To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Honorary Alderman Lucas, referring to item 6 on the agenda, Motion number 528, noted that the notes of the last Environment Policy Development Group meeting on 8 November 2016, page 126, in respect of Motion 529 states that waste currently landfilled at Broadpath will from April 2017 be sent to the Exeter Energy from Waste Plant. Can we be informed as to how the extra mileage and journey time will affect collections within the district as usage of vehicles on this longer route will by its nature increase down time of both vehicles and men? These journeys will add extra cost to the waste and recycling budget so how will this be budgeted and does MDDC receive any monetary rewards from either Exeter Energy from Waste or Devon County to recover costs? I do know that talks were ongoing in 2015 and would like to have an update. Also, Motion 530, I would like to think that Council will support this Motion and in so doing will look again at current planning policy regarding the involvement and weight given to Parish Councils comments on either applications advisory stage or prior to approval or planning committee stage. I make that plea based on the negative approach taken by the planning department in respect of Sampford Peverell Parish Council who still await official papers or acknowledgement relating to the revised local plan when the first indication of an extra 60 houses was only imparted to them by the developer at a presentation by them to the Parish Council. I would like to think that someone would look at that policy, and I reiterate what I said last week, Parish Councils are vital to you as a full council because they are the ears and eyes of this community and they mean a lot to me and I hope they mean a lot to you.
Cllr Ray Radford answered the question, by confirming that the costs had been worked out, we had to give up the site in Tiverton and these premises were ideal for waste. The cost has been calculated and the rewards that we will get when it goes to Exeter Incinerator will pay for the costs of transfer. He offered to provide further clarification.
Honorary Alderman Lucas asked about the down time on the vehicles and men if they were travelling to Exeter on a daily basis.
The Chairman explained that the amount of downtime would be less, there were two places to tip, it was an efficient operation and it would be a combination of efforts between ourselves and Devon County Council and it would be ‘tip top’.
Cllr Radford also confirmed that there would be income for the building and the Chairman referred to it as joined up thinking. Recycling was going well and was at 56% which is up from 48%.
Mr Frank Walsh referred to a planning application on Church Street, Tiverton, which had requested permission for a food outlet. Mr Walsh said that the residents had a meeting with the people that bought this and that they insisted that no way would they ever want a trade licence and nor would they apply for one but the Council gave it to them. We have had problems at the back as there had been problems with bins and the residents don’t want people up and down the back.
The Chairman stated that a written response would be supplied.
Mr Ian Collis said regarding the Planning department, I recently had a complaint at stage 1 regarding the Planning departments handling of a planning application in the Calverleigh area. How can an officers report say that the development they approve will significantly alter the character of an existing property and at the same time say the property has no character worth retaining when planning policy’s like DM13 state that extensions to existing dwellings will be permitted if they respect the existing character. Only after the second planning application and after development had begun and the original character of the building had been stripped away did the planning department start to mention that the existing character on a property was actually now being respected. How can a bungalow be turned into a two storey home and be allowed changes in land use when policies state that changes in land use, agricultural practices and developments are all threats to the quality of Mid Devon’s environment and it goes on to say that developments outside of the settlements, defined by COR 13 to COR 17 will be strictly controlled, enhancing the character, appearance and biodiversity of the countryside while promoting sustainable diversification of the rural economy. This has simply not been the case with the development.
Cllr Richard Chesterton said that it was not a particular property that he was aware of and he would have to look at this and respond in writing. He asked if it had been escalated to stage 2 and this was confirmed. Jill May said that it would need to go through the complaints procedure but a written response from officers would be requested.
Sally Bibb referring to 12 Church Street said she had lived in Tiverton all her life and had a great respect for the Council. However she said someone had made a mistake. She said I live next door to 12a Church Street which is being given a food licence and it will ruin our lives. I am begging you to change your minds, its making my husband ill. We have tried talking to the people that own the building but they don’t want to know, they are just interested in money. I know we all have to live but I would think there could be a compromise somewhere. More than happy with them having a shop but please not a food outlet. There are 19 food outlets just in Westexe alone and we don’t need anymore.
The Chairman stated that this would be answered in writing.