Dear Councillor,
Members are summoned to attend the Meeting of the Council to be held on Thursday 24 July 2025 at 7.30pm in the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre. Members of the public have a right to and are invited to attend the meeting.
Sarah Groom, Clerk to the Council Friday 18 July 2025
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AGENDA
- Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies for absence.
2. Declarations of interest: To receive and record declarations of interest.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting of the Council: To receive and adopt the minutes of the 26 June 2025 Council Meeting.
4. Adjournment for Questions from the Public: To consider adjourning the meeting to receive questions from members of the public in accordance with Standing Orders.
5. Reports from Other Authorities: To receive reports from representatives of other authorities:
5.1 West Sussex County Council
5.2 Mid Sussex District Council
6. Committee Minutes: To receive and where appropriate, consider the recommendations of the:
6.1 Sustainability Strategy Working Group (30 June 2025) There were no recommendations for Council.
6.2 Planning Committee (30 June 2025): There were no recommendations for Council.
6.3 Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (17 July 2025) There was one recommendation for Council as follows:
F25/26.023: Van Comparison Costs: The Committee re-considered a briefing note comparing the costs between leasing and purchasing a new works van, as well as the cost to purchase the existing leased van off the leasing company at a cost of £8,900 plus VAT, and it was: RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED to recommend to Council that the Parish Council purchases the existing works van from the leasing company at a cost of £8,900 plus VAT, and to fund the purchase from both the Van Earmarked Reserve (311) which has a balance of £2,972, and the remainder of £5,928 from the General Reserve.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council RECEIVES the minutes of the following Committees and AGREES the above recommendations:
- Sustainability Strategy Working Group (30 June 2025)
- Planning Committee (30 June 2025)
- Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (17 July 2025)
7. Draft Pension Fund Funding Statement: To consider the draft Funding Strategy Statement due to be published on 1 April 2026, for the West Sussex Local Government Pension Scheme. The Funding Strategy Statement informs the 31 March 2025 valuation. The formal valuation process concludes with the publication of new employer contribution rates, paid by the Parish Council.
8. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Consultation: To consider the public consultation launched by the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service on its proposals for its new Community Risk Management Plan.
9. Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies: To receive reports from representative on outside bodies.
10. To note any information items, correspondence received or requests.
10.1 To note the consultation issued by the West Sussex County and District and Borough Councils called “Have your say on the future of local government in West Sussex”, with a deadline of 13 August 2025.
10.2 To note the meeting with Alison Bennett MP and District Ward Councillor, on 31 July 2025.
10.3 To note the Assistant Clerk successfully passed her Certificate in Local Council Administration qualification on 3 July 2025.
Members are asked to RESOLVE that in view of the confidential nature of the following items, the press and public be excluded under section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
Confidential Matters:
11. Purchase of the Reeds Lane Play Equipment: To consider a briefing note on the purchase of the Reeds Lane Play Equipment subject to securing S106funding.
Protocol for filming and recording at public meetings: The Council has a protocol for public filming, recording and photography at its meetings, which is available on the Council’s website or on request at the Parish Office.