YAPTON
PARISH COUNCIL
19 November 2001 - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the Yapton &
Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr Fellows (Chairman), Mr Bryant, Mr Caiger, Mr Coe,
Mr Haymes,
Mrs Palmer, Mr Ranceford-Hadley and Mr Rowlandson.
Also present: Mrs Freeman (County Councillor), Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews (District Councillors), Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 5 members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Boxall and Mr Tompsett.
MINUTES
133. Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2001 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING
Church Lane footpath - barrier (minute 118/2001)
134. Following consultation with the Chairman, arrangements had been made for 4 concrete posts to be installed as a barrier at a cost of £315.50 + VAT.
New Children's Play Area/The Seagull Project (minute 119/2001)
135. The Clerk advised that confirmation had now been received that a grant of £40,000 would be available from the Landfill Tax Credit scheme to finance the cost of the proposed new children's.play area. The grant had to be spent within a 12 month period and was subject to the Council itself making a donation of £1320 to the Seagull Project.
136. It was proposed to plan the work to start in the late Spring 2002 and proposals for financing the cost of the resurfacing of the remainder of the large car park area would be brought to the Council for consideration at the next meeting. It was noted the proposed relocation of the recycling bins had been turned down by the Area Highway Engineer because of the potential traffic hazards which would be created by the recycling vehicles having to empty the bins close to the mini-roundabout.
137. Resolved -
(a) That the possibility of financial support towards the resurfacing of the car park from local businesses and organisations be explored by the Clerk;
(b) That a meeting be arranged with Tony Hammond, Recycling Manager at Arun District Council, to discuss funding of the resurfacing works as well as the future arrangements for siting the recycling bins in the village.
Representative on Downland Area Partnership Panel/Downland Area Committee (minute
123/2001)
138. Resolved - That Mr Haymes be appointed as the Council's representatives on these bodies.
Co-ordinated rural transport plan for the seven villages (minute 126a/2001)
139. The Council had before them and received a statement from Mr Tyrell, Clymping Parish Council, which gave an update on the latest developments with regard to the proposed rural transport study (copy attached to minute book).
140. The Clerk reported that the County Council's own Area Transport study was in the process of being finalised by consultants and was expected to be presented to the Downland Area Committee in January. Parish Councils would be given an opportunity to study and comment on the report.
Arun District Council - Periodic Electoral Review (minute 126c/2001)
141. The Clerk reported that despite the Council's representations, the District Council had decided to go ahead with their proposal to recommend that the Hoe Lane area of Yapton be included in a new Felpham East Ward for district council electoral purposes. Following consultation with the Chairman, strong representations against the proposal had been made to the Local Government Commission for England.
Arun District Council - Meeting on Climate Change (minute 126d/2001)
142. Mr Rowlandson reported on his attendance at the District Council meeting on 17 October 2001 at which an excellent presentation had been given by Professor Clark of Southampton University. It was noted that although there were still a number of uncertainties about climate change, Councils at all levels had a responsibility to prepare for and manage the possible impact. Local factors to be considered included coastal erosion due to rising sea levels, rivers flooding, storm damage, water supply and nature conservation.
The Five Village Society - "Flix in the Stix" (minute 126e/2001)
143. Mr Coe reported that a film had recently been shown at the Village Hall as part of the pilot scheme. Unfortunately, despite widespread publicity, the event had not been well attended.
New barrier fencing at end of Loveys Road (minute 132b/2001)
144. The Clerk reported that the Housing Manager had written to the residents of Cobham Close who had raised concerns about the new fencing at the rear of Loveys Road. It was noted that the fencing had been erected by the District Council in response to continual complaints about the illegal dumping of rubbish in the neighbouring field.
Parking restrictions for Church Road, Church Lane and North End Road (minute 132g/2001)
145. The Council had before them and considered a letter from the Local Highway Manager setting out his response to the proposals put forward by the Council for additional parking restrictions in the village (copy attached to minute book).
146. Whilst agreeing with the proposals/comments as set out with regard to Church Road and Church Lane, the Council remained concerned about the problems with parking and congestion outside the school in North End Road. In particular it was noted that parking of vehicles seemed to take place at all hours on the section of the road immediately opposite the junction with Church Lane. Not only was this a safety hazard for vehicles and pedestrians but it was also contrary to the regulations in the Highway Code.
147. Resolved - That the Council slightly modify their original proposal and request double yellow lines be provided to delineate on North End Road the extent to which parking/stopping was contrary to the regulations in the Highway Code.
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
148. County Councillor Mrs Freeman reported that a series of Public Meetings were being arranged as part of the consultation exercise for the proposals set out in the West Sussex Structure Plan 2001 - 2016 which had recently been published by the County Council. She also advised that following the recent meeting about The Old Post Office a number of letters had been written by the officers and replies were now awaited.
149. District Councillor Mr Matthews reported that he was due shortly to meet Mike Egleton, the Local Highways Engineer, on site at the Main Road/North End Road junction to discuss the concerns of residents about highway safety in the locality.
CORRESPONDENCE
150. Receipt of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as indicated:-
a) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - enclosing a consultation document on the proposals set out in the Rural White Paper for Quality Parish Councils. The consultation document set out proposals for a model charter covering relations between all parish and town councils and their principal authorities; the additional benefits that a Quality council can expect; how the Quality concept will work and the tests councils should meet to achieve Quality status. Mr Ranceford-Hadley agreed to examine the consultation papers on behalf of the Council with a view to bringing forward any comments for consideration at the next meeting.
b) The Standards Board for England - enclosing leaflets summarising new rules governing the conduct of members of local government a copy of which had been circulated to members. It was noted that the District Council would shortly be publishing a Model Code of Conduct. There would be an obligation upon each Parish Council to adopt a Code within a period of 6 months from its publication.
c) West Sussex County Council - The West Sussex Structure Plan 2001-2016 Deposit Draft. Arrangements for consultation on the revised structure plan which has just been published together with the dates of Public Meetings. The Council agreed that the revised structure plan should be considered by the Planning Committee when it was received.
d) West Sussex County Council - Emergency Incident Planning. Suggesting that local persons be identified in each parish who could be telephoned during emergencies such as flooding for their input on the local situation. Mr Caiger agreed that his name should be put forward.
e) West Sussex County Council - Public Rights of Way - advising that the Access
Ranger would shortly be visiting Yapton to arrange routine maintenance works
to the public footpaths in the parish. A number of footpaths which required
attention were noted by the Clerk and would be reported to the Access Ranger.
f) Arun District Council - enclosing a copy for consultation of a draft set
of Byelaws for the purpose of preventing flooding within the area. It was agreed
that the draft Byelaws should be referred to the Planning Committee for consideration
and any comments.
g) Arun District Council - enclosing a copy for consultation of the Council's Housing Strategy Update 2002-2003. The aim of strategy was to meet as many identified housing needs as possible given the resources available and working in partnership with a wide range of organisations. It was agreed that the Housing Strategy document should be referred to the Planning Committee for consideration and any comments.
h) West Sussex Youth Offending Team - inviting volunteers to be trained as members of Youth Offender Panels. These new Panels were regarded as a key component in preventing offending by young people and were designed to give the community a greater involvement in challenging and preventing crime in their area.
i) West Sussex NHS Health Authority - enclosing a consultation document on a proposal to develop services at Worthing Hospital by transferring in-patient services from Southlands Hospital to meet the future health care needs of people living in the Adur, Arun, Worthing and Chanctonbury areas. The Council decided not to offer any comments.
j) Binsted & Walberton Nurseries - inviting the Council to lend their support to a proposal put to the Area Highway Engineer for raising the road level in part of Lake Lane to mitigate the effects of flooding. Following discussion, the Council agreed that the Clerk should write to the Local Highway Manager in support of the proposal. [Mr Rowlandson declared an interest as an employee of the Nurseries].
k) Requests for financial support (a) The Samaritans (b) 4Sight (formerly the West Sussex Association for the Blind). The Council agreed grants of £75.00 and £50.00 respectively to these voluntary organisations.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
151. The Council had before them and received (a) notes of an informal meeting with representatives of County and District Councils held on 5 November 2001 concerning The Old Post Office and Cabco Taxi Business (minute 132g/2001 refers) and (b) details of the decisions made by Arun District Council in October 2001 on planning applications for Yapton (copies attached to minute book).
PLAYING FIELD
152. Mr Coe reported that there was still a problem with moles on the playing field. It was noted also that the grass would need one final cut before the end of the season. There was a continuing problem with rainwater penetration through the roof of the store and the Council agreed that a further application of anti-vandal paint should be applied to help provide a seal and discourage vandals from climbing on the roof.
ALLOTMENTS
153. Mr Caiger reported that with the help of a working party of allotment holders, the Leylandii trees which had been shading part of the the allotment site had been cut back. The Council agreed that a letter should be sent to Mrs Shirley Matthews, the proprietor of the Cinders Lane Nursery, to thank her for her co-operation in making the arrangements.
154. The Council agreed to fund the estimated cost of £130.00 for a lorry load of road planings to enable the allotment holders to resurface the car parking area on the allotment site which was prone to flooding.
VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVES
155. Mr Coe advised that the original plans for the extension to the village hall had been located but the specification of materials could not be traced. The Council agreed that an approach should be made to Philip Acton, Buildings Maintenance Surveyor, to seek his assistance in drawing up a new specification.
THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
156. Resolved - That to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2002, the Clerk be asked to make arrangements for a supply of commemorative china beakers to be obtained for presentation to children attending the Yapton CE Primary School and playgroups in the village.
FINANCE
157. The Council noted that the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996 had recently been amended. The changes which came into effect from 1 April 2001, raised the threshold level above which parishes were required to prepare income and expenditure accounts and balance sheets from £5,000 to £50,000. For the current financial year and onwards therefore the accountancy arrangements for Yapton Parish Council would revert back to publication of Receipts and Payments Accounts.
158. Resolved -That the financial statements for September and October 2001
be adopted (copies attached to minute book).
DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2002
159. The following dates for meetings of the Parish Council in 2002 were agreed:-
14 January; 11 March; 13 May; 8 July; 9 September; 18 November
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
160. The following matters/concerns were raised by Councillors and members of the public present at the meeting:
a) Mr Caiger reported that the litter bin at the entrance to the Twitten footpath in Church Road needed emptying.
b) Mrs Freeman reported that the Village Hall Management Committee was planning a Village Fair/Fete in May to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. A donation from the proceeds would be made to the MacMillan Cancer Relief Charity in memory of Janet Phillips. A social evening had been arranged for 18 January at which the Main Hall would officially be renamed "The Janet Phillips Hall". Howard Flight MP had been invited to attend.
c) Mrs Freeman advised that the Village Hall Management Committee was seeking a new secretary and the Council were asked to let the Chairman or her know of the names of any persons who might be interested in taking on the role.
d) Mr Phillips, Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee, advised
that there
were a number of outstanding repairs needed to the roof of the village hall.
The Clerk undertook to make the necessary arrangements in consultation with
the Council's Building Maintenance Surveyor.
e) in response to a question, a member of the public was advised that there had been no further planning applications for Church House in Church Road, Yapton.
CHAIRMAN