Agenda and minutes

These minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Sir David Amess MP

The Chair reflected that Members would have been shocked at the murder of Sir David Amess MP on the on the 15^th October and that Councillors had a common interest in maintaining a peaceful democratic system. Members stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.   

Remembrance Sunday

The Chair thanked Members who would be attending services and laying wreaths on the 14^th November. He advised them to contact the respective churches before the day. 

Civic events

The Chair thanked those who had supported his civic reception at Farleigh Golf Club on the 29^th August. The next civic event would be a charity quiz at Warlingham Village Hall on the evening of Saturday, 30^th October for which tickets were still available. Future fundraising events would be:

• a St. Valentine’s dinner and dance on Friday, 11^th February 2022 at Bletchingley Golf Club; and

• a concert on Saturday, 19^th March 2022 at the Oxted United Reformed Church, Oxted with performers from the Robert Bouffler Music Trust.    

All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:

(i)         any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs); and / or

(ii)        other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at the meeting. Anyone with a DPI must, unless a dispensation has been granted, withdraw from the meeting during consideration of the relevant item of business. If in doubt, advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer or her staff prior to the meeting.

Councillors Dennis and Mansfield declared non-pecuniary interests in connection with the two planning applications considered by the Planning Committee on the 29^th July 2021 (Minutes 93 and 94 – garage sites at Auckland Road and Windmill Close, Caterham respectively). This was on the basis that they were members of Caterham Hill Parish Council which had made representations concerning both applications. Councillor Dennis had also attended the Planning Committee meeting on the 29^th July 2021.  

(i)    questions from residents and others working or studying in the District; and

(ii)   questions from Councillors

Questions were dealt with from Councillors Cooper (2), Ridge (3), O’Driscoll (2) and Jones. The questions and responses are set out at Appendix A.

The reports of Committee meetings since the 22^nd July 2021 were presented for reception and adoption.

R E S O L V E D – that the reports of the following meetings be received, and the recommendations therein be adopted:

            Planning Committee - 29th July 2021

            Separate votes were taken regarding the recommendations to grant planning permission under Minutes 93 and 94:

·     Minute 93 – Auckland Road, Caterham – demolition of existing garages and erection of three residential dwellings of a 2-storey nature (2021/636); and

·     Minute 94 – Windmill Close, Caterham – demolition of existing garages and erection of three residential dwellings of a single storey and 2-storey nature (2021/637).

            In both cases, the Council voted in favour of adopting the respective recommendation.

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(3), Councillor O’Driscoll wished it recorded that he abstained from voting on the recommendation to grant planning permission for the proposed Auckland Road development (Minute 94 above).

            Planning Policy Committee - 26th August 2021

            Planning Committee - 2nd September 2021

            Strategy & Resources Committee - 14th September 2021

            Planning Committee - 20th September 2021

            Community Services Committee - 21st September 2021 (subject to Councillor Moore being added to the list of those present, as substitute for Councillor Allen)

            Planning Policy Committee - 23rd September 2021

            Housing Committee - 28th September 2021

            Audit & Scrutiny Committee - 30th September 2021

            Strategy & Resources Committee - 5th October 2021

   Planning Committee - 7th October 2021

            A separate vote was taken regarding the recommendation to amend the Planning             Committee’s terms of reference to enable it to resolve all planning applications referred             to it, including those where the Council is the applicant. The Council voted in favour of adopting the recommendation.