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 21 July 2016 (Minute Nos. 798 - 804) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 July 2016 (Minute Nos. 798 – 804) 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.

Councillor Tina Booth declared a Pecuniary Interest in respect of items 2.1 16/503388/FULL 11 Leet Close, Eastchurch and 2.5 16/501159/OUT Land adjacent to Eastchurch Village Hall, Eastchurch.  Councillor Booth left the room during consideration of these items.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 August 2016 (Minute Nos. to follow).

SW/16/503948/FULL The Old School, Painters Forstal Road, Ospringe, ME13 0EG

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 August 2016 (Minute Nos. 823 – 824) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendment:  Minute No. 824, the penultimate paragraph should read: Local residents raised the following concerns: ‘proposed extension would block-out light to the adjoining property’, not windows as stated.

16/503948/FULL The Old School, Painters Forstal Road, Ospringe, ME13 0EG

Members considered the proposal and raised the following points: thankful to the applicants for marking out the proposed extension for Members; disappointing that no Parish Council representatives were present; and well designed extension which would do no real harm.

The Ward Member stated that he did not consider the proposal would cause problems.

Resolved:  That application 16/503948/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (5) in the report.

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 17 August 2016.

Tabled paper for Item 2.12 SW/13/1455 Land at Harps Farm, Minster uploaded Monday 22 August 2016.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

Members considered the application and the following points were raised:  recall the site meeting at this property and the unacceptable impact it would have on the neighbouring property; and houses should not have been built that close.

The motion to approve the application was lost.

Councillor Andy Booth moved the following motion: That the application be refused due to being an over-intensive development, harmful to the character and appearance of the streetscene, and would cause demonstrable harm to the residential amenities and lifestyle of the residents of the neighbouring property.  This was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 16/503388/FULL be refused due to an over-intensive development, harmful to the character and appearance of the streetscene, and would cause demonstrable harm to the residential amenities and lifestyle of the residents of the neighbouring property. 

The Area Planning Officer reported that amended drawings clarifying the design of the extension had been received.  These were as hoped for by officers.

Mrs Tara Lloyd, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

Members considered the application and raised points which included: cannot see how it would affect the property to the east as stated by Faversham Town Council; good application; the reasons for allowing the application were necessary and acceptable; and lots of space in Ethelbert Road for the development.

Resolved:  That application 16/504234/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report and as per the amended drawings.

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

A Member stated that he was aware that the Ward Member was concerned about the impacts the proposal would have on No. 90 College Road, Sittingbourne.

In response to a query from a Member, the Area Planning Officer confirmed that if the Ward Member had not called-in the application it would have been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 833.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 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).

Ref ENF/SW/13/1272 Parsonage Farm Bungalow, Painters Forstal, Faversham

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring that the dormer windows be either removed or constructed in accordance with the sizes and design as shown on Drawing No. BRW-0413-01 Revision B Sheet 2 of 2 of planning permission SW/13/1272 within 6 months 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.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.30pm and reconvened at 9.37pm.

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