YAPTON PARISH COUNCIL
8 March 2010 - At a meeting of the
Parish Council held at the Yapton & Ford Village Hall.
Present: Mr Haymes (Chairman), Mr Andrews, Mrs
Barnes, Mr Caiger, Mr Faulkner, Mr D
Mills, Mr J Mills and Mr Taft.
Also present: PCSOs Paul Bryant and Lee Matthews, Mr
Tansley (Clerk of the Council) and 4 members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received
and accepted from Parish Councillors Mr Bryan and Mr Jones. County Councillor
Mrs Coleman and District Councillor Mrs Neno also sent their apologies.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
30. Members were reminded to make any declarations of personal and/or
prejudicial interest that they may have in relation to items on the
agenda.
31. Mr Haymes declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 14a (Planning
Committee) and took no part in the discussion/decision making on this
item.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
32. A resident raised a concern and
tabled a letter to the Council concerning the nuisance caused by the riding of
motorbikes and quad bikes in the fields at the rear of The Millers Estate. PCSO Lee Matthews responded by pointing
out the legal position and advising of the action he had taken and was still
taking to apprehend the culprits.
Members of the Council shared and sympathised with the resident’s
concerns and agreed that an appropriate article should be published in a future
issue of Yapton News pointing out the problems caused by off-road biking and
encouraging residents to contact the police if they witnessed any incidents of
such anti-social behaviour in the village so that these could be followed up.
33. An overgrown hedge near The
Lychgates in North End Road was reported as partially blocking the
footway. The Clerk undertook to advise
WSCC Highways accordingly.
34. Concern was expressed about the extent of the potholes and
general condition of the road surface in Maypole Lane. The Clerk advised that he had previously
been in contact with WSCC Highways about this and had been assured that action
would be taken. He would follow this up
and ask that an early further inspection be arranged in view of the safety
concerns.
35. PCSO Bryant informed the Council that there was concern in
Barnham that the Angels Nursery site in Barnham might now be developed for
housing with some 100 dwellings being built on the site.
The District Council had also
identified the same land which was in the ownership of the County Council as
possibly being suitable for a Travellers and Gypsies site.
36. The Chairman reported that a number of trees which were evidently
suffering from dutch elm disease had been taken down on the Cinders Lane
Nursery site. He also commented on
rumours that the land at the rear of Goodhew Close and Fordwater Gardens might
be developed in the future. Although no planning application had been submitted,
it was apparent that site surveys and other works were taking place and there
was a possibility therefore in the foreseeable future that a planning
application would be forthcoming. The
Council would continue to monitor the situation closely.
MINUTES
37. Resolved - That the minutes
of the meeting held on 11 January 2010 be approved as a correct record and that
they be signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS
ARISING
Provision
of extra dog bins for the village (minute 6/2010)
38. The Clerk reported that because of the current economic climate
and the pressure to make savings, the District Council was unable to provide
any extra dog bins at the present time.
Safety barrier fencing in Church Road (minute 7/2010)
39. The Clerk reported that a replacement safety barrier had since
been installed.
Village Hall – external maintenance contract (minute 9/2010)
40. The Clerk advised that the original roofing sub-contractor had
unfortunately pulled out before commencing any work. New quotes had since been invited from roofing contractors on WSCC’s
‘Check-a-Trade’ list. Two quotes had
been received and the Council agreed to accept the lowest quotation from T
Drake Roofing amounting to £1740.00.
The quote included provision for the replacement of damaged guttering
and downpipes in UPVC material rather than metal as this was more costly and
difficult to source.
Village Hall – Insurance premium temporary loan (minute 13/2010)
41.
The Clerk reported that the balance of £2000.00 outstanding on the loan
had since been repaid in full by the Village Hall Management Committee.
Possible
donation towards Armed Forces Day 2010 (minute 16h/2010)
42. The
Clerk advised that a formal application for grant-aid had not been received
from the Chairman of the Armed Forces Day Committee.
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
43. In
the absence of County Councillor Mrs Coleman, the Clerk circulated a copy of a
written report from her which outlined various matters in which she had been
involved (copy attached to minute
book).
