Agenda and minutes

The Chair announced to the Committee that former County Councillor Peter Barnes had passed away.  Councillor Barnes was a former Chairman of Warwickshire County Council and had served on the Regulatory Committee during his time.

Councillor Mark Cargill announced that Councillor Barnes had been a long serving member of planning committees and that he consistently held the interests of residents at heart. He expressed sympathy and extended his thoughts to the late Councillor’s family.

Councillor Kate Rolfe stated that Councillor Barnes had been a colleague for many years at Stratford-on-Avon District Council and that he had been extremely helpful and supportive. She praised Councillor Barnes as an excellent Chair of the Regulatory Committee at Warwickshire County Council and commented that he was a unique character who would be missed by many.

Councillor Anne Parry endorsed these comments and stated that Councillor Barnes had offered her great support, advice and patience since her election to the Council. She praised Councillor Barnes as a great mentor and paid tribute to his record of 30 years as an elected councillor. She extended her thoughts to his family.

The Chair acknowledged these comments adding that, although he had not known Councillor Barnes, the high regard in which he was clearly held by Members demonstrated his great commitment to those he represented.  The Committee stood for a minute’s silence.

To receive any apologies from Members of the Committee.

Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Williams

Members are required to register their disclosable pecuniary interests within 28 days of their election or appointment to the Council. A member attending a meeting where a matter arises in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest must (unless they have a dispensation):

• Declare the interest if they have not already registered it

• Not participate in any discussion or vote

• Must leave the meeting room until the matter has been dealt with (Standing Order 39).

• Give written notice of any unregistered interest to the Monitoring Officer within 28 days of the meeting Non-pecuniary interests must still be declared in accordance with the Code of Conduct. These should be declared at the commencement of the meeting.

Councillor Dave Reilly declared a non-pecuniary interest as the elected member for Coleshill North & Water Orton where High Meadow Infant School is located.  He is also working to support residents in relation to Item 3.

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the Regulatory Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 3 December 2019 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.  There were no matters arising.

Members are asked to note the applications dealt with under delegated powers since the last meeting.

The Committee noted the delegated decisions made by officers since the last meeting as presented in the report.

High Meadow Infant School, Norton Road, Coleshill, B46 1ES.

Ian Grace, Team Leader Planning Control acknowledged to the Committee that this was not a popular, or easy, recommendation for the Committee or the residents to be faced with.  Assurances were given that, despite the applicant being Warwickshire County Council, officers did not deal with them any differently to non-council applications; decisions to recommend approval, or not, are made through planning assessments only.

The following three points were given as reasons for the Committee to support the application and grant approval;

• The proposal is only temporary. Any adverse effects will not be forever.

• The impact of the temporary classroom on neighbouring properties is a planning consideration.  The application is unfortunate but not unacceptable.

• The operational needs of the school are material considerations that the Committee must take into account.  Members must consider only the application presented before them at the meeting.

Sally Panyai, Planning Assistant presented the report, with a photo presentation to the Committee setting out the full context of the application. 

The Chair spoke for the Committee in noting frustration that no discussion took place with planning officers before the temporary classroom was put on site.

It was confirmed that work for the permanent classrooms to be put on the site was on schedule to start on 17 February 2020.

Public Speaking

Alison Doyle, local resident, stated that the application was unfair and that she disagreed with the three points made by Ian Grace as to why the application should be approved.  It was noted by the Committee that Ms Doyle does not believe that the application is compliant with planning law, or the policies of Warwickshire County Council.

Following a question from Councillor Kate Rolfe, it was confirmed that the noise level from the temporary classroom includes being able to hear children move around the classroom, as well as the movement of furniture in the room.  The classroom is normally in use from 8am to 6pm.  The noise levels also affect Ms Doyle’s work as she works from home in an office at the back of her house.

Councillor Dave Reilly spoke as the councillor representing Coleshill North & Water Orton, the division that the school is in, and in support of the residents.  Councillor Reilly acknowledged that this is a difficult application.  He stated that the application contravenes the local plan for North Warwickshire Borough Council.  

It was confirmed that Councillor Reilly has arranged a meeting for the 22 January 2020 to discuss the application.  Local residents, Ian Budd (Assistant Director – Education Services) and Scott Tompkins (Assistant Director – Environment Services) have been invited to attend.  It was confirmed that Clare Gibb would also be attending the meeting.

Clare Gibb (Interim Service Manager - Property, Construction & Engineering) spoke in support of the application.  The Committee heard that officers recognised the issues with the application.  Ms Gibb confirmed that it was unacceptable that work had been completed on site before permission had been granted and apologised to the Committee.  The Committee heard that lessons have been learnt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.