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.

There was a minutes silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives, and all others that were affected, by the terrorist attack in Manchester on Monday 22 May 2017.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 April 2017 (Minute Nos. 1300 - 1306) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 April 2017 (Minute Nos. 1300 – 1306) 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 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 attached report (Parts 1, 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 24 May 2017.

Tabled papers for items:

1.1 17/501704/PNQCLA – agricultural building North of Brent Orchard, Halstow Lane, Upchurch;

2.3 15/510051/FULL – Faversham Laundry, 29 Ashford Road, Faversham;

2.4 16/507673/FULL – Land at Swanton Farm, Bicknor Lane, Bredgar;, and

3.1 16/507407/OUT – Land adj. St Clements School, Leysdown uploaded Friday 26 May 2017.

PART 1

Any other reports to be considered in the public session

The Senior Planner drew attention to the tabled update for this item which had previously been emailed to all Members.  The update included details of a condition relating to a remediation scheme if evidence of contamination was encountered during construction.  The Senior Planner stated that the recommendation had therefore been amended and Prior Approval was required and should be granted subject to the condition outlined above.

Mr Gary Mickleborough, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation that prior approval be granted subject to the tabled condition and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He raised concerns which included: was not consistent with the Council’s Local Plan; need to consider the cumulative effect of the development; lapwing and curlew that were present on the site would disappear; adverse impact on the local landscape; and was not in a sustainable location.

In response to a query from a Member, the Senior Planner advised that the requirements of the Development Order were that the amenity area could be no larger than the footprint of the building.

Resolved:  That prior approval be required for application 17/501704/PNQCLA subject to the imposition of a condition relating to the imposition of a remediation scheme if evidence of contamination was encountered during construction.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Senior Planner introduced the application and drew attention to paragraphs 8.03 and 8.04 on page 13 of the Committee report and corrected some of the stated measurements and differences between the approved scheme and the scheme before Members, as some had proved to be inaccurate following re-checking of the plans.

The Senior Planner advised that the dwelling on Plot 1 would be approximately 0.2 metres higher than the approved scheme, and not one metre as set out in paragraph 8.03.  Also, that the dwelling on plot 1 would extend two metres further to the rear, and not 0.5 metres as set out in this paragraph, although this increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

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 17/500107/BOC – Timber fencing to front of 11 Clerke Drive, Kemsley

In response to queries from a Member, the Senior Planner explained that if a planning application were to be received, officers could grant the permission on a temporary basis or make it personal to the applicants, or alternatively the Council could ‘under-enforce’ to allow the fence to be retained for the benefit of the current occupants only.

Resolved:  That the situation be noted and no further action be taken.