Agenda item
Dispensations
Purpose: To receive any requests for dispensations.
Decision:
County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson
That County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes both in relation to the application number 056023 and also subsequent applications for residential development on the adjoining land for which access is to be gained through that application, and to communicate with officers in writing.
Town Councillor Richard Jones
That Town Councillor Richard Jones be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (e) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak to officers, Members and others, to make written representations and to speak to Buckley Town Council Committees on Non Domestic Rates and to remain in the chamber and hear the related debate.
Minutes:
Following despatch of the agenda, two dispensation requests had been received from County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson and Buckley Town Councillor Richard Jones.
County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson
The Committee were asked to consider a request for dispensation submitted by County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson. The request was to speak for five minutes as local Member at the Planning and Development Control Committee in relation to application number 056023 (Demolition of existing dwelling and provision of access junction and access road). He was the owner of land to the rear of Hillcrest, Drury Lane / Mount pleasant Road which had planning permission for residential development and was currently awaiting the outcome of a renewal application.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer said he had discussed the application with Councillor Hutchinson and explained that if the planning application was granted, land would be unlocked for housing development and advised that the dispensation should also apply to land at the rear of the site. He suggested that the following wording be included “and any subsequent applications for residential development on the adjoining land for which access is to be gained through that application”.
In response to a question, the Monitoring Officer explained that if the Committee also granted that Councillor Hutchinson could communicate in writing to officers that would allow him the opportunity to ask questions on behalf of local residents.
Councillor Hutchinson left the room during consideration of the application.
Mr Kenneth Molyneux asked if a condition should be added in line with other dispensations granted so that should any meetings with officers take place, a 3rd party representative should also be present. The Monitoring Officer explained that it was not necessary for this application as Councillor Hutchinson was not the person submitting the planning application.
It was agreed that the dispensation be granted, as requested, and with the addition of the wording suggested by the Deputy Monitoring Officer.
Buckley Town Councillor Richard Jones
The Committee were asked to consider a request for dispensation submitted by Town Councillor Richard Jones.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer provided details of the background to the application which was to speak to officers, Members and others to enable him to put the case for the effect and changes required in relation to Non Domestic Rate values that may be considered necessary. Councillor Richard Jones was President of the Buckley and District Chamber of Commerce and it was making representation to organisations including the Local Authority. In addition, Councillor Jones’ wife was a trader in the town.
In response to a question from Mr Robert Dewey, the Monitoring Officer clarified that the application was sought as a Buckley Town Councillor, not as a County Councillor.
As background, The Monitoring Officer provided a comprehensive explanation as to the process for collection of Non Domestic Rates and why the dispensation applied, which was due to Councillor Jones’ wife being a trader in the town and as he would be addressing the Valuation Office on behalf of the local businesses in his role as President of the Buckley and District Chamber of Commerce.
It was agreed that the dispensation be granted, as requested.
RESOLVED:
County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson
That County Councillor Dennis Hutchinson be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes both in relation to the application number 056023 and also subsequent applications for residential development on the adjoining land for which access is to be gained through that application, and to communicate with officers in writing.
Town Councillor Richard Jones
That Town Councillor Richard Jones be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (e) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak to officers, Members and others, to make written representations and to speak to Buckley Town Council Committees on Non Domestic Rates and to remain in the chamber and hear the related debate.