MINUTES of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 22 March 2018 at 8.00pm in the Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.  

Members Present 

Also Present:   

Joy Dennis (WSCC Ward member)   

John Wilkinson (MSDC Ward member)    

Stephen Hoyles  CLERK TO THE COUNCIL 

2 members of the public 

C17/108.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received before the meeting and accepted:  Amanda Geel, Martin Machan,  Julia Shorrocks,  Steve Whitehead. There were no declarations of interest.   

C17/109.  Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2018:  The Council received and accepted the minutes.   

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Council meeting of 22 February 2018 are adopted. 

C17/110.  Matters arising from the Minutes of the Council held on 22 February 2018:  There were no matters not otherwise on the agenda.   

C17/110.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  The Council considered whether to adjourn the 

Meeting in accordance with clause 70 of Standing Orders, in order to receive questions from the public.  RESOLVED:  The Meeting is adjourned in order to receive questions from the public in accordance with clause 70 of Standing Orders. 

1. (1) Weald Close, Hurstpierpoint:  A member of the public referred to item (Minute C17/118.  Highway matters:  Weald Close, Hurstpierpoint) and noted that the verges were in a poor state due to carparking, and requested that the parking arrangements are improved and verges repaired.  It was also stated that a streetlight was not working.  The Chairman advised that the Council were aware of the streetlight (one of 3 recently installed that had failed) and the contractor had been instructed to repair.  Regarding the verges and parking, the matter would be raised with a joint meeting of Parish, District and County Councillors, scheduled for 18 April 2018 and a request made for the improvements to take place.   
2. (2) Reeds Lane Play Area, Sayers Common: A member of the public referred to item (Minute C17/114.  Reeds Lane Play Area, Sayers Common).  The individual had undertaken a personal  local survey which showed strong support for leaving the play equipment on the south side of  Reeds Lane and also for the Village Gateways  (item  Minute C17/115.  Village Gateways) .  The Council noted these comments.   

The Meeting then resumed.   

C17/112.  Reports from other authorities:  Council received verbal reports from representatives of other 

Authorities:  

1. (1) Mid Sussex District Council   (MSDC):  Cllr John Wilkinson reported:  (1)  District Plan:  The Inspector’s approval had been received and the Plan was expected to be formally adopted by the Council on 28 March 2018.  The 5-year housing land supply figure was now satisfied and was being used by MSDC to refuse housing development applications that did not follow Plan policies.  (2)  Supplementary Planning Documents were now in preparation for CiL/s106, and affordable homes and viability.  They will shortly be available for consultation.  (3)  Economic Strategy:  a 5-year strategy document would shortly be available for consultation.  (4)  Hurstpierpoint Conservation Area Study:  This was now available for consultation.  Some discussion then took place on the matter of affordable homes and developer’s viability to  fund through s106 agreements.  It was noted that the Parish Council had enabled a satisfactory ratio  of affordable homes for rent and part-purchase.   

1. (2) West Sussex County Council County Local Committee   (WSCC/CLC):  Cllr Joy Dennis 

reported:  (1)  A2300:  plans were now available for the proposed dualling of the road, which had raised a number of issues now being pursued.  (2)  Burgess Hill Steering Group:  Cllr Dennis was a member, and it would be discussing how the s106 funds would be utilised.  There was interest in the amount that would be directed to the Parish.  (3)  Cllr Dennis was investigating concerns about traffic and parking in Reeds Lane, Sayers Common. (4)  The SID was being purchased on behalf of Bolney Volunteers.  (5) Pompers Lane:  request for one-way working:  

There was concern about potential  ‘rat-running’ of traffic.  (6)  Pot-holes:  Cllr Dennis was aware of the current concerns and WSCC were responding.  (7)  Hurstpierpoint High Street:  Conversations had been held with a shopkeeper concerned about HGV’s damaging their property.  (8)  St Lawrence School:  concerns continued to be raised about unsafe parking by parents during drop-off and collection times.  It was noted that MSDC parking enforcement should be advised to manage the situation.  (9)  The WSCC Childrens Scrutiny committee was examining KS2 school performance.   

1. (3) Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils (MSALC):  Rodney Jackson reported that he had attended the recent WSALC conference at which there was a presentation by Age UK, MP Nick Herbert, and WSCC Director of Communities.  Issues had included the A27 traffic problems and the increasing use of libraries as flexible spaces.   

