36 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KNARESBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL (Planning Matters) HELD AT KNARESBOROUGH HOUSE, KNARESBOROUGH ON MONDAY 20 JULY 2015 The Mayor – Councillor A Willoughby PRESENT: Chair: Councillors: R Aspin, J Batt, S Batt, D Bulmer, M Clemmitt, M Joy, J Monaghan, L Powell, B Rigby and C Willoughby. Staff Present: The Clerk and the Office Assistant Also Present: County Councillor B Hoult, a representative from Commercial Estates Group (for part of the meeting) and 17 members of the public Late Arrivals: M Joy (7.33pm) and S Batt (7.43pm) Early Departures: No members P15/057 ITEM 1 – To receive apologies for inability to attend the meeting Apologies were received from Councillors E Collins, D Goode, H Gostlow and H Lyon. P15/058 ITEM 2 – Councillors’ Disclosure of an Interest Councillor R Aspin Councillor J Batt Councillor D Bulmer Councillor M Clemmitt Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 11.1 – acquainted with Mr Shaw Member of HBC – will consider any same item at HBC in the light of new information Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 11.1 – acquainted with Mr Shaw Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 3 - I work for North Yorkshire County Council Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 11.1 – acquainted with Mr Shaw Councillor J Monaghan Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Councillor B Rigby Planning 2275 – prejudicial as it is my application Councillor C Willoughby Member of HBC – will consider any same item at HBC in the light of new information Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 4 - acquainted with Mr Teggin, Mr Hewitt, Mr Sigsworth Item 5 & 7.1 – acquainted with Ms Godsell and Councillor Hoult Councillor A Willoughby 37 Continued Councillor A Willoughby P15/059 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 Item 5 & 8 planning 02944 – acquainted with Ms Hewitt Planning 2275 – acquainted with Cllr Rigby Item 10 – acquainted with Mr Smith from Fortune Close Item 11.1 – acquainted with Mr Shaw ITEM 3 – Presentation by Stronger Communities Delivery Manager, NYCC - Stronger Communities Harrogate and District Liz Meade introduced herself and her role within NYCC’s Stronger Community Team. She stated that this was a key part of NYCC’s 2020 programme and it was to support the creation of local solutions for services, providing a strong focus for public health. Liz is very keen to know what is available in Knaresborough for the 11 to 19 age group, in terms of youth support. Members were given a handout with contact details and Liz stated that any feedback would be appreciated. P15/060 ITEM 4 – Presentation by the Chamber of Trade -Town Criers Mr Teggin introduced himself as the Vice President of the Chamber of Trade. He then introduced the recently appointed professional Town Criers; Roger Hewitt as the main Town Crier with Paul Sigsworth the Deputy. He informed KTC that both had been enrolled with the professional body the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers. Mr Teggin advised that all bookings for the Town Criers should come through him and handed out some brochures. Mr Hewitt and Mr Sigsworth both briefly spoke outlining some of their duties which mainly focus on community and charity events, but that they have also started some evening and weekend guided tours around Knaresborough. The Chamber are trying to make the posts self-funding. Members were then able to ask questions and welcomed the fact that the Chamber of Trade have taken on the responsibility of the Town Criers and added that the Town Criers do Knaresborough justice. The Clerk asked members if they wanted to make a resolution that they recognise the Chambers Town Criers – she advised that this was what the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers had asked the council for. RESOLVED: That KTC recognise the Chamber of Trade’s Town Criers for Knaresborough. (nem con) (The Chamber Members and Town Criers then left the meeting) P15/061 ITEM 5 - KTC Public Speaking Session a) Mr Shaw informed members that he would like to become a member of a National Association – but that needed a signature from either the Mayor or the Lord of the Manor. Mr Shaw let members know that he had 38 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 been going up in to Knaresborough Market as an Independent Town Crier up to this point, and that he is happy to go on as he is, but his preference would be to belong to an organisation. Members were then able to ask questions, these included, i) whether Mr Shaw was a resident of Knaresborough or Harrogate and ii) if he understood the tribunal Judges’ ruling that the relationship between himself and the Town Council had irretrievably broken down. The Mayor then moved to this item on the agenda. 11.1 - Letter from Mr Shaw (29/6/15) RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted re ITEM 11.1 pertaining to third party confidentiality, the item be dealt with in private session and, subject to the provisions of Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (as amended), the meeting be not open to members of the public. Mr Shaw then tried to speak, but the Mayor advised him he could no longer speak and that it would be best to leave the meeting as this item would be taken at the end of a very long agenda. Mr Shaw and his colleagues then left the meeting. b) Ms Hewitt spoke to members about the scoping document for the development at Flaxby. She was speaking on behalf of RAFT (Residents Against the Flaxby Township). She informed members that this is not a little village – it would be a town the size of Boroughbridge. They are challenging the basic principle - do we want or need a new town? – A major consultation is required. It would result in 12 years of construction traffic. She pointed out that the A59 currently has movement of 38,000 cars, and the extra houses would add around another 4,000 cars. This would have a catastrophic impact on Knaresborough and the surrounding villages. She finished by stating that even passed planning application for a large housing site in Knaresborough – but not a sod of earth has been turned. Members were then able to ask questions, these including, were members of the public aware that HBC (Harrogate Borough Council) doesn’t have much opportunity to refuse planning applications due to the need to build 621 houses per annum. If HBC don’t grant approval, the developer appeals, which is a serious issue for HBC to deal with. The Mayor then moved to this item on the agenda. ITEM 8 – To consider the following Planning Application 15/02944/SCOPE** Flaxby Golf Club, York Road, Flaxby, Knaresborough, HG5 0RR.Scoping opinion for proposed mixed use settlement comprising up to 2,213 dwellings 39 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 The Mayor asked Cllr C Willoughby to explain a scoping document This is for KTC to advise the developer what they would expect to see/should be included on the environmental impact assessment. RESOLVED: i) that the list from KTC to send back to HBC is as follows:Air Pollution, Loss of Green Space, Wildlife loss Loss of Flaxby Golf Course, Where the site could be expanded? Will there be provision of a secondary school? Impact on all secondary school pupils bussed to & from the site each day Traffic impact on all the roads in & around Knaresborough Loss of woodland Loss of natural corridor for wildlife Increased air pollution problems at Bond End & York Place Loss of identity of Knaresborough Need diverse provision of housing - high proportion of affordable houses Pressure on the railway system Impact on medical and dental services (nem con) FURTHER RESOLVED: ii) a) That KTC do not believe that this is an appropriate site for a development this size, (larger than a 1/3 of Knaresborough). b) To write to the minister responsible for housing pointing out the awful impact the policies are having on Knaresborough. The above resolution was tied and the Mayor used his casting vote in favour of the motion. Cllrs J Batt, S Batt & M Joy asked that their vote against be recorded. c) Ms P Godsell spoke about the bus contracts with NYCC and made members aware of the reduction of the service between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge. This would reduce from one bus every 2 hours to only 3 buses per day. She pointed out the fact that buses are a life line for some people. Cllr B Hoult then warned members that some bus services would totally omit the early morning buses, the proposed service will be concentrated in the middle of the day – this would restrict people who use the bus as a means of getting to & from work. Cllr Hoult offered to let members know the numbers using the bus service once he had that information. Members were then able to ask questions, these included whether the operator did not want to run the bus service, and whether these were sustainable. The Mayor moved to this item on the agenda. 