YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL
12 July 2004 - At a meeting of the Parish
Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr
Fellows (Chairman), Mrs Barnes, Mr Coe, Mr Faulkner, Mr Haymes and Mr Jones.
Also
present: County Councillor Mrs Freeman, District
Councillor Mr Matthews, Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 23 members of the
public.
Apologies for absence were received and
accepted from Parish Councillors Mr Andrews, Mr Caiger, Mr Taft and Mr
Tompsett.
URGENT
BUSINESS
146. In
the absence of a quorum for an earlier meeting of the Planning Committee, the
Council agreed to consider Planning Application Y/35/04/ as part of its agenda.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST
147. Members were reminded to make any declarations of personal and/or
prejudicial interest that they may have in relation to items on the
agenda.
PLANNING
APPLICATION Y/35/04/
[RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE TWO DETACHED
HOUSES - LAND TO SOUTH OF CHURCH HOUSE, CHURCH LANE, YAPTON]
148. The
Parish Council had before them and considered the plans relating to the above
application.
149. Mrs
Barnes, Mr Faulkner and Mr Haymes declared a personal and/or prejudicial
interest. Mrs Barnes and Mr Faulkner
left the meeting for the discussion and did not vote on the resolution. Mr
Haymes, because of his membership
of the District Council’s Development Control Committee, left the meeting for the duration of the item and
did not vote.
150. The Clerk reported that a number of
applications for development on the site had previously been considered
including a proposal for 6 houses in 2001, a proposal for 2 houses in 2002 and
a further
proposal for
4 houses (subsequently amended to 3 houses) in 2002. On each occasion the Parish Council had registered objections to
the development and the District Council’s Planning Committee had subsequently
refused the application.
151. In
January 2003 the Planning Inspector had dismissed two appeals for 2 and 4
houses on the Church House site.
152. Local
residents who were present at the meeting reaffirmed their strong opposition to
the latest application for 2 houses on the Church House site and sought the
Council’s support for their views. A number of letters of objection from
residents had also been received.
153. Resolved - That a strong objection to application Y/35/04/ be
submitted to the Planning Officer of Arun District Council on the following
grounds:
1) The land is not identified in the County Structure
Plan or Local Plan for residential development;
2) The development would seriously alter the character
and appearance of the Yapton Conservation Area which was based around St Mary’s
Church and which included Church House, a listed building and its
environs. The proposed development
would destroy the “loose grouping and setting of buildings” in the area; it
would neither “preserve nor enhance the character and appearance” of the
locality and would be detrimental and harmful to the neighbourhood (Policy
CH8);
3) The
development would materially harm the character and appearance of Church House
itself, a fine and widely recognised example of a Georgian Grade II Listed
Building (Policy CH9). The present
mature setting of Church House with its “grand drive” approach driveway to the
elegant façade would be lost;
4) The development would generate additional traffic,
access to the site would be difficult and inadequate provision for parking
would cause on-street parking, all of which would have a marked effect on the
character of the Yapton Conservation Area;
5) The proposed development of the Church House site
would be a loss of amenity to existing residents of The Poplars, Church Lane,
Church Road and St Mary’s Meadow; new buildings would destroy views to the
south as well as the mature landscaping and general sense of openness and
greenness which prevails in this historic part of the village.
MINUTES
154. Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2004
be approved as a correct
record and that they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS
ARISING
Felling of diseased elms in Church Road and area adjoining the large car
park (minute 101/2004)
155. The Clerk reported that following an approach to the County
Council’s Environment and Development Department, he and Mr Caiger had met with
John Knight, the WSCC’s Countryside Ranger.
As a result an immediate grant of £500 had been agreed to go towards the
cost of removing the diseased elms and landscaping/replanting the car park area
with Pyracanthus ground covering shrubs.
A further grant was possible in the next financial year to cover the
cost of landscaping and replanting the area along Church Road.
Traffic Calming Measures in North End Road (minute 103/2004)
156. The Clerk reported that Mr Mander, the Local Highways Manager,
had included the traffic calming proposals in North End Road on the rural
traffic calming list and these would be prioritised for future consideration.
Proposed Materials Recycling Plant at Ford/Increase in HGVs on rural
roads (minute 106/2004)
157. The Clerk report that WSCC had confirmed that the Parish Council
would be formally consulted when the planning application was submitted.
Provision of gas-fired central heating/hot water system for Village Hall
(minute 111/2004)
158. The Clerk reported that an order had been placed with Transco for
the provision of a gas supply to the building.
Three contractors had been invited to tender for the contract for the
gas-fired central heating installation.
The only tender received so far was well in excess of the originally
estimated cost of £11,000 for which grant-aid had been sought. As a result a further approach had been made
to the SITA Environmental Trust for additional funding and a reply was now
awaited.
