Planning and Highways Committee

(revised by Council 24.11.2025 Minute 147/2025)

Overall Purpose / Scope:

• To discuss in detail planning and similar applications and the creation, diversion or closure of footpaths and bridleways as they affect the North Petherton Town Council area, its residents, businesses and visitors

Outputs:

• Comments / observations sent to the relevant authority on any matters within the Committee’s remit.
• Decisions regarding the provision, location and maintenance of salt bins
• Decisions on matters relating to bus shelters
• Decisions on invoices presented for payment

Specific Responsibilities

1. To comment on planning applications on behalf of the Town Council to the relevant planning authorities on planning applications, listed building consents, conservation area consents and tree preservation orders within the area covered by North Petherton Town Council or its adjacent neighbours where there may be an impact on the Town Council’s area. *
2. To approve updates to the Cumulative Impact Assessment Flooding and Transport documents
3. To comment on behalf of the Town Council with regard to creation, diversions and closures*of footpaths and bridleways.*
4. To make suggestions and recommendations, when requested to do by the relevant local authority or developers for street names for developments within area covered by North Petherton Town Council.*
5. To make recommendations on behalf of the Town Council to Somerset Council or other relevant organisation on highways issues such as parking, traffic calming, highway improvements, maintenance of verges, drainage and gullies*
6. To make recommendations on behalf of the Town Council to Somerset Council on issues regarding public rights of way, footpaths and bridleways*
7. Liaises with relevant organisations regarding issues relating to public transport*
8. To consider information received by the Town Council in relation to Road Closure Orders and makes relevant related comments to Somerset Council where there is a likely to be a significant impact upon the town council area.
9. To comment on alcohol licensing applications on behalf of the Town Council to the relevant organisations.
10. To make decisions on the provision, location and maintenance of salt bins (for those being provided by the Town Council)
11. The care maintenance and regulation of bus shelters*
12. To approve invoices for payment.*
13. To draft and review policies and make recommendations to Council regarding policies which relate to topics that fall within the Committee’s remit
    
    Strategic Development
14. To consider any consultations regarding the Local Plan and recommend a response to Council
15. To consider any consultations regarding infrastructure and recommend a response to Council
16. To consider any consultations regarding strategic level and recommend a response to Council
    Note: Any draft response for (1) to (3) above should be cognisant of the operational knowledge and experience of other Committee’s.
17. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and disorder and the need for prevention (Crime & Disorder Act 1998 S17)
18. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to the Council’s duty to promote equality and diversity
19. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights legislation
20. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to environmental impact and sustainability
21. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to health and safety
22. To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value for money.