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Decision Maker: Planning Committee
Made at meeting: 28/08/2019 - Planning Committee
Decision published: 29/08/2019
Effective from: 28/08/2019
Decision:
The Committee had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration regarding the above application which had been deferred from the previous meeting to allow for further discussions to take place with the applicant with regard to the footway, the bin store and its location and how refuse collection would be best managed.
The Area Planning officer outlined the contents of the report referring to the issues raised at the previous meeting; informing those present that the scheme did not include a footpath but a tarmaced shared surface and that the drive would not be adopted by the Highway Authority but was being built to an adoptable standard up to the turning head to allow for access to the 5 dwellings. Discussions had taken place with the Waste Service with regard to waste collection. Waste Services had confirmed that if the access drive was built to an adoptable standard and was suitably insured with indemnity insurance, refuse vehicles would access the site. There would therefore be no need for bin storage within the site at the junction between the access drive and Mayfair. She highlighted by way of presentation a revised drawing supplied by the applicant which depicted the detail of the proposed access, the site layout plans and photographs from various aspects of the site.
Consideration was given to:
· The access road would only benefit the 5 dwellings on the site and there would be no thoroughfare onto the land beyond.
· The shared surface and whether there would be any road markings
· The documents available on ‘Public Access’
· The response of the Lead Local Flood Authority
· Who would be responsible for the maintenance of the roadway
· The views of the applicant’s agent with regard to reducing the capital works required and the carbon footprint of the site, the quality of the build and the work that had taken place with the local Highway Authority.
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
(Proposed by Cllr D J Knowles and seconded by Cllr L J Cruwys)
Notes:
i) Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest as some of the objectors were known to him;
ii) Cllrs S J Clist, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, L J Cruwys, Mrs C P Daw, C J Eginton, D J Knowles, F W Letch, E G Luxton, BN A Moore and B G J Warren made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillor in dealing with Planning matters as they had received correspondence regarding the application.
iii) Mr Eastland (Agent) spoke;
iv) Cllr D J Knowles spoke as Ward Member;
v) The following late information was reported:
27 Aug 2019. Revised drawing. A(01)08B Access Drive.
Updating drawing No. A(01)08A to annotate the granite cobble 1.2m wide rumble strip and soft verge on eastern side of the private drive.
21 Aug 2019. DCC Highway Authority.
The Highway Authority accept shared surface roads constructed in tarmac. The key feature is the block paving/setts at the entrance where the footway ceases, demarking a change in situation. This can be ramped or flush. Steeperton Close Okehampton, St Giles in the Wood Torridge, Newland View Bideford and Hollands Park Phase 1 Exeter are examples of shared surface roads with tarmac roads. (Photos available).
The safety of shared use areas came under scrutiny last year when the Government suspended their use. They have since confirmed that shared use cul-de-sacs are still a viable design and that it is only town centre flush shared surfaces which present a problem for disabled users, particularly sight impaired users.
I trust that this demonstrates the use of such roads county wide are an acceptable form of development.
14 August 2019. MDDC Operations (Refuse).
As long as (the road) is at an adoptable standard and there is a waiver in place then we would have no issues, however a risk assessment would have to be undertaken prior to first collection to ensure we can get access / egress safely.
13 August 2019. Objection
It is apparent that there are certain design elements that define a shared surface. We are yet to see a detailed plan for the design of the access road which incorporates any design elements. To date, the drawings do not suggest that it is a shared space and that pedestrians have any kind of priority over cars.
Evidence suggests the jury is out on shared spaces. If it is not obvious to all that it is shared space, then it is not shared space. It is irresponsible of Devon Highways not to apply scrutiny to the design elements of this road. Surely the road would be safer and more straightforward if the addition of a pavement for pedestrian use was included.
This change to the conditions should not go to committee until the plan for the access road has been clearly posted on the portal, including a detailed description of the surfaces and materials to be used in its construction. Also it is still very unclear as to whether there is to be any kind of road marking at the junction with the main part of Mayfair to show who has priority. At the moment, construction traffic often proceeds onto the main highway as though it has priority over vehicles bearing right around the crescent.
(vi) *Report previous circulated, copy attached to signed minutes.
To consider the outcome of the tender
process.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 22/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 27/08/2019
Effective from: 31/08/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets requesting the Cabinet to review the results of the Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) Improvement works tender and to award the JCT minor works Building Contract to a contractor.
The Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets outlined the contents of the report stating that the MSCP had had works identified for essential maintenance and improvement works. Some of the works were required for insurance purposes, this included but was not limited to increasing the height of the safety railings to meet current standards and that this work had been prioritised. The Property Services team were aware of the pending Premier Inn Project and given the scope of the works to construct the hotel it was sensible to hold back the improvement scheme until the construction works for the project had been completed. The detailed specification for work had incorporated a range of essential improvements which had gone out to tender; he informed the meeting that there had been 7 tenders returned.
