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 30 March 2017 (Minute Nos. 1282 - 1289) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 March 2017 (Minute Nos. 1282 – 1287) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendment to Minute No. 1287 Item 5.4 11 Leet Close, Eastchurch:

The following wording be included “Members were disappointed with the outcome”.

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 2.7 17/500436/FULL Corner Plot, Range Road, Eastchurch.  Councillor Booth left the room during consideration of this item.

Councillor Ghlin Whelan declared an interest in respect of item 2.5 17/500947/FULL 1 Hever Place, Sittingbourne.  Councillor Whelan did not speak or vote on this item.

Councillor James Hunt declared an interest in respect of item 2.4 17/500660/FULL Iwade School, School Lane, Iwade.  Councillor Hunt left the room during consideration of this item.

To consider the following application:

16/507706/FULL – Doubleday Lodge, Glebe Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4JW

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 this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 26 April 2017.

The Major Projects Officer advised that following consideration of the application at the 2 March 2017 meeting, the affordable housing issue was the only one that had not been resolved.  The applicant had advised that 30% affordable rented units on the site would render the scheme unviable.

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

Resolved:  That application 16/507706/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (23) in the report, and the signing of a suitably worded Section 106 Agreement.

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 26 April 2017.

Tabled paper for item 2.5 17/50097/FULL 1 Hever Place, Sittingbourne published Friday 28 April 2017.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

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

A Ward Member spoke against the application.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following addendum:  That the standard hours of construction condition be imposed.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth.

The Area Planning Officer stated that it was not usual to impose such a condition for a household alteration and advised against imposing this condition.

Discussion ensued and Members agreed the addendum.

Resolved:  That application 17/501100/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report and the imposition of the standard hours of construction condition.

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

A Member raised concern that the Parish Council had called-in the application but were not present at the meeting.  Another Member disagreed that this was a matter for concern.

Resolved: That application 17/500701/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

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

Resolved:  That application 17/500660/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

The Senior Planner reported that further comments from the agent for the scheme had been received.  These were tabled and had previously been emailed to Members.

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

Resolved:  That application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1304.

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 15/500729/OPDEV – Fence erected to the front of 1 Hales Road, Tunstall

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the fencing within 3 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  16/500553/OPDEV – 10 Kingfisher Close, Iwade

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the hardstanding within 3 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.