Dear Councillor,
Members are summoned to attend the Community Engagement Committee meeting to be held on Thursday 13th November 2025 at 7.30pm at 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 7th November 2025
Committee Membership: Cllr Claire Majsai (Chair), Cllr Susan Dyke (Vice Chair), Cllr Mike Avery, Cllr Helen Bedford, Cllr Duncan Ranger, Cllr Lindsay Thompson, Cllr Bob Sampson, Cllr Sarah Baldey and Cllr Annette Street
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence: To receive and accept apologies for absence.
2. Declarations of interest: To receive and record any declarations of interest.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting of the Community Engagement Committee: To receive and adopt the minutes of the 11th September 2025 Community Engagement Committee 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. Review of Action Plan: To review, agree and update Version 3 of the 2025/2026 Action Plan.
6 Budget Monitoring:
6.1. To review the Budget Monitoring Report for the Committee including:
a) The Nominal Ledger (year to Date)
b) Detailed Income & Expenditure at 31 October 2025.
6.2. Suggested Draft Budget for 2026/27: To review and assess the Committee’s budget requirements for 2026/27 to support the aims of the Community Engagement Action Plan and the Council’s Sustainability Strategy, and submit the detail to the Finance, Governance & Estates Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: The Committee AGREE for the Draft Community Engagement budget to be presented to Finance & Governance Committee on 11th December 2025.
7. Parish Council Grant Applications:
7.1. New Small Grant Applications to be considered 2025/26:
Grant Budget 2025/26: £4,500. Budget Remaining £2,000.
There were 3 Small Grant Applications received.
| Organisation | Grant Request For | Amount Requested | Awarded 2024/25 |
| a) Hurst Gymnastic Club | To assist with annual competitions, termly awards and clothing subsidy. | £500 | n/a |
| b) Age Concern Hassocks | Towards the refurbishment of the main dining hall and entrance hall | £500 | n/a |
| c) The Village Piano Project | Hire, transport and tuning of piano for World Piano Day event | £450 | n/a |
7.2. New Community Events Grant Applications to be considered 2025/26:
Grant Budget 2025/26: £4,500. Budget Remaining £0
There was 1 Community Event Grant application received.
| Organisation | Grant Request For | Amount Requested | Awarded 2024/25 |
| Befriended | Towards the monthly afternoon teas at Court Bushes Community Hub | £1,000 | N/A |
7.3. New Health & Wellbeing Grants Applications to be considered 2025/26:
Grant Budget 2025/26: £1,000 Budget Remaining £500
There was 1 Health & Wellbeing Grant Application received.
| Organisation | Grant Request For | Amount Requested | Awarded 2024/25 |
| St Peter & St James Hospice | Towards the operational costs of providing expert care to adults living with a life-limiting illness in our community. | £500 | £500 |
7.4. New Health & Wellbeing Projects to be considered 2025/26:
Grant Budget 2025/26 £1,000. Budget remaining £743.20
There were no new Health & Wellbeing projects received.
7.5. Sustainable Communities Grant Applications to be considered: To consider grant applications:
Sustainable Communities Budget 2025/26 £1,500. Budget remaining £1,000
There was 1 Sustainable Communities Grant Application received.
| Organisation | Grant Request For | Amount Requested | Awarded 2024/25 |
| Monday Group | To support the work of the Monday group maintaining and improving the rights of way network | £500 |
8. Parish Council Events
8.1. To receive information from the Events Working Group including:
a) The notes from the Events Working Group meeting held on 25th September
b)TheParish Council Events Budget document
8.2. Hurstpierpoint Orchard Wassail: To discuss proposals and agree budget for the 10th January 2026 Wassail event.
RECOMMENDATION That Committee AGREE to the proposed expenditure for the Wassail, including the £200 requested towards the expenses of the professional musicians performing at the event.
8.3. St Lawrence Fair: To review proposed purchases to improve the stall for 2026.
RECOMMENDATION That Committee AGREE to the purchase of a rechargeable lantern and fairy lights, to improve the lighting and appearance of the inside of the gazebo.
8.4. Annual Parish Meeting 2026: To review the proposals outlined for the 2026 Annual Parish Meeting and make a recommendation to Council.
RECOMMENDATION: That Committee RECOMMEND the initial ideas for the format, as proposed by the Events Working Group, to Council
8.5 Community Forum: To receive the notes from the Community Forum held at Court Bushes Community Hub on 4th November 2025
9. Information Items, Correspondence Received and Requests:
9.1 Reeds Lane Recreation Ground Phase 2 update: To note that S106 funding has been approved by MSDC for the first phase of these works. The initial deposit has now been paid, and a start date is awaited from the contractor.
9.1. High Street Update: To receive averbal update from Cllr Thompson.
9.2. External Communication: To receive a verbal update on communication from Cllr Majsai