Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

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 and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

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

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, held on 24 October 2012 (attached).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2012 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor M McEwen declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of living in the vicinity of the application site and knowledge of the people concerned.

EPF/1714/12 – Orchard Villa, Norton Heath, High Ongar.

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.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Subcommittee considered the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 51 Hornbeam Road, Theydon Bois. The emergency TPO had been made to protect an important oak tree, at the request of the Parish Council, at risk of imminent felling. The subcommittee noted that subsequent to the serving of the TPO on the same day, the tree had been ‘ring-barked’ by the tree surgeon concerned and this matter was now to be subject to legal action by way of summons to the magistrates court.

The Subcommittee noted that an objection had been made to confirmation of the order and officer advice on these objections, the advice about the likelihood of the tree surviving its deliberate damaging and the position for replacement should the tree eventually die. The Subcommittee concurred with the view of the officers that the TPO should be confirmed.

            Resolved:

That Tree Preservation Order TPO/EPF/04/12 be confirmed without modification.

(Director 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 – 9 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Subcommittee received a report on the results of planning appeals made during the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012. Members commented that where the application had been refused contrary to officer recommendation that it was appropriate that members be involved in the formulation of the case at any subsequent appeal and that they were made aware of any deadline for the submission of written representations.

Councillor Philip also commended officers for enforcement action taken at the Old Foresters site in Theydon Bois.

Resolved:

That the Planning Appeal Decisions be noted.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning & Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee could be inspected in the Members’ Room or on the Planning & Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices in 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.