44. The Chairman commented briefly on a number
of District Council matters included the setting of the Council’s budget for
2010/2011 with savings of some 15% being sought over the next 3 years.
REPORT
FROM SUSSEX POLICE REPRESENTATIVE
45. The
Council had before them and received a report from PCSO Matthews covering the
period from 29 November 2009 to 26 February 2010 inclusive (copy attached to minute book).
PCSO Matthews commented on
aspects of his reported and replied to members’ questions.
CORRESPONDENCE
46. Receipt of the following
correspondence was reported by the Clerk and action agreed as indicated:-
a) WSCC
Local Development - Proposed "Welcome to Yapton Sign" at the Bilsham
Road entrance to village. The
Clerk outlined the discussions that had taken place over a period of time with
WSCC Officers to secure agreement to a sign which would be both distinctive and
unique to Yapton. The original design
had been turned down but David Day, the local artist, had kindly since submitted a fresh design which
featured a simple line drawing of St
Mary’s Church.
Resolved –
i) That
the Council endorse and approve the plans prepared by Berkeley Homes, the
developer of the Bilsham Road Industrial Site, for a new gateway entrance sign
with the wording “Welcome to the village of Yapton” for Bilsham Road and
featuring the drawing by David Day of St Mary’s Church (copy attached to minute
book).
ii) That efforts be made by the Clerk to secure similar signs for the three other
main entrances to the village.
The Council noted that as part of the planning
agreement Berkeley Homes would also be providing two new wooden cantilever bus
shelters (similar in style to that recently installed in Main Road) to serve
the new housing development and to be sited at the bus stops along Bilsham Road
near to The Lamb Public House.
b) Arun DC – Street name for new housing
development at rear of the Lamb Inn. The Council noted that following
consultation with members the name ‘Taylors Close’ had been put forward for
consideration. No objections were
raised and the new road name had therefore since been confirmed.
c) Arun
DC – Arun District Employment and Economic Land Assessment. The letter invited Town and Parish Councils
to identify any sites in their area which may have potential as future
employment land. No proposals were put forward by the
Council.
d)
Chichester British Association for German Shepherd Dogs - request to hire the
playing field for two Dog Shows to be held on Monday 3rd May and Sunday 6th
September 2010 in aid of charity. The Council, having discussed the request,
agreed that the field should be made available to the Chichester British Association
for German Shepherd Dogs on the two dates mentioned subject to the
Association’s acceptance of the normal conditions of hire and also to their
making a contribution, in advance, of £100.00 ((£50 for each event) towards the
upkeep of the playing field.
e)
Felpham Parish Council – Public Objections to Planning Applications and how
they are dealt with by Arun District Council.
The Clerk outlined the background to the letter which included an invitation
to send a representative to attend meetings of a working party of local council
representatives to progress the matter further. The Council, whilst
standing by its previous position as set out in the letter to Felpham Parish
Council dated 15 October 2009, agreed that Mr Taft, as he was happy to do so,
should attend meetings of the working party in the capacity of an observer.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT-AID FOR PROJECTS
47. The Council had before them and considered a
report from the Clerk which set out the progress being made to accomplish
various improvement projects previously agreed (copy attached to minute book). A design for the proposed skatepark drawn up by GBH Ramps Ltd
following a site meeting with the Clerk and a representative of the user groups,
was tabled at the meeting.
48. The Council noted that work on the lighting
for the village hall car park project was due to start on 29 March 2010 and
would be completed within 3 days.
Meanwhile every effort was being made by the Clerk to hasten the renewal
of the lease for the Cinders Lane allotment site so that the contract for the
security fencing and gates could be let as soon as possible.
49. Resolved –
a) That
the Clerk’s progress report be received and the contents noted.
b) That
the goal posts be located at the far end of the playing field on the pitch
previously used by Yapton Football Club and utilising the sockets already in
place.
c) That a
fee of 5% of the total costs for project management agreed with LEADER be paid
by the Council to the Clerk on completion of the LEADER grant funded scheme.
d) That
the design drawn up by GBH Ramps Ltd for the proposed skatepark to be sited at
the rear of the basketball/hardplay area on the playing field, be approved as
the basis of the submission to be made to the SITA Trust for funding through
its Large Grants Scheme (copy attached to
minute book).
