Minutes of the Meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday 31 July 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs T Sigsworth (Chair), C Barnfield, E Shaw, A Tribe, G Turner, S Simpson, K Waites
In Attendance: Cllrs M Barlow, T Barlow, A Stimson, N Wilson, Mary Creagh MP and Vicky Dumbrell
147 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
A personal interest was declared by Cllr A Tribe in Item No. 10 planning appeal by Mr G Sellars against the refusal of outline application No. 2006/60/91016 and a personal interest was declared by Cllr G Turner in Item No. 13, planning application Nos. 2007/60/92955, 2007/60/92973 and 2007/62/92977
148 Suspension of Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED that standing orders be suspending in accordance with standing order No. 79 to enable members of the public to address the meeting.
149 Vicky Dumbrell
Vicky Dumbrell, of Kirklees MC addressed the meeting on Kirklees MC’s renewable energy policies. She outlined the School Climate Champions project, for which the Council sets aside funding each year to provide environmental education for local schools. Under the scheme, Spen Valley Sports College installed a wind turbine providing up to 10% of the school’s electricity. She explained that it was Kirklees policy to ensure that 30% of energy requirements in all new buildings be renewable. She also explained that if the Parish Council wished to improve the energy performance of the council offices, it would have to commission an energy audit. In response to questions, she confirmed that wind turbines on domestic dwellings did require planning permission, but that the council was waiving the application fees for such plans.
150 Mary Creagh MP
Mary Creagh MP addressed the meeting on current issues, including action she had taken on the flooding problems in the area. She explained that contrary to some reports in the press, European flood relief would be available to the UK government but only after a proper audit had been conducted in line with EU regulations. She also discussed the problems in public transport in the area and explained that Metro receives government funding to subsidise bus routes. Members of the council raised specific issues, including the fact that some 12 months ago, Kirklees MC withdrew the parish council’s right to ask for a particular planning application to go to full committee for decision if the parish council disagreed with the recommendation of the planning officers. The parish council believes that this decision seriously erodes its functioning as a democratically elected body to represent the interests of the parish and its residents. Mary Creagh agreed to pursue this issue with Kirklees MC on behalf of the Parish Council. Mary also sought an update on the Scissett Development and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Mary giving a detailed update on the great crested newt survey and the issue of land ownership.
151 Public Discussion Time
No items were considered.
152 Return to Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED to return to standing orders.
153 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Cllrs H Cole, A Heaton, D Kaye and K Thursby. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above councillors be accepted as valid. Apologies for absence were also received from Cllrs J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, R Brook and M Mills, who are not members of the Plans Scrutiny Committee.
154 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2007 which had been approved by the full council meeting on 3 July 2007 be noted.
155 Planning Department
The Clerk submitted a letter from the planning enforcement officer of Kirklees MC responding to the Council’s concern about the enforcement procedure in relation to the Thorncliffe Farm Shop. It was RESOLVED that Paul Wood, the enforcement officer be invited to attend a future meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee to talk to members about enforcement procedures.
The Clerk also submitted correspondence from John Ritchie head of planning team E3 giving reasons for refusal of planning application Nos. 2007/62/90485 and 2007/62/91351. It was RESOLVED that Mr Ritchie be asked to ensure that in future the council is provided with reasons for refusals of applications.
156 DCLG Consultation
The meeting discussed the Department of Communities and Local Government consultation paper “Changes to Permitted Development Consultation Paper 2: Permitted Development Rights for Householders” and agreed responses to questions posed in the paper. It was RESOLVED that the responses be submitted to the DCLG.
157 Kirklees MC Planning Services E-Consultation
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC Planning department seeking views of the council on the proposals to cease providing parish councils with hard copies of planning applications, but to put them instead online and expect councils to use computers and projectors to display plans during meetings. In discussion, members accepted the environmental need to reduce the use of paper but were concerned that the Parish Council did not have the necessary equipment to display the plans as proposed. It was RESOLVED that these views be submitted to Kirklees MC and that Kirklees be asked to provide the Parish Council with the necessary equipment.
158 Planning Appeal
The Clerk submitted details of a planning appeal by Mr G Sellars against the refusal of outline application No. 2006/60/91016 for a warden’s cottage at Birdsedge Countryside Project. It was RESOLVED that the appeal be noted.
159 Footpath Diversions
The Clerk submitted details of the following proposed footpath diversions:
a) Denby Dale 24 and Denby Dale 98 at Taylor Hill Farm. It was RESOLVED that there be no objection to the proposed diversion.
b) Denby Dale 68 at Norman Road, Denby Dale. It was RESOLVED that there by no objection to the proposed diversion.
c) Denby Dale 77 at Salt Pie Farm, Birdsedge. It was RESOLVED that there be no objection to the proposed diversion.
160 Public Path Modification Order
The Clerk submitted details of a modification order to Footpath Denby Dale 77. It was RESOLVED that the order be noted.
161 Planning Notifications
Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.
162 Planning Decisions
The Clerk submitted a list of planning decisions. It was RESOLVED that these be noted.
163 Matters Relevant to the Denby Dale Parish Area
The Clerk submitted highway reports, Country Air magazine and the July 2007 newsletter from the Blackstone Edge Wind Turbine Cluster. It was RESOLVED that these documents be noted.
Signed: …………………………………..
(CHAIR)