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 those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 September 2021 (Minute Nos. 286 - 289) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 September 2021 (Minute Nos. 286 – 289) 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 Interests (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 meeting 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.

Councillor David Simmons declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 3.1, 21/502877/full, Land adjacent to 72 Courtenay Road, Dunkirk.

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 13 October 2021.

Tabled Papers for items 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9 added 12 October 2021.

Documents which might be referred to at the meeting added 14 October 2021.

Please note that Item 2.8, Unit 6 Neatscourt 21/503070/FULL, has been withdrawn from this evening’s agenda.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

The Ward Member spoke against the application.  She raised concern with the facility being illuminated; the hours of operation; its obvious location; not being in keeping with the streetscene, and concerned with condition (1) in the report, where the applicant could change the hours of service in the future, meaning this facility would be operational more frequently.  The Ward Member said that parameters needed to be set.

In response, the Area Planning Officer explained that the recommendations in the report ensured that the facility was only operating and illuminated when the filling station was open.

Councillor Monique Bonney moved the following motion:  That the application be delegated to officers, in consultation with the Ward Member, to determine precise wording for the opening hours for the self-service launderette facility and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.  On being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 21/504190/FULL be delegated to officers to approve subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report and with consultation with the Ward Member, to determine precise wording for the opening hours and lighting for the self-service launderette facility.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application and explained that the extension was not higher than the existing bungalow.  He referred to the two-metre gap guidance required between a first-floor extension and the side boundary to stop the appearance of terracing.  The guidance was not applicable in this application as the site was at the end of a cul-de-sac and it abutted rear gardens, and so there was no loss of openness between the properties.  The Area Planning Officer considered this to be a straightforward application.

Mrs Jo Cesary, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr Alex Brooks, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

A visiting Ward Member spoke against the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

A Ward Member who was also a member of the Planning Committee spoke against the application.  He referred to paragraphs 4.6 and 7.6 in the report and asked why there should be a distance of 21 metres between windows to the rear?  He spoke against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 380.

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; and

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 5 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

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

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

To consider the attached report (Part 6).

18/500767/FULL - Newington Working Mens Club (now known as Charlotte Court), High Street, Newington

The Development Manger introduced the item and gave a summary of the issue.

Resolved: That enforcement action not be pursued for the non-compliance with condition (9) of the Inspector’s decision for 18/500767/FULL.

The Meeting was adjourned from 8.56 pm until 9.02 pm.

At 10pm, 10.30pm and 11pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Committee could complete its business.