Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 7.30 pm at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre.

In the absence of Cllr Malcolm Llewellyn (Chairman), Cllr Claire Majsai (Vice-Chairman) chaired the meeting.

Also Present:  Sarah Groom (Clerk), Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC), Cllr Alison Bennett (MSDC) and two members of the public.

C23/24.050: To receive and accept apologies for absence:  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr David Evans, Cllr Helen Bedford, Cllr Susan Dyke, Cllr Malcolm Llewellyn, Cllr Julia Shorrocks and Cllr Lindsay Thompson. Apologies were also received from Cllr Geoff Zeidler (MSDC), and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Council ACCEPTS the apologies for absence for Cllr David Evans, Cllr Helen Bedford, Cllr Susan Dyke, Cllr Malcolm Llewellyn, Cllr Julia Shorrocks and Cllr Lindsay Thompson.

C23/24.051: To receive and record declarations of interest:  Cllr Bob Sampson declared an interest in the Hurst Festival Hire Application item (Minutes C23/24.058), as he is a Trustee of the Hurst Festival.

C23/24.052: To receive and accept the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 29 June 2023:  Members reviewed the minutes, and it was: 

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 29 June 2023.

C23/24.053: Adjournment for Questions from the Public: Members agreed to adjourn the meeting to receive questions from members of the public in accordance with Standing Orders. One member of the public asked whether the Parish Council has any plans for the continuous traffic problems in the High Street.  The Chairman and Cllr Dennis explained that many options had been considered over the years including traffic lights and even, some years ago, a by-pass, and none were considered suitable by highway engineers.  The historic high street cannot cope with modern traffic.  Drivers must be more considerate and patient.  The Parish Council’s Community Highways Scheme has requested some minor amendments to the High Street layout which will hopefully help ease traffic flow.

C23/24.054: Reports from Other Authorities: Members received reports from representatives of:

C23/24.054.1: West Sussex County Council:  Cllr Dennis asked Members to promote the vaccinations for children initiative especially for those starting school in September. The Burgess Hill Fire Station has an open day on 30 August from 10am-2pm.  A Healthwatch survey is trying to find the reasons why some women aren’t turning up for their breast screening appointments.  More new hosts are needed for homing Ukrainian families.  A programme of replacing halogen streetlight lamps with LEDs is being rolled out.  The opportunity to nominate roads for electrical vehicle charging points is available.  New Census data has highlighted some interesting statistics about Mid Sussex.  Workshops are available to help businesses with their digital development.  The WSCC Nature Recovery Strategy has been published including initiatives such as enlarging the kelp farms to help reduce carbon.  The Community Highways Scheme submitted by the Parish Council will be delivered in 2023/24.  The new cycleway from College Lane to Trinity Road should commence in September.  The Albourne Road Traffic Regulation Order submitted by residents to keep the speed limit at 40mph is also approved to proceed. The Stonepound, Village Garden and War Memorial Bus Stops will be having real time data timetables installed.  The Sayers Common Bus Stops can also be considered.  Finally, School attendance is being addressed as it is believed more children are suffering from anxiety rather than playing truant, although the support services aren’t always available.  The Chairman repeated her concern over the lack of youth facilities/clubs now available. The Chairman thanked Cllr Dennis for her report.

C23/24.054.2: Mid Sussex District Council:  Cllr Zeidler had sent a written report that had been circulated to Members covering an update on the Southern Water drain clearance and the Scrutiny Committee Working Group on the District Plan Review.  Cllr Bennett updated Members on the outcome of the previous evening’s Mid Sussex District Council meeting held under the new administration.  Other matters discussed included Gatwick Airport expansion, the District Plan Review timetable, the redevelopment of the Martlets Shopping Centre, the Court Bushes Play Day and that the Triangle Lido will be open for the School Holidays.  Cllr Jackson announced the play area master planning exercise will be released in September which includes Court Bushes.  Cllr Sampson asked if there was any update on the offer by the Woodland Flora and Fauna Group to manage Berrylands Pond on the London Road which Cllr Bennett will follow up.  The Chairman thanked Cllrs Bennett, Jackson and Zeidler for their reports.  Cllrs Dennis and Bennett left the meeting at 8.30pm.

C23/24.055: Committee Minutes: Members received the minutes of the:

C23/24.055.1: Planning Committee (10 July 2023) There were no recommendations for Council.

C23/24.055.2: Community Engagement Committee (13 July 2023) There were no recommendations for Council.

C23/24.055.3: Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (20 July 2023) There were no recommendations for Council, and it was:

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

1. Planning Committee (10 July 2023)
2. Community Engagement Committee (13 July 2023)
3. Finance, Governance & Estates Committee (20 July 2023)

C23/24.056: Council Meeting Diary 2023/2024: Members considered and agreed a revised list of meeting dates for 2023/2024, and it was: 

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES the revised list of meeting dates for 2023/2024.

C23/24.057: MSDC’s Standards Committee: Members considered nominating a representative of the Parish Council to fill four vacancies on the MSDC Standards Committee by 31 July 2023.  There were no nominations, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES not to nominate a representative of the Parish Council to fill four vacancies on the MSDC Standards Committee.

C23/24.058: Hurst Festival Hire Application:  Members considered the application from Hurst Festival to hire South Avenue Recreation Ground and the Village Garden on Sunday 17 September for the Super Sunday event, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Council AGREES the application from Hurst Festival to hire South Avenue Recreation Ground and the Village Garden on Sunday 17 September at nil cost for the Super Sunday event.

C23/24.059: Reports from Representative on Outside Bodies: Cllr Jackson had attended a meeting of the Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils (MSALC) on Tuesday 18 July 2023.  The main issue was the previous lack of consultation from MSDC around for example the closure of public toilets and the District Plan Review.  MSALC welcomed the commitment from the new MSDC administration to improve future consultation.

C23/24.060: Information Items:

C23/24.060.1: Councillor Vacancies:  Members noted that an official ‘Notice of Vacancies’ is being displayed until 3 August to permit ten or more electors to call for a by-election, after-which the co-option poster will be displayed with an application deadline of a week before the 28 September Council meeting, to aim to fill our remaining vacancies.

C23/24.060.2: Councillor Resignation:  Members noted the resignation of Cllr John Lowman, a long serving councillor for forty years, and former Chairman of the Parish Council. He was thanked and wished all the very best for the future.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm.

Chairman