Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 26 March 2026 at 7.30 pm at the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Also Present:  Sarah Groom, Clerk to the Council, Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) and Cllr Zeidler (MSDC). 

In the absence of the Chairman, Cllr Malcolm Llewellyn, it was agreed by all, that Cllr Julia Shorrocks would chair the meeting.

C25/26.136: Apologies for Absence:  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Malcolm Llewellyn and Cllr Helen Bedford, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllr Llewellyn and Cllr Bedford.

C25/26.137: Declarations of interest: Cllr Hole declared an interest in item C25/26.144.1 (Draft Mid Sussex District Plan) as a landowner in Sayers Common, should any relevant matters arise.

C25/26.138: Previous Minutes: Members received the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2026, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council ADOPTS the minutes of 26 February 2026.

C25/26.139: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: There was one member of the public present who did not wish to speak.

C25/26.140: Reports from Other Authorities: Members received reports from representatives of other authorities:

C25/26.140.1: Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC): Cllr Jackson outlined the conclusions of the public hearings stage of the examination of the draft Mid Sussex District Plan.  The Arc (Centre for Outdoor Sports) will be officially opened in May 2026.  The District Council budget is forecast to be £140,000 underspent on 31 March 2026.  The joint venture for the Burgess Hill redevelopment is going well.  The Government has delayed their decision, expected at the end of March 2026, on the Sussex unitary authorities/local government review. Gatwick Airport has introduced new much sought after apprenticeships.  Although there are many families still in temporary accommodation there are none in bed and breakfast accommodation.  Some 2,000 tonnes of food waste has been collected since the start of the new 1-2-3 service.

Cllr Zeidler added details of the draft Mid Sussex District Plan public hearings stage.  The Inspector had effectively agreed the spatial strategy that brings so many new homes to our local area but with modifications.  The Inspector has also called for an increase in the number of homes required to help meet the “unmet need” from surrounding districts. The Inspector requires greater work to be undertaken on the Sayers Common master-plan and was very concerned about Hurstpierpoint High Street and has asked the Planning Authority (MSDC) to complete further work to review and hopefully protect the historic high street, especially from traffic.    Alison Bennett has resigned as the District Ward Councillor for Hurstpierpoint and her successor will be elected on 7^th May 2026.  There was no update available from MSDC on the introduction of parking charges in the villages and they are still working to an implementation date of 1 May 2026.  Cllr Shorrocks thanked Cllr Jackson and Cllr Zeidler for their reports. 

Cllr Shorrocks asked if there had been any impact on residents being able to access the tip as it had not been easy to book a time slot.  Cllr Dyke suggested it was because more trips appear to be being made for general waste, now it is only a three weekly collection.  Cllr Zeidler offered to investigate.  Cllr Sampson asked how ANPR will recognise blue badges, as they are only displayed on windscreens, and why can’t disabled parking be free.

C25/26.140.2: West Sussex County Council:  Cllr Dennis confirmed she is still waiting for additional information to be sent to her from MSDC regarding their application for a Traffic Management Order to amend the parking charges in the village car parks.  Due to this delay, the matter will not be considered until after the 7 May 2026 election.  The questions have been asked about the complex nature of the charging mechanism and the unintended negative consequences on the on-street parking.  The Government had written to Leaders of the District and County Councils in Sussex setting out the reasons for a delay in making a decision on the future unitary status in Sussex.  Steve Read MP wishes to consult further on the matter.  The ban on anti-social behaviour “car cruising” has been extended for three years for the A2300.  Residents have requested a pavement along Chalkers Lane but this is not something WSCC can take forward.  Compost from recycled garden waste will be for sale at the recycling centres in future.  WSCC are working on an AI initiative to influence sat nav software especially where road works are taking place by utility companies etc.  The Parish Council’s Traffic Regulation Order for an extended 20mph zone in Hurstpierpoint has received some objections, but it is hoped that by working with the bus companies some of their concerns about scheduling delays can be overcome. 

In response to questions, Cllr Dennis confirmed she will ask for a review of the valuation for the land at the end of Brown Twins Road next to the Scout Hut.  The Parish Council was interested in obtaining the land parcel and now the new cycleway has been installed, it will be even less suitable for development, which should lower the value.  The upgrade of the footpath between St George’s Lane and Layton Fields is currently listed as a project to be reviewed when funds allow.  The path to join the new Hurst Meadows cycleway with the Chalkers Lane hard standing and beyond to Burgess Hill is also under consideration by WSCC, including how it can be funded.  Cllr Avery advised Members that Malthouse Lane was officially classified as a dangerous road by breakdown services and the Police.  Cllr Dennis suggested the Parish Council requested a speed reduction via a TRO.  Cllr Jackson asked about where the extra funding for road repairs was going to be spent.

