Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 22 January 2026 at 7.30 pm at the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Also Present:  Sarah Groom, Clerk to the Council and Cllr Dennis (WSCC).  Apologies were received from Cllr Jackson and Cllr Bennett (MSDC).

C25/26.108: Apologies for Absence:  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Sarah Baldey, Cllr Claire Majsai, Cllr Rodney Jackson and Cllr Bob Sampson, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllr Baldey, Cllr Majsai, Cllr Jackson and Cllr Sampson.

C25/26.109: Declarations of interest: There were no declarations of interest.

C25/26.110: Previous Minutes: Members received the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 December 2025, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council ADOPTS the minutes of 18 December 2025.

C25/26.111: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: There were no members of the public present.

C25/26.112: Reports from Other Authorities: Members received reports from representatives of other authorities:

C25/26.112.1: West Sussex County Council:  Cllr Dennis announced that the mayoral and county, district and borough elections had been cancelled for May 2026.  Reform UK were thought to be lodging a judicial review of the Government’s decision on this.  The Government decision on the unitary authority structure for Sussex is expected by the end of March 2026.  The strategic planning authorities may have local area planning committees so that local knowledge can be accessed. The Government has also announced its intention to merge the Police Services to create a smaller number of authorities across the country.  The result of the Gatwick Airport second runway judicial review is due tomorrow.

The County Council has balanced its budget for 2026/7, despite the increasing costs associated with adult social care in particular.   The care needs of the under 65 year olds are also rising from obesity and mental health issues.  No services will be affected and unlike in other counties, no libraries will be closed.  Additional funds are also available for highways capital and revenue projects.  The proposed closure of Twineham Primary School will go ahead.  Residents had contact Cllr Dennis regarding the lack of pavement on Chalkers Lane and the Chairman pressed for the opening up of the Mildred Durrant Way private footpath to assist.  Another resident was asking about double yellow lines on the Cuckfield Road opposite the junction with Willow Way.  The Chairman suggested it was time the Parish Council resubmitted its request that was turned down by WSCC in the Summer of 2024.  An update on the extension of the 20mph zone in Hurstpierpoint will be sought.  The Chairman had been informed that the proposed cycleway between St George’s Lane and Highfield Drive is not to be upgraded yet, despite it being a footpath used by many with prams and wheelchairs, and as a main route to school.  Cllr Dennis will request an update.  The Parish Council purchase of the land at Brown Twins Road should also be revisited. The other important cycleway the Parish Council wishes to see progressed is across Hurst Meadows to Iden Hurst which requires approx. £100,000 worth of funding. 

There is a No. 273 bus meeting on 29^th January 2026 at 11am which will be attended by Cllr Dennis, Cllr Thompson and the Clerk.  Cllr Dyke asked that evening and weekend services be looked at in detail. Malthouse Lane had been badly flooded and closed during the various works taking place.  More drain cleaning was requested.  Finally, Stonepound Crossroads was no longer a major site of concern for air quality.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Dennis for her report.

C25/26.112.2: Mid Sussex District Council: Cllr Bennett, Jackson and Zeidler were not present.

 C25/26.113: Committee Minutes: Members received and as appropriate, considered the recommendations of the:

C25/26.113.1: Planning Committee (5 January 2026): There were no recommendations for Council:

C25/26.113.2: Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (15 January 2026): There were no recommendations for Council, and it was:

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

1. Planning Committee (5 January 2026)
2. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (15 January 2026)

C25/26.114: Fencing at Reeds Lane Play Area: Members considered appointing Greenscene Landscapes to install new fencing around the Reeds Lane Recreation Ground Play Area at a cost of £12,252, funded by Section 106 funds which have now been approved from the Kingsland Laines Ref: PL3 – 000016 line, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED to appoint Greenscene Landscapes to install new fencing around the Reeds Lane Recreation Ground Play Area at a cost of £12,252, funded by Section 106 funds which have now been approved, from the Kingsland Laines Ref: PL3 – 000016 line.

C25/26.115: MSDC Public Spaces Protection Order: Members considered the Mid Sussex District Council consultation on extending the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on the A2300 & Jobs Lane, to tackle the anti-social use of vehicle activity, also known as car cruising.  This extension shall come into operation on 1st April 2026 and shall have an effect for 3 years thereafter, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council NOTED Mid Sussex District Council consultation on extending the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on the A2300 & Jobs Lane, to tackle the anti-social use of vehicle activity, also known as car cruising and AGREED to support the three year extension.

