Agenda and minutes

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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 25 October 2017.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on the 25 October 2017 to be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Chambers declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of the Loughton Leisure Customer Forum and a member of the Leisure Management Contract Monitoring Board. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2338/17 – Loughton Leisure Centre, Traps Hill, Loughton.

(b)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Patel declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a representative of the Loughton Leisure Customer Forum. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·        EPF/2338/17 – Loughton Leisure Centre, Traps Hill, Loughton.

(c)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Members Conduct, Councillor R Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a close friend of one of the main objectors. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·        EPF/2398/17 – Stanmores and Little Stanmores, Clays Lane, Loughton.

(d)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Wixley declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of recently attending a site meeting with regard to the changing rooms and disabled access. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·        EPF/2338/17 – Loughton Leisure Centre, Traps Hill, Loughton.

(e)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Members Conduct, Councillor C C Pond declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being approached over time by many residents regarding this application. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and didn’t think he was personally conflictied but to avoid any accusation to the contrary he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·        EPF/2398/17 – Stanmores and Little Stanmores, Clays Lane, Loughton.

(f)               Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Members Conduct, Councillor J Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a close personal friend of one of the main objectors. The Councillor had determined that her interest was non-pecuniary and that she would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·        EPF/2398/17 – Stanmores and Little Stanmores, Clays Lane, Loughton.

(g)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Mohindra declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being the Chairman of Governors at Epping Forest College to which Loughton Leisure Centre offered fitness facilities to the College. The Councillor had determined  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, 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.

It was noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

(Director of Governance)  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 – 4 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

(Director Governance) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee received a report regarding Probity in Planning – Appeal Decisions 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.

In compliance with the recommendation of the District Auditor, the report advised the Sub-Committee of the results of all successful allowed appeals and the consequences of the decisions. In addition, two local indicators were measured, which included all planning application type appeals as a result of committee reversals of officer recommendations (GOV008) and the performance of officer recommendations and delegated decisions (GOV007).  

Over the six-month period between 1 April 2017 and 30 September 2017, the Council received 56 decisions on appeals (48 of which were planning related appeals, the other 8 were enforcement related).

GOV07 and 08 measured planning application related appeal decisions and out of a combined total of 48, 15 were allowed (31.3%). Broken down further, GOV007 performance was 4 out of 32 allowed (12.5%) and GOV008 performance was 11 out of 16 (68.8%).

Out of the planning appeals that arose from decisions of the Plans South Sub-Committee to refuse contrary to the recommendation put to them by officers during the 6-month period, 8 appeals were allowed against decisions made and 3 were dismissed.

            RESOLVED:

That the probity in Planning report covering the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017 be noted.