Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2023 at 7.30 pm at the Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.

Members Present:

Also Present:   Helen Valler (Assistant Clerk), Cllr Colin Trumble & Cllr Alison Bennett (MSDC), Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC).  Two members of the public.

C22/23.121: To receive and accept apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Julia Shorrocks, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllr Julia Shorrocks.

C22/23.122: To receive and record declarations of interest:  Cllr Sampson declared a personal interest in item 9 – Traffic Regulation Order for London Road.

C22/23.123: To receive and accept the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 December 2022:  Members reviewed the minutes, and it was: 

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 December 2022.

C22/23.124: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: Members considered whether to adjourn the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders to receive questions from members of the public in attendance.  There were two members of the public present who did not wish to speak so the meeting was not adjourned.

C22/23.124: Members received update reports from the representatives of other Authorities:

C22/23.124.1 West Sussex County Council (WSCC):  Cllr Dennis updated members on the speed limit policy changes, to help more vulnerable road users such as cyclists and equestrians. There has been a phased introduction of the lane rental scheme for contractors from 1 December 2022. Will be applied to main arterial routes only. The aim is for highways works to be managed more efficiently to minimise the disruption to road users. Cllr Dennis was supportive of the TRO application for London Road, Sayers Common. The TRO Albourne Road would be more difficult to implement due to the bridge over the A23 being in the ownership of Highways England. Cllr Dennis was supportive of the proposal to extend the 20mph signs through the High Street but advised careful thought is given to exact locations. Cllr Lank asked further questions regarding the new speeding policy, and traffic light contractors taking too long to complete works. Cllr Dennis is hopeful the lane rental scheme will help alleviate this issue. Cllrs raised issues such as the pothole repairs outside St Lawrence School and the ‘cats eyes’ removal along Hassocks Road. Cllr Majsai spoke about the concerns in the village that dentists are withdrawing NHS services for children. Cllr Dennis said she is aware of this. Cllr Trumble advised all to write to Cllr Norman Webster (MSDC) to voice concerns.

C22/23.124.2 Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC):  Cllr Bennett provided Members with a written report which covered an update on the District Plan Review, Budget & Corporate Plan, Levelling Up Fund and Voter ID. Cllr Majsai explained she would email some questions to the relevant MSDC councillor in relation the Parish Council Sustainability Action Plan.

Cllr Jackson informed Members about the MSDC Council Tax increase and the proposal to increase the garden waste charges but also make more bins available, as there is currently a waiting list for the service. Cllr Trumble explained that these charges were yet to go before Full Council. Cllr Bennett explained there had been many responses to the District Plan consultation which would be made public in due course. Cllr Majsai raised the issue of un-accompanied children who have claimed asylum being housed in unsafe accommodation.

The Chairman thanked Cllrs Dennis Bennett, Jackson and Trumble for their reports and Cllrs Dennis, Bennett and Trumble left the meeting at 8.05pm.

C22/23.125: Members considered the minutes of the following Committees:

C22/23.125.1: Planning & Environment Committee (5 January 2023) No recommendations for Council. 

C22/23.125.2: Community Engagement Committee (12 January 2023) No recommendations for Council.  Cllr Majsai reported the Community Forum that took place on 26^th January 2023 at Court Bushes Community Hub was a success with around 35 people in attendance.

C22/23.125.3: Finance & Governance Committee (19 January 2023) No recommendations for Council. 

RESOLVED:  That the Council RECEIVES the minutes of the following Committees:

1. Planning & Environment Committee (5 January 2023)
2. Community Engagement Committee (12 January 2023)
3. Finance & Governance Committee (19 January 2023)

C22/23.126 Calendar of Meetings 2023/2024:  Members considered a provisional list of meeting dates for 2023/2024 to be ratified at the May 2023 Council meeting, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED the provisional list of meeting dates for 2023/2024, to be ratified at the May 2023 Council meeting.

C22/23.127 Court Bushes Car Park Surfacing:  Members considered a briefing note for the surfacing of the car park at Court Bushes Community Hub, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council AGREES to appoint Drivepoint to re-surface the car park at Court Bushes at a cost of £23,165 (funded by S106 funds) plus a 10% contingency of £2,317 (funded by the Parish Council if required).

C22/23.128 Traffic Regulation Order for London Road:  Members considered a request from the Sayers Common Community Shop Management Committee, to support their Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking outside the shop.  Cllr Sampson gave a brief explanation that vehicles are being left outside the Community Shop all day, leading to a loss of revenue when customers are unable to park.  Cllr Lank explained the proposed exact location. Cllr Bedford asked how the restriction will be enforced, clarification was given that MSDC will be responsible for enforcement, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED to support the Traffic Regulation Order proposed by the Sayers Common Community Shop Management Committee.

C22/23.129 Traffic Regulation Order for Albourne Road:  Members considered a request for support from residents of Albourne Road, who have applied for a Traffic Regulation Order to remove the national speed limit and extend the 40mph speed limit, from the Albourne Crossroads east to the 30mph sign at Langton Lane.  Albourne Parish Council are due to discuss their recommendation on 2 February 2023.  Cllr Llewellyn stated that the data obtained from the Speed Indicator Device placed along Albourne Road doesn’t show that there is a severe problem.  Members noted the residents have invited councillors to meet them on site, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED to support the Traffic Regulation Order proposed by the Albourne Road residents.

C22/23.130 High Street 20 mph Signs: Members reviewed the locations of the 20mph signs, as requested at the 24 October 2022 Highways, Cycleways and Footpaths Joint Council Working Group meeting, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREED in principle to support the 20 mph signs being relocated, but more work was needed around the exact target areas in the village and should include parts of Trinity Road and Cuckfield Road. Cllr Lank to arrange a meeting with West Sussex County Council Highways Officer.

C22/23.131: Councillor Representatives on Outside Bodies: The Chairman updated Members on a recent WSALC Parish Council Chairman’s meeting that he had attended.  Photo ID will be required for those residents wishing to vote in polling stations at the local elections on the 4 May 2023.  A question was raised whether a record will be kept of people who are turned away from a voting station due to not having the correct identification.

C22/23.132: To note any further information items, correspondence received or requests: 

C22/23.133.1: Trinity Road Car Park: Members noted that Mid Sussex District Council is working with West Sussex County Council and their contractor Connected Kerb, to temporarily decommission four of the eight electrical vehicle charging points at Trinity Road Car Park.   No date has been confirmed. Cllr Lank reported he is chasing up progress to obtain a date.

C22/23.133.1: South Downs National Park: Members noted the update given on the South Downs National Park Local Plan Review and in particular the timetable for the process.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.44pm