Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 February 2017

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dean Ruddle and Sylvia Seal.

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, Tiffany Osborne 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 Neil Bloomfield and Graham Middleton declared personal interests for item 8 – Our Place Martock Programme Annual Update, and for item 17 – Planning Application 16/04699/OUT, as they are both also members of Martock Parish Council.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 April 2017 at a venue to be confirmed.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee is scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 26 April 2017, at the Edgar Hall in Somerton.

The Chairman noted a member of the public wished to address members about item 12 – Community and Public Transport, and he would be invited to speak at that time when the officer would be present.

The Chairman made no announcements.

There were no reports from members.

The Area Development Lead (North) introduced the report and briefly reminded members of the Martock Our Place Programme and the grant funding that had been awarded by Area North Committee in March 2016 to cover a three year period via a Service Level Agreement. She introduced Tracey Smith, Community Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

The Chairman and Area Development Lead (North) introduced the report as detailed in the agenda. During a very brief discussion members acknowledged that it was a good networking event and made some suggestions regarding events in future years including:

·         Would be useful for all attendees to know the parishes which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Countryside Manager and Neighbourhood Development Officer (North) presented the report as detailed in the agenda, and explained that it was considered an appropriate time to review the future of the route. They noted the route was fully accessible but not in great condition, and locally it was valued as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer (North) presented the report as detailed in the agenda and provided an overview of the business support grant scheme, how it had come about and the work achieved to date. She explained briefly how some of the money had been spent so far and highlighted key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.

Mr P Edge of Langport Transport Group addressed members regarding the possibility of re-instating a railway station for Langport. He referred to a meeting in October 2016 led by the County Council, attended by the MP and users groups, where a proposal was made regarding undertaking a feasibility study for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 169.

The Assistant Director (Communities) informed members there would be a report regarding adopting the Area Development Plan for 2017/18, but the new Council Plan was awaited first and so the report was likely to made in May or June.

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: 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.

The Planning Officer presented the proposal as detailed in the agenda, noting that most members would be familiar with the application. She explained that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 173.

Proposal: Outline planning application for the erection of 12 No. dwellings (incorporating details of access) and associated works including drainage infrastructure and highway works.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting that the proposal for 12 dwellings was a reduction from the original submission. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 174.

Proposal: Outline application (only access to be determined) for up to 22 dwellings, employment units up to 790m sq for B1 use and raising of site levels to form flood defences.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report and highlighted the proposed flood prevention works.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 175.

Proposal: Erection of a single residential dwelling with onsite parking and turning.

The Planning Officer introduced the report and updated members that two further letters had been received from local residents. One noted that seven of the letters of support were from people who did not live in the village.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 176.

Proposal: The carrying out of various internal and external alterations to include installation of a porch (partly implemented).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, noting that it was only before members as the applicant was a member of staff.

There was no discussion and it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 177.