Agenda and minutes

39.1     The Committee RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2018. 

Disclosures by all members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

40.1     Councillor Liddiard declared a personal interest in Item 6C in that his indirect line manager was a public speaker, but he confirmed that he had not discussed the matter with his manager, and so regarded the interest as a personal interest and not prejudicial.

40.2     Councillor Taylor declared a prejudicial interest in Item 5 as the owner of a business adjacent to the application site, and agreed to leave the Chamber during consideration of the item. 

41.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

42.1     Councillor Taylor left the Chamber during consideration of this item. 

42.2     The Head of Planning and Environment informed the Committee of further information that had come to light with regards to the part of the report entitled “Screening of Application under Habitats Regulations 2010” following the publication of the agenda and report, and the need for additional time for officers to consider this.

42.3     A motion to defer consideration of the application was moved, seconded, voted on and agreed unanimously.

42.4     RESOLVED to defer further consideration of the application until further consideration is given to the part of the report entitled “Screening of Application under Habitats Regulations 2010” and if necessary, these considerations can be included in the officer’s report.   

42.5     Councillor Taylor returned to the Chamber. 

43.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

43.2     Members have considered the officer’s report and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendation, as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

43.3     RESOLVED unanimously to (1) not uphold the objections as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report; and

(2) recommend to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport that the Order be made as advertised. 

44.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

44.2     Mr Matthew Briggs of Specsavers, spoke to highlight the impact of the recent temporary re-location of buses on local retailers and shoppers.

44.3     Ms Christina Ewbank of the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce spoke in support of the Eastbourne Town Centre Improvement Scheme and the report’s recommendations.  She set out Councillor Tutt’s support for the scheme as Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council.

44.4     The Head of Planning and Environment read out the written submission by Councillor Elkin, a member of the ETCIS Project Board, in support of the scheme.

44.5     Councillor Rodohan and Councillor Taylor, as Local Members and members of the Planning Committee, spoke in support of the scheme and report’s recommendations. The Chair reported the comments in support of the recommendation of Councillor Wallis, the other Local Member. 

44.6     Members have considered the officer’s report and comments of the public speakers and Local and other Members and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendation, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

44.7     RESOLVED unanimously to (1) not uphold the objections as set out in Appendix 5 of the report; and

(2) recommend to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport that the Order be made as advertised. 

45.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

45.2     Councillor Brian Kentfield, the local Rother District Councillor, spoke to raise concerns regarding Birkdale (Site 1), and in particular the restrictions on the northern side of Birkdale and children crossing the road.

45.3     Mr Dennis Wright and Mr Richard Coomber, local residents, spoke to request an extension to the proposed scheme, to include further restrictions at Westcourt Drive and Collington Avenue (Site 2). 

45.4     Councillor Earl, the Local Member for both Sites, spoke to reinforce the concerns of the public speakers. 

45.5     Members have considered the officer’s report and comments of the public speakers and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendation, as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

45.6     RESOLVED (1) by a majority of 5-2 not to uphold the objections in relation to Site 1  as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

(2) unanimously not to uphold the objections in relation to Site 2  as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(3) recommend to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport that the Order be made as advertised.