HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: All Members of the Grounds & Environment Committee (Kate Bailey, Kristian Berggreen, David Bunting, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Sue Hatton, Angus Neil, Peter Richardson, Alex Simmons, Paul Shepherd and Ian Weir) with copies to all other Councillors for information.
A meeting of the GROUNDS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE will be held on 30 January 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.
Parish Clerk – 23 January 2025
1. TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. TO ACCEPT DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
3. MINUTES. To accept the Minutes of the Grounds and Environment Meeting held on 3 October 2024. (Previously circulated).
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
5. OFFICER’S REPORT. (Appendix 1).
6. ADASTRA PARK – FIELD MAPLE TREE DONATED BY TAYLOR WIMPEY – Members are invited to consider two options for the design, material and wording of a proposed plaque to be installed under the tree. (Appendix 2). To view Appendix 2 please click here.
7. GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
7.1 MEMORIAL TABLETS – The work has now been completed satisfactorily. As the bricks were kindly donated by Parker Building Supplies, Members are asked to consider the purchase of a small metal plaque to be installed by the tablets to acknowledge this gesture. (Appendix 3). To view Appendix 3 please click here.
7.2 PLASTIC MEMORIAL SIGNS – Members are asked to consider the future use of the three temporary signs which are currently by the hedge adjacent to the Garden of Remembrance. (Appendix 4). To view Appendix 4 please click here.
8. ADASTRA PARK MASTERPLAN. Verbal Update (Cllr David Bunting/Parish Clerk).
8.1 ADASTRA PARK – Path Access. (Appendix 5).
8.2 ADASTRA PARK – Drainage Mapping (Appendix 6).
9. 20MPH SPEED LIMIT WORKING GROUP. Verbal Update. New data on Grand Avenue recently received from WSCC. A further meeting to be scheduled.
10. FEES AND CHARGES 2025/26
10.1 BURIAL GROUND. Members are requested to agree the proposed charges for 2025-26. An increase of 1.66% in line with inflation (Sept 24), has been applied. (Appendix 7).
10.2 ADASTRA SPORTS FACILITIES. Members are requested to agree the proposed charges for 2025-26. An increase of 1.66% in line with inflation (Sept 24), has been applied. (Appendix 8).
11. PARKLANDS COPSE – Installation of a water gauge. (Appendix 9). Adur Adaption Project. (Appendix 10).
12. URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING. 13 March 2025 at 7.30pm (*to be confirmed).
Please Note:
All members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council and its Committees. Item 4 – a period of 15 minutes will be set aside for the public statements and questions relating to the published non-confidential business of the Meeting.
It may be necessary to consider particular items in confidential session and where this arises, these items will be considered at the end of the agenda.
FILMING, RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. During this meeting members of the public may film or record the Committee and officers from the public area only, providing it does not disrupt the meeting. The Confidential section of the meeting may not be filmed or recorded. If a member of the public objects to being recorded, the person(s) filming must stop doing so until that member of the public has finished speaking. The use of social media is permitted but members of the public are requested to switch their mobile devices to silent for the duration of the meeting.
Appendix 1
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 5 – Officer Report
The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on (G&E) Matters.
1. ALLOTMENT GATES:
Members had previously set aside a sum of £5000 in Earmarked Reserves to replace the Allotment Gates. Three quotations were obtained which ranged from £3,362.59 to £4,953.24 net all being subject to survey.
The most competitive quote was provided by Knight Fencing Ltd therefore its proposed to award the work to them. Members are asked to note the action being taken.
Any unspent funds from the EMR allocated for these works will be returned to General Reserves.
2. OVERGROWN HEDGES:
Members are asked to note that the procedure for reporting overgrown hedges or foliage in the parish is to report online to West Sussex County Council. Make an enquiry or report a problem with a road or pavement – West Sussex County Council.
3. TREE WORK – Talbot Field. Members are invited to note that some essential safety work was carried out to lift branches from trees which were overhanging into the adjacent lane. The cost of this work was £650 and was expended from the Talbot Field Tree Maintenance fund.
