Meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday 25 September 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs H Cole (Vice Chair), C Barnfield, A Heaton, E Shaw, A Tribe, G Turner, K Waites
209 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
210 Public Discussion Time
No items were raised.
211 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted by Cllrs D Kaye, T Sigsworth, and S Simpson. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above councillors be accepted as valid.
212 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 August be received.
213 Consultation on Planning Applications
Further to Minute No. 150 and Minute No. 197 from the September Council Meeting the Clerk reported that she had tried to have two planning issues put on the agenda of the joint Kirklees MC/Parish and Town Councils meeting on 19 September, namely a) the removal of the automatic right of Parish Councils to refer planning applications to the appropriate Kirklees MC committee where the officer’s decision was opposed to the Council’s recommendation and b) the request for Kirklees MC to provide the parish council with suitable technology to enable members to view planning applications on line at meetings as proposed by Kirklees. Kirklees MC did not agree that these issues were suitable for discussion at that meeting and the Clerk submitted the reply from Philip Hume, Head of Policy and Governance outlining the council’s response. To the first issue, it was pointed out that the decision to remove the automatic right of referral was “supported by the Audit Commission’s view in 2004 that Parish Councils should not have the automatic right of referral to committee”. In relation to point b), the letter advised that the planning department had confirmed that it would continue to send out paper copies “for the present”. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
214 Training for Members of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
The Clerk reported that she was still pursuing with Kirklees MC the provision of training in planning and planning enforcement for members of the committee. She had also raised it at the Joint Kirklees MC/Town and Parish Councils meeting held on 19 September and the Council had agreed to ensure that a training session is arranged as a matter of urgency.
215 Energy Audit
Further to Minute No. 168, the Clerk drew members’ attention to the fact that an energy audit of the building had been carried out in 2002/3 and that the results of that audit were displayed in the foyer. While water consumption was described as good, energy consumption and CO2 emissions were both described as poor. In light of this, the Clerk reported that she had written to Kirklees MC to ask if any steps had been taken after the survey was completed to remedy the problems highlighted and if not whether a new survey would be carried out soon. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
216 Public Plan Modification Orders
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC concerning the following orders:
a) Notice of publication of Public Plan Modification Order to Denby Dale 77 footpath. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
b) Application for a Public Plan Modification Order relating to Denby Dale Public Footpath 152 – Busker Lane to Denby Dale Public Footpath 47. It was RESOLVED that the council have no objection to the application.
217 Planning Appeal
The Clerk submitted a report of the Inspector’s decision on the appeal by Mr G S Sellars against the decision on Planning Application No. 2006/60/91016 to erect a warden’s cottage. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
218 Planning Notifications
Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.
219 Planning Decisions
The Clerk submitted a list of planning decisions. It was RESOLVED that these be noted.
Signed: …………………………………..(CHAIR)