YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

12 September 2005 - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village Hall.                  

 

Present:    Mr Fellows (Chairman), Mr Andrews, Mrs Barnes, Mr Caiger, Mr Coe and Mr Haymes.

 

Also present:  County Councillor Mrs Freeman, Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council), and 6 members of the public.

 

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Parish Councillors Mr Faulkner, Mr Jones, Mrs McDonough and Mr Taft and from District Councillor Mr Menzies.

 

 

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

151.  Members were reminded to make any declarations of personal and/or prejudicial interest that they may have in relation to items on the agenda.   

 

 

MINUTES

 

152.   Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2005 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.               

 

   

MATTERS ARISING

 

Provision of gas-fired central heating/hot water system for Village Hall (minute 112/2005)

 

153.  The Clerk reported that the £25,000 grant towards the project had been received from the SITA Trust.  One or two technical issues remained to be resolved with the contractor.  Carpentry work to box-in the pipework was due to be undertaken shortly. 

 

Proposed police/community “drop-in” centre at the Co-op Store (minute 113/2005)

 

154.   There were no further developments to report.

 

VE/VJ Day Celebrations (minute 114/2005)

 

155.  The Clerk reported that the cost of the event which was to be shared between Clymping, Ford and Yapton Parish Councils amounted to £59.12 per Council.

 

 

Street Light Maintenance (minute 116 – 117/2005)

 

156.  With reference to minute 116/2005, the Council noted that an engineer from WSCC had completed the survey of Parish Council street lights and his full report was awaited.   One column (YP14) in Loveys Road was found to be badly corroded at the base and in need of urgent attention.  Arrangements had accordingly been made by the Clerk for it to be disconnected and an order placed with Southern Electric Contracting for the column’s replacement.     Meanwhile an application had been submitted to the WSCC Community Safety Unit for additional funding to improve the standard of street lighting on the Loveys Estate.

 

157.  With regard to minute 117/2005, The Clerk reported that the owner of the property concerned had agreed to finance the provision of a new column and lantern to be sited outside the fencing and to pay for the disconnection and transfer of the underground services.   The owner had asked to retain the old street lamp to which the Council agreed.

 

Children’s Play Area – safety surface (minute 123/2005)

 

158.  The Clerk reported that following an inspection by the sub-contractors responsible for laying the safety surface, Playdale Ltd had indicated that arrangements would be made for the whole surface to be replaced.  The work was to have taken place in August but had been deferred until September to avoid the need to close the play area in the school summer holiday period.

 

Restoration of Old Canal Bridge off Downview Road (minute 145c/2005)

 

159.  The Clerk reported that Mr Jones had indicated that the landowners had no objection to the proposed restoration.  Following consultation with Mr Jones it was proposed that the Parish Council should contact the Heritage Trust about the possibility of obtaining a grant towards the work involved.

 

New Salary Structure and Conditions of Services for Clerks (minute 150/2005)

 

160.   The Chairman reported that following further consideration the Clerk had decided to accept option (b). This meant that with effect from 1 April 2005 the Clerk’s salary would be based on a fixed point of SCP 25 without payment of a gratuity on retirement.

 

 

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

161.  County Councillor Mrs Freeman reported on her continuing efforts to secure more funding to resolve the highway safety problem at Comet Corner.  She also advised that Viridor Waste Management had appealed and had submitted a fresh planning application to establish a Materials Recycling Facility at Ford.  Opposition to the latest proposal was being organised through an “alliance” of the local councils co-ordinated by Peter Tyrell at Clymping Parish Council.   The application would be determined by the County Council.  

 

162.  Mrs Freeman reported the receipt of a letter from a resident objecting to an application to increase the licensing hours at The Lamb PH in Bilsham Road.  The Clerk advised that the Council had received a similar letter of objection.  No further action was proposed by the Council.  

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

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

 

a) WSCC Publication of Provisional West Sussex Transport Plan 2001 – 2016.  The Council agreed that the report should be referred to the Planning Committee to consider and make any comments.

