Minutes Planning Committee - Tuesday 4 May 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)
Other Members Present:
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor Mrs D Smith
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
DCC Officers - Christine McNeil, Jackie Colby, Roger Grainger
675. Apologies for Absence - An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor Dr M Ireland.
676. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - The Mayor presented a question from the Fire Service relating to access into Northfield Road for the Fire Service; to be referred to Devon County Highways.
677. Members’ Questions - Councillor Leech presented the following, ‘The Ockment Centre management has heard that there are moves to move the Children’s Centre to the College. The management and trustees have been trying to get a meeting with DCC for some months to discuss the issues surrounding the Children’s Centre, to date without success, this is the first that they have heard of this proposal and wish the Town Council to try and find out exactly what is going on and what the driving force is behind this proposal.’
On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Weekes, it was resolved that standing orders be suspended to allow representatives from the County Council to discuss this topic.
Mr Grainger advised the County had received notification from the trustees that the Centre was unable to agree to expand to accommodate the Children’s Centre owing to insufficient space. He stated the operation was not viable at the Ockment Centre and the County was presently looking at other options which would accommodate the wider hinterland and long term operation of the Children’s Centre for Okehampton. He explained they would look at the options to use the College for the administration of this operation with the Children’s Centre continuing at the Ockment Centre.
Members acknowledged this proposal would free up space at the Ockment Centre, but were disappointed that discussions had not ensued on the options despite requests and a comment relating to young mothers returning to College as intimidating whilst the Ockment Centre was a neutral area. Councillor Leech commented that as a governor of Okehampton College he had no knowledge of these proposals. He explained financial information had been submitted to the County and meetings had been requested to pursue the options. Mr Grainger concluded that he was happy to arrange a meeting with interested parties to explore all the options, financial implications, space etc.
On the proposition of the Chairman it was resolved that standing orders be reinstated.
678. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 19 April 2010 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor D Weekes.
679. Proposed Okehampton Primary School - Mrs C McNeil (Devon County Council School Organisation Policy Manager) presented an update for the new primary school for Okehampton. Mrs McNeil explained that the County Council Cabinet had resolved the school should be delayed due to the housing climate, but would monitor the situation on a regular basis. The project had been included in the capital project for 2011/12, but would continue to be carefully monitored on housing completion numbers. She suggested 50 - 90 houses built would produce 12 - 22 primary school children and further commented that the current primary school could cope with these numbers and reinforced the comment that the total situation would be continually monitored.
Councillor Leech declared interest as a member of COPSE. He questioned whether the competition for the delivery of a school was on hold and had the Chairman, Revd Wagstaff, been advised of the position; further what delay was envisaged and would Okehampton have to go through the process of competition to deliver the school. Mrs McNeil could not offer a time frame, confirmed she had advised P Wagstaff of the position and commented that the delivery of a school was subject to government instruction and procedures; she concluded there was nothing to progress currently.
Members questioned space and formula for numbers of schoolchildren at the primary school and opined that the model was flawed as the school appeared to be over full without consideration to social inclusion, special needs and additional operations. Members were also disappointed that the County had not informed this Council of the delay, were aware that children were being transferred to neighbouring primary schools due to apparent overcrowding and other factors. The Committee was also concerned that the land had not been secured, the developer had not signed a section 106 agreement to protect the town’s position on the delivery of a school and assurances were requested. Mrs McNeil concluded that the County would continue to monitor the total situation with specific reference to 106 agreements and would advise of any developments. The representatives from the County were thanked for their attendance and information.
680. Matters Arising -
680.1 Upcott Hill - A letter from Devon Highways Engineer enclosed the County policy on setting local speed limits and advised that the County was required to review existing speed limits on A and B road networks this year. With regard to Upcott Hill, the Engineer reported that speed measurements had taken place in this area, but concluded that that Council was not in a position to support a 30 mph limit there, but would erect signs advising motorists of a key hazard of pedestrians in the road. The response was welcomed and Councillor Mrs Bickley, on behalf of the residents, advised they would respond accordingly.
680.2 Jobcentre Plus - The Clerk reported that a representative from the Jobcentre advised that an IT Broadband system was awaited at the Ockment Centre to allow this operation to commence and a date between mid May and the end of May was proposed. Members were disappointed over this delay and agreed to write to the Manager, Mrs Maslen, pursuing delivery of this service.
680.3 WDBC Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Development Plan Document/Infrastructure Delivery Plan/Summary of Representations - The Chairman acknowledged receipt of these documents from the Borough Strategic Planning Team, acknowledged an extract from the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and invited comment.
Members accepted the spatial document with many aspects to consider on planning, specifically urban extension and relatively straightforward developments not necessarily to the benefit of Okehampton. The Chairman acknowledged that the Planning Consultant, Stephen Gill, had been engaged by this Council to represent the town on previous objections to this process and on the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Weekes, it was resolved to consult and engage S Gill to pursue this Council’s/town’s objectives on this Core Strategy.
681. Plans - There were no plans presented for consideration by Members.
682. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary - A newsletter from Inspector Hammond discussed community policing and community messaging as a communications system and invited Members to become involved. He also referred to PACT and a number of small operations undertaken across his patch in the force’s efforts to communicate quickly and effectively with the public. He explained that the PACT process would continue, refine and develop the process in the community; noted.
683. Members’ Reports - Councillor Mrs Marsh advised at the Borough planning meeting the Council had resolved to allow the replacement of the Arcade roof in Fore Street and had further refused change of use for bookmakers in Fore Street premises.
Meeting closed 7.25 pm.