Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of previous meetings held on 2^nd March 2022.  The draft minutes can be viewed at:

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

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd March 2022 were approved as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Gubbins, Wes Read, Jeny Snell and Rob Stickland.

Councillor David Recardo chaired the meeting in the absence of Councillor Peter Gubbins.

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, David Recardo 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that due to the elections there would be no Area South Committee on Wed 4^th May 2022.  The next scheduled meeting is therefore Wed 1^st June 2022.

Councillor Karl Gill gave a verbal update on the work of the Market Review Working Group.  He explained that he had recently visited Somerset markets and met with many stall holders.  He was pleased that there was a significant amount of interest in traders coming to the new Yeovil market, which he hoped would be launched with the new branding this summer.  However there was still the requirement for further traders, especially for certain products and that should members be able to help on this to please let him know.

In response to a question he explained the old market would be completely disbanded with a new market being established, this would continue to be run by MSD markets.

Councillor John Clark and the Economic Development Specialist firstly introduced the purpose behind the presentation, explaining how the Economic Development team had identified as a priority the improvement of rural public transport.  They had therefore commissioned transport consultants Liftango to produce a study that examined the feasibility for Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) in South Somerset.

The Economic Development Specialist acknowledged the request from Area South committee members to provide them with further information and introduced David Mawhinney, Head of Liftango Uk, who with the aid of a powerpoint presentation proceeded to give members a comprehensive presentation on the DDRT and associated benefits, key findings from the report including recommendations and next steps.  This included:

·         Background of ‘Liftango’ and their digital solution.

·         Where DDRT works well especially in rural areas and opportunities in South Somerset.

·         Worked with SSDC to look at key destinations within South Somerset and the analysis undertaken including driving analysis, travel times and difficulties to access nearest bus routes.

·         Summary of findings including options to improve the Yeovil evening service and maintain a good level of service.

·         Proposed next steps and process going forward.

Councillor John Clark wished to underline the conclusion of the simulation study, highlighting the demand in Yeovil for the late night service and the benefits of the DDRT bus service.  He explained that they have been working closely with Somerset County Council, being the transport authority.

In response to questions, members were advised of the following:

·         The Yeovilton Naval Air Station had not been looked at specifically but acknowledged the potential demand for a late night bus service.

·         Explained the booking service and how the allocation of vehicles was controlled.

·         Anticipated the costing would be between a taxi and bus service, however operates within this space and therefore a bit of a sliding scale.

The Lead Specialist Economy clarified to members that the next steps were to work with Somerset County Council to establish what the money can be spent on to continue developing the DDRT work as part of the forward plan for the bus service improvement plan.

The Chairman wished to thank David Mawhinney of Liftango UK for a very detailed and informative presentation.

The Locality Officer presented the report which asked members to consider the awarding of a grant of £4,166.67 to East Coker Parish Council, towards the project to renew a historic footpath at The Paddock, East Coker.  She advised that a member of the East Coker Parish Council was present in the meeting to answer any questions from members.

With the aid of slides she highlighted the location of the path linking two public rights of way within the village and nearby church.  She confirmed the footpath was sited within the paddock which is owned by East Coker Parish Council and therefore does not fall within the remit of Somerset County Council.

Ward member, Councillor Gina Seaton voiced her support of the application and explained the benefits of the footpath and the safety element linking two public rights of way.

Ward member, Councillor Nicola Clark also voiced her support for the application and explained it was a well-used footpath that served an area within the village that hosted many events such as the forthcoming jubilee celebrations.

During a brief discussion members expressed their support for the application. It was proposed, and unanimously agreed, to recommend to the Chief Executive that the grant be approved, as per the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED:

That Area South Committee recommend to the Chief Executive that a grant of £4,166.67 be awarded to East Coker Parish Council, towards the project to renew a historic footpath at The Paddock, the grant to be allocated from the Area South capital programme and subject to SSDC standard conditions for community grants (appendix A to the agenda report).

Reason

To consider a grant funding request from East Coker Parish Council to renew a historic footpath at The Paddock, East Coker.

(voting: unanimous)

The Locality Team Manager presented the report and noted there had been very little financial movement at present. He acknowledged the requirement to sort the governance arrangements moving forward under Local Government Reorganisation and that the Housing team were continuing to look at an appropriate spend for funds. 

In response to members’ questions, the Locality Team Manager explained:

·         This is completely separate to the existing Almshouses with a preference to identify a development to be part of and to be used for the purposes as defined by the charity governance.

·         Acknowledged the requirement to consider the future management of this money given the Local Government Reorganisation and hoped a report would be brought to Area South Committee to agree a proposal of how this will be managed in the future.

During a brief discussion, members acknowledged the requirement as trustees to approve the annual accounts. It was proposed, and unanimously agreed, to recommend to the Chief Executive to approve the Annual Accounts and note the update in the annual report.

(voting; unanimous)

The Yeovil Refresh Project Manager gave a visual presentation highlighting and updating members of the works being carried out within the Yeovil Town Centre. This included:

·         That work had now restarted at Westminster Street with a completion period for the south side of approx. 8 weeks. Due to the previous contactor Midas Construction becoming insolvent works on the north side of the street were currently being re let and hoped to be in contract shortly.

·         Ongoing works being carried out at Wine Street.

·         Working with the Utilities provider on works at the Triangle and hoped to have start dates soon.

·         Amphitheatre Components to be installed and artist’s impression of the proposed events space.

·         Artists impression of Middle Street which is currently out for procurement and hoped to be in contract by mid May 2022..

In response to members’ questions, the Yeovil Refresh Project Manager advised that:

·         Have considered and identified two anchor points within the Triangle area for the position of future Christmas trees.

·         Confirmed that accessibility has been fully considered within the events space with two accessible ramps included within the design.

·         Acknowledged that ward members need to be kept informed of any start dates etc. and that work is being done to communicate fully to local businesses etc. and therefore will ensure this is shared with members.

The Chairman thanked the Yeovil Refresh Project Manager for his presentation.

Councillor John Clark wished to update members that following the last meeting it was agreed that an Area Workshop be arrange regarding the issue on the Local Community Networks (LCN’s).  He had since been in discussion with the Locality Team Manager and agreed that the workshop be delayed until after the election with the agreed suggestion that Town and Parish Council’s representatives be invited as they also will have a large input in the LCN’s under the Local Government Reorganisation.

There was no further discussion and members were content to note the Forward Plan

Members noted the Planning Appeals.