 

b) Owen Williams Consultants – WSCC Route Safety Scheme Programme. Preliminary Scheme 2006/7 – A259 Bognor Regis to Flansham.    Inviting comments on any issues the Parish Council would like to be considered as part of the design process.

 

c) Westergate Youth Wing – Introductory letter from David Spurway, Neighbourhood Youth Worker for the six-village area.

 

d) National Association of Local Councils – Invitation to the Clerk to attend the National Conference of Local Councils at Eastbourne as a delegate sponsored by the Commission for Rural Communities. The Council congratulated the Clerk and agreed to finance the cost of his accommodation expenses at the conference.

 

e)  Arun District Council – enclosing (a) a copy of the Arun Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2005 – 2008 providing information on the priority areas which the Crime & Disorder Partnership will be focusing on over the next three years and (b) a copy of the Audit of Crime & Disorder in Arun 2004.

 

f) Arun District Council – Register of Members’ Interests.  Members noted that an updated form was now available to reflect the new requirement for councillors to declare an interest in Freemasons where they are a member of The Grand Charity or an individual lodge.

 

 

COMET CORNER (JUNCTION A259 WITH B2132)

 

164. With reference to minute 126/2005, it was reported that the Chairman and Clerk had attended a meeting on 31 August 2005 with County Council Highway Officers and representatives from local councils together with County Councillor Mrs Freeman at which an update on progress and funding for this project had been given (copy of WSCC briefing paper attached).   Preference was for option 1 (traffic lights which provide for all existing traffic movements and road widening which allows for foreseeable traffic growth).  Full funding for the project had still to be identified.  Meanwhile vehicle activated signs had been installed at the junction to warn traffic to slow down and consultation was to take place on reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40mph.

 

 

DRAINAGE SYSTEM ON DOWNVIEW ESTATE

 

165.  Members noted that following a report by consultants who had surveyed the drainage/sewerage system on the Downview Estate prior to the re-build of Warmere Court, officers from WSCC were currently reviewing the options available, one of which, subject to the necessary consent, was to install a separate drainage system from Warmere Court to link up with the main sewer in Main Road via the Parish Council’s car park 

 

166.  Residents from the Downview Estate were present at the meeting and commented on the latest situation.  They felt that Warmere Court had shared and inevitably contributed to the problems arising from the inadequacies of the drainage/sewerage system installed by the original developer of the Downview Estate.  Local residents, through no fault of their own, were now faced with a potential breakdown of the system which could lead to serious health and environmental issues

 

167.  The Parish Council and County Councillor Mrs Freeman shared the residents concerns and recognised the estate’s long-standing ties with Warmere Court.   The Parish Council agreed to continue to urge the County Council to find a “neighbourly” solution would be supportive of local residents and was seen to be reasonable and appropriate to all sides.

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER (YAPTON NEWS & VIEWS)

 

168.   The Council noted that following receipt of a competitive quote, arrangements have been made for the newsletter to be printed in future by a local company, Admor Ltd of Kings Close,Yapton.

 

169.  A proof copy of the September 2005 issue of the newsletter was shown to members.   The Clerk commented that although the printing costs had been reduced, there had been also been a reduction in advertising revenue which meant that the net cost of producing the September issue had increased.  Efforts would be made by members and the Clerk to seek new advertising for the next issue of Yapton News & Views due out in mid November.

 

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

170.  The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11 July and 5 August 2005 and (b) details of planning decisions made by Arun District Council in July/August 2005 (copies attached to minute book).

 

171.  The Council had before them and considered a report prepared by the Clerk concerning developer contributions towards the provision of children’s play area facilities with particular reference to the new housing development at West View Drive (copy attached to minute book).

 

172.  Resolved –

 

(a)  that the action taken by the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman be endorsed and that the Council confirm the view that the allocation of the commuted sum arising from the West View Drive development to develop a play facility in a neighbouring Parish would be in conflict with the District Council’s stated policy in its Supplementary Planning Guidance on Open Spaces and Recreation Standards;

 

(b) that in line with the criteria set out in the Supplementary Planning Guidance a formal request be submitted to the District Council for the £5000 commuted sum now derived from the West View Drive Development to be made available to the Parish Council as a contribution towards the cost of a specific project in Yapton ie to enclose the hardplay/basketball area on the King George V Playing Field;

 

(c) that pending any decision the Parish Council explore other opportunities for funding towards the project and at the same time seek  the views of residents/young people on the proposed project via the Council’s newsletter;

 

(d) that, in consultation with the Chairman,  the Clerk be asked to prepare a report for consideration by the Joint Downland Area Committee in October setting out the policy and practices adopted by Arun District Council on the use of developer contributions towards the cost of play equipment in those areas where the Parish Council and not the District Council is the main provider of such facilities.  The aim being to ensure that in future as a matter of policy any commuted sums derived from small new housing developments within a Parish should initially always be made available to the Parish Council concerned to develop and further enhance the existing facilities provided locally, rather than being used, as was sometimes the case, to develop the District Council’s own play facilities elsewhere.  In the case of larger housing developments, it was considered that the local Parish Council should be consulted as to whether or not they would wish to manage the project and liaise with the developer over the provision of any new play facilities that are to be provided within the community.

PLAYING FIELD

 

173.  Mr Coe reported that there had been a problem recently with swathes of grass accumulating on the field after it had been cut.  The Clerk undertook to discuss the matter with the contractor.

 

174.  The Clerk advised that the Council’s annual contract with Arun Pest Control Service to eradicate moles on the field had come to end and the service would no longer be offered by the contractor.

 

175.  Mr Caiger reported that the large tree adjacent to the Recycling Facility on the edge of the playing field had died and would need to be taken down.  It was agreed that the Clerk should obtain quotes with a view to getting the work done as soon as possible.

 

176.  Dog fouling on the field was once more proving a problem.  It was agreed that the Clerk should mention this in the newsletter. It was also agreed that an extra dog bin should be provided on the eastern side of the field at the junction with Public Footpath No. 363 at a cost of £140.00. 

 

 

ALLOTMENTS

 

177.   Mr Caiger reported that Public Footpath No.166 which skirted the allotment site was overgrown and impassable in places.   As a result a number of walkers had started to go through the allotment site itself causing damage to crops.   The Clerk pointed out that all the  footpaths in Yapton had been cleared earlier in the year by the WSCC maintenance gang but this was an annual clearance and the gang would not be returning until the Spring of 2006. The Council agreed in the circumstances to finance a “one-off” clearance of the path up to an estimated cost of £60.

 

 

VILLAGE HALL

 

178.    Mr Coe reported that internal decoration and re-furbishment was on-going.  There was a need to raise funds for resurfacing of the floor in the main hall and for the for replacement double-glazed windows.    

 

 

MEETING OF POLICE DOWNLANDS NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

179.  The Council had before them and received a report of the meeting held on 26 July 2006 attended by Mr Caiger.

 

 

FINANCE

 

180.  Resolved -

 

(a) That the financial statement showing the payments and receipts for the period 1 July – 31  August 2005 be adopted (copy attached to minute book);

 

(b) That the summary of income and expenditure over the various budget heads for the period 1 July – 31 August 2005 be received (copy attached to minute book). 

 

 

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 

 

181.   A local resident outlined his concerns about the latest planning application no Y/66/05/ which had recently been submitted to the District Council for the conversion of the Old Post Office premises in Main Road into five cottages and he asked if the Parish Council’s Planning Committee had yet determined its views on the application.  The Chairman advised that no decision had yet been made but on health and safety grounds he personally felt the application had merit. 

 

182.  Mr Haymes had previously declared an interest because of his membership of the District Council’s Development Control Committee and temporarily left the meeting taking no part in the discussion on the above matter.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN