YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL
9 July 2007 - At a meeting of the
Parish Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr Haymes (Chairman), Mrs Barnes, Mr
Bryan, Mr Caiger, Mr Jones, Mr Taft and Mrs Wallbridge.
Also present: PCSO
Neil Billingham (Sussex Police), Mr Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 5
members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received
and accepted from Parish Councillors Mrs Abbott and Mr Faulkner, County
Councillor Mrs Freeman and District Councillor Mr Forester.
DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
136. Mr Caiger signed a declaration of acceptance of office.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
137. Members were reminded to make any declarations of personal and/or
prejudicial interest that they may have in relation to items on the
agenda.
138. Mr Haymes declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 12(a)
(Planning Committee) as a member of the District Council’s Development Control
Committee and Mrs Wallbridge declared a
prejudicial interest in grant application number 10 (Applications for Grant-aid
2007/2008) as a member of St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.
MINUTES
139. Resolved - That the minutes
of the meeting held on 14 May 2007 be approved as a correct record and that
they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS
ARISING
Appointment of Chairman – Chain of Office (minute 84/2007)
140. The Council was advised that it was customary nowadays for local
councils to have a chain of office for the Chairman to wear when representing
the Parish Council at civic and other official functions. The Clerk had made preliminary enquiries and
members were shown a possible design which had been produced by one company
which specialised in the provision of such regalia. The Council agreed in principle that a chain of office should be
purchased for the Chairman of the Council with the design, if possible,
incorporating an open door. The Clerk was asked to investigate further and come
forward with proposals and costs at the next meeting.
Location of proposed Children’s Centre for Yapton (minute
106b/2007)
141. The Clerk reported that a planning application had recently been
submitted by the County Council for adaptations to the Youth Centre to
accommodate the Children’s Centre in the building.
Comet Corner (minute 106e/2007)
142. The publication of the “definitive statement” had been delayed by
the Cabinet Member pending consultation with the Joint Area Committees in
Arun. In the meantime the Clerk had
written to WSCC supporting the case submitted by Middleton-on-Sea Parish
Council and urging the County Council to allocate the £1 million available for
highway improvements arising from the Policy Site 6 housing development north
of Felpham village, to resolve the safety problems at Comet Corner by
installing traffic lights or a roundabout at this hazardous junction.
Extension of District Council’s graffiti and fly-posting removal service
to cover Yapton (minute 108c/2007).
143. The Clerk reported that the new service worked very well and once
reported graffiti had been promptly removed from a number of areas in the
village including the village hall, bus shelters and children’s play area.
Enhancement of play facilities in Yapton (minute108d/2007)
144. The Clerk showed members the plans of a scheme drawn up by
Playdale Playgrounds Ltd for enhancement of the children’s play area to provide
an inclusive facility suitable for all children. The present enclosed area with its safety surface would be
enlarged and new “dual-purpose” equipment, including a birds-nest swing and a
roundabout, designed for use by disabled as well as able-bodied children would
be installed.
145. The total cost of the project was estimated to be in the region
of £25K. This excluded the cost of the fencing works, an estimate for which was
still awaited. The County Council
through its community grants scheme had already confirmed its support for the
project and, subject to the Council’s agreement, and application would now be
submitted to the SITA Trust for a grant to cover the balance.
146. In the ensuing discussion, members asked whether at the same time
it might be the possible to expand the skateboarding facilities provided on the
field. The Clerk indicated that
nowadays the trend seemed to be for skateboarding to be provided by commercial organisations on supervised
sites. The equipment available was
expensive, there were issues relating to insurance and there would be a need to
significantly expand the tarmacadam, all of which would be costly. He was doubtful therefore whether additional funds could be obtained this year to
provide more skateboarding equipment as well as for the project to enhance the
children’s play area.
147. Resolved – That the plans
as presented for enhancing the children’s play area be approved and that the
Clerk be asked to look into the cost of providing more skateboarding facilities
on the playing field with a view to seeking grants for a further project in the
next financial year.
Flagpole (minute 113/2007)
148. The Chairman reported that the Council possessed a Union Jack but
not a George Cross flag. An approach
would be made to Mike Fellows, the former Chairman, as he had previously
indicated he would be able to supply the Council with a George Cross flag.
Financing of Newsletter (minute 115/2007)
149. Although not eligible for funding from the community grants
scheme, the Council was pleased to hear that a grant of £500 had since been
awarded from the County Council’s Parish Initiatives Fund towards the
production costs of the newsletter.
Planning Application No Y/29/07/ [Single
detached dwelling and garage – land south of Church House, Church Lane, Yapton]
(minutes 120 -123/2007)
150. The Clerk reported that the District Council’s Development Control Committee at its meeting on 4 July 2007 had turned down this latest planning application to build within the ground of Church House.
Audit of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (minute 128/2007)
151. The Council noted that the internal audit of the account by the
WSCC Management Audit Section had been completed satisfactorily. The accounts were now open to public
inspection pending the external audit by Mazars.
REPORT
FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
152. In
her absence the Clerk read a written report from Mrs Freeman. The following points were noted:
a) Work was expected to commence that day on the Downview estate drainage system;
b) The Joint Downland Area Committee had
written objecting to the planning application to develop the Bilsham Road
Industrial Estate for housing;
c) A consultation meeting on the NHS ‘Fit for
the Future’ proposals was to be held at Westergate Community College on
Wednesday 29 August 2007 at 6.00 pm.
153.
With reference to minute 152a/2007, Mrs Wallbridge reported that there
had been no sign that day of any contractor activity on the Downview
estate. The Clerk undertook to advise
Mrs Freeman accordingly in case there were further delays.
REPORT
FROM SUSSEX POLICE REPRESENTATIVE
154.
The Chairman welcomed PCSO Neil Billingham to his first meeting of the
Parish Council. Mr Billingham had
recently transferred to the neighbourhood policing team based at Arundel and he was employed as a Police Community Support
Officer to cover the Yapton, Ford and Clymping area.
155. In
introducing his written report for June 2007 (copy attached to minute book), Mr Billingham explained his role and
priorities within the community and replied to questions.
CORRESPONDENCE
156. Receipt
of the following correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as
indicated:-
a) Arun District
Council – enclosing a CD which set out the conclusions of the mid term review
of Arun’s priorities 2005 – 2009.
b) Arun
District Council – Review of arrangements for the District and Parish Council
Elections held on 3 May 2007.
c) Arun
District Council – Consultation on the Designated Public Places Order which
covered mainly Bognor Regis and
Littlehampton and which had been in
place for 12 months.
d) Arun
Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership – Mobile Speed Indication Project. The
Council endorsed the decision to put in a bid to pilot a project to operate a
mobile speed indication device as part of a speed reduction campaign for North
End Road (minute 132/2007 refers). Mr Bryan had undertaken to act as the main
contact person for the project.
e)
Felpham Parish Council – copy of letter sent to WSCC re Policy Site 6 Potential
highway improvement schemes for Section 106 funding.
f) Ford
Parish Council – confirming that Ford Parish Council would continue to
contribute 25% of the external maintenance costs of the Village Hall.
g) Previous
Chairman, Yapton Parish Council – The Clerk read a letter of thanks received
from Michael Fellows for the gift given to mark his retirement from the
Council.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT-AID 2007/08
157. The Council had before them and considered a
schedule prepared by the Clerk setting out details of the applications for
grant-aid received from local organisations and charitable bodies for the
2007/08 financial year (copy attached to
minute book).
158. Resolved – That grants totalling
£600.00 as indicated below be made to the following organisations listed on the
schedule:-
159. Mrs
Wallbridge declared a prejudicial interest and took no part in consideration of
the grant application for St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.
PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER (YAPTON NEWS &
VIEWS)
160. Details of the contents of the July 2007
edition of the newsletter which had been compiled by the Clerk were reported to
the Council. A suggestion was made
by Mr Taft that a flyer issued by Arun
District Council giving advice on combating anti-social behaviour within the
community might be inserted into a future issue of the newsletter.
MEETING OF QUALITY COUNCILS IN ARUN DISTRICT
161. The Council had before them and received the
notes of a meeting of the quality councils in Arun held on 30 May 2007 with
senior officers from Arun District and West Sussex County Councils (copy attached to minute book).
PLANNING COMMITTEE
162. The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of the
meeting of the Planning Committee held on 30 May 2007 and (b) details of
planning decisions made by Arun District Council in April/May/June 2007 (copies attached to minute book).
PLAYING FIELD
163. It was reported that moles were once again prevalent at the north
end of the field. It was agreed that
the Clerk should contact Mr Kennedy and ask if he would deal with them.
164. Mr Caiger asked if it would be possible to extend the successful
litter picking contract which was due to finish at the end of September
2007. The Council agreed that this should be considered as an
agenda item at the next meeting.
ALLOTMENTS
165. Mr Caiger reported that one or two plots were becoming overgrown
with weeds. The Clerk would be asked to
write to the tenants concerned. There
was still a strong demand for allotment plots and a waiting list was being
maintained.
VILLAGE HALL
166. The Chairman reported that since the last Parish Council meeting
there had been two meetings of the Village Hall Management Committee as well as
the Annual General Meeting. The
following points were noted:-
a) hiring fees had been reviewed
and were to increase by 20%. The new
rates were still competitive with facilities provided in halls in neighbouring
villages.
b) the Chairman, Secretary and
Bookings Secretary for the Village Hall Management Committee had all indicated
their intention of standing down in September.
c) Mr Faulkner had been
complimented for his work and support for the village hall during his time as a
member of the Management Committee.
POLICY SITE 6 ADVISORY GROUP
167. Mr Taft reported on the meeting held on 14 May 2007 and the
subsequent public exhibition staged by the developers. There were concerns with the preliminary
plans which showed the landscaped earth bunds had been replaced with metal
sound proof barriers. Mr Taft
indicated that he would be unable to attend the meetings planned for September
and October and asked if another member was available to stand in for him.
JOINT DOWNLAND AREA COMMITTEE
168. Mr Taft reported on the meeting held on 2 July 2007. The following points were noted:
a) A prioritised list of school
safety zones was presented but Yapton was not on the list as it appeared that
the school had still to submit a school travel plan. Mr Taft and Mr Bryan would contact the Headteacher to see if they
could offer any help.
b) A review of the operation of the
Joint Area Committees/County Local Committees was taking place with a view to
giving Parish Councils a vote at future meetings.
c) A presentation was given on the
youth opportunities associated with the Olympics and Paralympics with
particular reference to the position in Arun.
d) An update was given on the
proposed consultation arrangements for the review of health services within
West Sussex “Fit for the Future”.
FINANCE
169. Resolved –
a) That the financial statement
showing the payments and receipts covering the period 1 April – 30 June 2007 be
adopted (copy attached to minute book);
b) That the summary of income and
expenditure over the various budget heads for period 1 April – 30 June
2007 be received (copy attached to minute book).
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
170. The need to publicise the excellent facilities available at the
village hall and involve more people in the community was highlighted. Mrs Wallbridge undertook to explore
possibilities with the St Mary’s Parochial Church Council of which she was a
member.
171. Attention was drawn by the Chairman of the Village Hall
Management Committee to a problem with a raised kerb on the roadway outside the
village hall which was considered a hazard for wheelchair users. The Clerk undertook to investigate. The Chairman also reported on a recent
inspection of the premises carried out by a Fire Inspector.
CHAIRMAN