Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Licensing and Planning Policy Committee - Thursday, 23rd January, 2025 7.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber - Epsom Town Hall, https://www.youtube.com/@epsomandewellBC/playlists. View directions

Contact: Email: democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk  tel: 01372 732000

Items
No. Item

30.

Questions and Statements from the Public

To take any questions or statements from members of the Public.

Minutes:

No questions or statements were received from Members of the Public.

31.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

No declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests were made by Members with respect to any items to be considered at the meeting.

32.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 437 KB

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 November 2024 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

Minutes:

The Committee confirmed as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 November 2024 and authorised the Chair to sign them.

33.

Minutes of Licensing Sub-Committees pdf icon PDF 229 KB

To receive the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 17 July, 21 August, 21 November, and 4 December 2024.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee received the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 17 July, 21 August, 21 November, and 4 December 2024.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Receive the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 17 July, 21 August, 21 November, and 4 December 2024 and authorise the Chair of the Sub-Committee meeting to sign them as a true record of that meeting.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee received the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 17 July, 21 August, 21 November, and 4 December 2024.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Receive the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 17 July, 21 August, 21 November, and 4 December 2024 and authorise the Chair of the Sub-Committee meeting to sign them as a true record of that meeting.

 

 

 

34.

Heritage Champion Annual Statement pdf icon PDF 223 KB

To report to the Committee the annual statement of the Heritage Councillor Champion.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the annual statement of the Heritage Councillor Champion.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Thanks. The Committee expressed thanks to Cllr Spickett for her work as Heritage Champion and for the brilliant report she produced. These comments were echoed by the Chair.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Receive and note the annual statement of the Heritage Councillor Champion.

35.

Fees and Charges 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 249 KB

This report recommends fees and charges for which this committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2025.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report recommending the fees and charges for which the Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2025.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Zoos. A Member of the Committee asked if there is a Zoo in the Borough. The Senior Accountant confirmed that there is one, Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo.

b)            Retrospective Planning Applications. A Member of the Committee asked why the extra charge incurred for retrospective planning applications, was not listed in the report. The Head of Place Development explained that the retrospective planning application charge is set nationally so it would not be listed in our fees and charges as it is not a local fee, but a charge set by Central Government. The Head of Place informed the Committee that, at present, the Council is unable to subject retrospective planning applications to an additional charge.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree the fees and charges for 2025/26 as set out at Appendices 1 and 2.

 

36.

Revenue Budget 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 674 KB

This report sets out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Licensing & Planning Policy services in 2025/26.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report setting out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Licensing & Planning Policy services in 2025/26.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Local Plan Expenditure. A Member of the Committee asked if the Local Plan expenditure is included in the figures in the report. The Chief Accountant explained that many of the next steps in the delivery of the Local Plan are being funded by the Corporate Project Reserves and are one-off costs which don’t form part of the annual revenue budget. When expenditure is incurred, it will be included in that year’s revenue spend with an offsetting contribution from the Corporate Projects reserve, therefore there is no increase in net expenditure. The Chief Accountant explained that the costs associated with the staff delivering the Local Plan are included in the Draft Budget Book.

b)            Updates on Local Plan Costs. A Member of the Committee asked which Committee would receive an update on the costs of delivering the Local Plan. The Chief Accountant informed the Committee that Licensing and Planning Policy Committee has received update reports in the past on the expenditure of the Local Plan. The Chief Accountant explained that once Strategy and Resources have agreed the funding, it is then the responsibility of LPP Committee to consider the expenditure against the funding.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Recommend the 2025/26 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2025.

 

 

37.

Urgent Decisions pdf icon PDF 222 KB

To report to the Committee a decision taken by the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration on the grounds of urgency, in compliance with the requirements of the Constitution.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report detailing the decision taken by the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration on the grounds of urgency, in compliance with the requirements of the Constitution.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the urgent decision taken and the reasons for that decision.