DOG FOULING IN THE VILLAGE
50. Mr J Mills outlined his concerns about the
problem of dog fouling in the village and drew particular attention to a recent
problem of persistent fouling in Church Road.
He was pleased to report that the District Council had taken prompt
action when the matter was reported to them.
The Council agreed that every effort should continue to be made to
address this problem by involving the
District Council’s dog wardens as appropriate and with publicity in 'Yapton
News' to encourage all dog owners to act responsibly. It was noted that the District Council's Dog Fouling byelaws
made it a requirement for persons in charge of dogs to clear up straightaway
any dog fouling which takes place in areas which were open to the public.
Offenders could be fined up to £1000 or be issued with a £60 fixed penalty
notice.
VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
51. Mr D
Mills suggested that the Council might wish to consider facilitating the
production of a Village Design Statement (VDS) for Yapton as this might help in
controlling future development in the area.
Mr Mills pointed out that a VDS for Yapton, once adopted by the District
Council, would have to be regarded by them as a material planning consideration
to be taken into account when determining local applications. It might also help to establish local
priorities for future development in the village within the existing planning
process. Mr Mills, in further outlining
his proposal, tabled and spoke to a number of supportive documents he had
prepared (copies attached to minute
book).
52. In the ensuing discussion, the Council
recognised that the drawing up of a VDS would be a lengthy and time-consuming
exercise involving as it did widespread consultation with the community
including local groups and the general public via public meetings and
questionnaires. The responsibility for
the work involved would rest with a group outside the Parish Council although
the Parish Council would have a significant input and funding through grants
might be available.
53. As a first step, before embarking on a long
term project of this nature, the Council agreed that the Clerk should make contact
with other local councils who had already produced a VDS for their area to
ascertain their experience and whether in practice it had proved to be of real
value and what benefits might have been gained from the process as well as any
snags which might have been encountered along the way.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEMBERS/STAFF
54. Members reported on the following
courses/seminars they had attended recently:
Arun
District Council – Planning Seminar (Mr Faulkner and Mr D Mills)
Arun
District Council – Standards Committee video presentation (Mr Haymes and the
Clerk).
Arun
District Council – Code of Conduct training (Mr J Mills)
Action in
Rural Sussex (AirS) – Database training and Health and Wellbeing Workshop (Mr
Faulkner)
PARISH COUNCIL MAGAZINE (YAPTON NEWS)
55. Details of the contents of
the March edition (4lst issue) of Yapton News were reported to the
Council. The previous issue with the
change of style and name had been well-received by local residents.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
56. The Council had before them and received (a) the minutes of the
meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11 January 2010 and (b) details of
planning decisions made by Arun District Council in January/February 2010 (copies attached to minute book).
PLAYING FIELD
57. There was nothing to report.
ALLOTMENTS
58. Mr Caiger reported that the rentals for
2010/2011 had all, with just one exception, been received.
VILLAGE HALL REPRESENTATIVES
59. Mr J
Mills gave a verbal report on the last meeting of the Village Hall Management
Committee. The accounts were now in a
much more healthy state and the Parish Council had been reimbursed for the
paying the insurance premium last year on behalf of the Management Committee.
JOINT
DOWNLAND AREA COMMITTEE
60. Mr Taft gave a verbal report on the meeting
of the Joint Downland Area Committee on 18 January 2010.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
MANAGEMENT POLICE FORUM
61. Mr
Caiger gave a verbal report on the meeting of the Neighbourhood Management
Police Forum on 20 January 2010.
FINANCE
62. Resolved –
(a) That the financial statement
showing the payments and receipts covering the period 1 January – 28 February
2010 be adopted (copy attached to minute
book);
(b) That the summary of income and
expenditure over the various budget heads for the period 1 January – 28
February 2010 be received (copy attached
to minute book).
CHAIRMAN