40 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 7.1 NYCC bus subsidies consultation RESOLVED: That bearing in mind the deadline - KTC defer this item to a future meeting. (unanimous) County Councillor B Hoult & Ms Godsell left the meeting P15/062 ITEM 6 - To consider and, if thought fit, approve as a correct record, the Minutes of: 6.1 Thursday 21 May 2015 (Annual Meeting of KTC - Mayor Making) RESOLVED: That minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 21 May 2015, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. (unanimous) 6.2 Monday 06 July 2015 RESOLVED: That minutes of the Council Meeting, held on Monday 06 July 2015, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. (unanimous) P15/063 ITEM 7 – Business remaining from previous meeting: 7.1 NYCC bus subsidies consultation See minute number C15.061 (c) 7.2 Email re: Harrogate and District Local Plan Consultations RESOLVED: That bearing in mind the deadline - KTC defer this item to a future meeting. (unanimous) P15/064 ITEM 8 – To consider the following Planning Applications relating to Knaresborough and make such observations as may be appropriate Ref: Applicant 6.100.1505.J.TPO 15/03078/TPO* Mr R Bentley Details of Application Felling of 1 Picea Spruce Tree T2 of Tree Preservation Order 04/2007. Kingfisher Spitalcroft, Calcutt, HG5 8JB KTC Comments No Objections (nem con) Councillor B Rigby having declared a prejudicial interest in the item below, (6.100.2275) left the meeting and tool no part in the discussion or voting thereon. 6.100.2275.B.FUL 15/02501/FUL* Mr B Rigby Erection of two storey side extension. 25 Tentergate Road, HG5 9BG No Objections (unanimous) Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 41 15/02944/SCOPE** ID Planning Scoping opinion for proposed mixed use settlement comprising up to 2,213 dwellings (Use Class C3); a central hub comprising shops (Class A1), financial services (Use Class A2), restaurants (Use Class A3), drinking establishments (Use Class A4), takeaways (Use Class A5), employment uses (Use Class B1 (a) B1(b) and B1 (c)), hotel (Use Class C1), extra care facilities (Use Class C2), medical facilities & community building (Use Class D1); assembly and leisure use (Use Class D2) and car parking; a primary school/nursery (Use Class D1), other community uses including recreation playing pitches, allotments and other associated public open space; installation of appropriate utilities and transport infrastructure; landscaping and associated groundworks. Flaxby Golf Club, York Road, Flaxby, Knaresborough, HG5 0RR. * Item to be determined by Harrogate Borough Council Chief Planner P15/065 See minute number above C15.061 (b) ** Item to be determined by HBC’s Planning Committee ITEM 9 – Planning Correspondence 9.1 Planning enforcement RESOLVED: To receive and note (unanimous) 9.2 Notice of Appeal RESOLVED: To receive and note P15/066 (unanimous) ITEM 10 - To note the HBC Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday 21 July 2015, at 2.00pm – Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate at which the following for Knaresborough is to be discussed: The Mayor informed members that despite having no information on the website when the agenda went out, there were in fact 2 applications he would like to go to speak about on behalf of KTC, these being :i) Fortune Close ii) Manor Road RESOLVED: That KTC wish Cllr A Willoughby attend the HBC planning meeting and speak about both planning applications listed above on behalf on KTC. (unanimous) P15/067 ITEM 11 - The following correspondence is for discussion: 11.1 - Letter from Mr Shaw (29/6/15) The Mayor noted that this item had been moved to the end of the agenda as it had been agreed to hold it in confidential session. Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 42 The Mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda. P15/068 ITEM 12 – Reports from Clerk 12.1 To approve the Schedule of Accounts (July 2) KNARESBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL Schedule of Accounts - July (2) 2015 Payable to & Description File Ref. No. Amount excluding VAT Re-issue of NYCC Pension Cheque 48 1,012.86 T.L.C stationery supplies 49 13.25 Wages Tax, NI & Pension July 50 - 54 4522.93 Post Office Ltd - BT bill telephone 55 66.39 13.27 79.66 5,615.43 15.92 5,631.35 TOTALS VAT 2.65 Total Amount (to be paid) Notes 1,012.86 paid under Standing Order 5.4a(i) 15.90 4,522.93 5,631.35 