Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements agreed by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee, in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission. The Sub-Committee noted the advice provided for the public and speakers in attendance at Council Planning Sub-Committee meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee.

The Head of Research and Democratic Services informed the Sub-Committee that in an effort to reduce printing costs and help the Council achieve its Gershon efficiency targets, the minutes of the last meeting had not been reproduced on the agenda. The minutes were freely available for viewing in the Local Democracy section of the Council’s website, and all members of the Sub-Committee had been sent an advisory e-mail when the minutes were published containing a link to view the minutes on the Council’s intranet.

Members of the Sub-Committee expressed concern about this approach being implemented at the current time. Training had yet to be organised for Councillors in the use of the new Committee Management System, and some felt that this approach should not be taken until the proposed ICT grants had been implemented to allow Councillors to purchase or upgrade their computer equipment.

            RESOLVED:

(1)            That, for the immediate future, minutes from the previous meeting of the Sub-Committee be reproduced on the agenda; and

(2)            That the minutes from the meeting held on 22 June 2005 be considered at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on 17 August 2005.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs S Perry, C Whitbread and J M Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of each being a member of Epping Town Council. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                    EPF/478/05 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    A/EPF/526/05 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/544/05 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/517/05 - Roseburn Cottage, 3 Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping;

·                    EPF/716/05 - Costa Coffee, 189 High Street, Epping; and

·                    EPF/893/05 - 33 Laburnum Road, Coopersale, Epping.

(b)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs A Grigg declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of being a member of North Weald Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                    EPF/649/05 - 36 High Road, North Weald.

(c)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C Whitbread declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of being an acquaintance of the applicant. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                    EPF/649/05 - 36 High Road, North Weald.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee.  Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required.

It was reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:  (i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule.  (ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

            RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1-7 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of a Plans Subcommittee may be inspected in the Members Room or at the Planning and Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices, Epping.

The Sub-Committee noted that schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.