YAPTON
PARISH COUNCIL
4 November 2002 - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the
Yapton & Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr Fellows (Chairman), Mr Boxall, Mr Caiger, Mr Faulkner, Mr Haymes, Mrs Palmer, Mr Ranceford-Hadley and Mr Rowlandson.
Also present: County Councillor Mrs Freeman, District Councillors Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews, Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 1 member of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Tompsett.
MEMBERSHIP
141. With reference to minute 117/2002, the Clerk advised that there had been no requests for an election to be held following the resignation of Mr Bryant and as a consequence the vacancy could now be filled by co-option.
142. Resolved - That Mr Andrew Faulkner be co-opted to serve as a Parish Councillor for the remainder of the present four year term of office ending in May 2003.
143. At this point Mr Faulkner, who was present at the meeting, took his seat on the Parish Council.
MINUTES
144. Resolved - That, subject to the addition of Mr Rowlandson's name in the
list of apologies for absence, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September
2002 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING
Age restriction sign for children's play area (minute 124/2002)
145. Mr Matthews reported that he had approached the Parks and Gardens Department but had so far received a "non-committal" response.
Arun District Council - Plant a Bulb Scheme 2002 (minute 127d/2002)
146. Mr Caiger reported that following an approach from the Friends of Yapton School, a second bag of bulbs had been ordered from the District Council. Planting of the bulbs around the village would take place on the coming Sunday morning and volunteers were invited to assist.
Downview Way - footway barrier to car park (minute 97/2002)
147. The Clerk advised that the County Council's Highways Department had (a)
granted permission
to the residents for them to plant trees to screen off the car park, subject
to agreement on the species to be planted and (b) agreed to provide a chicane-type
barrier across the footpath to deter youngsters from using the path as a motorcycle
track.
Yapton Young Person - request for grant-aid (minute 127g/2002)
148. The Clerk read letter of thanks for the grant from the young person concerned.
Project for new children's play area/resurfacing of car park (minute 129/2002)
149. The Chairman reported that a meeting on site had recently taken place with a representative from the Seagull Trust. The representative had been very impressed with the outcome of the Parish Council's play area project and had indicated that the Trust would shortly be in a position to consider further applications for funding of new projects.
150. Mr Haymes advised that he had recently been approached by a group of teenagers to sign of petition for a skateboard facility to be provided on the playing field. Council members also discussed the problems caused by youngsters taking their cycles into the new play area. It was agreed that the Clerk should explore the possibility of funding from the Seagull Trust for a permanent skateboard ramp facility together with a bicycle stand outside the children's play area.
Motorbikes of playing field (minute 133/2002)
151. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to PC Foster who had advised that the photographs taken of illegal motorbike riding were on the Ford Airfield. PC Foster had however visited the youth concerned and issued a warning about riding on the playing field and he also understood that Arun District Council were considering whether noise nuisance action could be taken on environmental health grounds.
Diseased elms along footpath at rear of Downview Road (minute 139a/2002)
152. The Clerk reported that the Area Highways Engineer had advised that the
footpath opposite Nobles Garage was under private ownership and as it served
the properties in Downview Road it was assumed it was their responsibility for
its upkeep. However the diseased elms near the entrance to the path on an area
of verge in Burndell Road were the responsibility of the County Council and
these trees had already been brought to the attention of the County Aboriculturist
for appropriate action.
Siting of recycling bins in Yapton (minute 139b/2002)
153. Members were concerned to hear from Mr Matthews that the question of a new site in the village for the recycling bins was still unresolved. The matter had been raised at the District Council's Environmental Scrutiny Committee but no decision had been reached. Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews undertook to pursue the matter and let the Council know the outcome.
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
154. County Councillor Mrs Freeman reported on the following matters:
(a) the progress of the consultation process on the structure plan. The plan was due for Examination in Public in December and although Yapton was not directly affected, significant new housing development was being considered in the area south west of Chichester;
(b) the contingency plans of the County Council in the event of a national
firemens' strike;
(c) the recently published Gipsy and Traveller consultation paper;
(d) community policing in the village; she suggested that she would be prepared to accompany PC Foster on a tour of the village to point out areas of "untold damage";
(e) the Barnham and Yapton footpath diversion Public Local Inquiry on which the inspector's report was now awaited;
(f) the success of the Chairman of Arun District Council's Charity Concert in raising £10,000 for the Chestnut Trees Hospice.
