MINUTES of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 25 February 2016 at 8.00pm in the Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.  

Members Present 

Also Present:   

Colin Trumble (MSDC Ward member) 

Anthony Watts Williams (MSDC Ward member) 

Stephen Hoyles – CLERK TO THE COUNCIL 

13   members of the public 

C15/093.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received before the meeting and accepted: Rosemary Burns,  Matthew Stokes, Peter Griffiths (WSCC Ward Member).    

Declarations of personal interest in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct were recorded as follows:  All 

Members in respect of   C15/098(3) (F15/063.7 Buildings: (1)  Hurstpierpoint Bowling Club);  David Evans and John Lowman in respect of   C15/098(2) (F15/063.4  Cemetery);  Bob Sampson and Judith Marsh in respect of  C15/100.1  (Kingsland Laines development, Sayers Common).   

C15/094.   Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2016:  The Council received and accepted the minutes which were then signed by the Chairman.    

C15/095.  Matters arising from the Minutes of the Council held on 21 January 2016:     

(1)  Minute C15/089.  Parkland (1)  Management and Governance: The Clerk reported that invitations had been issued to prospective group representatives, and that advertisements for public members would be issued shortly.   

C15/096.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  The Council considered whether to adjourn the Meeting in accordance with clause 3(e) of Standing Orders, in order to receive questions from members of the public in attendance.   

RESOLVED :  The Council Meeting is adjourned.   

Different members of the public made the following comments:  

(1) Concern was expressed about the ‘squeezes’ in the High Street, with cars mounting the pavement.  (2)  Concern was expressed about the shops that were closing  and advised that a meeting was being arranged at the New Inn 11 April 2016 to discuss the issues.  (3) The construction access at Highfield Drive was a concern, and was the Parish Council consulted on the process? There was concern that the roads would be damaged by construction traffic.  In response the Chairman advised that the developer was required to submit an approved travel plan for construction traffic, and this and the roads condition were monitored by the County and District Councils.  (4)  What would happen to the St Georges rural footpath where it crossed the new Highfield Drive access ?  In response the meeting was advised that the footpath would remain open and safety barriers would be in place to avoid conflict with traffic.  (5) There should be larger signs for the carparks.  

(6) What was the result of the carpark survey ?  In response the meeting was advised that the council had made proposals to Mid Sussex District Council (the owner) for changes to parking times.  (7)  Had the Council asked the traders why shops were closing ?  (8) Some shops were being converted to offices, which was undesirable.  (9) A High Street trader was critical of the design of the High Street and said that this was the reason for loss of trade.  In response the Chairman advised that the High Street changes resulted from strong public pressure for improved pedestrian safety and control of illegal parking.  There were two issues for consideration:  traffic and parking concerns, which were being further reviewed in conjunction with West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council.  Secondly, the economy of the High Street businesses, which were a concern but these challenges were being experienced nationally.  The Parish, District and County Councils would be working together over the coming weeks to explore what measures, if any, might be taken to address these concerns.  Some discussion ensued.  The meeting then resumed.   

C15/097.  Reports from other authorities:  The Council received verbal reports from representatives of other 

Authorities:  

1. (1) Mid Sussex District Council   (MSDC):  Cllr Anthony Watts Williams reported:  (1) The District Plan consultation was complete and further work was being undertaken.  The submission was expected in 4 to 6 weeks and an Examination in mid-year.  (2) The Secretary of State (DCLG) decision on Kingsland Laines (Sayers Common) development had been noted and the DCLG direction on the weight of ‘made’ neighbourhood plans.  (3) The District Council budget 2016/17 had been set, with Government support grant dropping to about £800,000 in the year.  The grant was expected to disappear in due course. A Council Tax rise of 1.99% was planned.  (4)  The proposed Science Park remained an ambition of the District Council and consultants Chilmark had submitted a further report on its background.    In response to a question Mr Watts Williams was not able to comment on the future direction of business rates, when district and county councils are given further freedoms for rate-setting.   

1. (2) West Sussex County Council County Local Committee   (WSCC/CLC) :  Cllr Peter Griffiths was not present on this occasion and no report was made.   

1. (3) Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils (MSALC) :  Rodney Jackson reported that MSALC had expressed concern about the fall in the numbers of PCSO’s in Sussex and were hoping to arrange a delegation to meet the Police and Crime Commissioner.  Mr Jackson reported that he had chaired the recent NALC Policy Committee where the matter of clerks’ complaints against members was reviewed.   

C15/098.  Committee and Working Group minutes:  The Committee Chairmen or, in their absence the Vicechairmen, introduced each Minutes, which the Council was asked to receive and where appropriate, consider the 

RECOMMENDATIONS:  

C15/098.1   Community Affairs Committee (28 January 2016)  

(1)  CA462.  Police issues and information:   The Council considered a recommendation from the Committee and agreed as follows:  

RESOLVED:  that the Parish Council write a letter to Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, expressing our concerns with what is happening with Sussex PCSOs and inviting her to a Council meeting to hear our concerns.  