RESOLVED: That KTC approve the accounts as above and the spending of £5,631.35. (unanimous) 12.2 Policy and Guidance on engaging with the Community The Clerk read out a short report detailing the need for having a policy in place for both members and officers to follow, as at present there is no guidance. The policy that was sent to KTC members was from the Monitoring Officer at Harrogate Borough Council. Any reference to HBC had been amended to read KTC. RESOLVED: That i) KTC adopt this policy for staff and members. ii) that OSC look at this in detail at the next but one meeting. (unanimous) The Mayor felt that the policy should include recognition of vulnerable groups of people. Other members of KTC warned against, as this would be discrimination. The Mayor also noted that there was a different policy at HBC for officers and staff. The Clerk offered to provide these for the OSC meeting. 43 P15/069 Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 ITEM 13 - Reports from Committees/Working Groups 13.1 To receive and note the report from the NDP Working Group meeting held on 30 June 2015) The Chair read the email the clerk had provided, noting the Working Group Chairs recommendation. RESOLVED: i) That KTC go with the contractor Ruralis for the Neighbourhood Development Plan work and apply for grant funding. (unanimous) ii) To receive and note the report from the working group. (unanimous) 13.2 To receive and note the minutes from the OSC meeting held 6 July 2015 and to approve the recommendation from OSC regarding changes to Standing Orders RESOLVED: i) That KTC receive and note the minutes from the committee. (unanimous) ii) That KTC approve the recommendation from OSC and adopt the Model standing orders with the changes as attached to these minutes. (unanimous) In line with KTC’s current Standing Orders – 2/3 of the council (10 members) need to approve any changes to Standing Orders – 11 members approved these changes to Standing Orders. P15/070 ITEM 14 - Information Exchange Councillor C Willoughby - Knaresborough in Bloom meeting Tuesday 21 July at 7.30pm at Knaresborough House. Councillor B Rigby - High Street Competition deadline is 1 September – he is pursuing this with the Chamber Of Trade, Councillor R Aspin - highlighted an issue of watering plants at the station. Councillor R Aspin - has been busy raising funds for St Michael’s hospice. Councillor M Clemmitt - Town Twinning celebrations with Bebra visitors this coming Friday, sadly a number of people had not responded to their invitation. Councillor J Batt - HBC are conducting an electoral review in the district – with possible ward changes Councillor A Willoughby - Performance Area meeting – apologies that it is not happening this week – many people couldn’t attend so it is being rescheduled Council (Planning) 20 July, 2015 44 The Clerk – drew members attention to a Walkers are Welcome email re an annual get together – Monday 10th August 2015 The Clerk – email from HBC re misuse of Recycling banks at Chapel St Car Park The Clerk – informed members that we are now in possession of an old Mother Shipton Cave sign that had been found at HBC The Clerk – ‘The Lions’ emailed regarding their Millenium trail and the booklet that now needs modification. They are asking if KTC might help with a donation towards a reprint of an up to date booklet. Council agreed to look at this at a future meeting The Clerk – ‘The Lions’ wish to inform KTC that they are hoping to have a dementia expert to talk at their next meeting, 26 August The Mayor then moved back to item 11.1 - & into confidential session as agreed earlier in the meeting: P15/71 ITEM 11 - The following correspondence is for discussion: 11.1 - Letter from Mr Shaw (29/6/15) - recognition as an independent Town Crier and requesting a signature from the Mayor to become a member of a body of Town Criers. RESOLVED: That KTC ask the Clerks to write to Mr Shaw, thanking him for his letter, and saying that KTC politely decline to i) recognise him as an independent Town Crier, or, ii) appoint him as a Town Crier to Knaresborough Members also advised the Mayor not to sign the application form (nem con) The Mayor commented that he would let the press know the wording from the resolution the next morning. The Clerk advised the Mayor that she would send him the resolution above as soon as that part of the minutes were finished. Meeting Closed at 10.15pm Signed by the Mayor (Councillor A Willoughby):___________________________