To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 August 2014 (Minute Nos. 178 - 182) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 August 2014 (Minute Nos. 178 – 182) 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.

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 attached report (Sections 2 and 3).

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 August 2014.

SCHEDULE OF DECISIONS

PART 2 - Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended.

The Ward Member, also a Member of the Planning Committee, spoke in support of the application advising that access to the site was not a problem and the existing access had been in use for many years.

A Member drew Members’ attention to Eastchurch Parish Council’s objection to the application.  He considered that the proposal would be an infringement on the village and would have a detrimental impact on the High Street and the junction, and cause issues with traffic flow.

Members raised concerns that there were conflicting views being expressed and Councillor Tony Winckless moved a motion for a Planning Working Group meeting to view the site and access.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth.  Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Members made the following comments: concerns about the access have been addressed; the previous use of the site would have generated traffic flow; and access to the site had not been an issue previously.

Resolved:  That application SW/14/0576 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (17) in the report.

PART 3 - Applications for which REFUSAL is recommended.

This application was deferred.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:-

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 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 any individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

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.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 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.

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.

To consider the attached report (Section 6).

Members discussed the report and noted the recommendation.

Resolved: That the report be noted and no action be taken, subject to the applicant writing to local residents, advising them of the specific date, start and finish times and the number of races which will take place.