Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from City Councillors Dryden, Newbold, Stuart, Sanders and County Councillors Heathcock, Carter and Shepherd.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2011 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.  

The committee noted that an update had been circulated on the Nightingale Avenue project since the last meeting.

Members of the committee are asked to declare any interests in the items on the agenda. In the case of any doubt, the advice of the Head of Legal should be sought before the meeting.

 

Cllr Al Bander – Item 11/20/SAC – Personal Interest as member of Trumpington Residents Association

 

Cllr Blackhurst – Item 11/20/SAC – Personal Interest as member of Trumpington Residents Association, and his wife is a director of the association.

 

Cllr Taylor – Item 11/17/SAC – Personal Interest as husband works in the area covered by the cumulative impact area.

 

Cllr Taylor – Item 11/11/SAC 12b – Personal Interest as applicant is a friend.

 

Cllr Swanson – Item 11/11/SAC 12b – Personal Interest as applicant is a friend.

There were no questions raised. 

The committee received a report from the Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant and Safer Communities Managers regarding Safer Neighbourhoods.

 

The committee welcomed Sgt Stephenson as the new Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant. The composition of the South Area Neighbourhood Policing Team was noted.   

 

The committee were provided with an update on the previously agreed priorities, Anti Social Behaviour on Paget Road and Foster and Anti Social Behaviour on Cherry Hinton High Street.

 

The committee were provided with highlights of the report,

 

i.                    Total level of crime had fallen

 

ii.                  Fall in burglary and thefts of/from cars. Specific concern was raised about the increased levels of burglary in Trumpington Ward.

 

iii.                Violent crime had increased in Cherry Hinton Ward. It was noted that the rise was predominantly common assault and related to domestic or violence between “friends”.

 

iv.               Robbery had increased in Cherry Hinton Ward. A brief overview of the issues associated with the robberies was provided.

 

The Committee asked the following questions regarding the report.

 

i.                    What is the typical time location/time of the Cherry Hinton robberies? The Sgt advised that the crimes were predominantly late evening/after dark in isolated areas.

 

ii.                  Could the problems associated with the consumption with alcohol be attributed to a particular venue serving alcohol? The Sgt advised that the issues were primarily related to home drinking and for example friends falling out, and that there was no pattern regarding where the alcohol had been purchased.

 

iii.                The positive resolution of the problems associated with Foster Road and Paget Road were welcomed.

 

iv.               Clarification was requested on the relative split of responsibilities between the British Transport Police and the local police. The Sgt agreed to provide clarification in the next report.

 

v.                 It was questioned whether the low levels of anti-social behaviour in December could be attributed to the poor weather. The Sgt agreed with the suggestion.

 

vi.               Clarification was requested regarding the reference to incidents on Queen Edith’s Way regarding reports of youths throwing objects. The Sgt agreed to report back on the latest status in the next report.

 

vii.             The Police were asked whether information related to domestic violence could be incorporated into the reports? The Sgt agreed to review the suggestion, however it was noted that a specialist force wide team undertook the majority of the work in this area.

 

viii.           The positive impact of the CCTV units regarding the problems associated with Tescos was welcomed.

 

ix.               Clarification was requested regarding the legality of electrically assisted scooters. The Sgt agreed to provide an update regarding the legality of the devices.

 

x.                 The Police were asked regarding the implementation of the 20mph limit on Wulfstan Way and Gunhild Way, and whether it was being adhered to. The Sgt advised that no adverse reports had been received.

 

The Police thanked residents of the area for their assistance in the collation of evidence, which had resulted in the closure of a Cannabis factory.

 

Resolved unamiously to,

 

i.          Agree the priorities as outlined in the committee report

 

ii.                  Propose an additional priority regarding burglary in Trumpington Ward.

The policy is available at http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/pdfs/Statement%20of%20Licensing%20Policy.pdf  

The committee received a report from the Licensing Manager regarding the consultation on the possible extension of the cumulative impact areas.

 

The Licensing Manager was questioned why the item hadn’t been presented to the committee earlier. The committee were advised that the consultation didn’t begin until after the papers were circulated for the January meeting.

 

The Licensing Manager was asked for more information about the consultation arrangements. The committee were informed that the notification of the consultation had been sent to every residents association, licensed premises, responsible authorities and others with an interest in the policy.  

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to

 

i.        Note the consultation

The committee received a report from the Licensing Manager regarding the Sex Establishments Draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

 

The Licensing Manager confirmed that the proposed policy was based on counsels’ advice and that to date a small number of responses had been received.

