YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

8 July 2002  - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village

                      Hall.                  

 

Present:    Mr Boxall,  Mr Bryant, Mr Caiger, Mr Coe,  Mrs Palmer, Mr Ranceford-Hadley,

                 Mr Rowlandson and Mr Tompsett.

 

Also present:   District Councillors Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews, PC Andrew Foster (Sussex Police)

                        Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 1 member of the public.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Fellows, Mr Haymes and County Councillor Mrs Freeman.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN

 

86.   In the absence of Mr Fellows, the meeting was chaired by Mr Ranceford-Hadley, the Vice-Chairman. 

 

NEW COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER

 

87.  The Chairman introduced and welcomed the new community police officer, PC Andrew Foster, to the meeting.

 

MINUTES

 

88.    Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2002 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.               

       

MATTERS ARISING

 

Vacancy for representative on Village Hall Management Committee (minute 58/2002)

 

89.  No nominations for the vacancy were received at the meeting.  

 

Canal Road – Dropped Kerb (minute 60/2002)

 

90.  The Clerk advised that a formal notice under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 was due to be served by the County Council’s legal services department that week. 

 

Village Hall – weathervane/rooster (minutes 62/2002)

 

91.  The Clerk advised that the insurance claim for the replacement weathervane/rooster had been settled by the Village Hall insurers.  

 

 

 

Relocation of recycling bins (minute 63/2002)

 

92.  The District Council’s plans for the relocation and landscaping of the proposed site on the playing field were still awaited.   Mr Matthews indicated that consideration was also being given to alternative sites within the village.

 

 

Direction road sign, North End Road (minute 64/2002)

 

93.  The Clerk advised that the County Council’s Highways Officer had now inspected the sign but due to the current backlog of maintenance work could give no indication as to when the replacement sign might be installed.  The Council agreed in the circumstances to ask the Clerk to obtain an estimate from a local signwriter with a view to approaching the County Council to fund the work as a self-help project.

 

Internal Audit 2001/2002 (minute 83/2002)

 

94.  The Clerk advised that the Audit Department of WSCC had just completed the internal audit of the Council’s accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2002.   Members noted that a “Statement of Assurance” would need to be signed at the next meeting of the Council prior to submitting the annual return to the External Auditor.

 

Large Car Park - Pruning of Elms (minute 84b/2002)

 

95.  Mr Caiger reported that although some cutting back of the trees had been undertaken, further pruning work was still required.   The trees/hedgerow alongside Church Road at the rear of the playing field also needed attention.  The Clerk undertook to contact Mr Kennedy accordingly.

 

Victorian Letter Box in Bilsham Road (minute 84c/2002)

 

96.  The Clerk had contacted English Heritage who had advised that it was unlikely that any further Preservation Orders would be made on Victorian Letter boxes as The Post Office had indicated that they would be taking steps to ensure that all such boxes were protected in future.   

 

Old Canal Bridge – accumulation of tree cuttings etc (minute 84d/2002)

 

97.  It was reported that the waste material was still stacked up just past the entrance to the Old Canal Bridge public footpath.

 

Planning Applications affecting neighbouring parishes (minute 84e/2002)

 

98.  The Clerk advised that the District Council’s Planning Officer had acknowledged his letter but no further response had been received.  Mrs Goad offered to follow the matter up.

 

 

COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS

 

99.  Mrs Goad advised that the Planning Development Control Sub-Committee had approved the planning application submitted by Cabco subject to the conditions which had already been noted and approved by the Parish Council.

 

100.  The Council were pleased to note that following the enquiry into the Local Plan, the inspector had rejected the omission sites submitted by developers for further large scale housing development in Yapton. 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

101.    Receipt of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as indicated:-

 

a)  Audit Commission – advising the appointment of Mazars Neville Russell, of Regency House,

3 Grosvenor Square, Southampton, as the external auditor to Yapton Parish Council.

 

b) The Standards Board for England – enclosing (a) guidance for members on how to register and declare interests etc (b) a copy of “Guidance on Standards Committees” and (c) a video entitled “The Code to Protect You”.

 

c) West Sussex County Council – The Old Post Office, Main Road, Yapton (copy attached to minute book).  The Council noted the position.  No further action was proposed in the circumstances.

