RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 26TH JANUARY 2009

Present :-   Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney,

                 Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr J. Hart, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr A. Wardle

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No comments by members of the public.

4.    PLANNING

a)    Decisions

Consent for the Display of Advertisement in respect of:-

S/2008/1466/A      Tove Valley Business Park, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester

                            Six advertisement flags (retrospective).

S/2008/1575/P     249 Watling Street West, Towcester

                           Replace front ground floor bay window and first floor window

                           with new white PVC double glazing.

b)    Amendments

No amended planning applications were received.

c)    Applications

(NB: This planning application was previously numbered S/2008/1715/P)

S/2009/0002/P     Chapel Cottage, Caldecote

                           Single storey rear extension.

                           No observations.

S/2009/0030/P     120 Watling Street, Towcester

                           Change of use from A1 retail to D1 dental surgery.

                           The committee discussed the application at length. Members

                           acknowledged that provision of NHS dentistry in Towcester must

                           be improved but were opposed to the loss of this valuable retail

                           unit.

                           Proposal

                           Cllr Johns proposed that the application be objected on the

                           grounds that 120 Watling Street is a valuable retail unit and

                           should be preserved;

                           seconded by Cllr Mills, 6 votes in favour, 1 vote against.

S/2008/1721/P     85 Brackley Road, Towcester

                          Detached garage.

                          No observations.

5.    Cheques Issued

The Clerk distributed copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 008937 to 009002). Most items were ongoing, the following cheque numbers were highlighted:-

008949   / £1395.36 to Mike Hemmings – Installation of security lighting at TYCC.

008951 / £679.00 to Paynes Nurseries – Payment for 2008 Christmas trees. The Clerk confirmed that the Towcester Business Club contribution of £517.00 has been received.

008969 / £20.00 to Elizabeth Cox – Reimbursement for vouchers presented to the winners of the Town Crier front cover competition.

008981 / £25.50 to Phillippa Lofts – Office administration support.

008984 / £1809.00 to Eon – Installation of new lighting on the Recreation Ground.

008991 / £29022.50 to Chris Smith Developments Ltd – Community Centre refurbishment to be reimbursed by the TC insurer.

008999 / £3472.50 to Ravensthorpe Construction – Christmas Tree Scheme 2008

The committee agreed for the Chairman and R. F. O. to sign off the Cheques Issued List.

6a)    Standing Orders

The Clerk confirmed that the committee must review the TC Standing Orders each year. The Standing Orders were last amended to incorporate the TC adoption of the Code of Conduct.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the TC Standing Orders be amended to incorporate the Freedom of Information Act adopted on 1 st January 2009 ;

seconded by Cllr Mills, all in favour.

b)    Financial Regulations

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the TC Financial Regulations be adopted in its current format;

seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.

c)    Review of Internal Audit / Control & Risk Assessments

The Clerk confirmed that the TC Risk Assessment will be revised to incorporate the instructions of the TC insurer to carry out weekly inspections of play equipment and monthly inspections of other TC equipment, i.e. seats.

Proposal

Cllr Mills proposed that the Review of Internal Control & Risk Assessments be adopted with the amendment to incorporate the new schedule of equipment inspections;

seconded by Cllr Maycock, all in favour.

7.    South Northamptonshire Council

       Budget Consultation 2009/10

The full Cabinet report on the draft budget can be viewed on the SNC website at:-

http://82.109.175/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=7575

Views must be submitted before the Cabinet takes its final decision on 26th February. Cllr Lofts confirmed the proposed Council Tax increase of 4.9% this equates to an annual increase for a Band D property of £7.73.

8.    West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit

Correspondence from the WNJPU confirms the launch of its new consultation software. The committee agreed to register the TC on the database for progress updates and notifications of consultations via email.

9.    Northamptonshire County Council

       Northamptonshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework

       Location for Waste Development DPD Proposed Submission

       Locations for Minerals Development DPD Proposed Submission

Cllr Lofts confirmed he had read through the document and reported that the only item relating to Towcester was the proposal to retain the site on Old Greens Norton Road for Waste Management Services. It was agreed the TC welcome the retention of this site as a recycling point.