4. PROW – Footpath from Oldlands Mill – Ditchling – The Monday Group are investigating a suitable upgrade to the path.
5. GRANTS – Members are invited to note that thanks have been received from both The Monday Group and the Woodland Flora and Fauna Group for the annual donation made to each by the parish Council. Both groups were very appreciative of the Parish Council’s ongoing support.
6. TENNIS COURTS – The structure of the tennis club fees for 2025-26 is under review. The appropriate introduction of a season ticket system is to be discussed at a future meeting.
Appendix 5
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contacts for this report: Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 8.1 Adastra Park – Path Access
Adastra Park – path access
The entrance path to the park that runs alongside the Adastra Hall has become more prone to waterlogging with pools of water forming after heavy rainfall which impacts on patrons’ access to the newly refurbished ‘Green room’ and other park users accessing the park.
As a result of this patrons have little option other to either paddle through the pooled water or divert onto a sodden park. Either option is not ideal.
Cllr Bunting and Cllr Richardson met recently with a local contractor to discuss potential options that might improve/resolve the current issues.
We have now received details of the proposed options for consideration which are set out below.
Option 1 – Lift and Re-Lay Paving.
The two rows of concrete slabs, for a length of approximately 15 meters would be lifted and laid higher than the surrounding grass areas.
The slabs would be re-laid into a bed of cement to set hard.
The Total Cost for the work In Item 1 would be £1946.00 plus vat
Option 2 – Drainage Pipe
To dig a trench along the grass side of the path, approximately 30cm depth, lay a 60mm perforated land drainpipe encased in 10mm shingle, 50mm away from the surface of the slabs, lay a permeable membrane and then back fill the top 50mm with topsoil & grass seed.
The pipe shall exit in the nearby Rain Garden.
The Total Cost for the work In Item 2 would be £1130.00 plus vat
Appendix 6
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contacts for this report: Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 8.2 Adastra – Drainage
Drainage mapping
1. The Parish Council own Adastra Park and lease a number of buildings located within the park:
2. The leaseholders are responsible for the buildings under the terms of full repairing lease arrangements, and are responsible for any services/defects contained within the footprint of the building, however responsibility for any services outside of the building (e.g. drains etc.) rests with the Parish Council.
3. Adastra Park is private land, therefore if any defects in respect of main foul drains etc. are located outside of the footprint of the building(s), the Council is liable to meet the cost of repairs. It was established last year that they would not be the responsibility of the Water companies.
4. Last year a foul/sewer drain failed in the car park adjoining the sports and social club, resulting in an area of the car park having to be excavated and a section of drain replaced. This section of sewer was primarily made up of a pitch fibre material which tends to degrade over time and eventually fail. In this case a section of drain had collapsed beyond repair.
5. Due to the age range of the buildings on site it’s likely the drainage system(s) will be made up of a combination of materials/connections etc.
6. The Council has undertaken some limited CCTV drainage surveys to establish drain pipe conditions where defects have been reported, however the Council lacks a comprehensive record of all drains linked to the buildings within the park.
7. It would be beneficial to have definitive records of where each building’s drainage goes, which should also include the various buildings downpipes.
8. The Council is therefore proposing to consider commissioning a ‘Drain mapping’ survey to create a definitive record.
9. It will be important to establish whether the various buildings downpipes are connected to either the main drains or soakaways and the condition of any pipework associated with these.
10. This is particularly relevant where buildings have enlarged over the years and the surface area of the roof has increased, so that the Council can ensure that any soakaway remains ‘fit for purpose.’ (E.g. capacity).
11. Members are therefore firstly requested to consider the principal of commissioning a drain mapping survey.
12. A brief outline of what drain mapping entails is set out below, which is different to a drain survey.
Drainage mapping provides exact information about the location of sewers and drains, as well as detailing the water flow direction and flow rates of a wastewater network. Using specialist electromagnetic location technology, it is possible to successfully locate underground drainage, sewage and water piping. You will receive a detailed report of your underground drainage system, including all sewers and drains, shared connections and any damages or breaks in the piping that will need to be repaired.
