Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 26 June 2025 at 7.30 pm at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Members Present:

Also Present:  Sarah Groom, Clerk to the Council plus Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) and Cllr Zeidler (MSDC), and two members of the public.   Apologies were received from Cllr Bennett (MSDC).

C25/26.038: Apologies for Absence:  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Helen Bedford, Cllr Helena Browne and Cllr Duncan Ranger, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllrs Bedford, Browne and Ranger.

C25/26.039: Declarations of interest: There were no declarations of interest.

C25/26.040: Previous Minutes: Members received the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 22 May 2025, and it was:

 RESOLVED:  That the Council ADOPTS the minutes of 22 May 2025.

C25/26.041: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: Members agreed to adjourn the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders to receive questions from members of the public in attendance.  One member of the public spoke against the proposal for the gilding of the Sayers Common Village sign and requested wider consultation was undertaken.

C25/26.042: Reports from Other Authorities: Members received reports from representatives of other authorities:

C25/26.042.1: West Sussex County Council:  Cllr Dennis confirmed that a formal letter received by WSCC states that Crawley Borough must stay with Sussex in the devolution discussions.  There will be road closures in Hassocks for drainage works to help prevent flooding that will cost £500,000.  The road closures are programmed to create the least disruption.  The Traffic Regulation Order for the parking restrictions in Trinity Road/Brown Twins Road submitted by the Parish Council is being consulted upon.  Cllr Dennis continues to raise issues arising from the use of Sat Navs with Transport for the South East.  Cllr Jackson raised the issue of repeated water leak repairs near the Sportsman Pub, which has been raised with SE Water. Cllr Avery was concerned about changes to speed limits on Malthouse Lane not including the northern end, and the Chairman reminded Cllr Avery that the changes that have been implemented were following requests from the Parish Council. 

C25/26.042.2: Mid Sussex District Council: Cllr Jackson reminded Members that the Planning Inspector was minded to find the draft Mid Sussex District Plan un-sound.  This has a significantly negative effect on the Planning Authority’s ability to argue against development and the default position becomes a “presumption in favour of development”.  MSDC had discussed the options for Unitary Councils presented by devolution.  Cllr Zeidler had not submitted a written report this month but was closely monitoring the development of the master-plan for Sayers Common.  Cllr Avery reported a caravan in College Lane, asked how many MSDC staff were working from home, when did the Civil Enforcement Officers work as parking was not being enforced and finally, issues with drain cleaning. 

C25/26.043: Committee Minutes: Members received and where appropriate, considered the recommendations of the:

1. Planning Committee (2 June 2025). There were no recommendations for Council.

1. Community Engagement Committee (12 June 2025).  There was one recommendation for Council:

CE25/26.009. That the Committee RECOMMENDS to Council that the 2026 Annual Parish Meeting be held as a smaller, simpler event that meets the legal requirements, but adopts a more informal, open forum or round-table format, to encourage forward-looking discussion between electors and councillors, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council AGREED that the 2026 Annual Parish Meeting be held as a smaller, simpler event that meets the legal requirements, but adopts a more informal, open forum or round-table format, to encourage forward-looking discussion between electors and councillors.

1. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (19 June 2025).  There were no recommendations for Council, and it was:

RESOLVED:  The Council RECEIVES the minutes of the following Committees and AGREES the recommendations where appropriate:

1. Planning Committee (2 June 2025)
2. Community Engagement Committee (12 June 2025)
3. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (19 June 2025)

C25/26.044: Casual Vacancy:  Members considered a timetable to co-opt a councillor to fill the current vacancy, and it was:

 RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED that the co-option advert is displayed from 30 June 2025 to 14 October 2025, to aim to fill the vacancy the 23 October 2025 Council meeting.

C25/26.045: Sayers Common Village Sign:  Members considered a request from the Sayers Common Village Society to have the village sign lettering gilded. A vote was taken by a show of hands on whether to agree the recommendation on the basis of the evidence provided of the level of community support in favour, and the majority disagreed (two votes in favour to five votes against).  It was subsequently proposed that a wider consultation exercise was undertaken by the Parish Council and the majority agreed (9 votes in favour), and it was:

 RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED to run its own consultation exercise to decide whether the Sayers Common Village Sign is gilded as per the proposal provided by the Sayers Common Village Society.

C25/26.046: Hurst College Footpath Diversion Order:  Members considered a request from Hurst College regarding their footpath diversion proposal, and it was:

 RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREEED to support the request from Hurst College regarding their footpath diversion proposal.

C25/26.047: Hurstpierpoint 20mph Zone:  Members considered the proposal from West Sussex County Council for the extension of the 20mph zone in Hurstpierpoint which would be published in due course.  It was noted that speed limits cannot be applied to private roads, and it was:

 RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED that it supported the proposal from West Sussex County Council, in principle, for the extension of the 20mph zone in Hurstpierpoint, and to promote the consultation when it is published.

C25/26.048: Reports from Representative on Outside Bodies:

C25/26.048.1:  South Downs National Park Authority:  Cllr Jackson and Cllr Dyke would be attending the SDNPA seminar on 1 July 2025 regarding their Partnership Management Plan.  Cllr Dyke encouraged Members to read the consultation.

C25/26.048.2:  Hurstpierpoint Society:  Cllr Dyke reported back on the Society’s recent AGM on 21 June 2025.  The Parish Council was commended for the final works on the St George’s Lane flint wall.  Those present received a talk on Swift Boxes and the Hop Tub.

C25/26.048.3:  Twinning Association:  Cllr Shorrocks had attended a meeting of the Association.  They will have a stall at the St Lawrence Fair.  Events include a Bastille Celebration Day on 13 July 2025 and an event at Danny House on 20 September 2025.

C25/26.049: To note any information items, correspondence received or requests: 

C25/26.049.1: St Lawrence Fair Rota reminder:  Members were reminded of their shift on rota for the Parish Council stall at the St Lawrence Fair on Saturday 5 July 2025.

C25/26.049.2: Car Parking Charging:  The Chairman updated Members on the Mid Sussex District Council car parking charging process, following an informal meeting with the Mid Sussex District Council Leader and Portfolio Holder responsible.  Following a statutory consultation, decisions are currently expected to be made at the September MSDC Cabinet meeting.

C25/26.049.3: Mid Sussex District Plan Review:  The Chairman updated Members on the Mid Sussex District Plan Review.  Following the meeting held on 20 May 2025 with MSDC and developers, the Parish Councils of Albourne, Twineham and Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common intend to meet separately, to discuss the lack of progress made on a masterplan approach and consider a joint list of requirements. Although a Statement of Common Ground was signed by the five developers last August, no genuine attempt has been made by them to develop a masterplan. This is evidenced by the Antler Homes planning application for 27 homes on land rear of Chesapeke, which has already been submitted.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.48pm.

Chairman