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to

 

i.        Note the consultation

The Committee Manager presented a report on the Environmental Improvement Programme in the absence of the Environmental Projects Manager.

 

The committee requested an update on the latest status of the Rectory Terrace project at the next meeting.

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to

 

i.          Approve the allocation of £8000 for the Cherry Hinton Road Hanging Baskets.

The committee received a report from the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation regarding Community Development and Leisure Grants.

 

The committee were advised that two applications had been received relating to Trumpington Residents Association and Denis Wilson Court.

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to

 

i.          Approve the applications for Community Development and Leisure Grants as outlined in the committee report.

The committee received a presentation from the Head of Planning Services and the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth regarding the implications of the localism bill on the planning system.

 

The committee and members of the public asked the following questions

 

i.        The biggest challenge is apathy, how will this be overcome? The Executive Councillor emphasised the importance of effective engagement.

 

ii.       Does the abolition of the regional spatial strategy provide an opportunity for the fringe developments to be renegotiated? The Head of Planning Services confirmed that the delivery of the Southern Fringes was in advanced delivery phase, and that the review of the local plan would consider the future needs of the city. The Executive Council emphasised the importance of developing sustainable communities.

 

iii.      How will the proposals affect the viability of world food supplies? The Executive Councillor and the Head of Planning Services welcomed the comments, and acknowledged the need to address the associated issues carefully.

 

iv.      Has any consideration being given to prevent multiple successive applications? The Head of Planning Services advised that the right to apply for planning permission would remain.

 

v.       The Head of Planning Services confirmed that the Cambridge Local Plan (and all other local plans) would remain in force.

The committee received an application for reserved matters approval for the erection of one five-bedroom house.

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to accept the officer recommendations and approved subject to conditions for the following reasons,

 

1. This development has been approved, conditionally, because subject to those requirements it is considered to conform to the

Development Plan as a whole, particularly the following policies:

 

East of England plan 2008: SS1, H1, T9, T14, ENV7 and WM6

Cambridge Local Plan (2006):

 

3/1,3/4,3/7,3/10,3/12,4/4,4/13,5/1,8/2,8/6 and 8/10

 

2. The decision has been made having had regard to all other material planning considerations, none of which was considered to have been of such significance as to justify doing other than grant planning permission.

The committee received an application for full planning permission for the erection of a single storey rear extension to the dwelling.

 

Mr Martin Roach spoke in objection to the application and raised the following issues,

 

i.        The cumulative effect of the successive applications

 

ii.       The inappropriate size of the proposed development resulting in a progressive feeling of enclosure. 

 

iii.      Loss of light and overshadowing

 

The applicant spoke in favour of the application.

 

Resolved (4 votes to 1) to accept the officer recommendations and approved the application, subject to conditions, for the following reasons 

 

1. This development has been approved, conditionally, because subject to those requirements it is considered to generally conform to the Development Plan, particularly the following policies:

East of England Plan (2008) Policy ENV7 Cambridge Local Plan (2006) Policies 3/4, 3/14

 

2. The decision has been made having had regard to all other material planning considerations, none of which was considered to have been of such significance as to justify doing other than grant planning permission.

The committee received an application for reserved matters approval for the conversion of the present property from a dwelling and annex to two dwellings.

 

Resolved (Unanimously) to

 

1. Accept the officer recommendations and approved subject to conditions for the following reasons,

 

i. This development has been approved subject to conditions and the prior completion of a section 106 planning obligation (/a unilateral undertaking), because subject to those requirements it is considered to conform to the Development Plan as a whole, particularly the following policies:

 

East of England plan 2008: ENV7

 

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003: P6/1

 

Cambridge Local Plan (2006): 3/1,3/4,3/7,3/8,5/2,5/14,8/6,8/10,8/11 and 10/1

 

ii. The decision has been made having had regard to all other material planning considerations, none of which was considered to have been of such significance as to justify doing other than grant planning permission.

 

2. Unless prior agreement has been obtained from the Head of Development Services, and the Chair and Spokesperson of this Committee to extend the period for completion of the Planning Obligation required in connection with this development, if the Obligation has not been completed by 31st March 2011 it is recommended that the application be refused for the following reason(s).

 

i.        The proposed development does not make appropriate provision for public open space, community development facilities and life-long learning facilities in accordance with the following policies, standards and proposals 3/7, 3/8, 5/14 and 10/1 of the Cambridge Local Plan 2006; and policy P6/1 of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003; and as detailed in the Planning Obligation Strategy 2004.