Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Area South Committee held on 1^st February 2023.  The draft minutes can be viewed at:

https://modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?bcr=1

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 1^st February 2023, copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barbara Appleby, John Clark, Nicola Clark, Pauline Lock, and Jeny Snell.

Councillors David Gubbins and Rob Stickland were in attendance virtually via Zoom.

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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Tony Lock, Peter Seib and Andy Soughton.

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 Wes Read declared a personal interest in Item 7 Proposal for ‘Home of British Helicopters’ signage, as he is a contractor currently working for Leonardo Helicopters.

Councillors Tony Lock, Andy Soughton and David Recardo also declared a personal interest in Item 7 Proposal for ‘Home of British Helicopters’ signage, as they are previous employees of Leonardo Helicopters.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

Councillor Andy Kendall enquired on the representatives on outside organisations in the future.  He acknowledged that this would be the responsibility of the new Unitary authority and would seek further information going forward.

The Acting Director Place & Recovery/Lead Specialist Economy presented the report and reiterated the recommendations as set out in the agenda report.  He invited comments from members.

During member discussion, comments raised included:

·         Fully supportive of the proposal and wished that all six signs be included.

·         Felt the proposed wording ‘The Home of British Helicopters’ be placed directly underneath the ‘Welcome to Yeovil’ wording.

·         Leonardo Helicopters were an extremely important part of the town and employer of the area and should look to support this proposal and ensure it is included as a prominent element of these signs.

·         Acknowledged that the recommendation currently requests that only three signs be installed with the proposed wording but going forward asked that all six signs be included and be of a more prominent high-quality design.

·         Felt that further help and financial support be given to Leonardo Helicopters in the future to ensure all six ‘Welcome to Yeovil Signs’ are modified.

In conclusion members voiced their full support on the recommendation for Leonardo Helicopters to seek permission to install three small’ Home of British Helicopters’ signs on the locations as stated within the agenda report.  They also wished it noted at the committee’s request that going forward all six signs be adapted to include this wording together with a more high-quality prominent design.

RESOLVED:

That Area South members agreed:

1.    To support the principle of Leonardo seeking permission to install three small ‘Home of British Helicopter’ signs at the following gateway locations on the approach to Yeovil: A37 Dorchester Road, A 359 Mudford Road and the A3088 Cartgate Link.

2.    To note that Leonardo will approach Somerset (currently County) Highways to seek permission to install the signs.

(voting: unanimous)

The Acting Director Place & Recovery/Lead Specialist Economy presented the report and updated members on the progress of the Yeovil Refresh including the key areas of public realm enhancements, transport and travel connectivity and softer initiatives.  This included:

·         Westminster Street works to be completed by Easter.

·         Explained the challenges of the Triangle area and ongoing works including ongoing discussion with the service utilities to ensure work can continue.

·         Four town centre Walkway and Cycling packages are progressing well in particular the Stars Lane/South Street.

·         Complementary Initiatives – recent service level agreements signed with ‘Love Yeovil’ and ‘Yeovil Arts space’ to ensure continued activity.

·         Explained the reason why the declaration to use the Part III of the Food Act 1984 be recommended to operate and manage Yeovil Charter Market which will enable the Council to hold a market any day of the week and set opening hours and use as a statutory basis for market charges to take forward.

In response to members questions and comments the Acting Director Place & Recovery/Lead Specialist Economy, Yeovil Refresh Project Manager and Director Place, Recovery and Arts and Entertainment advised that:

·         Although further discussions were required, ultimately the Council could devolve the use of Part III of the Food Act 1984 powers to other parties such as Yeovil Town Council in the future.

·         Acknowledge updates and information should be frequently given to local parish councils and that where necessary any questions or observations are answered appropriately.

·         Acknowledge the concerns regarding the hold ups and interruptions to the project, but these were extraordinary times with many problems around the utilities and its infrastructure.

·         Work is envisaged to start on High Street/ Borough around mid/end of April 23 as slightly delayed due to design change.

·         Wine Street nearing completion with minor works to be finished.

·         Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has been completed with order to be signed and sealed shortly.

·         Ongoing and constant communication regarding 47 middle street with regards to the scaffolding, asbestos removal and demolition. 

·         Following the completion of a Section 185 diversion order regarding sewerage works will be able to continue at the Triangle.

·         Explained the housing requirement was part of the project adjustment request that was currently with DLUHC.

·         Part III of the Food Act 1984 and management of the Charter Market has no influence over any carnival operation.

·         Cleansing trials have been undertaken regarding the issues around the street paving within Wine Street and are ongoing.

·         More proactive communication will be coming forward in the coming months to inform and share information to the wider public and acknowledged other opportunities such as the LCN’s are kept updated with the Yeovil Refresh project going into the new unitary authority.

Members wished to thank the officers for their excellent work in what was difficult times. They voiced their support to the progress being made with the Yeovil Refresh project and agreed to make a declaration that Part III of the Food Act 1984 be used to operate and manage Yeovil Charter Market.  On being put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

There was no discussion. Members noted the report that detailed the planning appeals which had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.