Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th August 2018, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read, and having been approved were signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Angie Singleton.

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 Mike Best, Angie Singleton and Martin Wale.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area West Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 17^th October 2018 at 5.30pm at The Guildhall, Chard.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Area West Committee would be held on Wednesday 17^th October 2018 at 5.30pm.  Venue to be confirmed.

This is a chance to ask questions, make comments and raise matters of concern.

Parish/Town Councils may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town.

Anyone wishing to raise matters in relation to items on the agenda may do so at the time the item is considered.

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

There were no announcements made by the Chairman.

Councillor Garry Shortland, seconded by Councillor Val Keitch, nominated Councillor Carol Goodall as Vice-Chairman of Area West Committee.

Councillor Dave Bulmer, seconded by Councillor Martin Wale, nominated Councillor Linda Vijeh as Vice-Chairman of Area West Committee.

A vote was taken and it was:

(Voting: 7 in favour of Carol Goodall, 5 in favour of Linda Vijeh)

Councillor Amanda Broom confirmed that the full Business Plan was submitted on 14^th September along with further information requested by Somerset County Council.  She updated on the current fundraising situation and explained that they were now waiting to hear back from Somerset County Council with regard to their acceptance or refusal of the plan.  The Core Group were still aware that they were missing information relating to usage and utilities costs at the pool; this was not forthcoming from Somerset County Council or 1610 and therefore estimated figures were submitted based on other pools in the South West.  She advised that there were still significant issues around access to the pool and the chemical dosing unit not being operational.  Access to the pool to allow daily dosing and chemical checks by volunteers had been declined therefore the quality of the water of the pool was not known.

On behalf of the Trustees, Cllr. Broom expressed her thanks to everyone involved for their support, advice, financial pledges, time and effort. The community spirt had been overwhelming.

During discussion members expressed their disappointment over the lack of response and co-operation from Somerset County Council and raised concerns in relation to the chemical dosing unit not being operational and the pool becoming unviable for future use.

Cllr. Amanda Broom responded to members on points of detail.

Members requested a further update report at the next Area West Committee meeting and thanked Cllr. Amanda Broom and the local community members involved for all their effort and hard work.

The Specialist - Strategic Planning explained that the draft priorities summarised in the report were identified at the members’ workshop held in July 2018.  Members were being asked to formally agree the Strategic Priorities for Area West to be presented to the District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan.  Further work on developing these priorities would take place in collaboration with the Area Committee Chairman prior to being submitted.

In response to a member question, the Lead Specialist – Strategic Planning confirmed that the Economic Development Strategy would be aligned with the council priorities.

The Lead Specialist – Strategic Planning advised that the area priorities not taken forward as council priorities would be included in the Area West Chapter in the Council Plan.

The Locality Manger explained that other priority areas identified at the workshop such as the Stop Line Way project would not be lost and would be taken forward by the Area+ teams.

The Lead Specialist – Strategic Planning confirmed that each of the priorities submitted to District Executive for consideration would be accompanied by detailed supporting evidence outlining the need and key benefits.  She informed members that for each of the adopted strategic priorities there would be a detailed action plan that would be fully resourced. 

During discussion, some members highlighted the need to address community transport and felt that the reopening of Chard junction should be highlighted as a priority.  It was proposed and seconded that the reopening of Chard junction should be included under priority one.  On being put to the vote, this was carried by 11 votes in favour and 3 abstentions.

Members agreed that it was important to support businesses across all sectors including leisure facilities, tourism as well as existing businesses.

With regard to Priority 3, members discussed the importance of bringing forward keysites and agreed to include the wording ‘and associated infrastructures’. 

Members agreed the following Strategic Priorities for Area West (amended wording in bold) to be presented to District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan:

1.    Community Transport: Creating improved community transport links (including improvements to access to train services at Crewkerne and Axminster and the reopening of Chard junction).

2.    Community Safety: Addressing perceived growing crime in Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster and rural settlements.

3.    Housing: Bringing forward Key sites and associated infrastructure.

4.    Economic Development: Supporting businesses across all sectors.

The Economic Development Manager presented the report on behalf of the Chard Regeneration Scheme Project Manager and the Chief Executive who were unable to attend the meeting.  He explained that the launch event had been attended by over 500 people and generally the overall response to the consultation was positive and enthusiastic.  He advised that a number of comments had been received which had been categorised into common themes as outlined in the report. The first stage of the consultation period was due to close at the end of September but the webpages would remain open.  Further consultation to seek public opinion would be held as the regeneration plans move forward.

Members sought clarification over the composition of the Chard Regeneration Board.

With regard to the One Public Estate budget, it was confirmed that the funding had been ring fenced to SSDC for feasibility work.

Members felt that it was important to keep the community regularly updated on progress of the scheme.

It was agreed that the update from Avon & Somerset Police and the Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Panel would be moved to the February meeting to allow Cllr. Martin Wale to present his report alongside the Police.

Members felt that it would be useful to receive a monthly update from Cllr. Amanda Broom on Cresta Pool.

A request was made for bi-monthly update reports on the Chard Regeneration Town Centre Scheme.

With regard to the Highways Update Report due in November, it was felt that it would be useful to submit members concerns to the Highways Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members noted the report which outlined the details of appeals that had been received, allowed and dismissed.