Audio Recording

The Chairman explained that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panel (Coronavirus) Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 No. 392.

In welcoming all Members and members of the public, the Chairman explained which Swale Borough Council officers were in attendance.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 May 2020 (Minute Nos. 672 - 678) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 May 2020 (Minute Nos. 672 – 678) 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 Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

Councillor Monique Bonney declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) in respect of item 2.6 20/501348/OUT Land rear of 17 and 17A Station Street, Sittingbourne as she was the responsible Cabinet Member.  Councillor Bonney left the meeting when this item was considered.

In response to a query from a Member, the Senior Lawyer (Planning) advised that with regard to item 2.6 which was an application from Swale Borough Council (SBC), Members involved in the application including Members at Cabinet level should declare an interest in that item.

Councillor Cameron Beart declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest (DNPI) in respect of item 2.8 20/500809/FULL and 20/500810/LBC 9 High Street, Queenborough.  He explained that in 2018 he had campaigned for the building to be brought back into use but as that was prior to the current applicant purchasing the property and was open-minded about the application.

Councillor Peter Marchington declared a DNPI in respect of item 2.8 20/500809/FULL and 20/500810/LBC 9 High Street, Queenborough as he knew the applicant.

Councillor Ben J Martin declared a DPI in respect of item 2.6 20/501348/OUT Land rear of 17 and 17A Station Street, Sittingbourne as he was a Cabinet Member.  Councillor Martin left the meeting when this item was considered.

To consider the attached report (Parts 1, 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 24 June 2020.

Additional information has been added to these items which might be referred to at this evening’s meeting.

PART 1

Any other reports to be considered in the public session

1.1  Section 106 Year End Review 2019/2020

The Section 106 Monitoring Officer introduced the report which set-out the Section 106 Year End financial figures for 2019/2020.

Members were invited to ask questions.

A Member asked whether the sentence below Table 2 on page 10 of the report, referred to commuted sums that had not been received in the previous year for affordable housing?  The Section 106 Monitoring Officer confirmed that that was correct, and explained and that no commuted sums had been received in 2019/2020, but that 44% affordable units had been secured at land adjacent to Bull Lane, Boughton.

A Member stated that the Section 106 report Members received for 2018/19 had listed all the ‘on-site provision’, and wondered why this report did not?  The Section 106 Monitoring Officer advised that she was just reporting the financial figures, but could forward Members the table of on-site provision if required. 

A Member referred to planning application ref: 15/504264/OUT Land at Perry Court, London Road, Faversham, set-out on page 14 of the report, and asked whether the £179,648.53 – works towards improvement or extension of Faversham Heath Centre and/or Newton Place Surgery had been carried out?  The Section 106 Monitoring Officer advised that they had not therefore the Council was still holding the funds until the NHS asked for them to be released.

A Member asked how many affordable housing units had been secured by Section 106 agreements in the last financial year, and how many additional affordable housing units had been secured outside of Section 106 Agreements?  The Section 106 Monitoring Officer advised that 7 affordable units had been secured at land at Bull Lane, Boughton.  She agreed to forward details of additional affordable housing units secured outside of Section 106 Agreements to all Members.

Resolved:  That the Section 106 Year End Review 2019/2020 be noted.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

This item was withdrawn from the Agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.