RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2008

Present :-   Cllr C. Stanger (Chairman), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr V. Baker, Cllr J. Hart,

                 Cllr M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr A. Maycock,

                 Cllr R. Mills, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr A. Wardle

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

Mrs Simpson of Vernon Road addressed the committee with her concerns regarding the Persimmon / Bloor application. Mrs Simpson wanted to know how residents will be given the opportunity to comment on the plans. The WNDC must not assume that everyone has access to the internet or the means to attend its offices, or those of SNC to view the plans. Mrs Simpson commented on the scale of the proposals and that a lay person would find the plans impossible to interpret. The Clerk confirmed that the Towcester Partnership will be giving a presentation on the plans at the TC Annual Meeting of the Town on 3rd March and also holding a public meeting on 17th March. These meetings will be advertised in the local press and notices put up in the town. The Clerk is waiting for confirmation that a representative from the WNDC will give a presentation at one of its meeting during the consultation period. Cllr Baker felt the Towcester Partnership and TC must ensure that residents of Towcester are aware of how to comment.

Proposal

Cllr Lofts proposed that the TC write to the WNDC to advise that these concerns have been raised and ask how they will be addressed; seconded by Cllr Linney,

All in favour.

Mrs Simpson considered the WNDC should spare a member of its staff to be on hand with the plans to speak to members of the public and answer any queries.

Mrs Simpson referred to Item 4 on the agenda, the planning application for 124 Watling Street East . She has identified the application as relating to John Carrington Opticians and queried the removal of the lean-to tiled canopy at the front as the property has listed building status. Cllr Baker confirmed she would refer to the views of the History Society under this item.

4.    PLANNING

a)    Decisions

Permission for Development granted in respect of:-

S/2007/1619/P   Former Foundry, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester

                         Variation of condition 14 on permission S/2007/1151/P

S/2007/1636/P   58 Watling Street, Towcester

                        Part change of use to incorporate dental surgery

Listed Building Consent granted in respect of:-

S/2007/1232/LB    Easton Neston House, Towcester

                            Internal and external works of repair, reinstatement, alteration,

                            and addition, to the Wren Wing and associated courtyard

                            structures. Includes rearrangement of internal spaces, new and

                            replacement doors and windows, removal of C20th staircase,

                            new timber gates to courtyard and reinstatement of the Wheel of

                            Life (formerly removed from basement of the main house) to a

                            location in the ground floor reception of the Wren Wing.  

                            Demolition of bin enclosure and adjacent lean-to, oil tank store

                            and dog kennels and partial removal of brick wall.

S/2007/1662/LB    177-179 Watling Street, Towcester

                           Repainting of ground floor windows to dark grey.

Consent for the Display of Advertisements in respect of:-

S/2007/1626/A    Focus DIY, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester

                         Replacement signage 2 shop signs and 3 pole signs.

b)    Amendments

No amended plans were received.

c)    Applications

S/2008/0097/LB   124 Watling Street, Towcester

                          Removal of lean-to tiled canopy at front of the building.

Cllr Baker referred to correspondence from Brian Giggins, Planning Advisor to Towcester & District History Society. He has established that the canopy is a 20th addition and its removal would expose the late 15th/16th century timber framed and thus enhance the conservation area. On these grounds the History Society would support the removal of the canopy. The Design and Access Statement which forms part of the application confirms that the canopy is in poor condition. The lead flashing has perished in places and allows water to run behind the tiles. The removal of the canopy will allow air to dry the main jetty structure and remove the enclosed spaces where trapped water can contribute to the decay of the original timbers.

The committee discussed the application at length.

Proposal

Cllr Hart proposed that the application be objected and further investigations be carried out to establish whether the canopy and jetty structure can both be preserved; seconded by Cllr Mills.

5 votes in favour, 4 votes against, 2 abstentions. Proposal carried.

No observations in respect of:-

S/2008/0123/P    6 Greenview Drive, Towcester

                         Single storey front extension and extension to front of

                         existing garage to side.

S/2008/0160/P   11 Holly Hill, Towcester

                         Two storey extension to side and rear.

S/2008/0109/P    Lucas Bridge Business Park, 1 Old Greens Norton Road

                         15 additional car parking spaces.

For information only:-   

S/2008/0151/AG   Springhill Farm, Handley Park, Towcester

                           General accommodation and livestock building.

5.    WNDC Planning Applications

07/0375/FULWNS Land to the South of Towcester and East of A43

07/0374/OUTWNS Land to the South of Towcester, Towcester Vale

The Clerk recently received a hard copy of the Persimmon / Bloor planning application. This has been divided into 3 sections as follows:-

i.   Transport – Chaired by Cllr Johns

ii.   Housing / Employment / Education / Health – Chaired by Cllr Lofts

iii.   Recreation & The Environment – Chaired by Cllr Linney

It was agreed that members would form 3 groups to discuss each section of the plan. A list had been circulated where members had indicated their preferred discussion group(s). The Clerk agreed to convene an initial meeting of each group through its Chairman. The consultation period ends on 28th March and all observations need to be agreed at a meeting of the Full Council by 21 st March Full to give the Clerk an opportunity to formulate the TC response to the WNDC.

6.    SNC Planning Enforcement

Correspondence from SNC confirms its adopted policy statement relating to the enforcement of planning control. The policy has now been published in booklet form a copy of which is available from the Clerk.

7.    Cheques Issued

Copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 008583 to 008619) were distributed. Most items were ongoing, the following cheques numbers being of note:-

008591 / £900.00 – Donation to T.A.D.D.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that cheque number 008591 be authorised under Section 137;

seconded by Cllr Allen, All in favour.

008599 / £1683.63 – Payment to Stewart Morris Partnership regarding the Cemetery

                              Chapel Survey.

008612 / £267.99 – Payment to British Gas regarding Towcester Community Centre

                             (reimbursed from the Community Centre account).

008614 /£90.00 – Payment to the Allotment Society regarding installation of the

                          bench at Brackley Road Cemetery .

008618 / £934.20 – Payment to Silverstone Garden Machines for the replacement

                             mower regarding the TC insurance claim.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the Cheques Issued List be signed by the Chairman

and R. F. O.: seconded by Cllr Mills, All in favour.

8.    Update on the New Local Government Pension Scheme – April 2008

The committee had already agreed points 1 to 4 of the amendments to the Local Government Pension Scheme which take effect from 1st April 2008 . The Clerk has attended a further seminar and confirmed that the remaining points relating to flexible retirement. The TC cannot put its policy together until further notification is received from NCC. The Clerk confirmed that employees who have decided not to enter the pension scheme must now sign a form to opt-out. The TC does not have a policy on which employees the scheme should be open to and it now has the option to decide.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the Local Government Pension Scheme should be open to TC employees working a minimum of 16 hours per week; seconded by Cllr Linney,

All in favour.

9.    Audit Regulations

       Review of Internal Audit / Internal Control

Further to the recent meeting of Cllr Johns, Cllr Lofts and Cllr Linney, to review the TC systems of Internal Audit / Internal Control, a draft document has been produced and circulated to all members of the committee. The document comprises a list of items to be looked at when Internal Control checks are carried out and the terms of reference for the NCALC Internal Audit Service. It was agreed that this function should be performed by the Chairman of the TC or Resources/Planning Committee. The committee agreed the objectives, responsibilities and the scope of the audit review.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the Council adopt the review of the effectiveness of Internal Audit / Internal Control systems; seconded by Cllr Johns, All in favour.

10.    T.A.D.D.

Correspondence from the Treasurer of T.A.D.D. (Towcester Area Door to Door), Mike Peel, conveys his thanks to the TC and its members for the donation of £900.00 stating that this continued and increased support is very much appreciated. Noted.