If Members agree with the principal of commissioning this piece of work, Members should request the Clerk to seek quotations for the work from appropriate service providers, and report back to Council, so that they may consider releasing funds to undertake the work once costs have been established.
Member’s views are sought.
Appendix 7
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 10.1 Burial Ground Fees 2025/26
This purpose of this report is to set out the proposed fees for the Burial Ground.
Burial Ground
| Hassocks Burial Ground
|
Current Fees
April 2024 |
Proposed changes – April 2025
Increase by CPI Increase Sept 23 to Sept 24–1.66% |
| BURIAL AREA | EROB (50yrs)
Non-parishioner – 5 x fee |
EROB (50yrs)
Non-parishioner – 5 x fee |
| A stillborn child, or a person who’s age at the time of death, did not exceed 18 years (Residents and Non-residents) | No Charge | No Charge |
| A person whose age at the time of death exceeded 18 years. | ||
| Purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial
Single or double depth |
£400.00 | £407.00 |
| INTERMENTS | ||
| Single depth – first & only interment
Double plot depth – first interment. |
£182.00
£217.00 |
£220.00* |
| Second interment – coffin | £182.00 | £220.00* |
| Memorials – Burial Area | ||
| For the right to erect a headstone within the burial ground on a grave in Respect of which the exclusive Right of Burial has been granted. | £149.00 | £151.50 |
| For the right to have additional inscription on an existing memorial. | £74.00 | £75.00 |
| CREMATED REMAINS AREA | ||
| A stillborn child, or a person who’s age at the time of death, did not exceed 18 years months (Residents and Non-residents). | No Charge | No Charge |
| A person whose age at the time of death exceeded 18 years: | ||
| SOUTH SECTION Memorial Tablet area
Purchase Exclusive Right of Burial – 50 years Single or Double depth ashes plot |
£250.00 | £255.00 |
| First ashes interment | £128.00 | £130.00 |
| Second ashes interment | £128.00 | £130.00 |
| Memorial – South Cremation Area | ||
| For the right to install a Flat Memorial Tablet | £75.00 | £76.00 |
| For the right to have an additional inscription | £40.00 | £41.00 |
| NORTH SECTION Memorial Wall Area
Purchase Exclusive Right of Burial – 50 years Single depth ashes plot |
£125.00 | £127.00 |
| Single depth ashes interment | £128.00 | £130.00 |
| Memorial – North Cremation Area | ||
| To purchase a plaque on the memorial wall
and permission for an inscription |
£40.00 | £41.00 |
| Other Charges | ||
| Search Fee | £34.00 | £35.00 |
| Replacement, transfer or amendment of Deed of Grant | £57.00 | £58.00 |
Appendix 8
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contact for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 10.2 Adastra Park Fee 2025/26
This purpose of this report is to set out the proposed fees for use of the Adastra Park facilities.
Adastra Park
Sports Facilities Fees and Charges 2025/26.
General Conditions
1. The charges included in this leaflet are effective from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 in relation to the sports facilities operated by Hassocks Parish Council. Summer and Winter season dates are specific to each facility and activity.
2. All hirers must complete an official HPC application form and adhere to the Council’s published Terms and Conditions of Hire prior to the booking period.
