Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 27 June 2024 at 7.30 pm at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

Members Present:

Also Present:  Sarah Groom, Clerk to the Council and Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) and Cllr Geoff Zeidler (MSDC).  Cllr Alison Bennett (MSDC) sent her apologies.

C24/25.038: To receive and accept apologies for absence:  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr David Evans, Cllr Mark Froud and Cllr Julia Shorrocks, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllr Evans, Cllr Froud and Cllr Shorrocks.

C24/25.039: To receive and record declarations of interest:  There were no declarations of interest.

C24/25.040: To receive and accept the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 23 May 2024:  Members reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting, and it was: 

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2024.

C24/25.041: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: There were two members of the public present representing the Sayers Common Village Society who questioned the validity of the confidential item on the agenda (Sayers Common Village Association) and asked that it was de-classified as it was not transparent.  The Chairman confirmed the Council would consider whether to resolve to exclude the press and public later in the meeting and that the Parish Council recognised the good work of the Sayers Common Village Society but would always consider working with any groups in the parish.

C24/25.042: Reports from Other Authorities: Members received reports from representatives of:

C24/25.042.1: West Sussex County Council (WSCC):  Cllr Dennis updated Members on a number of road closures including the road closures for St Lawrence Fair on 6 July and at Reeds Lane for Southern Water works starting on 18 July.  The Traffic Regulation Order for double yellow lines on junctions on Cuckfield Road at Willow Way, Talbot Mead and Chalkers Lane was refused but the Parish Council was keen to understand the scoring system and could build up evidence of local support if that helped with the scoring outcome.  The new electronic real-time bus stop signage is due to be rolled-out and Cllr Dennis will provide a more specific update for the parish bus stops.  The effect on passenger numbers of the increased service frequency had been very positive.  Grants for improvements and replacement bus shelters are available.   The Chairman enquired whether the bus stop at St George’s Lane could be given more protection as pedestrians have to step into the road to signal to it.  Cllr Baldey also asked about the Wickham Hill bus stops.  Cllr Sampson asked if Southern Water could unblock their drain outside their pumping station on the London Road which floods.  Cllr Avery felt the new Cuckfield Road double yellow lines contravene the Highways Code and will investigate. The Traffic Regulation Order for a weight restriction on Reeds Lane was refused but the Parish Council was keen to pursue the issue in respect of new sat nav technology and monitoring of vehicles movements. Cllr Majsai expressed our ongoing concerns about the risk posed by the heavy traffic on Reeds Lane to children crossing between the two play areas.

C24/25042.2: Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC):  Cllr Jackson reported that MSDC would be discussing the development of Burgess Hill town centre at a confidential meeting.  Alders Farm planning enforcement had resulted in the demolition of two buildings so that case had been closed.  The enforcement at 145 High Street was still active.   The Chairman spoke briefly about the issues with allocating Section 106 funds to be included in S106 agreements.  It would be better if the Community Facilities Officer and the Parish Council were able to liaise with each other before their submissions, so the two parties didn’t contradict each other. Cllr Zeidler had submitted a written report previously circulated to all members.  Cllr Zeidler highlighted the work with Mid Sussex Voluntary Action and the desire for community involvement in the Berrylands Pond and Oakhurst wood.  Cllr Dyke asked if the Alders Farm planning enforcement case was fully completed or whether the enforcement work included the requirement for the site to be substantially cleared. Cllr Dyke also requested when considering the impacts of large scale developments (such as land south of Reeds Lane and north of Hurstpierpoint) that the impact on the wider infrastructure and community was also considered (such as the impact on the High Street).  The Chairman also highlighted the need for developers to co-ordinate their developments to assess the impact on the local area.

The Chairman thanked Cllrs Dennis, Jackson and Zeidler for their reports. Cllr Zeidler left the meeting at 8.35.pm.

C24/25.043: LGPS Pension Investment Strategy Statement:  Members considered submitting any comments on the draft West Sussex County Council Pension Committee’s Investment Strategy Statement by 30 June 2024.  Cllr Dennis was able to give further background information on the item as a member of the WSCC Pensions Committee. The value of the Fund was approx. £5billion and was one of the most successful in the country.  The Fund had been so well funded it was able to lower the employer contribution rates over recent years.  The Fund had also been reducing its investment risk exposure in some property market categories.  Members were very satisfied with the Investment Strategy Statement and had no comments to make, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council NOTED the draft WSCC LGPS Pension Investment Strategy Statement and AGREED not to submit any comments.

Members thanked Cllr Dennis for her informative summary and Cllr Dennis left the meeting at 8.40pm.

C24/25.044: Committee Minutes: Members received the minutes of the:

C24/25.044.1: Parish Strategy Working Group (17 May & 10 June 2024): There were no recommendations for Council. 

