Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 January 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

All members were present at the meeting.

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.

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 Clare Aparicio Paul, Shane Pledger, Dean Ruddle and Sylvia Seal.

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.

Councillors Neil Bloomfield and Graham Middleton each declared personal interests in planning applications 15/05579/S73A and 16/00563/106BA as they are members of Martock Parish Council who had submitted comments on the applications.

Councillor Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest in planning application 15/04331/S73 as he is a member of Somerton Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 23 March 2016 at the Village Hall, Long Sutton.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 23 March 2016, at the Village Hall, Long Sutton.

There were no questions from members of the public

The Chairman noted he had attended the recent appeal hearing regarding the solar farm at Aller.

Councillor Sue Steele reported that the community of Curry Mallet had been very appreciative of a recent Take Art! Event in the parish, and it was hoped SSDC would continue to financially support the organisation.

Councillor Neil Bloomfield referred to a recent appeal decision regarding a proposal for housing in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

The Corporate Strategic Housing Manager presented the report which updated members on the outturn position of the Affordable Housing Programme for 2014/15 in relation to Area North and the position for the current financial year including future prospects. He highlighted key points including:

·         Delivery of affordable housing was dependent on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer (North) presented the report which asked members to consider awarding a grant of £10,000 to Chilthorne Domer recreational Trust towards the costs of building work to the pavilion, new play equipment and an extension to the car park. She explained the background to the proposal, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

The Area Development (North) introduced the report and noted it had not been felt necessary for a Highway Officer to attend as there was nothing significant to discuss, and the item was for noting.

Members were content to note the report.

The Area Development Manager (North) noted there were no updates to the Forward Plan.

A member suggested that a presentation from the SSDC District Valuer would be useful. The Area Development Manager agreed to follow this up for more detail with the member concerned.

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

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

Proposal: Erection of a mixed use shed building to house historic tractors and business storage. Change of use from agricultural land to commercial use. Replacement of some sheds, and the erection of an open-fronted car port for mixed use of B8 (Storage or Distribution) and domestic storage.

The Planning Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Proposal: Proposed change of use of two Nissen Huts from agricultural to use as a seasonal cafe with museum and exhibition space together with associated accesses and car parking.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the report. He updated members that since the agenda had been published  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

Proposal: Section 73 application to vary condition no. 25 of planning approval 10/03704/FUL dated 17/05/2013 to amend the list of approved drawings to amend house types.

Before presenting the application, the Planning Officer highlighted an error in the report – on page 58 under the heading of Leisure Policy –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

Proposal: Application to vary condition 10 of planning approval 14/01088/FUL to vary approved drawings.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report, and noted the application sought minor changes to an approved scheme. Using slides he highlighted the changes as built, compared to the existing approved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

Proposal: Application to Modify a Section 106 Agreement dated 20th May 2014 to discharge the affordable housing requirements.

The Planning Officer introduced the application as detailed in the agenda, and reminded members of a similar application considered the previous month.

He updated members that since the agenda had been published,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.