“Design-a-Flag for Yapton”
Competition (minutes 115-117/2004)
159. The Chairman reported he
had attended an assembly at Yapton CE Primary School at which book tokens had
been presented to the two “Under 16” category winners. Letters of thanks had
been since received from all three winners of the competition.
Tack Lee Road and Foundry Road - Provision for Residents’ parking
(minute 118/2004)
160. The Clerk reported that both he and County Councillor Christina
Freeman had taken up this problem with Bob Mander, the Local Highway
Manager. Mr Mander had advised that
similar situations had been reported elsewhere and discussions were currently
taking place with Arun District Council with a view to agreeing a priority list
for possible partnership action.
Arundel Devils Football Team (minute 130/2004)
161. The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter confirming that
following a recent merger with Littlehampton Town FC, the Arundel Devils would
not require use of the playing field at Yapton for their home fixtures next
season.
Sports Equipment Store – Graffitti (minute 131/2004)
162. The Clerk reported that the police had followed up the matter by
interviewing the alleged culprit. who lived in Yapton. The young person concerned had denied being
involved but had alleged that a youth from Slindon was responsible. The police officer was intending to visit
the Slindon youth but nothing further had been heard.
Cinders Lane development (minute 145a/2004)
163. Mr Haymes reported that the
District Council’s Planning Officer was monitoring the situation following an
approach by a number of residents from Cherry Avenue.
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
164. County Councillor Mrs Freeman updated the Council on the
following matters:
a) A design statement for improving
safety at the Comet Corner junction was due out shortly. The County Council had submitted a bid to
the Department of Transport for £700,000 to cover the cost of the project;
b)
Southern Water had appealed against the Enforcement Order issued by WSCC
on odour control at its Ford Waste Water Treatment Works;
c) the problem over the adoption of
drains on the Downview Estate remained unresolved. The latest response from Southern Water was not helpful. It was now intended to be the subject of a
‘call-in” at a Strategic Planning Committee meeting;
d) local residents were encouraged
to write individually to WSCC to register their objections to the proposal for
a Materials Recycling Plant at Ford;
e) a request for an amendment to
the wording of the County’s Structure Plan had been submitted to prevent any
development beyond 2016.
165. District Councillor Mr Matthews reported that there was local
concern about the proposal to close Horsemere Green Lane in Clymping to through
traffic. He had requested that there
should be full consultation with those affected before any move to close the
road to through traffic was made.
CORRESPONDENCE
166. Receipt of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk
and action agreed as indicated:
a) Sussex Associations of Local Councils – confirming the Council’s award
of Quality Parish Council status (copy attached to minute book). Council members were delighted to
receive recognition as a Quality Council which was seen as an important benefit
not only to the Council but also to the community it served. The Chairman and members congratulated and
paid tribute to the Clerk for his efforts and hard work behind the scenes to
ensure the Council reached the required standards for quality status.
.
b)
West Sussex County Council
(Highways) – consultation on measures proposed for route speed management along
the A259 Bognor to Littlehampton route.
The Council had before them and considered a plan showing proposals
for improving road safety and traffic speeds along the A259 road between Bognor
and Littlehampton (copy attached to
minute book).
In response, the Council proposed
(i) that a flashing 30 mph sign be installed on the western approach to Bognor
(near the Hoe Lane junction) (ii) that the whole stretch of road between the
Hoe Lane junction and the Oyster Catcher junction be subject to a 40 mph limit
(c) that right hand turns at the Oyster
Catcher junction onto theA259 road should be banned.
c) Arun District Council – invitation to send representative to meeting of
Environment & Community Safety Scrutiny Committee to discuss community
safety in the area. The Chairman
indicated that he and the Clerk hoped to attend the meeting on 29 July 2004.
d) Arun District Council – Crime & Disorder Audit enclosing community
safety questionnaire for completion.
The Council agreed its response to the questionnaire (copy attached to minute book).
e) Arun District Council – Plant-a-Bulb Scheme 2004. The Council noted that the District
Council was continuing its plant-a-bulb scheme on a pound-for-pound basis. It was agreed that a further quantity of
daffodil bulbs should be obtained for planting around the village.
f) Arun District Council – Draft Arun Priorities – Consultation. The
Council noted the list budget savings proposed and members took the view that
the lower, 3% average rise per year should be the option to be adopted by Arun
District Council in setting its budget in the coming years.
g) Arun District Council – Best Value Performance Plan 2004/2005. The Council had before them and received a
copy of Arun District Council’s Best Performance Plan for 2004/2005.
h) Arun District Council – Charity Dinner and Dance – 28 August 2004. The Council noted the arrangements being
made for this year’s Chairman’s Charity Dinner and Dance at the Ham Manor Golf
Club, Angmering.
i) Local resident – play facilities for the disabled. As there was uncertainty about the likely
demand for specialist play facilities in the village, the Council agreed that
an appropriate reference should be included in the next newsletter.
j) SITA Environmental Trust – Awards for Excellence. The Clerk advised that the Council had been
invited to apply for a special award by the SITA Trust which was aimed at
“recognising well-run and high achieving projects”. The Council’s Arena Meeting Point for Teenagers/Skateboarding
facility project had been selected as one of those eligible to apply.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT-AID 2004/2005
167. The Council had before them and considered a schedule prepared by
the Clerk setting out details of the applications for grant-aid received from
voluntary organisations for the 2004/2005 financial year.
168. Resolved – That grants
as indicated be granted to the organisations etc listed on the schedule (copy attached to minute book).
PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER (YAPTON VILLAGE NEWS & VIEWS)
169. The Council had before them
and approved a draft of the newsletter for July 2004.
170. In reviewing the present print/production arrangements, the Clerk
advised that in its present format the Parish Council’s newsletter was
photocopied using either black, blue or green ink. The present costs
based on a print-run of 1250 copies (A5 format) were £55.00 (for a 4 page
newsletter) and £126.00 (for 8 pages).
171. Enquiries had been made from a
printer about the possibility of producing a more professional newsletter in
colour and on glossy paper. The
comparative costs (including provision for editorial and production expenses of
£100 per issue which were not being covered by the present arrangements) were
set out in a budget statement (copy
attached to minute book). It was noted that if 2 pages of an 8 page
newsletter were set aside for advertising, the revenue should cover the print
and production costs. The July issue of
the newsletter amongst other things celebrated the Council’s recognition as a
Quality Council and included a number of colour photographs, the benefits of
which would be diminished if the newsletter were photocopied.
172. Resolved -
a) That arrangements be made for
future issues of the Parish Council Newsletter to include provision for
advertising from local businesses and that the resulting revenue be used to
offset colour printing costs plus editorial and compilation expenses estimated
at £100 per issue;
b) That local businesses
advertising in the Newsletter should, as a bonus, have a similar advertisement
included free of charge on the Parish Council’s website.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
173. Mr Haymes declared an interest because of his membership of the
District Council’s Development Control Committee and took no part in the
discussion on the Planning Committee’s report.
174. The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of the
meeting of the Planning Committee held on 4 and 7 June 2004 and (b) details of
planning decisions made by Arun District Council in May/June 2004 (copies attached to minute book).
PLAYING FIELD
175. The Clerk advised that WSCC had agreed to extend the security
fencing at the rear of the Mary Woolven Youth Centre to prevent youngsters
gaining access and causing damage to the rear of the Sports Equipment Store.
VILLAGE HALL
176. The Council had before them and considered a confidential report
prepared by the Clerk following an informal meeting with the Chairman of the
Village Hall Management Committee (copy
attached to minute book).
177. Resolved -
a)
That an honorarium of £500.00 per annum be made available to provide an
incentive for the recruitment of a secretary for the Village Hall Management Committee, the sum being funded by a
transfer form the Council’s contingency reserves;
b) That the other proposals set out
in paragraph 5 of the report be noted and agreed for future action as
appropriate.
178. The Council noted that the Village Hall AGM had been postponed
and would now take place on 29 July 2004.
FINANCE
Audit of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2004.
179. The Council noted that the internal audit of the Council’s
accounts by WSCC’s Management Audit Section had been satisfactorily
completed. The notice of audit would
now be published and the accounts forwarded to Mazars to complete the external
audit.
Financial Statements
180. Resolved –
(a) That the financial statement
showing the payments and receipts covering the period 1 April – 31 May 2004 be
adopted (copy attached to minute book);
(b) That the summary of income and
expenditure over the various budget heads for the period April – May 2004 be
received (copy attached to minute book).
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
181. The following matters/concerns were raised by members of the
public present at the meeting:-
a) overhanging hedges were reported
near the school in North End Road and along the Twitten footpath between Church
Road and North End Road.
b)
Goods for sale were once again obstructing the pavement outside The Old
Post Office premises creating a safety hazard for pedestrians.
c) To help avoid roadside flooding
at a time when leaves were falling, it was suggested that villagers should be
encouraged in the Council’s Newsletter to keep an eye on the drains in the
roads outside their properties and keep them clear of debris.
d) Concern was expressed about the
recent spate of vandalism in the village caused it was believed by excessive
drinking. It was suggested that the
opening hours of the Co-op Store where there was access to alcohol late at
night contributed to the problem.
CHAIRMAN