Open Session:

There were 2 members of the public present. One member of the public wished to speak regarding restriction of advertising signs for his business which was within a listed building (notes attached)

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr M A Steele (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr A Wiseman
Cllr B Woodifield

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Ed Fullick, Student Advisor
Martyn Powell, CCTV & Licensing Manager, New Forest District Council

The Chairman welcomed Ed Fullick, the new Student Advisor, to his first meeting.

P/4698 Apologies

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Mrs Terry and Ashley Finch, Student Advisor.

P/4699 Declarations of Interest

P/4702 Planning Applications - Cllr B Terry declared a personal interest in planning application 09/94552, as he knew the applicant.

P/4700 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th September 2009, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4701 Licensing Presentation

A presentation was made to Members by Martyn Powell, CCTV & Licensing Manager at New Forest District Council, on town and parish councils’ role in the licensing process.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, any objection to an application for a new licence or variation of existing licence must be within any of four areas: Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Public Safety, Prevention of Public Nuisance and Protection of Children from Harm. Recent case law had demonstrated that objections should not be based on what ‘might’ happen. Unless there was clear evidence to support objections, applications should be allowed, as the terms and conditions could be changed if necessary at a later date. For example, noise was not in itself a problem, if measures such as noise abatement could be put in place.

Cllr Wiseman questioned how noise issues which arose could be controlled and Mr Powell explained that complaints would be investigated by New Forest District Council Environmental Protection team.

Cllr Woodifield asked how licences were reviewed, when problems arose. Licensing staff currently relied on information from other consultees, such as police, councils or the public. If a complaint was made to the Licensing team, the licence in question could be reviewed. Generally they would try to mediate a solution, but if necessary a problem would be referred to the Licensing Panel for a final decision.

The Chairman thanked Mr Powell for his time and for an ‘insightful’ presentation.

RESOLVED: That the presentation on town and parish councils’ role in the licensing process be noted.

P/4702 Planning Applications

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 9th September, 16th September, 23rd September and 30th September 2009.

P/4702 Planning Applications - Cllr B Terry declared a personal interest in planning application 09/94552, as he knew the applicant.

09/94636 was considered first as a member of the public (the applicant) wished to speak on this application.

RESOLVED: That the observations summarised in Annex ‘A’ be submitted.

P/4703 Kings Arms Lane Experimental One-Way Traffic Order

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the Order was scheduled to come into operation on the 6th November 2009 and that the period for objecting to the making of a permanent Order was 6 months from the date that the experimental Order came into force. Members considered a plan of the extent of the Order.

RESOLVED: That the proposed implementation of the Kings Arms Lane experimental one-way traffic Order be welcomed and that no comments be made until the effect of the Order is known.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.00pm.

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED

28th October 2009

TOWN MAYOR

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN