been identified;

·      The Local Plan should be seen as starting point and not as a definitive answer.

·      Once the authority was in receipt of the Inspector’s report, we are beholden to adopt the Plan.

·      One member asked that in future documentation, Ilchester is correctly referred to a village.

·      It was agreed that the report commissioned into aircraft movement associated with Yeovilton would be circulated to those members who request a copy.

The recommendations were moved en bloc and after being duly seconded, were put to the vote.  The vote was carried 44 in favour, 0 against, with 5 abstentions.

Councillor Patrick Palmer asked that it be noted that he had abstained due to his interest as declared.

The recommendation to appoint a replacement nominated member from South Somerset District Council to the Somerset Waste Board for the remainder of the municipal year was moved and seconded.

(Voting: 45 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions)

The following motion was submitted by Councillor Tim Carroll:

 That this Council acknowledges:

a)    That Global warming and finite resources are issues that affect us all.

b)    That a reduction in our Carbon footprint must be an achievable aim

c)    That minimisation of energy bills for our residents is a high priority

d)    To facilitate the opportunity of easier switching between power providers through the provision of strictly impartial advice is an important element to the residents of SSDC.

e)    That to continue to follow an ethical policy as far as Carbon reduction as already by the Council’s expanding use of PV arrays on Council buildings.

To further these aims, Council resolves that:

In principle, it supports the initiative to further explore the potential benefits of a local Community Energy Company within the area of South Somerset.

During discussion the following points were made:

·      This approach is being adopted successfully by other local authorities

·      If carried, this motion only committed South Somerset District Council to investigate the potential benefits, there was no commitment of resources at this stage;

·      It was anticipated that a social enterprise body would be the most appropriate vehicle for delivery;

·      By carrying this motion, members would be signalling to interest groups within our communities that South Somerset District would be supportive of appropriate community bids in this area;

The Motion was duly seconded and put to the vote. Following the vote, the motion was carried.

(Voting: 38 in favour, 1 against and 9 abstentions)

No questions were submitted by Members under Procedure Rule 10.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

The Chairman informed members that this was likely to be the last meeting prior to the elections in May and that the reserve dates of 19^th March and 16^th April would only be engaged if there was any urgent business to progress.

The next meeting of the Council is therefore scheduled for Thursday 21^st May at 7.30 p.m.

Councillor Vijeh thanked Councillor Mike Best for his contribution as Chairman of the Council.