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. The Sub-Committee noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 17 May 2017.

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 17 May 2017 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 R Bassett declared a pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a Trustee of the Community Bus Service. The applicant has offered a financial contribution to reinstate the Community Bus service in Nazeing. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1493/16 Broxlea Nursery, Nursery Road, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2JE

(b)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors M Sartin and S Stavrou declared non-pecuniary interests in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being District Council appointees to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. The Councillors had determined that their interests were not prejudicial and that they would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the item and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1493/16 Broxlea Nursery, Nursery Road, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2JE

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Stavrou declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of employing the Applicant’s Agent in the past. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the item and voting thereon.

·         EPF/0232/17 Shottentons Farm, Pecks Hill, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2NY

During the presentation of the item the agent disclosed that he had been in close contact with housing officers from the Council. Councillor S Stavrou brought it to the attention of the meeting that she was the Housing Portfolio Holder and she would therefore not take any further part in the discussion and would abstain from the vote.

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

(Director of Governance)  To consider the planning applications 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.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report and appendices.

The Sub-Committee received a report regarding Probity in Planning – Appeal Decisions 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017.

The report advised the decision making committees of the results of all successful allowed appeals, particularly those refused by committee to officer recommendation. The purpose was to inform Members of the consequences of their decisions in this respect and in cases where the refusal was found unsupportable on planning grounds, an award of costs could be made against the Council.

Since 2011/12 there had been two local indicators, one measured all planning application type appeals as a result of committee reversals of officer recommendations (GOV08) and the other measured the performance of officer recommendations and delegated decisions (GOV07).

Over the six-month period between 1 October 2016 and 31 March 2017, the Council received 54 decisions on appeals (51 of which were planning related appeals, the other 3 were enforcement related).

GOV07 and 08 measured planning application decisions taken at appeal and out of a combined total of 51, 16 were allowed (31%). Broken down further, GOV07 officer performance was 8 out of 40 allowed (20%) and GOV08 committee reversal performance was 8 out of 11 (73%) for the 6 month period.

Members noted that the Area Plans West Sub-Committee had no appeals allowed against decisions made.

RESOLVED:

That the Probity in Planning report covering the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017 be noted.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee considered the current seating arrangements of the Area Plans Sub-Committee West and decided that they would like to keep the current seating arrangements.

            RESOLVED:

(1)          That the Sub-Committee keep the same seating arrangements allowing Members to vacate the meeting through the ante-room; and

(2)          That the general public would be seated in the upper public gallery and registered speakers would be seated in the lower council chamber.