C24/25.044.2: Planning Committee (3 June 2024): There were no recommendations for Council.   

C24/25.044.3: Community Engagement Committee (13 June 2024): There were no recommendations for Council.

C24/25.044.4: Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (20 June 2024) There were no recommendations for Council, and it was:

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

1. Parish Strategy Working Group (17 May & 10 June 2024)
2. Planning Committee (3 June 2024)
3. Community Engagement Committee (13 June 2024)
4. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (20 June 2024)

C24/25.045: Allocation of Section 106 Funds: Members considered how to respond to Mid Sussex District Council’s invitation to suggest Local Community Infrastructure projects for approx. £6,267 of Section 106 funds to be allocated to, if MSDC are minded to approve the planning application, for land to the rear of 147-149 College Lane (DM/24/1139).  The Chairman reiterated the issue of both the MSDC Community Facilities team and the Parish Council submitting different requests and the fact that the Parish Council was only asked to comment on the local community infrastructure element and not the play, formal sport or community facility categories.  Members agreed with the proposed allocation of £15,470 to South Avenue play area, the £9,629 for the Hurstpierpoint Lawn Tennis Club and / or Bowls Club at South Avenue and the £5,522 for community buildings but requested that it be specified as “Hurstpierpoint Village Centre, Court Bushes Community Hub, and / or halls for uniformed groups for children and teenagers”.  Members considered options for the allocation of £6,267 for the local community infrastructure element, and it was: 

RESOLVED: That the Council AGREES to request the allocation of £6,267 of Local Community Infrastructure funds to go towards the future cycleway link from Brown Twins Road to Iden Hurst.

C24/25.046: WSCC Licence for Planting Wild Flowers:  Members considered a briefing note that recommends applying to West Sussex County Council for a Licence to plant wildflowers on the new Manor Road cycle way verge, and it was: 

RESOLVED: That the Council AGREES that to apply to West Sussex County Council for a Licence to plant wildflowers on the new Manor Road cycle way verge.

C24/25.047: Information Items:  Members received the following information items, and reports from representatives on outside bodies as follows:

C24/25.047.1: Sustainability Strategy Action Plan: Cllr Majsai asked Members to note the updated Sustainability Strategy Action Plan.  The Working Group had requested that the Planning Committee write to MSDC to express our concern that the biodiversity value of sites is being deliberately lowered by developers/landowners prior to baseline assessment for Biodiversity Net Gain e.g. by the cutting down of trees/spraying of herbicide onto grassland.

C24/25.047.2: West Sussex Association of Local Councils:  Cllr Jackson highlighted the new newsletter that had been recently circulated.

C24/25.047.3: Hurstpierpoint Society:  Cllr Dyke had attended the Society’s AGM at which the Parish Council was presented with a Conservation & Design award for the flint wall repairs at St George’s Lane.  A new project is being undertaken that has used artwork of the High Street to develop an interactive website which will hopefully be launched at the St Lawrence Fair.  The Parish Council will help publicise it.

C24/25.047.4: Graffiti: Members commented on the recent episode of graffiti in the Trinity Road and Village Garden on 21 June and thanked the Maintenance Officer for the prompt removal of the graffiti on the bus shelter.

C24/25.047.5:  St Lawrence Fair:  Cllr Bedford reminded Members of the St Lawrence Fair and the Parish Council stall on Saturday 6 July.  Cllr Majsai asked everyone to wear their lanyards.

C24/25.047.6: Councillor Update: The Chairman confirmed that Mark Froud had resigned as a councillor which left a vacancy on the Parish Council, the Planning Committee, the Finance, Governance and Estates Committee and the Parish Strategy Working Group, of which he was Chair.  Cllr Froud had offered to continue working on the Parish Strategy Working Group as a member of the public.  These matters can be resolved at the next meeting of the Council.  The Chairman wished to place on record his thanks for the incredible efforts made by Cllr Froud in his role on the Planning Committee and on progressing the Parish Strategy, including all the data collection and both challenging and channelling the thoughts of Members. 

Members RESOLVED that in view of the confidential nature of the following items, the press and public be excluded under section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

Confidential Matters:

C24/25.048: Sayers Common Village Association:  Members considered a confidential briefing note regarding the Sayers Common Village Association and considered appointing a councillor to represent the Parish Council on the association.  Cllr Sampson was nominated by Cllr Thompson and Cllr Forster was nominated by Cllr Sampson. The two nominations were put to the vote, and it was: 

RESOLVED: That the Council NOTES the creation of the Sayers Common Village Association and AGREES that Cllr Barry Forster is appointed as the Parish Council’s representative.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.05pm.

Chairman