Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors E Durrant, EM Jones and E Vaughan and from County Councillor J Wilkinson who was on other Council business.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 8 April 2021 as a correct record.

The Chair was authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April, 2021.

a)       To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

b)       To receive Members' requests that a record be made of their membership of town or community councils where discussion has taken place of matters for the consideration of this Committee.

c)       To receive declarations from Members of the Committee that they will be acting as 'Local Representative' in respect of an individual application being considered by the Committee.

d)       To note the details of Members of the County Council (who are not Members of the Committee) who will be acting as 'Local Representative' in respect of an individual application being considered by the Committee.

(a)       There were no declarations of interest.

(b)       The Committee noted that no Member requested that a record be made of their membership of a Community Council where discussion had taken place of matters for the consideration of this Committee.

(c)        The Committee noted that no Member (who is a member of the Committee) would be acting as ‘local representative’ in respect of any application on the agenda.

(d)       The Committee noted that no Member (who is not a member of the Committee) would be speaking as the ‘local representative’ in respect of any application on the agenda.

To consider the reports of the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection and to make any necessary decisions thereon.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection (copies filed with the signed minutes).

Any Updates will be added to the Agenda, as a Supplementary Pack, wherever possible, prior to the meeting.

There were no updates.

Grid Ref:                   20/1582/HH  

Valid Date:               09/10/20        

Community Council:         Old Radnor Community Council

Applicant:                             Mr E M Jones

Location:                              Cwm Gwalley, Old Radnor, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2RP

Proposal:                              Erection of an extension and porch

Application Type:              Householder

It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer.

To receive for information a list of decisions made by the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection under delegated powers.

The Committee received for information a list of decisions made by the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection during the period between 30 March 2021 and 20 April 2021. The Professional Lead – Planning would contact Councillor G Williams regarding a query he had on the former livestock market, Llanidloes.

To receive the Planning Inspector's decision regarding an appeal.

There were no appeals decisions.   

To consider the report regarding objections raised to the increase in animal licensing fees introduced in 2020/21.

The Committee was advised that objections to increases in Animal Licensing fees approved in January 2020 had not been brought back before the Committee for consideration. Instead, the increased fees were charged from 1st April 2020 and were later the subject of complaint from one of the licensees. At this point the error was highlighted and legal advice sought on the matter, the result of which, was that the increased fees relating to the categories of licences objected to as part of the consultation reverted to the previous year’s fee and refunds issued where the increased licence fee had already been charged.

A number of Members contended that as the mistake had been made by the council, then all fees should be repaid regardless of whether or not objections had been made. It was moved and seconded that the fees should be held at the rates prior to increase in January 2020 and not reviewed until April 2022.

The Committee was advised that it would need to take into account the implications of not increasing fees for 2021/22 and repaying fees for the previous year for the service and its budget. The Senior Enforcement Officer offered to bring a report setting out the budget implications for the service, the legal basis on which full cost recovery is relied upon and details of full costing calculations used and associated processes. An amendment was moved and seconded that consideration of the report be deferred for this additional information to be included.