155. District Councillors Mrs Goad and Mr Matthews reported on the efforts being made by PC Foster to deal with various problems arising in the five villages and they felt he was doing the very best he could within the time at his disposal.
CORRESPONDENCE
156. Receipt of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as indicated:-
a) The Countryside Agency - Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002 - advising that as a result of errors the provisional map for area 1, southeast England was being reissued on 7 October 2002. It was noted that the map sheet incorporating Yapton was not affected by the errors.
b) West Sussex County Council - West Sussex Cultural Strategy Consultation Draft 2002 - 2006. Mrs Freeman agreed to make available additional copies of the consultation documents to interested councillors.
c) Arun District Council - Arun District Local Plan - proposed modifications. The Council were concerned about the new housing development planned for Felpham and in particular the route of the proposed inner relief road. The Clerk was asked to write to the Head of Planning Services at Arun District Council to register the Council's interest and to request that the Parish Council be kept informed of future plans.
d) Ford Parish Council - invitation to wreath laying service to be held at the Commemorative Garden, Yapton Road, Ford, on Remembrance Sunday, 10 November 2002 at 12.30 pm. Mr Haymes agreed to lay a wreath at the ceremony on behalf of the Parish Council.
e) Yapton Community Pre-school - requesting permission to erect fence in front
of storage accommodation on the playing field to provide an outdoor play area
for the young children.
The Council had no objection to the erection of a temporary fence outside the
storage accommodation. The Chairman undertook to contact the Pre-school organisers
to discuss the proposed siting of the fence and installation arrangements.
f) Resident of Downview Way - requesting traffic calming measures for Burndell
Road, Yapton.
The Clerk referred to previous representations which the Council had made to
WSCC for a speed camera to be installed in Burndell Road. The Clerk advised
that he had passed on the resident's comments to the Director of Environment
and Development at County Hall and was awaiting a response.
g) The Samaritans, Bognor Regis & District - request for grant-aid. The
Council agreed a grant of £75.00 towards the Samaritans costs in the current
financial year.
h) Bognor Regis Air Training Cadets - request for grant-aid. The Council declined
to make a grant to the Bognor ATC.
i) WSCC Local Highway Manager - reporting on the outcome of a meeting concerning
parking restrictions outside of Yapton CE Primary School. The Council noted
that arrangements were to be made for the existing "School Keep Clear"
markings to be extended to their maximum allowable length
and for hatched markings to be placed in the concrete lay-by area immediately
outside of the school access in an attempt to dissuade people from parking there.
j) M H Kennedy & Son Ltd - quotation for hedge cutting around the playing
field. The Council agreed to accept the quotation of £230.00 + VAT for
cutting the hedgerow around the playing field and also the roadside hedging
in Church Road. The Clerk was asked to check with the Local Highways Engineer
about the elms along the verge in Church Road, a number of which appeared to
be diseased.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
157. The Clerk advised members that the Freedom of Information Act required public authorities including local councils to give public access to all types of information held. The Act required every public authority to adopt and maintain a "publication scheme" setting out the classes of information it held, the manner in which it intended to publish the information, and whether a charge would be made for the information. The Information Commissioner had produced a model publication scheme for parish councils which it was open to councils to adopt as well as add to, by the inclusion of optional classes. Local councils were required to submit their schemes to the Commissioner for approval by 31 December 2002.
158. Resolved - (a) That the information provided in the model scheme (core classes of information only) as provided by the Information Commissioner, be adopted by the Council (copy attached to minute book);
(b) That publicity be given to the accessibility of documents covered by the adopted scheme via the Council's noticeboard and website;
(c) That the information be made available to individuals by inspection at the Council's office and by hard copy at a cost of 20p per document (plus postage if applicable) upon request to the Clerk.
STANDING ORDERS
159. With reference to minute 130/2002, the Council had before them and considered a model set of standing orders which had been prepared by the Clerk based on the guidance received from the National Association of Local Councils and taking into account the existing procedures for meetings of Yapton Parish Council. It was noted that some of the standing orders were compulsory as they were laid down by Acts of Parliament. These were printed in bold type and could not be altered.
160. Resolved - That the model set of standing orders as prepared by the Clerk be adopted by the Parish Council (copy attached to minute book).
PLANNING
161. The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of meetings of the Planning Committee held on 16 October and 1 November 2002 (copies attached to minute book) and (b) details of the decisions made by Arun District Council in August/September/October 2002 on planning applications for Yapton (copies attached to minute book).
PLAYING FIELD
162. The Council discussed the arrangements for the twice yearly visits of Coles Fair as there had been one or two complaints about the noise at the visit in October. The Chairman advised that the concession had been operating for very many years and it did provide income which helped to offset the overall cost of running the playing field. Members agreed to consult locally and discuss the matter again at the next meeting.
ALLOTMENTS
163. Mr Caiger reported that the public footpath at the rear of the allotment site had become overgrown. He had also spoken to someone who had been parking his car illegally in the allotment car park.
VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVES
164. Mr Faulkner reported on planned maintenance and improvement works including the progress being made to obtain grant-aid towards the cost of replacing the central heating system. He also advised on forthcoming events including a visit by TheYetties in November and the dance band, Night Life in the new year. The maintenance of the flower beds on the grass bank at the front of the village hall was also being considered. It was suggested that some of the daffodils provided through the Plant-a-Bulb scheme might be planted on the bank.
FINANCE
165. Resolved - That the financial statements for the months of September and October 2002 be adopted (copies attached to minute book).
CLERK'S SALARY
166. The Clerk withdrew for consideration of this item.
167. The Council noted that the National Joint Council for Local Government Services had recently reached agreement on a "cost of living" pay award phased over two years for all local government employees. The award provided for a 3% increase in the Clerk's salary scale from 1 April 2002, a further 1% increase from 1 October 2002 and 3.5% for the year commencing 1 April 2003.
168. The Council had before them and discussed a confidential report from the Chairman setting out details of the Clerk's duties and responsibilities and the significantly increased workload with which he was now faced (copy attached to minute book). It was noted that apart from the annual cost of living pay awards agreed by the National Association of Local Councils, the last formal review by the Council of the Clerk's salary and working hours had taken place in September 1995.
169. Resolved -
(a) That to reflect the Clerk's wide ranging duties and responsibilities and his increased workload, the Clerk's salary be increased from 40% to 50% (ie from 14 to 18.5 hours per week) of a full time equivalent post on spinal column point 21 of the NJC salary range, with effect from 1st November 2002;
(b) that the Clerk's salary be reviewed again in connection with the budget estimates for next year with a view to increasing the Clerk's paid working hours to 20 hours per week from 1 April 2003.
DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2003
170. The following dates for meetings of the Parish Council in 2003 were agreed:
13 January; 10 March; 19 May; 14 July; 8 September; 3 November.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
171. The following matters/concerns were raised by Councillors and members of the public present at the meeting:-
a) Mr Haymes reported that he had received representations from residents for improved street lighting in Foundry Road. The Council agreed to consider this at their next meeting in connection with the 2003/2004 budget estimates and in the meantime Mr Rowlandson offered to prepare a map showing the location of the present Parish Council lamps on the Loveys Estate.
b) A number of street lamps were reported as not working or needing adjustment to their timing. One of the Parish Council lamps in Maypole Lane had apparently disappeared some time ago .
c) Fallen leaves along the Twitten footpath between Church Road and North End Road needed to be cleared.
d) The Headteacher of Yapton CE Primary School had indicated a willingness to attend a future meeting of the Parish Council to report on the school's progress and activities.
e) Mrs Freeman reported that Howard Flight MP had recently sent her details about the Vital Villages Grants Scheme from which it was hoped the village hall might benefit in the future.
f) The Pre-school's request for sole use during weekdays of the Club Room at the village hall had had to be declined by the Village Hall Management Committee.
172. Follow-up action with regard to the matters raised would be taken by the
Clerk as appropriate.
CHAIRMAN