C17/113.  Committee and Working Group minutes:  The Committee Chairmen (or in their absence the vice-chairmen) introduced each Minutes, which the Council was asked to receive and where appropriate consider the RECOMMENDATIONS:  

C17/113.1  Court Bushes Working Group (CONFIDENTIAL Minutes 27 February 2018)   

C17/113.2   Planning Committee (1 March 2018)  

C17/113.3  Strategic Policy Working Group  (6 March 2018) 

1. (1) SP17/27.  Strategic planning  issues:  District Plan Site Allocations DPD and Review of Neighbourhood Plan:  The Working Group had agreed that an early review of the Sayers Common area should be explored, to bring in line with the remaining areas of the Neighbourhood Plan.  The new District Plan did not require further housing (at least until beyond 2024 when the results of the SADPD were known) but there remained issues around infrastructure deficit in the village (surgeries, school, drainage and so on) which a NP review might consider.  The meeting thought that a review should be completed within 12 months.  It was agreed that the Council’s planning consultant would be asked to advise on the procedures, and the District Planning Officer would also be consulted.   

RESOLVED:  That investigations are made into a Neighbourhood Plan review for the Sayers Common area.   

1. (2) SP17/28.  Committee Structure  2018/19:  (1)  Community Affairs Committee:  The future role of Community Affairs Committee had been considered.  The nature of the Council’s business was changing broadly into two areas:  operations (the day to day delivery of services to the community, largely overseen by Finance + General Purposes Committee) and projects (one-off schemes, generally overseen by Working Groups reporting directly to Council).  There had been occasions in the more recent past when the Community Affairs Committee had a light agenda.  It was therefore proposed that the Committee is dissolved for 2018/19 and its responsibilities distributed to council and a new Community Engagement Working Group.  However, in discussion Council considered the value of links to local groups and the opportunities for their presentations to the Council.  After discussion it was agreed that the Community Affairs Committee would continue, but that it would meet 4 times a year, and that its terms of reference would be recast.   

RESOLVED:  That Community Affairs Committee continues, but that its terms of reference are recast and that it meet four times a year from May 2018.    

C17/113.4  Finance + General Purposes Committee  (8 March 2018) 

C17/113.5  Community Affairs Committee (15 March 2018)   

C17/113.6  Parkland Management Committee  (20 March 2018)  Council agreed that the Committee is renamed ‘Hurst Meadows Management committee’.  

RESOLVED:  That Parkland Management Committee  is renamed ‘Hurst Meadows Management committee’. 

C17/114.  Reeds Lane Play Area, Sayers Common:  Council considered the next steps in providing improved play facilities at the Reeds Lane Recreation Ground.  The Council’s PARISH ACTION PLAN  (Rev 2  31 August 2016) included  Item: 34  Reed Lane Play Area  (subject to Council approval)  and a sum of £5,000 has been placed in the 2018/19 CAPEX Budget.  It had been suggested that consideration was given to moving the existing and providing additional equipment on the north side of Reeds Lane, to reduce the need for children to cross the Lane.  However, Council took note of the information reported earlier in the meeting (Minute C17/110)and considered that the expense of moving the equipment and the reported views of local people supported the decision to stay on the south side.  It was agreed that the community would be surveyed on the types of equipment to be provided.     (REF: BRIEFING NOTE  23 February 2018  ) 

RESOLVED: the local community is consulted on the proposal that an improved multiage play area is placed in the Reeds Lane South Recreation Ground. 

C17/115.  Village Gateways:  Council was asked for its views on the installation of ‘gateways’ at the entrances to Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common.  As part of its development for the Neighbourhood Plan (PARISH 2031) in 2015 the Parish Council was concerned about the cumulative effect of traffic generation from a number of new housing developments around Hurstpierpoint.  There remain concerns about the speeds of traffic entering both Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common, and the volume of through-traffic in Hurstpierpoint.  It was suggested that mechanisms could be introduced to achieve the following:   

• • Reduce entry speeds into the villages 
• • Discourage, where reasonable, through traffic in Hurstpierpoint 
• • Provide attractive entrances into the villages to signal the arrival into the community.   

