Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 April 2018.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 April 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Bloomfield, Adam Dance and Tiffany Osborne.

In accordance with the Council’s current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), 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. 

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.  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. 

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Clare Aparicio Paul, Neil Bloomfield and Sylvia Seal.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, 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.

Councillors Gerard Tucker, Clare Aparicio Paul, Jo Roundell Greene and Derek Yeomans each declared a personal interest for planning application 18/00488/FUL as they had supported the charity located at the premises in some way, such as providing a small donation or attending a fundraising event. None of the councillors considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 27 June at a venue to be confirmed.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 27 June 2018, at a venue to be confirmed.

The Clerk to Barrington Parish Council addressed members regarding their application for a grant toward outdoor fitness equipment. She explained how the project had evolved and that much fundraising had been achieved. The project was well supported by the local community and funding had been secured from various sources. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Derek Yeomans for his role as Chairman over the previous year.

Councillor Gerard Tucker, noted that the swimming pool at Huish Episcopi Leisure Centre was nearing completion and would open shortly.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the grant application as detailed in the agenda, and reminded members of the representation made by the Parish Clerk earlier in the meeting. She explained that young people who had out-grown the play area had put the idea forward to the Parish Council, and a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

The Communities Lead presented the report as detailed in the agenda.

During a short discussion:

·         The appointed representative for Strode College Community Education Advisory Committee noted that he believed the Advisory Committee had recently been incorporated into the Board of Governors and therefore there was no longer a need for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve as the substitutes for Chairman and Vice Chairman.

The Communities Lead provided some updates to the Forward Plan:

·         The report on Somerton Conservation Area would be made by Andrew Tucker as Greg Venn had left SSDC.

·         The Locality Team Manager and the Lead Specialist (Strategic Planning) would be holding workshops with each Area Committee to discuss Area priorities,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Members noted the report that detailed planning appeals which had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.

Members noted the schedule of planning applications to be determined at the meeting.

Proposal: Proposed tennis court with pavilion outbuilding including the change of use of land from agricultural to domestic use.

The Planning Officer introduced the report and updated members that a further letter had been received in objection to the proposal. He summarised the comments raised in the letter and noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 2 No. new dwelling houses.

The Planning Officer presented the application and highlighted the comments of the SDDC Highways Consultant. He explained the key considerations and the reasons why his recommendation was for refusal of the application.

The agent addressed members, and commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Proposal: Change of use from barn to business offices and existing farm building to storage.

The Planning Officer presented the application, as detailed in the agenda. He explained the use of various buildings on the farm and about the change of use classes required. He noted concerns had been raised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.