RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2009

Present :   Cllr J. Hart (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr D. Linney,

                Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr D. Wardle, Cllr D. Yates

 

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr M. Johns, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr R. Mills

 

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

 

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

 

4.    PLANNING

a)    Decisions

Permission for Development granted in respect of:-

 

S/2009/0750/FUL   38 Kensington Close, Towcester

                            Single storey front extension.

 

S/2009/0806/FUL   11 Cooper Close, Towcester

                             Conservatory to the rear.

 

Consent for the Display of Advertisements in respect of:-

 

S/2009/0723/ADV   The Co-operative Food Store, 92 Watling Street, Towcester

                             1 fascia sign (non-illuminated), 1 projecting sign.

 

b)    Amendments

No amended applications were received.

 

c)    Applications

S/2009/0962/FUL   Unit 1, 7 Swinneyford Road, Towcester

                            Change of use from A1 (retail) to A3 (restaurants & café)

                            and / or A5 (hot food takeaway.

 

The committee discussed the application at length. Concerns were raised that the proposals may exacerbate problems with anti-social behaviour in this area; however, these are not planning considerations. Cllr Lofts suggested some form of parking enforcement should be implemented. The car park allocated to the units is not used resulting in on-street parking and traffic movement issues. Cllr Wardle suggested a reduction in the proposed opening hours from 5pm-11pm to 5pm-10pm. Cllr Allen agreed adding that this could be reviewed after a set period of time.

 

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that observations be made concerning the impact on traffic movements and proposing a reduction in the opening times to 5-10pm for review after 12 months;

seconded by Cllr Wardle, all in favour.

 

d)    Notification of Withdrawn Application

S/2009/0653/P      2 Watling Street, Towcester

                           Covered play area.

 

5.    W. N. D. C.

       Scoping Options; Environmental Impact Assessment

       Moat Lane, Towcester

 

Cllr Hart confirmed that the TC has previously forwarded comments on this matter. It was agreed that no further action was needed as the TC did not wish to make any alterations to its comments.

 

6.    Appeal Decision

       Appeal Ref: APP/Z2830/A/09/2107222/WF

       9 Coulthard Close, Towcester

 

Correspondence from the Planning Inspectorate confirms its dismissal of the appeal against the refusal of permission by SNC to allow the demolition and rebuild of the side boundary wall, reducing the depth of the planted verge by approximately 2m. In brief; the main issue was the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area.

The committee agreed that the decision by the Planning Inspectorate would be held on file for future reference.

 

7.    AUDIT 2008/09

       Completed Audit Report from B.D.O. Stoy Hayward

 

The completed report from External Auditor, B.D.O. Stoy Hayward raises the following points:-

 

Fidelity Guarantee Insurance

The audit report highlights the level of the TC Fidelity Guarantee Insurance each year. Following the last audit the Clerk investigated the cost to increase the level insured from £175,000 to £350,000 and the additional premium was approximately £450.00.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the TC maintains its current level of Fidelity Guarantee Insurance at £175,000 as the cost of additional insurance is disproportionate to the risk involved; seconded by Cllr Allen; all in favour.

 

Fixed Assets

The TC has valued its community assets as £nil in the Annual Return.

Recommendation

The TC should value community assets at a minimum of £1.00 each to ensure they are not lost of forgotten. The Clerk will update the asset register to include these assets at £1.00.

 

Investments

As agreed with the Auditor, the investments have been included correctly in Box 9 and removed from reserves.

 

8.    ASHTAV

Correspondence from ASHTAV (Association of Small Historic Towns and Villages) confirms its AGM will take place at Newark Town Hall on Saturday 31st October from 10.30am . Anyone interested in attending should notify the Clerk.

A copy of the latest ASHTAV Newsletter (including photographs by Cllr Allen) is available from the Clerk.