The MINUTES of the Meeting of the COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at 7.30pm on Thursday 13^th February 2025 at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Also present:                        Viv Aloy, Assistant Clerk, Gemma Porteous, Assistant Clerk and 3 members of the public

CE24/25.030. Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received and accepted for Cllr Sarah Baldy and Helen Bedford

CE24/25.031. Declaration of interest: There were no declarations of interest.

CE24/25.031. To receive and accept the minutes of the Community Engagement Committee meeting held on 14^th November 2024: Members reviewed the minutes, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED the minutes of 14^th November 2024 meeting

CE24/25.032. Adjournment for Questions from the Public:

Members of the public were here to discuss grant applications, so Committee agreed to move onto item 7.1 grants, the resolutions of which are contained within minute ref CE24/25.035.

CE24/25.033 The Committee discussed Version 4 of the 2024/2025 action plan, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED:

i)             to Version 4 of the 2024/25 Action Plan

ii)           for the Assistant Clerk to update Version 4 of the 2024/25 Action Plan as per the committee discussions and bring it to the next meeting as Version 5 of the 2024/25 Action Plan.

CE24/25.034. Budget Monitoring: Members reviewed the budget monitoring report for the Committee, noting:

1. The Nominal Ledger (Year to Date) and
2. Detailed Income & Expenditure as of 31 January 2025, and it was:

RESOLVED that the committee NOTED the budget monitoring report including

a)           the Nominal Ledger

b)           the Detailed Income & Expenditure as of 31^st January 2025 with:

RECOMMENDATION to council at year end that unspent funds from the festive lights budget be allocated to replenish the festive lights EMR in anticipation of the structural tests required in 2026

CE24/25.035. Grants:

c New Small Grant Applications to be considered 2024/25: Members noted the Grants Budget 2024/25 was £4,500 with £1140.09 remaining.

There were THREE small grant applications received.

The Committee discussed each application in detail. It was noted that there were not sufficient funds in the Small Grants budget to cover all the applications, however funds could be transferred from the Sustainable Community budget, should the Committee decide to award all the grants in full.

One member of the public spoke about their application for a grant for costumes and props for Heber Opera’s next production in May which is rehearsed and performed in the village. They are a self-funded not for profit organisation with the aim of making opera more accessible with affordable ticketing.

One member of the public left at 19:40

One member of the public spoke about their application for a grant towards a temporary “flagpole” style Christmas Tree in Sayers Common on private land but for the benefit of the whole village.  The landowner would supply the power. Sayers Common Village Society would be responsible for the tree, and appropriate insurance would be in place.  A free community carol event is planned again this year. 

Two members of the public left at 19:45

The Committee discussed the application from St Lawrence PTA, particularly the walkie talkies as it was felt that the school have many which the PTA should be able to access.  If the school are unable to share them, Cllr Thompson advised that Santa Sunday should be able to share their event walkie talkies as these are only used once per year.

The Committee were unanimous, and it was:

RESOLVED that the Committee agreed to move £189.41 from Sustainable Communities to Small grants and to:

a) AWARD £500 to Heber Opera

b) AWARD £329.50 to St Lawrence School PTA

c) AWARD £500 to Sayers Common Village Society

CE24/25.35.2 Community Events Grant Applications to be considered 2024/25 Membersnoted the Community Events Budget was £4,000 with £33 remaining.

There were no Community Events Grant applications received.

The Committee noted £30.60 was potentially earmarked for WSFB to cover the hire of the Club Suite to run free first aid drop-in workshop.

CE24/25.035.3 Health & Wellbeing Grants application to be considered 2024/25 Members noted the Health & Wellbeing Grants Budget was £1,000 with £358 remaining.

There were no Health & Wellbeing Grant applications received.

CE24/25.035.4 Sustainable Communities Grants applications to be considered. Members noted the Sustainable Communities Grants budget was £1,500 with £948 remaining.

There were no Sustainable Communities Grant applications received. The Committee noted that these grants were new for this year and that it was taking time for the community to become aware of them. As per minute ref CE24/25.035.1 Committee agreed to transfer £189.41 to the Small Grants budget.

CE24/25.035.5 Health & Wellbeing Projects Budget 2024/2025. Members noted the Health & Wellbeing Projects Budget was £1,000 with £0 remaining.

There were no new Health & Wellbeing Projects received.

CE2024/25.036 Events Working Group Minutes: Committee received the notes from the Events Working Group meetings held on 13^th December 2024 and 16^th January 2025.  Cllr Majsai provided a verbal update from the EWG meeting this morning and confirmed the strapline for the 2025 APM: Living Well: What is available in our Community?

CE2024/25.037 Information Items, Correspondence Received and Requests:

CE24/25.037.1 High Street Update: The Committee received a verbal update from Cllr Thompson, Santa Sunday plans are underway already with several bookings made.  Primary worry for traders/businesses is still the parking charges, Cllr Thompson & Bedford will be compiling the feedback to send into MSDC.

CE24/25.037.2 Mid Sussex Applauds: The Committee discussed possible nominations for Mid Sussex Applauds 2025 several potential candidates were mentioned and Cllrs agreed to contact Assistant Clerk Aloy with further information.

CE24/25.029.3 Community Forum: The Committee received the notes from the Community Forum held on 29^th January 2025 and noted the intent to move the Forum back to November as it had previously been.

CE24/25.029.4 Hurstpierpoint Wassail 2025: The Committee received a verbal update from Cllr Majsai about the successful event held on 11^th January 2025.

CE24/25.029.5 External Communication: Cllr Majsai advised that a Communication Strategy Meeting will be scheduled in the next month to discuss the Hurst Life schedule and broader communications issues.  Councillors were reminded of the importance of sending public communication out via the office.  

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 20:50