YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

8 January 2007 - At a meeting of the Parish Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village Hall.                  

 

Present:    Mr Fellows (Chairman), Mrs Abbott (from minute 4 onwards), Mr Andrews, Mr Bryan, Mr Faulkner, Mr Haymes, Mr Jones and Mr Taft.

 

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 Mrs Barnes and Mr Caiger and Sgt James Stobart and PC Brian Towner from Sussex Police.

 

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

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

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

2.  The Chairman invited nominations for the vacancy for a co-opted member of the Parish Council. Mrs Eunice Abbott and Mr Tony Warner were duly proposed and seconded.

 

3.  Following a secret ballot it was –

 

Resolved – That Mrs Eunice Abbott of 52 Downview Road, Yapton, be co-opted to fill the casual       vacancy on the Parish Council for the remainder of the four year term of office ending in May      2007.

 

4.  At this point Mrs Abbott, who was present at the meeting, signed the written undertaking to observe the Council’s Code of Conduct in accordance with the requirements of Section 52 of the Local Government Act 2000 and took her seat on the Council.  

 

 

MINUTES

 

5. Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2006 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.               

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

 

Proposed Arena Sports System (minute 200/2006)

 

6.   The Clerk reported that the SITA Trust had approved a supplementary grant which would cover the cost of a picnic table and litter bin. The outcome of an application to WSCC for a grant towards the cost of a second table from their community grants scheme was awaited. 

 

7.  The Council noted that the installation of the Arena Sports System which had been planned for this week had been deferred because of the wet weather and the state of the field.  

 

Drainage system on Downview Estate (minute 201/2006) 

 

8.  The Council had before them and received a progress report by Archibald Shaw, the consultant engineers who were managing the drainage project on behalf of the County Council.  In the light of the letter from Southern Water which made clear that they would not accept responsibility for those lengths of sewer runs which ran under the garages, the County Council would be considering whether it could accept any partial length adoption and if so what share of maintenance liability would attach to such an arrangement.  A proposal in this respect should be available for the Parish Council’s next meeting.

 

Meeting of Quality Parish and Town Councils in Arun (minute 202/2006)

 

9.  The Chairman reported that the planned meeting had been further postponed and would now take place on 23 January 2007.  

 

Provision of replacement notice board (minute 203/2006)

 

10.  The Clerk reported that the replacement notice board should be delivered later in the month. Arrangements had been made with M H Kennedy & Son Ltd for its installation.    

 

Proposed Children’s Centre for Yapton (minute 208/2006)

 

11.  Mr Faulkner reported that Stuart Fairweather, the Children’s Centre Strategy Manager together with colleagues from WSCC, had attended the January meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee and explained the proposals and replied to questions.   Mr Faulkner indicated that it was clear that the County Council’s officers were willing to be very flexible in their requirements as to usage and space for the Centre but unfortunately the majority of Village Hall members seemed reluctant to alter their earlier decision to reject the proposal to accommodate the Children’s Centre in the Village Hall.

 

12.  Council members expressed disappointment at the decision of the Village Hall Management Committee to turn down this excellent opportunity to establish an amenity in the village which would be of lasting benefit to young families and at the same time would help secure the village hall’s own financial future.  

 

13.  Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed as a next step that the Chairman and Parish Council representatives should offer to meet with members of the Village Hall Management Committee to discuss the matter further and explore whether there might a way forward which would be acceptable to all concerned and help overcome the Committee’s present concerns.

 

Repairs to Children’s Play Area (minute 209/2006)

 

14.  The Clerk reported that the repairs had been completed by Playdale Playgrounds Ltd.

 

Millennium Clock Tower (minute 211/2006)

 

15.  The Council agreed that the Clerk should make arrangements for the clock tower to be cleaned when the external lights were replaced.

WSCC Community Grants Scheme (minute 218b/2006)

16.  The Clerk reported that following discussion with the Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee he had submitted applications on behalf of the Management Committee for grants towards (a) a new loft ladder (b) the refurbishment of the floor in the Main Hall.   The Downland County Local Committee would be making a decision on the applications shortly.

Road safety in Church Road and Church Lane (minute 218h/2006). 