3. Payment for the hire of facilities must be made in advance unless otherwise are agreed.
4. Discounted Rates – where a discounted rate (50% of the full rate) is provided, the following conditions apply:
Juniors-to qualify for the discounted rate, facility users must be under the age of 17 at the time of hire. Senior Citizens – to qualify for the discounted rate, facility users must be 60 or over at the time
of hire.
| Full Rate | 1.66% inflation(rounded) | Discounted
Rate |
1.66% inflation | |
| 24/25 | Proposed 2025/26 | 24/25 | Proposed 2025/26 | |
| SPORTS HIRE – SUMMER | ||||
| Cricket Turf Wicket – per use | 55.00 | 55.90 | 27.50 | 27.95 |
| Cricket Turf Wicket – evening rate | 28.90 | 29.40 | n/a | n/a |
| Juniors on Artificial Pitch | n/a | n/a | 14.45 | 14.70 |
| Cricket Net Practice – Per session | 28.90 | 29.40 | 14.45 | 14.70 |
| Water for cricket square will be recharged at cost | ||||
| Stoolball – South Field per use | 27.00 | 27.50 | 13.50 | 13.75 |
| North Field | 6.75 | 6.90 | ||
| Bowls – Club Members | 159.50 | 162.15 | 79.75 | 81.00 |
| Water use will be recharged to the Bowling Club | ||||
| Tennis – Casual Hire per Court (no change, in line with recommendation by Lawn Tennis Association) | 7.00 | 7.00 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| SUMMER PAVILION HIRE | ||||
| Changing Rooms/Toilets/Kitchen/Bar/Storage | 47.00 | 47.75 | ||
| Changing Rooms/Toilets/Kitchen/Storage | 31.70 | 32.30 | 15.85 | 16.15 |
| Toilets/Kitchen/Storage | 15.85 | 16.15 | 7.90 | 8.10 |
| SPORTS HIRE – WINTER | ||||
| Football – per use | 71.10 | 72.30 | ||
| Junior Football on Senior Pitch | 35.55 | 36.15 | ||
| Mini-Pitch | 17.80 | 18.10 | ||
| Training Session (per session) | 18.20 | 18.50 | 9.10 | 9.25 |
| WINTER PAVILION HIRE – SPORTS | 38.70 | 39.40 | 19.35 | 19.70 |
| COMMUNITY CHARGES | ||||
| Community Pavilion Hire (hourly) | 11.70 | 11.90 | ||
| Fitness Training Charges (4 hour session) | 13.10 | 13.30 |
Appendix 9
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 30 January 2025
Contact for this report: Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 11 – Parklands Copse
Parklands Copse – Installation of water gauge.
The Council have recently received an email (set out below) from the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust (OART) seeking permission to place a small water level gauge within the Parklands Copse stream as part of the Adur Adaption Project (see Appendix 10). To view Appendix 10 please click here.
Extract from email – Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust:
I was referred to you by my colleague Alistair Whitby as we recently visited one of the streams at Parklands Copse in Hassocks to assess its suitability for installing water level monitoring equipment.
As we’ve previously discussed I am currently working on a project called the Adur Adaptation Project, which focuses on using nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risk further downstream. In case I haven’t sent this to you previously, I’ve attached a document with more details about the project for your reference.
As part of this initiative, we’re working with the University of Brighton to better understand the volume of water flowing through the streams entering Hassocks. This data will hopefully help us identify the most effective locations for implementing Natural Flood Management aimed at reducing flooding issues in the area.
If possible, we would like to install a small water level gauge in the stream at Parklands Copse. This device would allow us to gather the necessary data and would require periodic checks by the University of Brighton—roughly every few months—to download the information. Similar gauges will be installed on a few other streams leading into Hassocks.
You can find out a bit more about the equipment we will be using here:
https://www.vanwalt.com/equipment/levelscout/
We’re planning to carry out these installations on the 6th of February. Please could you let me know if you’re happy for this installation to go ahead and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tara Dawson
Adur Catchment Officer
Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust
Member’s views are sought as to whether they would support this initiative and approve the installation of the device within the stream. Further details of the device can be accessed via the link incorporated in the email.
See full list of 2024/25 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
30/01/2025
Grounds & Environment Committee
10/02/2025
Planning Committee
See full list of 2024/25 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
The Council Office is located at:
Parish Centre, Adastra Park,
Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8QH.
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Wednesday CLOSED
Friday
10.00 a.m. to 12 noon.
