The MINUTES of the Meeting of the COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at 7.30pm on Thursday 10^th September 2026 at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Also present:                       Viv Aloy, Assistant Clerk

CE26/27.011 Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Cllr Sampson, Cllr Dyke and Cllr Baldey. It was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee ACCEPTS the apologies for absence from Cllr Sampson, Cllr Dyke and Cllr Baldey.   

CE26/27.012. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Thompson declared a pecuniary interest in item 7.2  

CE26/27.013. To receive and accept the minutes of the Community Engagement Committee meeting held on 11^th June 2026: Members reviewed the minutes, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED the minutes of 11^th June 2026 meeting

CE26/27.014. Adjournment for Questions from the Public: There were no members of the public present, and it was:

              RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED to carry on the meeting

CE26/27.015. Members reviewed Version 2 of the 2026/2027 action plan, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED:

i)            to Version 2 of the 2026/27 Action Plan

ii)           for the Assistant Clerk to update Version 2 of the 2026/27 Action Plan as per the committee discussions and bring it to the next meeting as Version 3.

CE26/27.016. 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 August 2026, and it was:

RESOLVED That the Committee NOTED the budget monitoring report for the Committee including:

a)           the Nominal Ledger (year to date)

b)           the Detailed Income & Expenditure as of 31August 2026 including the return of the unspent portion of the grant awarded to Age UK for their memory cafes at Court Bushes.

CE26/27.017 Grants

CE26/27.017.1 New Small Grant Applications to be considered 2026/27 (5420): Members noted the Small Grants Budget 2026/27 was £4,500 with £3,600 remaining.

There were 3 Small Grant Application received:

The Committee discussed each application in detail. One Cllr highlighted that the nearest locations for Citizen’s Advice are Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath and requested the Assistant Clerk make enquiries as to what provision is made for residents of our villages without transport to access support. For example, do they (or could they) provide occasional outreach at libraries or community cafes in more remote areas.  

Councillors were unanimous and it was:

              RESOLVED that Committee AGREED to 

1. AWARD £500 to Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance towards ongoing HEMS operating costs
2. AWARD £500 To Citizen’s Advice West Sussex towards supporting residents with problems including welfare, debt and housing
3. AWARD £500 to Befriended towards their monthly Court Bushes tea parties

CE26/27.017.2 Community Events Grant Applications to be considered 2026/27 (5630): Members noted the Community Events Budget for 2026/27 was £4,500 with £1,250 remaining.

There was 1 Community Events Grant Application Received

Councillors discussed the application in detail, noting that the remaining budget would not cover the full amount requested. Concerns were raised as to whether the proposed lighting is fit for purpose (bright enough with sufficient battery life) and wanted these comments passed to the organisers to ensure sufficient research prior to purchase.  The Committee also noted the increase in collaborative working and shared resources between community groups.  Cllr Thompson abstained due to a previously declared interest, the remaining councillors were unanimous, and it was:

RESOLVED: That Committee AGREED to AWARD £1,250 Santa’s Fun Day towards the purchase of lighting, with the comments above from committee to be passed back to the organisers.

CE26/27.017.3 Health & Wellbeing Grants application to be considered 2026/27 (5640) Members noted the Health & Wellbeing Grants Budget for 2026/27 was £1,000 with £500 remaining.

There was 1 new Health & Wellbeing Grant Application received

Councillors discussed the application in detail. One councillor highlighted that last year £500 would support approximately 6 individuals, and this year only 5, presumably due to rising costs.  Councillors noted that the maximum grant amount has not changed for some time and suggested that this be discussed further at budget setting in November. Councillors were unanimous and it was:

RESOLVED that Committee AGREED to AWARD £500 to 4Sight Vision Support towards supporting residents living with sight loss

CE26/27.017.4 New Health & Wellbeing Projects to be considered 2026/27 (5650):

Members noted the Health & Wellbeing Projects Budget for 2026/27 was £1,000 with £743.20 remaining.

There were no new Health & Wellbeing Projects to be considered.

CE26/27.017.5 Sustainable Communities Grant Applications to be considered 2026/27 (5610):  Members noted the Sustainable Communities Grants budget was £1,500 with £1,500 remaining.

There were no Sustainable Communities Grant applications received.

CE26/27.018. Parish Council Events

CE26/27.018a Events Working Group Meeting: Members received the notes from the Events Working Group meeting held on 27^th July noting the Community Forum is booked for Tuesday 17^th November 2026 12 and the Hurstpierpoint Orchard Wassail on Saturday 9^th January 2027.

CE26/27.018b Briefing Note – Lighting for the St Lawrence Fair Stall: Councillors reviewed the briefing note for proposed lighting for the St Lawrence Fair Gazebo noting that the lights could also be used at the Orchard Wassail. Concerns were again raised regarding quality and suitability of lighting, which will be investigated by the Assistant Clerk, and it was:

RESOLVED that Committee AGREES to the purchase of two rechargeable work lights from the Parish Council Events budget

CE26/27.019 Information Items, Correspondence Received and Requests:

CE26/27.19.1 Kindness Relay Project: Cllrs received the information from the Kindness Relay project including their Kindness Community week.

CE26/27.19.2 High Street Update:  Cllr Thompson & Cllr Bedford gave a verbal update on the High Street. The unusually hot weather was challenging and reduced footfall, there is interest in the possibility of a trader’s association. PC continue to promote the High Street in Hurst Life, via social media and the website.

CE26/27.019.3 External Communication: There were no additional updates from those already provided during the discussions on the Community Engagement Action Plan earlier in the meeting.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8:34pm

Chairman