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; 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 7 April 2016 (Minute Nos. 634 - 641) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 April 2016 (Minute Nos. 634 – 641) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendment:  Minute No. 638 item 2.4 15/507311/FULL 66 Park Drive, Sittingbourne, the words “could not be supported” be deleted from the final paragraph.

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.

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 approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 April 2016 (Minute Nos. 646 – 647).

15/507246/FULL 320 Minster Road, Minster, ME12 3NR

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 April 2016 (Minute Nos. 646 – 647) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

15/507246/FULL 320 Minster Road, Minster

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

The Planning Officer reported that additional plans had been received showing two parking spaces provided for the existing property.

A Member drew attention to the condition suggested by Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation relating to use of a bound surface for the first five metres outlined in the Committee report from the meeting held on 7 April 2016.  He noted that planning officers did not consider it necessary, however, he felt that it was, as it would stop stones being thrown out onto Minster Road.  Members agreed that this condition should be included.

Members raised the following points: would still be an over-intensification of the site but as only for the family was not a problem; and a bit ‘tight’ but could not see a problem.

Resolved:  That application 15/507246/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (14) in the report and the imposition of a condition relating to use of a bound surface for the first five metres of the access from the edge of the highway as suggested by KCC Highways and Transportation.

To consider the attached report (Parts 2 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 27 April 2016.

Tabled papers uploaded 3 May 2016.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

Mr Shane Collins, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He raised the following concerns: share the concerns of Hartlip Parish Council about the size of the proposed extension in relation to other properties in the vicinity; would cause material harm to the streetscene; and the scale of extension was not in accordance with rural restraint policies.

Members raised the following points: sympathetic design and would be an improvement; why was the site considered an ‘exception’ to normal council policy on development in the countryside, it was designated as being in the countryside as set out in Swale Borough Local Plan 2008; would cause overlooking; acceptable design; not imposing and would not cause overlooking; and fits in well with the plot.

Councillor Mike Baldock moved a motion for a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Richard Darby.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

In response to queries, the Planning Officer reported that he did not have details of the ridge heights of surrounding properties, however the proposed ridge height for the extension was 600mm higher than the existing which was not significant.  There was a mix of properties opposite the site, with houses and chalet bungalows.  With regard to concerns about overlooking the Planning Officer stated that rooflights would be on the side elevation and to the middle of the roofspace, as set out in paragraph 8.09 of the Committee report, and in his view the application could not be justifiably refused on grounds of overlooking. 

There was some discussion about the 267% increase in floor space, and the Planning Officer stated that there were other properties in the Hartlip Hill area which had 300% increases in floor space, so this proposal was not the largest in that respect.  The Planning Officer confirmed that there would be no amendment to the Built-up Area boundary for Hartlip, and such extensions were a result of historic decisions and the particular circumstances.

Resolved:  That application 15/510082/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (4) in the report.

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

The Ward Member spoke against the application and raised the following concerns; was over-intensive; other houses in the vicinity were semi-detached this proposal would make them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 652.

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 5 and 7.

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

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

(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  Ref 15/500958/OPDEV 68A Dumergue Avenue, Queenborough, Kent, ME11 5BH

Resolved:  That the Head of Planning Services be authorised to serve an Enforcement Notice pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the walls, gates and the hardstanding within 3 months of the Notice taking effect. 

That the Head of Planning Services and Head of the 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.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.55pm and reconvened at 8pm.