C25/26.116: Application for Hire of Village Garden: Members considered an application to hire the Village Garden on 28 March 2026 for World Piano Day.  It was noted that the organisers had received a significant grant from the Community Engagement Committee and that the cost of the hire of the Village Garden would also be abated, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED the application to hire the Village Garden on 28 March 2026 for World Piano Day with no hire fee.

C25/26.117: Reclaiming Charity VAT: Members considered a request from the Trustees of the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Charity, to reclaim the VAT paid by the charity for the last four years, via its 126 VAT Claim mechanism permitted under Section 23 of the 1994 VAT Act, and to consider whether to donate the funds to the Village Centre Charity.  It was agreed that initially the Parish Council would claim the VAT back and then when the final amounts are known, decide what to do with it.  Following that it may be time to revisit the questions on the future of the Village Centre charity, most recently explored in February 2024, as there could be changes to the financial situation, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED to reclaim the VAT paid by the charity for last four years, via its 126 VAT Claim mechanism permitted under Section 23 of the 1994 VAT Act, and to consider what to do with the funds at a future meeting, when the final amounts are known.

C25/26.118: Parking Charges:  Members considered how to prepare for the formal consultation to be issued by MSDC on the introduction of new arrangements including parking charges for Trinity Road and Brown Twins car park due out in February/March 2026.  Cllr Dennis had confirmed that she had yet to approve the consent required under the Highways Act Section 39, for the formal Off Street Parking Places Amendment Order required.  She had requested additional information from Mid Sussex District Council so the public consultation time frame may be delayed, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED it would prepare for the formal consultation to be issued by MSDC on the introduction of new arrangements including parking charges for Trinity Road and Brown Twins car park, once the Amendment Order was approved.

C25/26.119: South Avenue Drainage & Resurfacing Works: Members considered the tendering timetable for the South Avenue Drainage and Re-surfacing works, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED the tendering timetable for the South Avenue Drainage and Re-surfacing works.

C25/26.120 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies: Members received reports from representative on outside bodies as follows. 

C25/26.120.1: Sayers Common Village Society:  Cllr Thompson had attended a recent meeting where the main discussion concerned the draft Mid Sussex District Plan and the public consultation on the Berkeley Latimer masterplan.  The Society were organising some of their own publicity and an exit poll.  Cllr Shorrocks had received a copy of the Berkeley Latimer newsletter.  Not all Councillors had received their copy through the post yet.

C25/26.120.2: Hurstpierpoint Society:  Cllr Dyke noted that the Society was also concerned about the draft Mid Sussex District Plan and will be attending the Planning Inspector’s public hearings in late February.  The Society AGM will be held on 6 June 2026 in the Village Centre Club Suite.  The Society are also going to further publicise their street tree planting scheme for delivery in Autumn 2026.

C25/26.120.3: Santa Sunday:  Cllr Bedford reported that plans are underway for the 2026 event. 

C25/26.120.4: St Lawrence Fair:  Cllr Bedford reported that plans are going well.  The annual quiz is on 6 February 2026 in the Guide Hut.  The Committee are asking people for their views on the theme for this years’ Fair.

C25/26.121: Members noted the following information items:

C25/26.121.1: MSDC Draft District Plan: Members received a verbal update from the Chairman on the draft Mid Sussex District Plan.  A new Planning Inspector had been appointed in order to drive forward the draft Plan.  A draft timetable for public hearings has been issued for week commencing 23 February 2026, which we will attend.  The Inspector will be reviewing the evidence afresh and not referring to notes made by the previous Inspector.  The Duty to Co-operate requirement is no longer needed, so no major changes are expected.  The Parish Council will need to consider which issues will be a priority for the Inspector such as sustainability, transport and flooding, so that our objections can still be heard and not glossed over.  We are waiting for the questions that the Inspector will ask everyone to respond to, so once we have them we will work with our Planning Inspector to respond accordingly.

The Parish Council has also been represented at the meetings of the Sayers Common Liaison Group, with Albourne and Twineham Parish Councils, some of the developers and MSDC.  Some of the material that will be included in the public exhibit on Friday 30 January 2026 from 3-7pm in the Sayers Common Village Hall has been previewed.  As reported earlier the Newsletter is currently being distributed and it is linked to a public consultation website.  Everyone is encouraged to attend and it has been widely promoted via the Parish Council’s social media.  A form of words accompanies the promotion of the event, making it clear that the Parish Council objects to the new homes but it is engaging in the discussions in order to try to secure the best outcome for residents.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.19pm.

Chairman