Minutes Planning Committee - Monday 15 February 2010
Committee Members Present:
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)
Councillor A Leech (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor M Morse
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor A Raymond (Chair, Parks)
Councillor C Hodgson (Chair, P & R)
Other Members Present:
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor Mrs D Smith
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
510. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
511. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
512. Members’ Questions - Councillor Mrs Bickley questioned a response from the County relating to the 30 mph speed restriction request for Upcott Hill, a negative reply was given, however Councillor Hodgson advised that the County was aware of the request and was looking at a soft engineering option, subject to funding by the local Councillor.
513. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 1st February 2010 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor A Raymond, seconded by Councillor A Leech.
514. Jobcentre Plus - Mrs T Whitten of this organisation attended the meeting and reported on proposed services for Okehampton and Tavistock Jobcentre Plus services. She explained a trial fortnightly job search review operation, for customers of the Jobcentre, would be launched but with in-depth interviews at Exeter. She explained a property leasing arrangement in Tavistock with customer access 'phone at the Borough Council offices in a free service and an outreach operation for job seeker claim benefits, tax credits plus crisis loans. She explained same client access would be provided at the Borough offices in St James Street with a fortnightly job review search at the Ockment Centre, those premises were currently subject to health and safety risk assessment and, if acceptable, would offer the same service as Tavistock with 300 customers over 2 days and 3 members of staff. She explained broadband would be linked to use services and an allocation of 4-7 minutes per customer had been identified. Members acknowledged unemployed could sign on at this address, but would have to go to Exeter for interview with those travelling costs met. She explained when broadband and risk assessments were concluded, the operation would commence mid-March for a trial period of 3 months using current resources, to be reviewed at the end of that period. Members wished to thank Mrs Whitten for attending and commented that it was good news for the town.
515. Licensing Operations WDBC - The Borough Licensing Officer, S Clarke, attended the meeting and advised of the role of the Licensing Office of the Borough Council and its responsibilities towards alcohol, taxi, permits for charity collections, gambling operations and other miscellaneous activities including betting shops. She offered statistics on premises selling alcohol, clubs, 127 taxi drivers and vehicles, public houses and hotels with hours operated, plus fruit machines located in gambling clubs operated under different rules. She referenced gaming in public houses, eg poker, bingo, cribbage with daily and weekly limits and fees and concluded the Council issued licences, but that authority was responsible to the Gambling Commission who would assess illegal gambling.
In response to questions, Ms Clarke explained the process for obtaining a licence to operate a betting shop including proof of responsibility. She stated that planning and licensing were two regimes operated separately with planning permission taking precedence. With regard to complaints she advised of procedure, specifically the situation relating to smoking on footpaths outside public houses and a balance need of business against local residents, however a complaint would be acknowledged by the Borough and evidence submitted to the licensing panel on a review of the licence, with the licensing panel having sufficient power to suspend or revoke a licence permanently.
Councillor D Weekes declared an interest. Councillor Weekes questioned the limit of taxi drivers licensed by the Borough Council. Ms Clarke advised there was no limit and market forces dictated this number, she commented that new drivers’ standards for taxi drivers were being pursued.
The Clerk referred to a concern by this Council of clients of Rumours nightclub urinating in Town Council premises and asked the procedure for complaining. Ms Clarke explained the difficulties of clients leaving premises and responsibilities, but agreed to pursue it with the management of the nightclub. She concluded officers made recommendations on review, informal decisions were made at the weekend subject to police support and evidence, but the licensing panel made the final decision.
516. Matters Arising -
516.1 New Traffic Lights Okehampton Town Centre - A letter from the County advised the problems associated with the pedestrian crossing in Market Street had been resolved following re-programming to the control unit and the West Street loop detector was awaiting repairs. Members noted all was now working.
517. Plans - The Committee examined plans as below and made comments as noted.
00090/2010 258981,94529
Full
Erection of conservatory and associated works
109 Station Road, Okehampton EX20 1EH
Mr Yapp & Mrs Troup
The meeting supported this proposal
00109/2010 258780.95174
Full
Change of use of the ground floor of premises from A1 (retail) shop to A2 (financial and professional services) betting shop
37 Fore Street, Okehampton EX20 1HB
Done Bookmakers
The Council objected to this proposal as it was against the Borough Council policy for retail outlets in the town centre core of Okehampton
518. Members’ Reports -
Police Liaison Committee - Members noted this event will take place on 4 March in the Charter Hall.
Senior Council - Councillor Morse invited everyone to attend the event, ‘Everyone’s Tomorrow’ in Exeter on 11 March.
Councillor Mrs Marsh advised that the appeal for 111 Station Road had been granted, she further questioned whether the Council would update its action plan; agreed that this be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee.
Olympic Training Event - Councillor Raymond referred to his attendance at a meeting in Tavistock to which Okehampton College, Tavistock College and Kelly College from Tavistock had met to discuss West Devon Olympic Training Camp operation. He explained this group had been granted training status for four specific sports with a wish to establish a team for the Olympics 2012, he asked Members to endorse.
519. Local Government Review - Members acknowledged the proposal under local government review for Exeter to become a unitary authority with the remaining county as a second unitary. Councillor Mrs McDonald declared an interest. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Morse, it was resolved that a letter of support be forwarded to the Chief Executive of Devon County Council supporting the pursuit of a judicial review on this decision.
Meeting closed 8.15 pm.