17.  The Chairman reported that the County Council was awaiting a school travel plan from Yapton CE Primary School before deciding what action could be taken.   

 

 

REPORTS FROM COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

 

18.   County Councillor Mrs Freeman reported on a number of matters including (a) the County’s community grant scheme (b) school travel plans and a proposal to introduce 20 mph zones around schools (c) the response from Southern Water to the drainage works on the Downview Estate (d) her personal opposition to the proposed crematorium for Yapton (e) the next meeting of the Viridor Consultative Group (e) the installation of two mini-roundabouts as traffic calming measures along Main Road was due to start shortly  and (f) the continuing difficulties with parking outside the school and surgery in North End Road.  Mrs Freeman commented that a “No Stopping” Order was proposed for this section of road and it would assist if the Parish Council could write to the surgery to see if they would consider increasing their on-site parking provision for patients.

 

19.  District Councillor Mr Haymes reported of his involvement as Chairman of Arun District Council in the recent launch of the “DisabledGo” website which provided detailed access information for disabled people in the Arun District.

 

20.  District Councillor Mr Taft reported on a number of matters of local interest which were on the agenda for the next meeting of the Joint Downland Area Committee. 

 

 

REPORT FROM SUSSEX POLICE REPRESENTATIVE

 

21.  In the absence of a police representative at the meeting, a written report had been submitted by the local Police Community Support Officer which was considered and received by the Council (copy attached to minute book).

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

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

 

a) WSCC Children & Young People’s Services – Consultation on denominational school transport - regarding a proposal to reduce the level of transport support offered to children who travel to denominational school.    County Councillor Mrs Freeman advised individuals wishing to make representations to copy them to Mark Dunn the Cabinet member responsible at County Hall.

 

b) WSCC Highways & Transport – Consultation on Barnham Link Proposed Cycle Route (copy attached to minute book).  Mr Taft declared a prejudical interest in the proposal. Whilst welcoming the general principle of extending the off-road facilities for cyclists and the main proposal set out in the plans to provide an off-road link between Barnham and Felpham, the Council had certain reservations about the alignment of Option Routes A & B as show on the plan.  The Council also felt that consideration should be given to incorporating an additional route in the plans which would link the village of Yapton itself (via Drove Lane) with the proposed cycle path. It was agreed that the Clerk should respond accordingly.

 

c) WSCC Highways & Transport – Consultation on proposal to locate a “Yapton – please drive carefully through the village” sign on the eastern approach (Yapton Road) to the village.   As the proposal was to site the sign in the Parish of Clymping, to avoid confusion the Council suggested re-wording the proposed sign to read “Please drive carefully through the villages”.

 

d) Arun DC – Blue Flag, Water Quality and Disposal of Sewage Effluent. Invitation to send a representative to a seminar on 11 January 2007 at 6.00 pm. 

 

e) Arun DC – Diversion Order for Footpath No 326 in Parishes of Barnham and Yapton.   The Council noted the proposed Diversion Order and the reasons for it.

 

 

CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS & ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005

 

23.  With reference to minute 228/2006, the Council having considered the implications and the difficulties associated with enforcement without the necessary resources, decided to take no further action.  It was noted that the District Council had made arrangements itself to publicise and enforce the regulations throughout the district. 

 

 

YAP CENTRE

 

24.   Members considered the present arrangements for the operation of the YAP Centre.  Despite advance publicity, unfortunately over the weeks before Christmas there had been no visitors to the Centre and even before that there had only been a trickle of one or two visitors per session.  The police themselves of late had also found it difficult for operational reasons to send an officer to man the Centre.

 

25.  Following discussion it was agreed to make contact with the senior management of Southern Co-operative Ltd and outline the continuing difficulties and offer to meet with them and the police to discuss the next steps.  At the same time a note would be included in the next issue of the newsletter inviting members of the public to contact the Council if they had any comments on the continuing operation of the Centre.

 

 

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER (YAPTON NEWS & VIEWS)

 

26.  Details of the contents of the January issue of the newsletter were outlined by the Clerk.   It was noted that the January newsletter amongst other things included an article by Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, applauding the Council’s achievement in obtaining quality council status.

 

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

27.   the Council had before them and received the minutes of meeting of the Planning Committee held on 18 December 2006 and (ii) details of planning decisions made by Arun District Council in October/November/December 2006 (copies attached to minute book).

 

28.  The Clerk advised that a meeting had been arranged by the opponents of the proposed crematorium with Nick Herbert MP at the Village Hall on 12 January 2007 at 6.00 pm.

 

 

PLAYING FIELD

 

29. Resolved -

 

a)  That the quotations received from M H Kennedy & Son Ltd for (a) grass cutting and (b) litter collection for one day a week (to include the bus shelters in Bilsham Road) for the 12 month period commencing 1 April 2007, be accepted.

 

b)    That appropriate provision be included in the budget for 2007/08 to increase the litter collection service the Council provides on the playing field by seeking to recruit a person on part-time self-employed basis during the summer months.

 

30.  The Clerk reported that following consultation with the Chairman in order to meet a deadline, a bid had been submitted for a share of lottery fund money allocated to the District Council for expanding play opportunities for children.  If successful the bid would enable the Council to extend the children’s play area with the provision of a wider range of “dual purpose” play equipment which would be suitable for disabled as well as able-bodied children.

 

 

ALLOTMENTS

 

 

31.   The Clerk reported that invoices for the rentals due for the year commencing 1 April 2007 would be sent out in mid January as previously agreed by the Council.

 

 

VILLAGE HALL

 

32.  Mr Faulkner reported as follows:

 

a) the flooring in the main hall had been stripped, sanded and resealed;

 

b) a new loft ladder had been fitted;

 

c) the Christmas Raffle had raised £360 towards Village Hall funds;

 

d) in future it was proposed to hold meetings of the Management Committee  on an 8 weekly cycle basis.

 

33.  The Council noted that Mr Faulkner had submitted his resignation as one of the Parish Council representatives on the Village Hall Management Committee with effect from May 2007. 

 

 

FINANCE

 

Precept for 2007/2008

 

34.  The Council had before them and considered a report prepared by the Clerk on setting the precept for 2007/2008.  The report included the revised estimates for 2006/2007 and the estimates of expenditure for 2007/2008 (copy attached to minute book).

 

35.  The Clerk declared a personal interest in the provision made to Mr I Tansley for the website maintenance and the payment made to Mrs M V Tansley for support given in producing the newsletter.

 

36.  The Council noted that as a result of successful grant applications, spending on maintaining existing services and specific capital projects continued to exceed the precept levied and this was of long term benefit to all residents.  The Clerk reported that if the precept was kept at the present level of £40,000 for the fourth year running and the projected income and expenditure went to plan, this should allow for the Council’s reserves to be maintained at a reasonable level whilst allowing for some new expenditure to undertake improvements in the coming year.

 

37.  Resolved -

 

(a)  That the Council precept for the sum of £40,000 for 2007/2008 to cover (i) the estimated cost of (ii) maintaining existing services (ii) maintaining a reasonable contingency reserve and (iii) extending the litter collection service on the playing field in the coming year;

 

(b) That the level of insurance cover provided by Zurich Municipal be adjusted to reflect the fact that in future the Council would self-insure for any damage caused to the hard-play/basketball area and the youth shelter.   It was noted that this should result in savings in the insurance premium payable of some £600 per annum.

 

Financial Statements

 

38.  Resolved –

 

(a) That the financial statement showing the payments and receipts covering the period 1 November - 31 December 2006 be adopted (copy attached to minute book);

 

(b) That the summary of income and expenditure over the various budget heads for the period from   1 November to 31 December 2006 be received (copy attached to minute book).

 

 

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

39.  A resident enquired whether the Council had yet received a planning application for a Tetra Mast to be sited in North End Road.

 

40.  Mrs Abbott asked whether it was possible to provide rods instead of chains for the swings in the children’s play area to prevent them from being wound around the horizontal top bar. The Clerk undertook to make enquiries.

 

41.  Mr Faulkner reported that the road sign opposite Drove Lane had once again been swivelled around so that it was facing the wrong direction.   The Clerk undertook to advise the Highways Department at WSCC.

 

 

                                                                           

   

CHAIRMAN