 

d) Arun District Council – The Old Post Office, Main Road, Yapton (copy attached to minute book). The Clerk was asked to check with the Planning Officer to establish whether now, in the absence of any improvement work being carried out to the front of the premises, a Section 215 Notice would be issued.

 

e) Arun District Council – invitation to attend a seminar on Monday 29 July 2002 at 7.00 pm at the Civic Centre in Littlehampton on the Regional Governance White Paper and its implications for Town and Parish Councils.

 

f)  Arun District Council – enclosing a summary of the Highdown Division policing performance during the performance plan year 2000/2001.

 

g) Arun District Council – invitation to attend a seminar on the Councillors’ Code of Conduct at the Civic Centre in Littlehampton on Tuesday 30 July at 6.30 pm.

 

 

PROJECT FOR NEW CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA/RESURFACING OF CAR PARK  

 

102.  The Council had before them and considered a progress report by the Clerk (copy attached to minute book).

 

103.  It was noted that the safety surface and play equipment were due to be installed the week commencing 29 July 2002.   A signboard with the name “ The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Children’s Play Area” would be provided free of charge by Playdale Playgrounds Ltd.   The Council were pleased to hear that a grant of £1209.07,  equivalent to the cost of the Parrot Seesaw, had been promised by Southern Co-operatives Ltd.

 

 

 

 

    

PLANNING

 

104.   The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of meetings of the Planning Committee held on 10, 13 and 22 May, 14 June and 4 July 2002 (copies attached to minute book) and (b) details of the decisions made by Arun District Council in April, May and June 2002 on planning applications for Yapton (copies attached to minute book).

 

 

PLAYING FIELD

 

105.   The Council approved a request for permission to land a helicopter on the playing field on Saturday 27 July 2002 for the purpose of conveying the groom to his wedding at the local church, subject to the Council’s insurers being satisfied with the safety arrangements proposed.

 

106. The Stoolball Club were concerned about the recent standard of grass cutting.    

 

ALLOTMENTS

 

107.   Mr Caiger reported that contact had had to be made with 2 allotment holders because their plots were not being worked.   If necessary their tenancies would be withdrawn.

 

VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVES

 

108.   Mr Coe advised that he had been appointed to succeed Roy Phillips as Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee at the last meeting.   Members congratulated Mr Coe and wished him well.

 

109.  An approach had been received from the Yapton Pre-school for sole use of the Clubroom for their activities.  This request would be considered at the next meeting.

 

110.  Some roof tiles at the rear of the building had been damaged by vandals and needed replacement.

There had been complaints recently of car tyres being slashed when the vehicles were left in the Village Hall car park.

 

111.  The Management Committee’s application to the Lottery Commission for a grant to cover the cost of a replacement central heating system had been turned down.   The estimated cost was in the region of £15,000 - £18,000.   In addition there was a need to relocate the showers from the 1st to the ground floor.

 

112.  The Council discussed possible sources of finance for these projects.     Mrs Goad suggested contact be made with the Economic Regeneration Unit at Arun District Council for advice.  The Clerk undertook to explore possibilities and advise Mr Coe of the outcome.         

 

 

FINANCE

 

113.  Resolved – That the financial statements for the months of May and June 2002 be adopted (copies attached to minute book).

         

    

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

114.  The following matters/concerns were raised by Councillors and members of the public present at the meeting:-

 

a)  It was understood that the Cinders Lane Nursery which adjoined the Council’s allotment site was to cease trading.

 

b)  Mr Caiger proposed that the local Co-op Store be approached to see if they would be agreeable to displaying a copy of the Council’s agenda and minutes in the store.  District Councillor Mr Matthews suggested that the store might be asked to consider setting up a Community Board near the Post Office in the store on which organisations within the village could advertise their activities.   It was also suggested that a copy of the agenda and minutes be made available for Gordon Diggance’s Friendship Club which met regularly in the Village Hall.

 

c) It was noted that the Mary WoolvenYouth Club premises needed major maintenance work to the roof and kitchen areas.

 

115.  Follow-up action with regard to the matters raised would be taken by the Clerk as appropriate.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN