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 30 June 2016 (Minute Nos. 758 - 765) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 June 2016 (Minute Nos. 758 – 765) 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 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.

Councillors Cameron Beart and James Hunt declared Pecuniary Interests in respect of Planning Working Group 16/503079/FULL 31 Galena Close, Sittingbourne.  They left the room during consideration of this item.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 July 2016 (Minute Nos. to follow).

2.1 16/503079/FULL 31 Galena Close, Sittingbourne ME10 5LB

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 July 2016 (Minute Nos. 779 – 780) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

16/503079/FULL 31 Galena Close, Sittingbourne, ME10 5LB

The Area Planning Officer reported that following the site meeting the agent had confirmed that the plans would not be amended and it was intended to construct the development shown on the submitted plans.  He drew attention to an error in the Committee report that the proposed front extension would not be 1.7m in depth and it would sit flush with the existing front gable of the dwelling.

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

Resolved:  That application 16/503079/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (1) to (3) in the report.

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 20 July 2016.

Tabled paper for Item 2.10 15/510589OUT Land north of Swale Way, Sittingbourne uploaded Monday 25 July 2016.

Tabled paper for Item 2.9 15/505213/FULL land adjacent to Thanet Way, Highstreet Road, Hernhill, ME13 9EN uploaded Friday 30 September 2016.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

A Member queried why the application had been brought to Committee when Ospringe Parish Council had raised concern but not formally objected to the application.  The Area Planning Officer felt that technically they had raised objection following their concerns about how it would affect the neighbouring property.

Resolved:  That application 16/503730/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

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

In response to a query from a Ward Member, the Area Planning Officer reported that he was unsure why Faversham Town Council had objected to the proposal given that it was smaller than the previous application which they had not objected to.

Resolved:  That application 16/501964/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer reported that amended drawings were sought from the applicant to ensure that the rear corner of the extension did not overhang the boundary.

Cassandra Crayford, an objector, spoke against the application.

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

In response to a query from a Ward Member, the Area Planning Officer advised that whilst the scheme was slightly altered from the previously approved scheme reference SW/11/1037, it was still consistent with the Council’s Conservation Area policies.  He stated that a condition requiring obscure glazing in the bathroom could be added if requested by Members.  The Area Planning Officer noted that no objections had been received from residents in Chart Close, Faversham and that this was not a large extension.

A Member noted that the Ward Member who had called-in the application was not present and had sent no observations on the application.  It was reported that the Member was at another meeting and had called-in the application in order for local residents to speak to the Committee. 

In response to a query from a Member, the Area Planning Officer stated that there would be approximately a 35% increase in floorspace.

Members considered the application, and raised points which included: even with obscure glazed windows the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 802.

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  Ref 16/500500/CHANGE Erection of an outbuilding at 8 St Mary’s Row, Scrapsgate Road, Minster, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 2BL

Resolved:  That 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 outbuilding  within one month 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.