C15/098.2   Planning Committee (4 February 2016)   

C15/098.3   Finance + General Purposes Committee (11 February 2016)  

1. (1) F15/063.3  Trees:  South Avenue, Hurstpierpoint:  The Council considered a recommendation from the 

Committee and agreed as follows:  

RESOLVED:  Investigations are made into the reduction in height of the trees in South Avenue.  

1. (2) F15/063.4  Cemetery:   The Council considered a recommendation from the Committee and agreed as follows:  RESOLVED:  An application is made for the removal of most or all of the Swamp Cypress trees in the Garden of Rest, following consultation with the District Tree Officer.  The Parish Council engages a specialist to advise on the application.   

1. (3) F15/063.7  Buildings:  (1)  Hurstpierpoint Bowling Club:  (Ref:  Hurstpierpoint Bowling Club,  letter   Stirling Design + Construction Ltd  6 January 2016;  Bowling Club lease 14 August 2014)  The Council considered a recommendation from the Committee and agreed as follows:  

RESOLVED:  The Council has no objection to the proposed extension of the Bowling Club clubhouse and authorises the appropriate adjustment of the lease.  The rent will be reviewed in April 2018 to reflect the changes.   

C15/098.4   Parish Plan Working Group (26 January 2016)  

C15/098.5   Strategic Planning Working Group (26 January 2016)  (1)  SP15/029.  Sayers Common – Housing Sites Appraisal:   

(Ref:  CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT Dowsett Mayhew Report – Sayers Common Housing Sites Appraisal – January 2016) The Council considered a recommendation from the Committee and agreed as follows:  

RESOLVED:  That the Sayers Common Housing Sites Appraisal published evidence is offered, together with the relevant policies of the Neighbourhood Plan, for consideration in any future planning application for housing development in Sayers Common.   

(2)  SP15/030.  Hurstpierpoint High Street economy:  The Council considered a recommendation from the Committee.  In addition, the Council was asked to note the Briefing note from Chairman of Council, which sets out the current position.  (Ref:  CONFIDENTIAL BRIEFING NOTE  Hurstpierpoint High Street Economy – 19 January 2016;  High 

Street economy Background data  – 13 January 2016;  Chairman’s Briefing Note – February 2016))   

RESOLVED:  The Working Group requests that further research is undertaken to explore the high street trends and changes and what measures the Parish Council can undertake to positively meet these changes 

C15/099.  Hurstpierpoint High Street economy – new Working Group:  The Council was asked to agree to establishing a Working Group with the brief to investigate and report on the High Street economy, including consideration of the effects of such matters as car parking and the changing nature of high streets, comprising Members Allan  Brown 

(as chairman), Rosemary Burns, Tony Lank, Steve Whitehead.  The Council noted the Briefing Note from Chairman of 

Council, which sets out the current position.  (Ref:  Chairman’s Briefing Note – February 2016)   

RESOLVED:  The Council appoints a High Street Economy Working Group with the brief to investigate and report on the High Street economy.  The Members are Allan  Brown (as chairman), Rosemary Burns, Tony Lank, Steve Whitehead.   

C15/100.  .  Planning decisions:   

C15/100.1  Kingsland Laines development, Sayers Common:  The Council noted that the Secretary of State (DCLG) has upheld the previous decision to refuse planning permission for 120 houses and a care-home at this site.  The reasons for refusal are because the proposals are contrary to the Council’s PARISH 2031 Neighbourhood Plan.  (Ref:  DCLG ltr Land at Kingsland Laines, Sayers Common- 10 February 2016)  

C15/100.2  Pakyns Garden Cottage, Hurstpierpoint:   The Council noted that permission for 12 houses  has been refused on appeal.  The Council is reminded that it submitted an Appeal Statement opposing the scheme.  (Ref:  Planning Inspectorate ltr – Pakyns Garden Cottage   Appeal ref:  APP/D3830/3131527, Hurstpierpoint 10 February 2016) 

C15/101.  West Sussex County Council  

C15/101.1  Community Support Teams:  The Council was asked to consider the consultation on proposed 

Community Support Teams.  In discussion the meeting expressed concern that WSCC were seeking to reduce their nonstatutory functions and pass them to others, possibly without financial support.  It was noted that small scale highway maintenance tasks were  currently being undertaken by Burgess Hill TC, on behalf of WSCC, in the Parish and surrounding parishes, but there was concern that this might cease unless alternative funding was found.  (Ref:  WSCC 

Consultation on Community support Teams – 11 February 2016) 

RESOLVED:  The Council supports the principle of Community Support Teams but only if adequate funding was provided from West Sussex County Council.   

C15/101.2  3SC Devolution bid:  The Council noted the joint West and East Sussex and Surrey  County devolution bid.   (WSCC 3SC Devolution Prospectus – September 2015 ) 

C15/102.   Information items, correspondence received and requests:    The Council inoted:  C15/102.1  WSCC  Highways & Transport:   Integrated Works Programme 2016 / 2017.  

C15/103.  Annual Parish Meeting:  It was explained that the previously set date of 19 April 2016 was not workable and agreed that a new date would be set.   

RESOLVED:  The Annual Parish Meeting will take place Tuesday 24 May 2016.   

There being no other business the Chairman closed the Meeting at   9.43pm.  

 Chairman