To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

The following Members indicated that they would be declaring an interest as follows:-

Councillor Mrs D Bowman - Items 8 and 9 -personal and prejudicial -Member of Durham County Council,

Councillor G C Gray  - Items 8 and 9- personal and prejudicial- Member of Durham County Council

Councillor J Robinson JP. - Items 8 and 9 -personal and prejudicial- Member of Durham County Council

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th January, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Planning

Consideration was given to a report of Head of Planning Services (for copy, see file of Minutes) in relation to a provisional Tree Preservation Order which had been made at the above site on the 9th October, 2007.

It was noted that the Order must be confirmed within six months of being made or the Order would be null and void. 

The purpose of the report was therefore to consider whether it would be appropriate to make the Order permanent.

The Tree which was the subject of the Order provided amenity value to the area and it was considered worthy of protection to preserve the character of the area. 

RESOLVED:             That Tree Preservation Order number 51/2007,

51a Durham Road, Spennymoor be confirmed

Report of Head of Planning

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning Services.  (For copy see file of Minutes) in relation to the above.

It was explained that a provisional Tree Preservation Order had been made at the above site on 20th November, 2007.  The Order must be confirmed within six months of being made or the Order would be null and void.  The purpose of the report was therefore to consider whether it would be appropriate to make the Order permanent.

The tree which was the subject of the Order provided amenity value to the area and was worthy of protection to preserve the character of the area.

RESOLVED:             That Tree Preservation Order number 52/2007, Ferryhill Cemetery be confirmed.

To consider the attached schedule of applications, which are to be determined by this Council.

Consideration was given to a schedule of applications for consent to develop (for copy, see file of Minutes).

In respect of application number 1 - Erection of  transport garage (retrospective).  land at Eldon Hope Drift, Old Eldon, Mr J Cant, Eldon Hope Drift, Old Eldon, Plan Ref: 7/2007/0711/DM, it was explained that since the preparation of the report, a letter had been received from the applicant in support of his application.  The contents of the letter were outlined to the Committee.

RESOLVED:                   That the report be received and the recommendations contained therein adopted.

To consider the attached schedule detailing an application which is to be determined by Durham County Council.  The view and observations of this Council have been requested.

NB In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members Code of Conduct, Councillors Mrs D Bowman, G C Gray and J Robinson JP declared interest in this item and the following item relating to Durham County Council and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting thereon.

Consideration was given to a schedule of applications which were to be considered by Durham County Council and upon which the Council had been invited to comment (for copy, see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:             That the report be received and the recommendations

 contained therein adopted.

A schedule of applications, which have been determined by Durham County Council is attached for information.

A schedule of applications which had been determined for Durham County Council was submitted for Members’ information (for copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:            That the schedule be received.

A schedule of applications, which have been determined by Officers by virtue of their delegated powers, is attached for information

Consideration was given to a schedule detailing applications which had been determined by officers by virtue of their delegated powers (for copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:             That the schedule be received.

A schedule of appeals outstanding up to 30^th January 2008 is attached for information.

Consideration was given to a schedule of appeals outstanding up to 30th January, 2008 (for copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:             That the schedule be received.

RESOLVED:               That in accordance with Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

To consider the attached schedule of alleged breaches of planning control and action taken.

Consideration was given to a schedule of alleged breaches of planning control and action taken.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:            That the schedule be received.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Consideration was given to a report relating to the above breach of planning control. (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:             That the report be received and the recommendations contained therein adopted.