MINUTES of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 23 March 2017 at 8.00pm in the Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.  

Members Present 

Also Present:   

Peter Griffiths (WSCC Ward member)  

Anthony Watts Williams (MSDC Ward member)  

Charlotte Kempson ASSISTANT CLERK  

C16/103.  Minute Silence: The Chairman proposed and Council agreed to observe one minutes silence in respect to the victims of Westminster. The meeting then resumed.  

C16/104.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received before the meeting and accepted:  Julia Shorrocks and John Wilkinson (MSDC Ward member).   There were no declarations of interest.  

C16/105.  Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 23 February 2017:  The Council received and accepted the minutes which were then signed by the Chairman.    

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Council meeting of 23 February 2017 are approved. 

C16/106.  Matters arising from the Minutes of the Council held on 23 February 2017:    

(1)  Minute C16/097.  Reports from other authorities: ((2)  West Sussex County Council County Local Committee   (WSCC/CLC)) :  Following the advice from County Cllr Peter Griffiths, contact was made with the BT area project manager for superfast broadband, who has agreed to respond to specific concerns about broadband delivery in the parish.  Council members were asked for matters of concern. (Ref:  BT email 1 March 2017; 

HP&SCPC email 2 March 2017)   

There were no others matters arising from the Minutes which were not covered elsewhere on this agenda. 

C16/107.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  There being no public present the Council was not required to consider whether to adjourn the Meeting in accordance with clause 70 of Standing Orders.   

C16/108.  Reports from other authorities:  The Council received verbal reports from representatives of other Authorities:  

1. (1) Mid Sussex District Council   (MSDC):  CllrAnthony Watts Williams reported (1)  There are no cuts in Mid Sussex District Councils budget for 2017/18, even though the Revenue Support Grant received had been cut again this year.  (2) The Business Park by Haywards Heath Station redevelopment and revitalisation of Burgess Hill Town Centre were ongoing projects.  (3) It was agreed that Cllr Watts Williams would participate in the discussion on item C16/110:  Mid Sussex District Plan Examination: The figure for new housing in Sussex proposed by the examiner of 1,026 has been challenged by MSDC and discussions were ongoing.  

1. (2) West Sussex County Council County Local Committee   (WSCC/CLC): Cllr Peter Griffiths reported: (1)  There was concern over the inspectors decision regarding the development of Ham Fields in Hassocks, also the decision for Lower Brook in Sayers Common. Cllr Griffiths had written to the inspector, expressing these concerns, but has yet to receive a response. (2)  Quiet Lanes:  progress on the 12 lanes identified was being made, but it was still ongoing (3) Operation Watershed, there is money available for projects in 2017/18. (4)   A question was raised about the border lines fading along the A23/A27, whether they are to be repainted.  An update was requested on the progress of the noise from the A23 affecting Sayers Common. Cllr Griffiths advised he would look into them.  

1. (3) Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils (MSALC):  Rodney Jackson advised that there had been no meetings to report.   

C16/109.  Committee and Working Group minutes:  The Committee Chairmen introduced each Minutes, which the Council was asked to, receive and where appropriate, consider the RECOMMENDATIONS:  C16/109.1   Planning Committee (2 March 2017)  

C16/109.2   

C16/109.3  Finance + General Purposes Committee (9 March 2017) 

(1)  Minute  F16/078.6:  Reeds Lane Play Area:  The Committee considered this matter and agreed that it would be referred to Council for further consideration.  (Ref:  BRIEFING NOTE Reeds Lane Play Area progress review – 14 February 2017). A discussion took place and it was agreed that a complete review of all the play area and equipment in Sayers Common is required, before residents are invited to comment on proposals for new play equipment. It was felt the current questionnaire was not sufficient.  

RESOLVED:  A complete review of all the Play Areas and Equipment in Sayers Common is to be carried out, in order for the Council to prepare a proposal for new play equipment.  

C16/109.4  Parkland Advisory Board  (14 March 2017)  

C16/109.5  Community Affairs Committee (16 March 2017)   

C16/109.6  Parkland Management Committee (21 March 2017)  

C16/110.  Mid Sussex District Plan Examination:  Council was asked to note that, following the interim conclusions on housing targets for 1026 dpa, issued by the Inspector  (letter 20 February 2017), MSDC advised that they would not attend the planned hearing scheduled for 3 March 2017 for which they had asked to present their proposals for accommodating the additional housing numbers.  MSDC had advised that they would be writing to the Inspector in a few weeks’ time and subsequently advised parish and town councils that they were informing the Inspector that they would agree to 876 dpa.  (Ref:  MSDC ltr District Plan Inquiry – 2 March 2017; Planning Inspector ltr 2 March 2017; MSDC ltr to Parishes 9 March 2017)   

C16/111.   Information items, correspondence received and requests:    The Council was asked to note:  

1. (1) SSALC Newsletter – March 2017   
2. (2) WSCC Operation Watershed:  Letter from WSCC Leader 24 February 2017 
3. (3) Mayfield Market town:  Publicity item (Ref:  Meeting Place Communications email 9 March 2017) 
4. (4) MSDC Taxi licensing Policy consultation:  MSDC Taxi paper 15 March 2017  
5. (5) BBC Radio in Hurstpierpoint: BBC radio programme, Any Questions will be visiting Hurstpierpoint on the invitation by Hurst Festival on Friday 5^th May 2017. It will held in the Village Centre.  

C16/112.   CONFIDENTIAL Matters: 

The Council was asked to determine whether to close the meeting to the public and the press under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss the following item:  

(1)  Governance and Staff Panel (meeting of 21 March 2017):   

RESOLVED: To close the meeting to the public and the press under the Public Bodies (Admissions to meetings) Act 1960.  

C16/113.  Co-option of Council Member:  Further to Council meeting 19 January 2017 (Minute C16/091) and following local advertising, four candidates had applied for consideration for co-option.  The Governance + Staff Panel had interviewed the candidates on 21 March 2017 and brought a recommendation to Council for appointment.   (Ref:  Local Government Act 1972 s87 (1); Applications) 

RESOLVED:  The Council RESOLVED to co-opt Mr Richard Barker and Mr Malcolm Llewellyn.   

There being no other business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.40 pm.  

  Chairman