Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the code of conduct.

The Committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2011.

Members requested that the minutes of the meeting held on the 17 November 2011 were amended to reflect that a precedent had been set at the meeting held on the 20 October 2011 where an additional speaker was permitted to speak on a Public Path Extinguishment order.

The Democratic Support Officer sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer and advised the committee the additional speaker was allowed to speak under 11.2 of Probity in Planning, the code of good practice for Members and Officers in connection with the determination of Planning and associated applications. The section of the code states that in the case of Public Rights of Way applications a further participant is allowed to speak after the officer presentation and other speakers.

The Democratic Support Officer advised that a precedent had not been set and this was confirmed by the Lawyer.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2011.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

Members raised concerns that the boards displaying plans had been moved from the council house landings. The Democratic Support Officer advised the committee that the boards had been moved as part of the new seating arrangements to facilitate members of the public being able to move the boards.

The Chair told the committee that the new seating arrangements for members of the public were experimental, subject to change and offered to meet with members outside of the meeting to discuss any concerns they had.

A short adjournment was held to allow members of the committee to view the plans.

At the request of the committee the lawyer advised that the seating arrangements were an administrative issue and not a legal issue.  The Lawyer advised that in his opinion it was good practice to notify the committee of changes.

Members of the committee raised concerns that the there was no visible signage at the public entrance on princess street, the entrance was not compliant with the disability discrimination act and there was no security available at the entrance.

The Democratic Support Officer advised the committee the arrangements were in line with those employed at full council.

The Chair will receive and respond to questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures. Questions shall not normally exceed 50 words in length and the total length of time allowed for public questions shall not exceed 10 minutes. Any question not answered within the total time allowed shall be the subject of a written response.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) will submit a schedule asking Members to consider Applications, Development proposals by Local Authorities and statutory consultations under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  Members of the Committee are requested to refer to the attached planning application guidance.

The Committee considered the following applications, development proposals by local authorities, and statutory consultations submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990.  Addendum reports were submitted in respect of minute numbers 71.2, 71.3 and 71.4.

(Mr and Mrs J Newall)

Decision:

Application GRANTED conditionally.

(South-West Property Developments Ltd)

Decision:

Application DEFERRED for site visit.

(At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations against the application from Councillor Beer, ward member).

(Councillor Delbridge’s proposal to defer for a site visit, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nicholson was put to the vote and declared carried)

(Taylor Wimpey (Exeter) UK Ltd)

Decision:

Application GRANTED conditionally subject to a S106 obligation,with delegated authority to refuse in the event that the S106 obligation is not completed by 20 December 2011, subject to additional and varied conditions 19, 33, 21, 24 and 25 as laid out in the addendum report.

(At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations against the application).

(At the invitation of the Chair, the Committee heard representations in support of the application).

(Sutton Harbour Services Ltd)

Decision:

GRANTED conditionally subject to a S106 obligation, with delegated authority to refuse in the event that the S106 obligation is not completed by 27 January 2012 and an additional Grampian condition (25) and informative (7) as laid out in the addendum report.

The Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) acting under powers delegated to him by the Council will submit a schedule outlining all decisions issued from 7 November 2011 to 5 December 2011, including –

1)  Committee decisions;

2)  Delegated decisions, subject to conditions where so indicated;

3)  Applications withdrawn;

4)  Applications returned as invalid.

Please note that these Delegated Planning Applications are available for inspection at First Stop Reception, Civic Centre.

The Committee received a report of the Assistant Director of Development (Planning Services) on decisions issued for the period 7 November to 5 December 2011, including –

• Committee decisions
• Delegated decisions, subject to conditions where so indicated
• Applications withdrawn
• Applications returned as invalid

The lead planning officer advised the committee of the following amendments to the report –

A schedule of decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on appeals arising from the decision of the City Council will be submitted.  Please note that this schedule is available for inspection at First Stop Reception, Civic Centre.

The Committee received a schedule of decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on appeals arising from the decisions of the City Council.

Following questions from the committee it was reported that the guidance on the 45 degree rule remained as guidance. Applications which marginally infringed on the rule could still be approved as the rule was not mandatory but a guide for applicants.

The committee requested that in future when the rule is marginally infringed upon officer’s reports include a diagram to give further context to members on which to base decisions.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) … of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.

***PLEASE NOTE***

A SCHEDULE OF VOTING RELATING TO THE MEETING IS ATTACHED AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THESE MINUTES.