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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 that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

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 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 following application:

18/503135/OUT – Land west of Barton Hill Drive, Minster-on-Sea, Kent ME12 3LZ

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the application will be considered at this meeting.

Requests to speak on this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Monday 22 July 2019.

Tabled Paper added 23 July 2019.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Senior Planner introduced the application, and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the tabled paper.  He gave a brief presentation of the site and the proposal and reminded Members that the application had been deferred at the meeting held on 28 February 2019.  The Senior Planner explained that the site was to the west of Barton Hill Drive, Minster, and predominantly to the north of the Lower Road.  To the north of the site was the Oasis Academy and the western side of Parsonage Chase.  Parsonage Farmhouse, sited to the north east of the site, was a Grade II listed building,  to the west were hedgerows and open fields, and Lower Road was at the southern boundary.  The Senior Planner explained that the application site was 35.7 hectares in size, and was currently open agricultural land, rising-up from Lower Road northwards. The development largely fell within the site allocated for housing within the Local Plan, and a minimum of 620 dwellings had been allocated.  The Senior Planner explained that the application site was different to the site allocation plan, and as such there were three parcels of land within the application site which did not fall within the site allocation.  He highlighted the planning constraints in relation to the unallocated land which included it being within open countryside, and some parts to the west fell within an important Local Countryside Gap.  Two areas of land, to the east and north were part of the site allocation but did not form part of this application, one of which was an overgrown orchard.

The Senior Planner explained that the housing mix would be 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings, mainly two storeys, but some three storeys as well.  There would be a variety of density of housing, and 14.8 hectares of open space would be provided.  There would be a woodland buffer, 20 metres in width, and a sustainable drainage area to the south and west.  Open spaces, including the installation of a central play area and ball court would be provided.  There would be green corridors and a network of cycle routes and pedestrian footpaths.  The application also included provision for a local centre, with a medical facility and shops.  The Lower Road would be widened between the new roundabout and Cowstead Corner.  Work on a cycle path along the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

To consider any items not considered at the meeting held on 18 July 2019.

There were no items to be considered as the meeting on 18 July 2019 completed its business on that date.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.22pm and reconvened at 9.37pm.