YAPTON
PARISH COUNCIL
20 November 2000 - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the Yapton &
Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr Fellows (Chairman), Mr Boxall, Mr Bryant, Mr Coe, Mrs Freeman, Mr Haymes, Mr Ranceford-Hadley and Mr Tompsett.
Also present: County Councillor Mr Betteridge, Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 6 members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Palmer, Mr Rowlandson and District Councillors Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews.
MINUTES
141. Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2000 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING
Condition of large car park/Recycling Centre (minute. 111/2000)
142. The Clerk reported on provisional estimates obtained for refurbishing (£980 + VAT) and tarmacing (£14300 + VAT) the large car park. Tony Hammond had indicated that a contribution of up to half the cost of the refurbishing work might be available from the District Council. Arrangements were being made for the site to be surveyed and plans prepared with the intention of completing the resiting of the bins and the associated landscaping work by the end March 2001. The Council noted the position and decided to defer any decision about the maintenance of the car park to the next meeting when the budget for the next financial year would be considered.
Church Lane - Kissing Gate (minute 115/2000)
143. The Clerk reported that the County Planning Officer agreed that the proposal for two hooped barriers offset one to another was likely to be more effective. There were no funds currently available but the Council could apply for a grant of up to 50% of the cost from the Parish Initiatives Scheme in the next financial year. The Council agreed that the Clerk should proceed along these lines at the appropriate time and in the meantime enquiries should be made of the Planning Department as to whether or not the project needed approval as being within a Conservation Area.
Clerk's remuneration - National Insurance contributions (minute 119/2000)
144. The Clerk advised that a PAYE system had been established for the Parish Council with retrospective effect to 1 May 2000.
Best Value Legislation (minute 124a/2000)
145. The Clerk reported that the District Council were arranging a seminar
at the Fontwell Park Racecourse to which the Council was invited to a send a
representative on 28 November 2000 (6.00 - 8.00 pm).
Planning issues (minutes 126 - 129/2000)
146. Mr Bryant reported to the Council on subsequent correspondence with the Planning Officer and developments concerning (a) the change of use at Victoria Lodge (b) the Old Post Office and (c) the old Canal Bridge and surrounding copse.
147. The Council noted with regard to (a) that following the issue of the Public Contravention Notice, the owner of the premises had been requested to submit a formal application for planning permission. If this was not be forthcoming within the specified period an enforcement notice for change of use of premises would be issued by the District Council.
148. With regard to (b), the District Council had accepted the submission
and an appropriate reference had been included in the Revised Supplementary
Planning Guidance document. With regard to (c), the Planning Officer had commented
that the old Canal Bridge at Burndell lay outside of the Conservation Area and
in any case the Council's representations had been submitted outside the specified
deposit period and therefore could not be considered at the Inquiry.
149. Mr Bryant advised that a further letter had been sent by the Clerk to the
Planning Officer concerning the response to (c) and a reply was now awaited.
Millennium Clock (minute 131/2000)
150. The Chairman reported on the action taken by the Clerk following the latest breakdown of the two clocks. Contact had been made with the supplier who had concluded, following tests, that the latest problem was almost certainly linked to the electronic chips in the clocks picking up wireless transmissions from the nearby taxi company. The supplier therefore intended to provide replacement chips which should not be adversely affected in this way. It was hoped that the necessary remedial work would be completed within the next 7 - 10 days. Meanwhile the Clerk had posted notices in the village hall and on the PC noticeboard to advise residents of the position.
Sale of alcohol to under-age young people (minute 135b/2000)
151. The Clerk advised members of the action he taken following the last meeting to bring the Council's concerns to the Licensing Authority.
Extension of Byelaws in respect of King George V Playing Field (minute 135c/2000)
152. The Clerk advised that he had been in contact with the Home Office who had indicated that a model "alcohol byelaw" was currently under consideration. The Home Office had therefore recommended that the Council defer any action pending the receipt of the model proposals. The Council agreed in the circumstances to keep the matter under review with the intention of updating the existing byelaws`to accord with the latest recommmendations from the Home Office in due course.