Following consideration of the works to take place it was:
RESOLVED that:
a) The JCT Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor’s Design 2016 Edition for the MSCP improvement works be awarded to supplier B;
b) Delegated authority be given to the Deputy Chief Executive (151) and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services to agree on which Category 2 items as detailed on Part 2 Annex B should be included within the Contract award to supplier B, subject to ongoing budget authority after essential works have been concluded.
c) An additional £50k to the Capital project for 2019/20 as set at item 5.4. be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr S J Clist and seconded by Cllr L D Taylor)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Jarrett
To consider the disposal of an
asset.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 22/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 27/08/2019
Effective from: 31/08/2019
Lead officer: Andrew Jarrett
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 22/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 27/08/2019
Effective from: 31/08/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) and Group Manager for Street Scene & Open Spaces, the Economy Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations:
a) The proposed new tariffs for each of the council owned car parks in Mid Devon be approved as detailed in the annexe to the Working Group report;
b) Overnight parking permits be altered to offer greater value for money for local residents and that the annual one off charge be set at £100. To also approve an option to pay by monthly direct debit at £10 per month with a one month cancellation period.
The Cabinet Member for Finance outlined the contents of the report stating that the Economy Policy Development Group had set up a working group to re-examine the effectiveness of the current charging regime and to consider any appropriate recommendations for changes. The Council had last visited its Pay and Display charges in April 2016 and in 2018/19 it generated £656K from 604,450 vends. In addition circa £115K was raised in charges for permits and off-street parking fines. He considered the findings of the working group’s report and explained that the tariff proposals had been put through a pricing model based on historic vend analysis.
Consideration was given to:
· A proposition for overnight charges to be removed except for the MSCP and outside Phoenix House
· Residents parking overnight in narrow side streets and the impact on emergency services
· Properties within the towns with no parking facilities
· Climate change issues would not stop people using cars in Mid Devon, especially in the rural areas
· The lack of bus services in the evenings
· The views of the Chairman of the Working Group and the work of the previous working group, the proposed suggestions of the Group, the need for the William Street car park to continue to have free time, the need to increase publicity for purchasing permits and the savings that could be made. He voiced concern with regard to the removal of night time charges as that would be an impact on income received.
· The proposal of £1.25 per hour in short stay car parks and whether that was an awkward amount to charge
· The amount of parking fees paid digitally
· The cost of parking across the county and into Somerset
· A concern that the William Street car park was very busy at school times and that shoppers could not park there
· Where the money went from overpayments and whether any overpayments collected should be given to charity
It was therefore:
RESOLVED that:
a) the proposed new tariffs for each of the council owned car parks in Mid Devon be approved as detailed in the annexe to the Working Group report apart from overnight charges from 1800 - 0800 which are to revert to being free of charge, with the exception of Tiverton Multi Storey and Phoenix House car parks (which will remain 24 hour charging).
b) the Economy Policy Development Group be requested to consider the issue of overpayments for car parking and what should happen to that additional income.
(Proposed by Cllr A White and seconded by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt)
Notes:
i) Cllr Mrs N Woollatt informed the meeting that she had had correspondence with residents regarding the item;
ii) Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest as he had a residents parking space in Wellbrook Street car park;
iii) *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To receive a 3 year review from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) of the Play Area Safety Inspection Policy presented by the Group Manager for Corporate Policy and Commercial Assets
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 22/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 27/08/2019
Effective from: 31/08/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets, the Environment PDG had made the following recommendation; that the Cabinet NOTE the following:
1. That the current risk assessments and proposed reduction in safety inspections were considered adequate to meet the Council’s responsibilities and for individual pieces of play equipment to be identified on the Risk Assessment Forms;
2. That digital transformation of the current inspection methods would make the task more efficient and that the implementation of a process would be expedited.
The Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets outlined the contents of the report stating that Mid Devon had 94 play areas (which included skate parks and a BMX track) under its direct control; 12 plays areas were leased to Town and Parish Councils with a further 5 pending and the lease-in of land for 3 further sites were to be taken over by the Parish Councils. Each play area was assessed on use and location and it was felt that the inspection regime was robust.
Consideration was given to:
· The inspection routine in various locations
· Reductions in inspections for Saturdays would not have a significant impact
· The use of handheld or portable devices to record inspection details and the timescales for implementing such a scheme
· Inspecting play areas on behalf of parish councils which would secure income for the Council
· Signage in skate parks
RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be NOTED.
(Proposed by Cllr D J Knowles and seconded by Cllr G Barnell)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Busby