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Notes from DDC Cabinet meeting, 3 October 2016
Chair Paul Watkins and Cllr Morris both had to leave chamber for the Regent session, due to declarations of interest regarding the Masonic Hall next door, but the Chair stated at the start that Cabinet shared many of the sentiments of the Scrutiny Committee and expressed disappointment that there has been so little progress to date. The meeting was then chaired by Cllr Nick Kenton.
Specific Scrutiny points:
a) Pre-application advice should be stopped. Some discussion, but Planning advised that developers have had more than enough time and help to go to plans. APPROVED.
b) 3 and 6 month schedules for planning. R Walton thinks plans are “12 to 16 weeks away” so it was agreed the 3- and 6-month schedules are “reasonable”. APPROVED.
c) and d) Heritage/Listing investigations, reports etc. (Heritage report got rather lost in discussions about Listing.) It was decided that the rest of the recommendations be followed through before taking these steps. Revisit these two proposals in 6 months. NOT FOR NOW.
e) Visits from officers re Section 215. Visit has taken place and 215 Notice IS JUSTIFIED! Building is deemed to be in a “deplorable state”. Two-month turnaround then 6 weeks to appeal (Section 217), then 3 months to carry out work, otherwise prosecution. Building to be made “sound and watertight” as top priority. APPROVED.
f) Covenant – Legal Services thinks “there may be a breach” but problem with enforcing while owner is “still making plans”. “Muddy waters”, “don’t want to use a big stick”, not possible for an injunction during “temporary [!!] use”. Review in 6-9 months (by which time planning should be in). NOT FOR NOW.
g) and h) Fire Officer and Environment/Corporate Assets visits – both have taken place and reports are awaited. Property Office needs to make another visit as access was unavailable at roof level. ALREADY ACTIONED.
i) Business Rates – agreed to request a re-evaluation of rateable value of the building. ALREADY ACTIONED.
j) Report to Scrutiny/CPO – council would have to have a clear plan and resources available to support a CPO. A lot of stages, but possible. See how next six months shape up with Section 215, other reports, and (hopefully!) planning application. NOT FOR NOW.