Provision of footways (minute 139/2000)
153. The Clerk reported that the Local Highway Manager had confirmed that the provision of a footway along Bilsham Road was already on the minor works forward programme for 2001-2006 although it was not possible to give a date as to when the works would be undertaken. The feasibility of extending the footway along Main Road would be investigated.
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
154. Mr Betteridge advised that the County Councillors on the Downland Area Committee were of the opinion that no real improvement would be made to the problems with congestion on the local roads until such time as the Arundel by-pass was constructed. The County Council intended to continue to press John Prescott, the Secretary of State, to advance funds to enable an early start to be made on the project.
155. In his absence the Clerk reported that Mr Matthews had provided copies
of correspondence he had had with the District Council concerning flooding in
Yapton and identifying those areas and properties which had suffered in the
recent storms/heavy rainfall.
YAPTON CE PRIMARY SCHOOL - PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
156. The Council noted that Mr Coe had resigned as the Council's representative on the Governing Body.
157. Resolved - That provided the person was willing to serve, the nomination proposed by Mr Ranceford-Hadley be approved.
DOWNLAND AREA PARTNERSHIP PANEL
158. Resolved - That the Chairman's decision in appointing Mr Ranceford-Hadley
in place of Mrs Freeman as the Council's representative on the Downland Area
Partnership Panel be approved.
159. It was noted that Mrs Freeman, who was currently Chairman of the Panel,
would continue to serve as the representative of the Arun District Association
of Local Councils on the Panel.
CORRESPONDENCE
160. Receipt of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as indicated:-
a) West Sussex Health Authority - advising that the application by Kingchem Ltd to open a pharmacy in Yapton had been refused. It was noted that Kingchem Ltd had since submitted an appeal against this decision.
b) Arun District Association of Local Councils - enclosing briefing paper on
the future political management structure of Arun District Council and inviting
views. The members'
preference, which was for a leader of the Council and a Cabinet, would be conveyed
to the Council by Mrs Freeman at a special meeting of the ADALC.
c) Arun District Council - Flood Risks during the Winter 2000/2001. The letter (a) sought the assistance of Parish Councils in monitoring the situation in their areas and "using their local contacts to encourage land owners and riparian owners to carry out essential maintenance to their lengths of ditches, water courses and /or culverts prior to further heavy winter rainfall" and (b) asked whether a "one-off" meeting of the Joint Land Drainage Group should be called to "discuss ways of mitigating the effects of flooding, communication links between this Council and your Council on flooding issues and to raise the general awareness of what can be expected by the various public bodies prior to, during, and after flooding incidents". Members felt with regard to (a) that it was a matter for the appropriate statutory authority to ensure that regular inspections and any essential maintenance was carried out by those responsible. With regard to (b) it was felt that a 'one-off' meeting would be appropriate provided it was not intended simply as a 'talking-shop' and any promised follow-up action was undertaken to help avoid further flooding problems in the area. The Clerk undertook to pass on the Council's views and meanwhile members agreed to provide him with details of locations in the village which were prone to flooding and the likely reasons for this.
d) Arun District Council - inviting bids for funding through the Village Enhancement Scheme 2000/2001. The letter indicated funding would be limited to 1/3rd of the total project costs and that priority would be given to projects addressing (i) Youth Activity/Achievement (ii) Crime Reduction (iii) Local Economic Regeneration and (iv) Environmental Enhancement. The Council decided not to submit a bid for funding in the next financial year.
e) Requests for grant-aid have been received from (i) Littlehampton Shopmobility
Service (ii) Sammy Community Transport (iii) Sussex Farming and Wildlife Advisory
Group (FWAG)
(iv) 4 Sight (formerly West Sussex Association for the Blind). The Council approved
grants of £50.00 to each of the above with the exception of the Sussex
FWAG.
f) Slindon Common Residents'Association - 'Flix in the Stixs' - inviting comments on a proposal to show newly released films in village halls in the area. The Council welcomed and gave their support to the proposal although it was noted that a previous initiative aimed at showing films to young people in the Yapton & Ford Village Hall had unfortunately not been successful.
g) West Sussex County Council Publications received: (i) The Local Transport
Plan for West Sussex (ii) "Pedalling Ahead" Cycling Strategy for West
Sussex (iii) Stepping Ahead in West Sussex - A pedestrian strategy (iv) A rural
Transport Plan for West Sussex.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
161. The Council had before them and received the minutes of meetings of the Planning Committee held on 20 September, 3 October and 16 October 2000 (copies attached to minute book).
