MINUTES of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 28 February 2019 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 

3 members of the public 

C18/100.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received before the meeting and accepted: John Lowman,  Colin Trumble (MSDC Ward member),  Anthony Watts Williams (MSDC Ward member).  There were no declarations of interest.   

C18/101.  Minutes and Confidential Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 24 January 

2019:  It was agreed that 2 members of the public had attended and the minutes were corrected.  The Council then received and accepted the minutes which were signed by the Chairman.   

RESOLVED:  The Minutes and Confidential minutes of the Council meeting of 24 January 2019 are adopted. 

C18/102.  Matters arising from the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 January 2019:  There were no matters not otherwise on the agenda.   

C18/103.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  No request was received from the public present for the Council to adjourn the Meeting in accordance with clause 70 of Standing Orders in order to receive questions and comments.   

C18/104.  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)  Court Bushes grant:  MSDC had approved a £5,000 community grant to the Parish Council to contribute towards Court Bushes equipment.  (2)  The MSDC Budget 2019/20 had been approved and a typical Band D Council Tax increase of 3.1% would take effect.  It was noted that a £45,000 budget allowance had been allocated for upgrading Trinity 

Road carpark.  (3)  Planning matters:  MSDC had approved a new traveller site of 13 pitches at Copthorne, but a 2-pitch extension at Fulking had been rejected.  (4)  Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan:  Unfortunately this had not progressed, due to it not being in conformity with the District Plan.  (5)  Carparking:  a strategic review would be talking place in 2019/20, and a playing field strategic review.   

In response to questions Cllr Wilkinson advised:  (1)  The Parish Council would have an opportunity on responding to any carparking review.  (2) MSDC were reviewing domestic waste collection, including separate food waste.  (3)  MSDC were planning to  increase availability of car electric charging points.  (4)  It was confirmed that many traveller sites worked well.  (5)  MSDC would be encouraging Hassocks PC to continue to progress their neighbourhood plan work.   

1. (2) West Sussex County Council County Local Committee   (WSCC/CLC)   Cllr Joy Dennis reported: (1) A2300 upgrading:  the current work had been delayed, but was expected to complete by 8 March 2019.  It had been noted that there was some recent increase in traffic in the lanes, probably due to the A2300 works. (2)  Several road closures were planned over the next few weeks, for utilities works.  (3)  Cuckfield Road (north of A2300):  there had been some recent road accidents, fortunately without serious injury.  Cllr Dennis was seeking to arrange traffic ‘loops’ to  measure speeds and numbers.   (4)  Cllr Dennis had met residents and representatives of Hurst College regarding local traffic matters.  (5) Burgess Hill Northern Arc:  recent traffic data was being interpreted and could show interesting results.  (6) Cyclepath:  Cllr Dennis was to meet some Parish Council members on 1 March 2019, to  progress the project.  (7)  Mayfield Market Town:  The inter-parish meeting took  place 26 February 2019 and it was noted that Horsham DC had received proposals for 4 potential new settlements across the district, as a result of their SHELAA exercise.  (8)  WSCC were reviewing their waste and recycling strategy.  (9)  WSCC had approved its budget 2019/20 resulting in a 2.99% increase plus 2.00% increase for social care provision.   

In response to questions  Cllr Dennis advised: (1) It was confirmed that the SID speed device was still available for the Parish.  (2)  WSCC were working with MSDC regarding cycle network proposals.  (3)  It was not clear whether the new road surface around the entrance to the Business Hub on Cuckfield Road (north of the Sportsman Inn) was quiet surface.   

1. (3) Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils (MSALC):  Cllr Rodney Jackson reported:   The MSALC meeting took place 22 February 2019 at which the following were discussed:  (1) WSCC budget pressures, particularly on social care, (2) Resilience training, (3) The progress of the A2300 upgrade and the Science Park  proposals,  (4) Ash die-back  concerns across the County,  (5)  MSDC presented on the Site Allocations DPD process,  (6)  County Police Commissioner presented and advised that there was to be an increase in the Police precept for 2019/20 to  facilitate an increase in officers, and that the response times to ‘101’ calls were being investigated.  The pilot for election ID at the May  2019 elections was also noted.   

C18/105.  Community Highway Regulation Order:    Cllr Tony Lank introduced and Council was asked to receive and approve the draft submission for a CHO to be submitted in conjunction with  ward County Councillor Joy Dennis.  This submission followed the outcome of the Joint Traffic and Parking Working Group meeting 3 December 2018.  It was reported that most of the items were low-cost and would hopefully be funded from s106 sources, perhaps supplemented by the Parish Council.  The proposed mini-roundabout at Iden Hurst/Cuckfield Road would be more costly and at this stage it was not clear where funding would be sourced.  The Council thanked Cllrs Lank and Dennis for their work  on this submission.  (REF:  CHO Issues  –  T Lank  9 February 2019) 

RESOLVED:  The CHO submission 9 February 2019 is approved.   

