Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

            RESOLVED:

That the Council’s protocol for webcasting of Council and other meetings be noted.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted 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.

The last meeting of Area Plans Sub-Committee C were cancelled due to lack of business, therefore the minutes of the previous Sub-Committee meeting of 25 October 2006 will need to be confirmed.

There had been no meeting of the Sub-Committee in November 2006 due to their being no planning applications.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes held on 25 October 2006 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) 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 noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a bi-annual Planning Appeals report advising of the results of all successful appeals, particularly those refused contrary to officer recommendations. The report highlighted that there had been no appeal decisions allowed by the Inspector following the Sub-Committee’s decision to refuse permission, contrary to the Planning Officer’s recommendation.

The Sub-Committee were informed that the Best Value Performance Indicator had been amended to reflect only appeals against the refusal of planning permission, for which the Council had set a target of 24%. The performance figure for the Council was 26% which narrowly missed the target, however the Council’s performance was better than the national average of 33%.

No awards of costs were made in this 6 month period against the Council, but the Council were successful in obtaining a partial award of costs in one case.

The Council’s performance during this period continued to be a reflection of the quality of decision making by both officers and members at committee.

            RESOLVED:

That the Planning Appeal Decisions for the period April to September 2006 be noted.

(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.

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 5 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.

The Chairman of Committee announced the retirement of the Principal Planning Officer, Ralph Bintley who had worked on Area Plans Sub C Committee for many years. The Chairman thanked Mr Bintley for his years of service and assistance to the members of the Committee.