To confirm the minutes of the Development Control and Licensing Committee held on 16 June 2015.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Development Control and Licensing Committee held on 16 June 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any disclosable interests under the Code of Conduct and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

No declarations of interest were received.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions from members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rules.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes.  Petitions, deputations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received.  Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes out of the total time of 30 minutes.  Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice.  Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions were received.

To receive any deputations from members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 94(4).

There will be no limit on the total number of deputations to be received but no more than two deputations will be permitted in respect of each planning application one of which, if required, will be from a statutory consultee.

Deputations which relate to a planning application included on the agenda for this meeting will be deferred until the application is considered by Members.

Following the deputation, the applicant or his agent will have a right of reply, the maximum time for which will be three minutes.  Members will then have the opportunity to question the deputee and if a response has been made, the applicant or agent, for a maximum of four minutes.

No deputations relating to planning applications were received.

To receive Report No. 126/2015 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport)

Report No. 126/2015 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) was received.

Application for the erection of a three storey house-block with associated covered walkways, internal security fencing and security lighting and the extension of existing prison car park by a further 25 car parking spaces, involving the relocation of the existing covered bicycle store.

(Ward: Greetham; Parish: Stretton)

The Chairman advised committee members that legal advice was that it was unwise to proceed given the length of time that had elapsed without further consultation and that this item should be deferred.  To allow for the 21-day consultation period this item would be brought to the next meeting of this committee.

RESOLVED

FUL/2010/0327 That this application be DEFERRED until the next meeting of the Development Control and Licensing Committee.

Application for the Erection of a monument to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. .

(Ward: Ketton; Parish:Barrowden)

RESOLVED

2015/0125/FUL In accordance with the recommendation set out within Report No. 126/2015 Item 2, that this application be REFUSED.

RESOLVED

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting in accordance

with paragraphs 1,2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to any individual; information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).

Report No. 129/2015 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) was received.

RESOLVED

1.    That Committee authorised the Director for Places to consider issuing a Simple Caution to the person claiming responsibility for authorising the unauthorised tree works and/or the contractor and authority to consider prosecution proceedings if a caution was not accepted.

2.    That the Committee authorised the Director for Places to consider requiring that the land owner replant a replacement tree of an appropriate size and species under the provisions of Section 213(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

To receive Report No. 128/2015 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport)

Report No. 128/2015 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) was received.  The Development Control Manager, Mr Pullan introduced the report which researched recent appeal costs awards against the Council and what can be learned from them.

Members were reminded that the Council was at particular risk of a costs award when reasons for refusal were not supported by technical consultees; that the Planning Inspectorate were looking for hard evidence and analysis to support Member overturn at Committee of officer recommendation.

The Inspector’s comment that “without evidence the Council’s stance was vague and lacked analysis” as reported in paragraph 3.2 was queried.  Following discussion it was agreed that a new procedure would be implemented where there was a claim for costs on a refusal contrary to recommendation: officers would consult with the Chair/Vice-Chair and Portfolio Holder prior to submitting paperwork to the Planning Inspectorate.

RESOLVED

1.    That the contents of report no. 128/2015 be NOTED.

2.    That there would be a new procedure in future where there was a claim for costs on a refusal at Committee contrary to recommendation.

To consider any other urgent business approved in writing by the Chief Executive and Chairman of the Committee.

No items of urgent business had been previously notified to the person presiding.

A brief discussion took place on encouraging Ward Members to attend meetings, where items on the agenda and are not members of the Committee.  It was noted that Ward Members, as only reporting on matters of fact, are able to do so through the planning department.

DECISION SUMMARY, 7 JULY 2015