Minutes Planning Committee - Monday 7 June 2010
Committee Members Present:
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Chair)
Councillor A Leech (Vice Chair)
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor Mrs D Smith
Councillor M Morse (Town Mayor)
Councillor Ms T Edwards (Chair, Parks)
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair, P & R)
Other Members Present:
Councillor P Vachon
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
Declaration of Interest: Councillor Ms T Edwards agenda item 5.2 Lewis Court.
44. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
45. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
46. Members’ Questions - Councillor Leech expressed concern over the standard of repairs to Fairplace toilets following the vandalism. He said the vandalism had been discussed at the liaison meeting where it was agreed to pursue repairs.
47. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 24 May 2010 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor M Morse, seconded by Councillor M Ireland.
48. Matters Arising -
48.1 Jobcentre - A letter from the Jobcentre Plus Manager advised the Jobcentre would operate at the Ockment Centre for a full three month trial and all Okehampton customers could attend to sign for benefit. Members acknowledged the role of the Jobcentre, wished to clarify numbers attending and the success of the operation with a wish to continue with greater provision for unemployed; Clerk to clarify.
48.2 Lewis Court - The Clerk offered no report from the Borough Enforcement Officer.
48.3 Sewerage Refurbishment Works - The Chair advised of discussions with Devon County Council, Chamber of Trade and the contractors with a view to altering the timing of these works to the benefit of the shopkeepers, tourism and general town centre trade. She referred to discussion in accommodating school transport requirements with various options to accommodate this work, but regrettably concluded that the agreed dates were fixed. Discussion ensued on compensation and it was noted the Chamber were preparing a formula to calculate compensation based on previous year’s trading, which figures would be submitted to the contractors and County in due course; Chair to monitor the situation.
48.4 WDBC - Core Strategy Meeting Substitution - A letter from the Chair of the Future Planning and Housing Committee advised that that Committee had been correctly constituted and the decisions were lawful, all Councillors were invited to attend and present views and the work of the Committee would continue. Members were disappointed at this nil response, questioned the process of the Core Strategy over five years, noted abstentions and voting and concluded to take no further action.
48.5 WDBC Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Development Plan - The Chairman reported Council’s appointed consultant, S Gill, had prepared a response document which, under delegated powers, she had endorsed and instructed him to forward to the Borough by 3 June. From his report she extracted the principal points against the Strategy eg was the document legally compliant, was it unsound, effective or consistent with national policy and, in that document, offered reasons submitted by this Council against the content of the Core Strategy document. She complimented Mr Gill on the document with very accurate technical detail.
Members questioned a summary page which the Chairman commented would be an additional fee, it was agreed the Clerk distribute the documentation by email.
Councillor Leech referenced the liaison meeting and report that government was to shelve house building programmes and scrap some regional spatial strategy. He said the Borough was concerned this would create a vacuum to allow developers to build on appeal at whichever location they chose. He reported comments that the Borough assessment on housing requirements was higher than government directives. On the proposition of Councillor Ireland, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved that the Borough Council Housing Assessment Need report be requested for submission to this meeting.
49. Plans - The following plans were received for comment.
00474 / 2010 259312,95836
Full
New building for use as proposed builders’ merchant including access, storage yard, parking and drainage
Land adjacent to 56 North Road, Industrial Estate, Okehampton
Mr C Worth
The Council supported the proposal, but expressed concerns over environmental impact on the area.
00499 / 2010 258247,95576
Tree application
Application to carry out works to trees under Tree Preservation Order for the crown reduction of 2 Lawson’s Cypress by 3m and 4m located to the rear of 33 Herons Brook
33 Herons Brook, Okehampton EX20 1UW
Mr R Smidmore
No observations
50. Road Closures - Members noted the following road closures:
(i) North Road - 8-13 July 2010 resurfacing carriageway.
(ii) George Street - 26-30 July 2010 utility works.
51. Police Newsletter May 2010 - The May newsletter from Inspector Hammond was circulated to the meeting together with a questionnaire relating to the opening hours of the police station in Okehampton. The Chairman reported the police were reviewing their operating procedures including opening hours at the police station and comments were sought from community representatives. Following discussion on an inadequate time frame to respond, it was agreed the questionnaire be emailed to Members for direct response to the Inspector.
52. Members’ Reports -
Ockment Centre - Councillor Leech reported the Centre was awaiting a decision from the County on the future of the Children’s Centre at those premises.
53. Kent House, George Street - Members questioned the removal of a monkey puzzle tree at the above location; Town Clerk to research with Borough.
Meeting closed 8.30 pm.