MINUTES of the meeting of the Community Affairs Committee on Thursday 15 March 2018 at 8:00 pm in the Village Centre Library, Hurstpierpoint. 

CA17/072.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received prior to the meeting:  Peter Griffiths, Steve Whitehead.  There were no declarations of interest. 

CA17/073.  Minutes of the Community Affairs Committee Meeting held on 25 January 2018:  The Committee received and accepted the minutes which were then signed by the Chairman.    

CA17/074.  Matters arising from Community Affairs Meeting held on 25 January 2018:  to consider matters arising from the Minutes, which are not covered elsewhere on this agenda:  There were no matters arising to consider. 

CA17/075.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  There were 2 members of the public present; however the Committee was not required to adjourn the meeting in accordance with Clause 1(d) of Standing Orders. 

CA17/076.  Short Presentation by Ann Winney, Hurst Hedgehog Haven.  The Councillors received a short presentation given by Ann Winney, Hurst Hedgehog Haven (HHH).   The HHH was started in September 2017 by Ann and friends to encourage local people to be hedgehog friendly.  There is a busy Facebook page, with information and advice, and regular workshops.  In the past 70 years, hedgehogs have reduced from 36 million down to less than 1 million.  Reasons for this include more roads and housing developments; poisons used in the gardens; gardens that are too manicured and fenced which do not allow the hedgehogs a chance to make a home and to roam; plastic litter, bonfires, ponds and uncovered drains which can kill the hedgehogs; and injuries from garden machinery.  How to help hedgehogs was discussed, e.g. make a hedgehog highway, have an untidy part to your garden so that they can make a home, and to help a hedgehog that is injured or out during the day.  What you can do:  put them in a warm box, offer water and food, and contact a rescue centre – do not wait and see. 

Also mentioned was the British Hedgehog Preservation Society which has an initiative called ‘Hedgehog Heroes’, where local councils and companies can display stickers that ask workers to check the area for hedgehogs before using their equipment.  It was requested that the Parish Council adopt this. 

Next workshops:  Sat 21 April 2018, 2:30 pm at the Hurstpierpoint Guide Hut, Trevor Weeks MBE from WRAS wildlife rescue (Free of charge); and Wed 6 June 2018, 7:30 pm at Holy Trinity Church, Hugh Warwick, author and hedgehog expert (£5 entrance fee). 

CA17/077.  Police issues and information:  The Committee received the crime figures for the Parish, which was provided by our PCSO Joel Havicon.  Joel was not available to attend the meeting. 

CA17/078.  Parish Council Grant Applications:  In the current year 2017/18, a budget of £4000 was made available for small grants and a budget of £3000 was made available for a large grant from local community groups.  The Councillors reviewed the Small Grant requests and decided which applications they wished to grant and the amount of the grant. 

Small Grants.  Small Grants applications are considered at every Community Affairs Committee meeting.  (Ref:  List of PC Small Grants 2015, 2016, 2017, Jan 2018 and requests for March 2018) 

Budget for Small Grants 2017/18: £4000.  Amount granted in March 2018:  £650; Remaining for 2017/18:  £506. 

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RESOLVED:  that the Committee agreed to the following Small Grant requests: Victim Support (Sussex Area) (£150) and The Point Church (£500). 

CA17/079.  Joint Councillor Clinic.  The Councillors received an update at the meeting.  Two Parish Councillors attended the Joint Councillor Clinic, on Saturday 24 February 2018 at the New Inn, along with District and County 

Councillors.  The Clinic was considered a success with about 11 – 12 people attending to talk about topics such as District Plan and the High Street. 

CA17/080.  Albourne Road Allotments update.  The Albourne Road allotment has about 100 plots, ranging in size from 2 – 10 rods; 5 rod plots are the largest currently being given to new tenants.  Plot 42A, which has had a problem with marestail weed, will now be offered to someone on the waiting list; the marestail problem will be explained to the tenant, making sure that the tenant is happy and able to control the issue on the plot.  There is an issue with rubbish being tipped on two plots by staff of a business nearby; the rubbish will be removed and the boundary secured.  The waiting list is currently short; there are 8 people on the list. 

CA17/081.   Dementia Awareness project update.  At the Council meeting on 22 February 2018, the members supported forming a Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Dementia Action Alliance, but require commitments from other key groups before moving to the next steps.  A draft list of Key Players has been compiled and each is being contacted to get their commitment.  A member of the public suggested that we include Befriended as a key player. 

CA17/082.  Older Persons’ Tea Parties 2018 update.  The February tea party took place on 20 February 2018.  As always, the tea party attendees were treated to wonderful food and drink; a talk about beekeeping was given by Amanda Millar which was both interesting and informative.  The next tea party will be on 20 March at a property on the High Street; the entertainment will be a young person playing the piano. 

A meeting took place on 6 March 2018 about the future of the tea parties.  The people who attended were those who currently organise the tea party (Mrs R Taylor, Assistant Clerk, and 4 members of the community) and the Parish Clerk.  From April 2018, the members of the local community offered to run the tea party scheme.  If funds are needed, a small grant can be requested from the Parish Council.  Passing this initiative from the Parish Council to the local community was a desired goal from its start and this is a welcome outcome for the Parish Council. 

CA17/083.  Information Items and Correspondence Received:  to note the receipt of the items below (all items available to be seen in the Parish Council Office).  

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9:06 pm.     

_______________________________     Chairman