Cllr Dennis announced that she would not be standing at the 7 May 2026 election as a County Councillor.  Cllr Shorrocks thanked Cllr Dennis for her report and for all her hard work over the last nine years as the County Councillor for the Hurstpierpoint and Bolney division.

C25/26.141: Committee Minutes: Members received and as appropriate, considered the recommendations of the:

C25/26.141.1: Planning Committee (2 March 2026): There were no recommendations for Council:

C25/26.141.2: Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (19 March 2026): There were three recommendations for Council:

            F25/26.125:  Internal Controls: The Committee reviewed the findings from the March 2026 internal controls exercise and agreed to recommend their adoption by Council.  Cllr Street identified one amendment with the precept payments wording, and it was:  RESOLVED:  That the Committee AGREED the findings from the March 2026 internal controls exercise, as amended, and agreed to recommend their adoption by Council, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council AGREES and ADOPTS the findings from the March 2026 internal controls exercise.

• F25/26.126: Financial Risk Management Review:  The Committee considered a briefing note on the Parish Council’s exposure to financial risk in 2025/2026 and considered any necessary changes or actions required for 2026/2027.  Cllr Street identified an amendment where the medium risk box for Court Bushes Income was coloured green and should be orange.  With no actions required, the Committee agreed to recommend it, as amended, to Council for adoption, and it was:  RESOLVED:  That the Committee AGREED the financial risk management review in respect of the Parish Council’s exposure to financial risk in 2025/2026 and agreed to recommend it to Council for adoption, as amended, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council AGREES and ADOPTS the financial risk management review in respect of the Parish Council’s exposure to financial risk in 2025/2026.

            F25/26.131: New 3 Year Internal Audit Agreement: The Committee considered a briefing note with two quotes for internal audit services for 2026/7, 2027/8 and 2028/9.  The Committee reviewed the service required and the two quotes and agreed to recommend the appointment of Mulberry LAS for three years, to Council for approval, and it was:  RESOLVED:  That the Committee AGREED to recommend to Council, the appointment of Mulberry LAS as the Parish Council’s internal auditor for three years (2026/7, 2027/8 and 2028/9), and it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council AGREES to appointment Mulberry LAS as the Parish Council’s internal auditor for three years (2026/7, 2027/8 and 2028/9).

RESOLVED: That the Council RECEIVES the minutes of the following Committees, and AGREES the above recommendations:

1. Planning Committee (2 March 2026)
2. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (19 March 2026).

C25/26.142 Councillor Vacancies:  Members considered advertising the remaining two parish councillor vacancies for co-option, and agreed that an advert is published on 2 April 2026, via the website, Facebook, Hurst Life and noticeboards, including emails to various local groups and organisations, to seek applicants.  The closing date was agreed as 12pm on 17 June 2026, in order to co-opt councillors at the Council meeting on 25^th June 2026, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED that an advert is published on 2 April 2026 to seek applicants for the remaining two parish councillor vacancies, with a closing date of 12pm on 17 June 2026, in order to co-opt councillors at the Council meeting on 25^th June 2026.

C25/26.143 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies: Members received reports from representative on outside bodies as follows:

C25/26.143.1: Sayers Common Village Society:  Cllr Thompson reported that the main topic of discussion is the draft Mid Sussex District Plan and the disappointment with the delays over the installation of the Reeds Lane play equipment.  The Society had organised a very successful litter pick using the Parish Council’s equipment. 

C25/26.143.2: Hurstpierpoint Society:  Cllr Dyke informed Members that the Society’s Chairman had attended some of the draft Mid Sussex District Plan public examination hearings.  The Society’s AGM was on 27 June 2026 in the Village Centre Club Suite.  The Society is also very concerned about the introduction of parking charges to the village car parks by MSDC and the lack of thought given to the unintended negative consequences of on-street parking displacement.

C25/26.143.3: South Downs National Park Authority:  Cllr Dyke had attended the Parishes Liaison meeting with Cllr Jackson on 4 March 2026.  The SDNPA had completed their Management Plan and are consulting on their Local Plan.  A toolkit has been launched for a Community Climate Action Knowledge Hub.  On 4 March 2026 the Government had launched new guidance on the future of Neighbourhood Plan and Village Design Statements.

C25/26.144: Members noted the following information items:

C25/26.144.1: Draft Mid Sussex District Plan: Members received a verbal update from the Chairman and Cllr Thompson on their attendance at the draft Mid Sussex District Plan public examination hearings.  The Inspector had seemed quite reasonable and was listening and taking account of the issues raised by the Parish Councils and local groups including the Sayers Common Village Society, Hurstpierpoint Society and Watchdog Against Intrusive Local Development (WILD).  The Planning Inspector will likely find the Plan sound but it requires modification, and he has summarised his modifications required in a letter to MSDC.  This will be circulated to all Members for information.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.02pm.

Chairman