The matter was previously considered by the then Traffic + Parking Working Group (12 November 2013  Minute 

6) and then by Council  (16 January 2014  Minute C549.3)  at which it was agreed to add to the Council’s 

Infrastructure Plan.  The project was added to the Council’s Action Plan 2016-21 (Item 31) and it was noted that it would be a WSCC scheme.  However, the Council had been advised that WSCC would not promote the scheme, but would have no objections subject to technical approval.  Discussion took place at which the number and type of gateway was agreed.  A request was made for the Sayers Common gateways to be undertaken first.  (Ref:  

BRIEFING NOTE  22 February 2018  ) 

RESOLVED: Village Gateways would be installed as follows:   

1. (1) The locations:  Brighton Road, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, 

Albourne Road, Hurstpierpoint, Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, London Road (north), Sayers Common, Reeds Lane, Sayers Common, and London Road (south), Sayers Common.    

1. (2) The design would be verge-type only, not chicane.  
2. (3) Consideration given to change of road colour and texture, subject to Highway Authority agreement.   

C17/116.  Mid Sussex District Plan:  Council noted that the Planning Inspectorate Inspector had confirmed approval of the District Plan (2018).  MSDC expect to formally adopt the Plan  at its meeting 28 March 2018.  

(REF:  MSDC email  13 March 2018;  Report on the Examination of the Mid Sussex District Plan 2014-31 – Planning Inspectorate  12 March 2018) 

C17/117.  Hurstpierpoint Conservation Area Review 2018:  The Council considered the draft Review.  This had been produced under the authority of Mid Sussex District Council, but much of the background work had been undertaken  by Hurstpierpoint Society.  It was noted that a public exhibition was to take place at the Village Centre on 16 April 2018 as part of the consultation.  Council expressed its thanks to Hurstpieroint Society for the work undertaken.  After discussion it was agreed that the Review was approved by Council.  (REF:  

Hurstpierpoint Conservation Area Review 2018  DRAFT March 2018) 

RESOLVED:  Council approves the draft Hurstpierpoint Conservation Area Review 2018.   

C17/118.  Highway matters:   

1. (1) Request from resident:  Pomper Lane  conversion to one-way working:  Council was asked to consider a request for support for conversion of Pomper Lane to a one-way system.  The Highway Authority WSCC had advised that they require the views of the Parish Council before they will give further consideration.  It is suggested that, while the arguments for a one-way system are understood, this is not a highly trafficked route and there would be concerns about increased traffic speeds.  (REF:  Email and report  Barnes  6 March 2018  ) RESOLVED:  Council does not support the proposed one-way system for Pomper Lane.   

1. (2) Request from resident:  Weald Close, Hurstpierpoint:  Council was asked to consider a request for support for changes to parking arrangements, layout of verges  and additional maintenance at Weald Close. These matters are the responsibility of WSCC as Highway Authority, but the Parish Council was asked to  comment.   The previous comments by a resident  (Minute C17/110) were noted and it was agreed that Council in principle supported the suggestions. (Ref:  Email  – Thompson,  14 March 2018 ) 

RESOLVED:  That WSCC is asked to review the parking and maintenance of verges on Weald Close, Hurstpierpoint. 

1. (3) Road closure – St Lawrence Fair 30 June 2018:  Council was asked to comment on the proposed road closure 09.00 to 18.00 on Saturday 30 June 2018 of parts of the High Street, Marchants Road, Cuckfield Road and Western Road, Hurstpierpoint, to facilitate the St Lawrence Fair.  (REF:  MSDC email Road Closure  14 March 2018)  

RESOLVED:  Council has no objection to the road closure for St Lawrence Fair on 30 June 2018.   

C17/119.   Information items, correspondence received and requests:   Council noted: 

1. (1) Review of Local Government Services:  NALC is facilitating a consultation.  (REF:  NALC bulletin PC05-18  8 March 2018) 
2. (2) Velo Event 23 September 2018:  WSCC were supporting this event, notwithstanding some local opposition.  

(REF:  Louise Goldsmith WSCC email  15 March 2018)   

1. (3) Post Office, Hurstpierpoint: The current facility was being refurbished and would open in its new form on Wednesday 25 April 2018.   (REF:  Post Office ltr  received 20 March 2018)   

C17/120.  CONFIDENTIAL Matters:   The Council agreed 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) Appointment of Assistant Clerk.  

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

There being no other business the Chairman closed the Meeting at     10.22 pm.  

  Chairman