162. Mr Bryant outlined the current position regarding Planning Application No Y/43/00 which the Planning Committee were due to consider further on the ending of the Parish Council meeting. He also advised the Council of the removal of the roof spanning the entrance to Neptune Garage in Main Road. As the property concerned was sited in a Conservation Area this had been referred to the District Council and was currently being investigated by one of their Enforcement Officers..
PLAYING FIELD
163. Mr Coe advised that because of the weather a number of home football matches had had to be cancelled. It was hoped that the contractor would be able to arrange for one further cut and roll of the field before the end of the season.
164. Mr Ranceford-Hadley drew the Council's attention to the guidance given in the latest Circular from the Sussex Associations of Local Councils concerning the management of playing field and play areas and in particular the need to ensure adequate arrangements were in place for inspection on a regular basis for identifying and dealing with any obvious hazards such as broken equipment.
165. The Clerk outlined the present inspection arrangements involving formal inspections by Arun District Council on a monthly basis and by the Insurers, Zurich Municipal, on a bi-annual basis together with daily 'informal' inspections by the litter collector. Any problems reported were actioned as necessary by the Clerk. It was agreed that the Clerk should consult as necessary with the Insurers and District Council to ensure that the Council were adequately covered by these arrangements.
VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVES
166. Mrs Freeman reported on a recent successful Yettis Concert held at the village hall; plans for a fund-raising dance on 17 February 2001 were in hand. The possibility of advertising the village hall facilities on the website was discussed and would be further explored by the Management Committee.
MILLENNIUM WORKING PARTY
167. Mr Haymes reported that the Working Party had agreed to distribute the balance of funds remaining as follows:
£100 St Andrew's Church, Ford
£100 St Mary's Church, Yapton
£125 Yapton Parish Council (reimbursement for sale of millennium mugs)
£473 + interest Yapton & Ford Village Hall
168. The Council paid tribute to Mr Haymes and the other members of the Working Party for all their efforts over the last few months.
DOWNLAND AREA PARTNERSHIP PANEL AND THE ALDAC - JOINT MEETING OF DOWNLAND, EASTERN
AND WESTERN BRANCHES
169. The Council had before them and received reports from Mrs Freeman on these meetings (copies attached to minute book).
FINANCE
170. Resolved -
(a) that the year end final accounts for the 1999/2000 financial year as prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer be approved, subject to audit (copy attached to minute book);
(b) that the financial statements for the months of September and October 2000 be adopted (copies attached to minute book).
DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2001
171. The Council agreed the following dates for its meetings in 2001, with the normal starting time of 7.30 pm for each meeting:
8 January 12 March 14 May 9 July 10 September 19 November
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
172. A number of concerns were mentioned by Councillors and members of the public present which would be followed up by the Clerk as appropriate. These included an overgrown hedge along the footway outside of Berri Court, trees obstructing the footpath close to the Old Canal Bridge, the recent felling of trees at the end of Downview Way, the proposal for the South Downs to be given National Park status and a continuing problem with horses being exercised on the playing field.
173. Mr Ranceford-Hadley suggested that it might be desirable to extend the double yellow lines prohibiting parking to an area along North End Road opposite the junction with Church Lane. The Council agreed to refer the matter for consideration to the Planning Committee with a view to making further representations to the Highways Authority if this was considered appropriate.
174. Members of the Council were concerned and discussed the recent traffic diversions through Yapton which had been introduced whilst maintenance work was being undertaken on the A27 road. These, in conjunction with the recent flooding problem in the village, had created a difficult situation. It was noted that a further diversion of traffic through Yapton was scheduled to take place for a specified period from 4 December whilst work was taking place on the road over the Arundel Station bridge.
CHAIRMAN