The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 December 2016 (Minute Nos. 1058 - 1066) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 December 2016 (Minute Nos. 1058 – 1066) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

2.1, 16/507069/ADV, Advertisement on roundabout at Sonora Way/Jacinth Drive, Sittingbourne – that Councillor James Hunt moved the amendment and Councillor Mike Henderson seconded it.

The following updates were given:

The Chairman advised that item 2.3, 16/507183/FULL, Milstead Primary School, Milstead, would be deferred to the next meeting as the amended drawings had been received.

The Development Manager advised that it was hoped that the viability assessment for item 2.4,  16/505280/OUT, Land at Swale Way, East Hall Farm, East Hall Lane, Sittingbourne, would be ready in time for the next meeting.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

Councillor Tina Booth declared an interest in respect of item 2.6, Corner Plot, Range Road, Eastchurch.  Councillor Booth left the Chamber during consideration of this item.

To consider the attached report (Sections 2, 3 and 5).

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee.  All applications on which the public has registered to speak will be taken first.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 4 January 2017.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Mr Graham Addicott, representing Hartlip Parish Council, spoke against the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He considered it would set a precedent, and effect visual amenity.

Members raised the following points:  concerned with this application; this caravan did not look like it was a touring caravan; this was contrary to the original condition on the application; difficult  to reconcile that some agricultural buildings were deemed not fit for the countryside, but this seemed to be acceptable, needed to be consistent; the caravan should not be used in the evenings; it seemed that the applicant was contravening the condition as there was external storage on the site; question the meaning of ‘amenity facility’; was the caravan being used for overnight stays?; this was the ‘thin end of the wedge’; caravan was atrocious, resulting in visual harm; this was a very visible site; and would be happier if this was short-term.

The Development Manager explained that in terms of the use of the caravan, there had been no evidence of overnight stays, and no complaints had been received, and therefore nothing was being investigated by the Planning Enforcement Team.  He explained that the application was for a small caravan, and the amenity use was for the stable worker to use for rest/tea breaks.

In response to a question, the Area Planning Officer explained that the wording of condition (8), outlined on page 6 of the report, was no longer the wording that was used for this type of condition, and that the word ‘prior’ was no longer included.  He advised that the condition could be amended to make the permission temporary, and he sought delegated authority to do this.

On being put to the vote, the motion to approve the application was lost.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved a motion to refuse the application on the following grounds: that reasonable conditions were imposed on the application site nine years ago in relation to no external storage etc. in the interests of visual amenity of the area, and this application should be refused for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1093.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following items:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

1.    Information relating to any individual.

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). See note below.

4.    Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5.    Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6.    Information which reveals that the authority proposes

(a)  To give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)  To make an order or direction under any enactment.

7.    Information relation to any action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

Resolved:

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4.  Information relating to any consultation or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5.  Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes:

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.

7.  Information relating to any action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

To consider the attached report (Part 6).

6.1 Land at Scoggers Hill, Dunkirk

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Noticebe issued in respect of the breaches of planning control identified by officers, pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the uses to cease and all items not associated with any agricultural activity to be removed from the land within 6 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.

6.2 Chesley Oast, Bull Lane, Newington

Following the refusal of item 3.1, 16/506159/FULL, Chesley Oast, Bull Lane, Newington, the Area Planning Officer advised that enforcement action was recommended, for the reasons set out in the report for that item.  Members agreed to the wording outlined by the Area Planning Officer.

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Noticebe issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring permanent residential use to cease within 6 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.