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 5 January 2017 (Minute Nos. 1090 - 1095) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 February 2017 (Minute Nos. 1090 – 1095) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

No interests were declared.

To consider the following application:

16/507183/FULL – Milstead Primary School, School Lane, Milstead.

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that this application will be considered at this meeting.

Requests to speak on these items must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 1 February 2017.

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

A Member raised concern that if the school became over-subscribed, parking problems would be made worse in the area.

Councillor Mike Baldock requested that it be recorded that he voted against the application.

Resolved:  That application 16/507183/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

To consider the attached report (Parts 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 1 February 2017.

Following the agreement of the Chairman an urgent Item has been added to the agenda on 25 January 2017.  Please see item 3.3 below.

The following tabled papers were published on 6 February 2017:

2.8 – 16/507789/FULL Howt Green, Sheppey Way, Bobbing

2.10 – 16/507298/FULL Land at Rushenden Road, Queenborough

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

Parish Councillor Jeff Tutt, representing Dunkirk Parish Council, spoke against the application.

In response to a point raised by the speaker, the Area Planning Officer stated that whilst a condition had been applied to the original permission of the property to ensure the garage was kept available for parking, in his opinion sufficient parking would still be provided.  The Area Planning Officer advised that if Members were minded to refuse the application for lack of parking, officers would not be able to defend on those grounds at any subsequent appeal.

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

A Ward Member raised no objection.

In response to queries from Members, the Area Planning Officer stated that in principle it was preferable to have a garage when designing a property, however parking was still provided, and there was a risk of harm with any new development.  The Area Planning Officer confirmed that the footprint of the integral garage would not change.

Members considered the application and raised the following points: why do we add conditions to applications if all we are going to do is ignore them; would be ‘insignificantly’ harmful; and would not be detrimental to the area.

Resolved:  That application 16/506840/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

Councillor Bryan Mulhern moved from the chair a motion for a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Bobbin.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Mr Matthew Garvey, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Resolved: That application 16/501552/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He acknowledged that the developer had provided more parking, but noted that the area was densely populated and a further 9 apartments would be over-intensive development.  He considered that any development at the location would have a detrimental impact on parking in the area. 

Members considered the application and raised the following points: unsure of the reasons for providing two extra office parking spaces; the residential amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1178.