C18/106.  Committee and Working Group minutes:  The Committee Chairmen introduced each Minutes, which the Council was asked to receive and where appropriate, consider the RECOMMENDATIONS:  

C18/10.1  Planning Committee  (14 February 2019)  

C18/106.2  Staff Panel  (CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES: 5 and 7 February 2019.  See minute C19/109 ) 

C18/106.3  Finance + General Purposes Committee  (7 February 2019)   

C18/106.4  Hurst Meadows Management Committee (31 January 2019)  It was reported that the planting of the new apple orchard in Buckwilly Field had resulted in 5 complaints from adjoining residents, but that some had been allayed and it was hoped that discussions would take place shortly with others.    

C18/106.5  Strategic Policy Working Group (5 February 2019)  It was reported that the Council had jointly with Hurst College commissioned an independent landscape assessment on SHELAA site reference 575, and this had been submitted to MSDC to  aid them in their Site Allocations process.  The assessment demonstrated the harm that could be imposed by the development of the site.  (REF:  Landscape and visual assessment – Hurstpierpoint – February 2019  –  Landscape Collective.  ) 

C18/106.6  Court Bushes Working Group  (19 February 2019  )    

1. (1) Minute  CBP18/34.  Programme:  Council was asked to approve the checklist/programme(REF:  

Checklist/programme  –  12 February 2019 ) 

RESOLVED:  The programme leading to a completion of lease in week commencing 6 May 2019  is approved.  

1. (2) Minute  CBP18/35.  Budget  and Business Rates: Council was asked to approve the revised 4-year budget. (REF:  Court Bushes Budget  v6  19 February 2019 )   

RESOLVED:   

1. (1) The offer of MSDC revenue support grant of £6,200pa for up to three years, to offset business rates is accepted. 
2. (2) The 4-year budget (v6 19 February 2019) is approved.  

1. (3) Minute  CBP18/37.  Community Buildings Website:  Council was asked to approve the new 

Community Buildings website. (REF:  Community Buildings Website – pages 12 February 2019  V1  )  RESOLVED:  The Community Buildings website is approved for launch in March 2019.   

C18/106.7  Hurst Meadows Advisory Board  (21 February 2019)  It was suggested that apple specialist Martin Sadler was invited to the next meeting.   

C18/106.8  Community Affairs – Dementia awareness:  Committee Chairman Steve Whitehead referred to the meeting of 15 November 2018  (Minute CA18/020)  and that he had recently met with local representatives of Dementia Alliance.  The representatives had also visited the Court Bushes building and were keen to start a suitable café there on a regular basis.  The local Rotary group had indicated its support for the project.   

C18/107.  Village Centre:  Reference was made to the decision of Council  at its meeting 13 December 2018  

(Minute C18/083).  It was reported that at its Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 February 2019, the 

Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Association Trust resolved to approve passing the role of trustee to the Parish 

Council as sole trustee (29 for, 1 abstention).  The matter was now subject to validation by the Charities Commission and until that time the current trustees would remain in post.  Council was asked to consider the issues raised in the BRIEFING NOTE and confirm the next steps.  (REF:  BRIEFING NOTE  Village Centre – transfer of trustee   21 February 2019  ) 

RESOLVED:   

1. (1) The decision of the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre Association Trust to transfer the role of trustee to the Parish Council as sole trustee is noted.   
2. (2) The Council accepts the delegation of the operation of the Village Centre, 

Hurstpierpoint, from the trustees, until the date of the final validation of trustee transfer by the Charities Commission (as detailed in BRIEFING NOTE 21 February 2019).   (3)  The Council agrees that, in its capacity as sole trustee of the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre, it will agree with the Gym Club and the Hurstpierpoint Pre-school to confirm the current booking dates and to increase hire rates by CPI only on 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2021.  This arrangement to be effective for three years from 1 April 2019   

(4)  A Village Centre Committee is established comprising 6 Members of Council, with the terms of reference defined (BRIEFING NOTE 21 February 2019)  

C18/108.  Information items, correspondence received and requests:    

(1)  WSCC Velo South  event:  Following the cancellation of the event in 2018 due to bad weather, the County Council had been reviewing matters and agreed that no event would take place in 2019, but consideration was being given for next year.  (REF:  WSCC  Louise Goldsmith  email  18 February 2019)   (2)  MSDC Public Space Protection Order:  (MSDC Press Release   19 February 2019  ) 

1. (3) West Sussex Local Access Forum Annual Report: January 2017 – January 2018   
2. (4) Road naming:  A Member suggested that a future road name is dedicated to the late Cllr Amanda Geel and Council confirmed its support for the matter.   

C18/109.  CONFIDENTIAL Matters:   The Council was asked 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)  Staff matters 

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  9.43 pm.  

  Chairman