Hassocks Parish Council

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 10th October 2023

at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors Ian Weir, Sue Hatton, Bill Hatton, Don McBeth, David Bunting,
Paul Shepherd, Kate Bailey, Kristian Berggreen and Robert Brewer.

Parish Clerk: Ian Cumberworth

MINUTES

PC23/73       APOLOGIES Cllr Frances Gaudencio, Carolyn Barton, Peter Richardson,
WSCC – Kirsty Lord  and MSDC – Chris Hobbs

Absent without apologies Alex Simmons and Angus Neil

PC23/74       DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

Disclosure by Councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, and whether the Councillor regards their interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct. – None

PC23/75       MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on the 12th September 2023 were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

PC23/76       PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

PC23/77       MINUTES

 77.1       To note the minutes of Policy Resources & Communications Committee for the 5th September 2023

77.2       To note the minutes for the Grounds & Environment Committee for 21^st September 2023

77.3       To note the minutes of the Planning Committee for the 25th September 2023

77.4        To note the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee for the 28th September 2023

PC23/78     FINANCE

78.1      Members considered the finance reports and the supporting bank statements and reviewed the following payment lists.

The Finance report and payments totalling £74,908.51 (Appendix 1) for the period 1^st August to 31^st August 2023 were considered and APPROVED.

PC23/79     Reports

79.1    County Councillors reports: – Cllr Lord was unable to attend the meeting and sent her apologies and provided a short report for the Clerk to read out.

Policing
‘I spoke with WSCC Community Safety team following the stabbing in Hassocks and they liaised with the Police. The Police upped local patrols and spoke with Downlands following rumours (Untrue) that a student was involved.

Education
Woodlands Meed is now expected to be ready for the school to move in over Christmas holidays and students to start back in the New Year. I am keeping a close eye on this given the delays we have had.

The development of Bedelands School at the Northern Arc in Burgess Hill is to be retendered following a significant increase in costs. This is a new situation and so I am awaiting details of what impact of this will be on secondary school places in the area. Due to Downlands being in Hassocks, I do not expect an impact on Hassocks residents as they will always rank highly on proximity for applications.

Highways
I met on-site with officers today about the poor quality of the new road surface on Keymer Road, as well as general concerns about the quality of the work and increased noise from the surface, there are three areas I am particularly concerned about – two sections of centre line which are uneven (one where pedestrians cross just east of the railway bridge which will be a hazard for motorcyclists and two small potholes in line with the cycle signs which already saw a cyclist hospitalised last year and which have not been fixed before resurfacing. Today was just recording the issues and I am now waiting to see what response I receive.

I have checked when the next drain jetting through the centre of the village and WSCC have confirmed it is expected in late October/Early November for Keymer Road and London Road. They are still developing proposals for further drainage improvements on site after December 2021 works but there is no substantive update to report on this at the moment.

79.2         District Councillor Report (Cllr Sue Hatton/Kristian Berggreen)

Members were advised that MSDC had recently been successful defending a significant application refusal in Albourne where the Planning Inspector found in favour of the District Council and confirmed that Mid Sussex do have a five year land supply in place.

The current District plan review is progressing through the committee processes and its anticipated that the revised draft plan will go back out for Regulation 19 consultation in January 2024 and then later in the year onto the planning inspector for review.

Cllr Weir sought clarification as to whether any progress had been made regarding clarifying various issues in respect of the proposed Hurst Road development near Stonepound. Cllr Hatton indicated they were still awaiting further clarification.

79.3         Police Report – nothing to report other than there seems to be more of presence currently in the park.

79.4         Rail Matters – nothing to report.

79.5        Youth Initiatives – nothing to report.

79.6        Report from Councillors on meetings of outside bodies where the Council is represented –.none

PC23/80    CHAIRMANS REPORT – Cllr Weir provided an update to members on the Working Group to be set up to explore the options of introducing reduced speed limits across the village post the recent discussions at the Grounds  &  Environment Committee meeting. The Chair indicated that the meetings would be clerked by the office and the Council were looking for further volunteers to sit on the group. At present two members have indicated they wished to join this group but further volunteers were being sought. Cllr Bill Hatton and Cllr Kate Bailey indicated they would also like to sit on this group which would bring the Parish representatives up to four.

Cllr Weir reminded members that a meeting was scheduled for later in the week to agree the content of the Councils display at the forthcoming Hassocks on Show event scheduled for the 28^th October 2023. Volunteers would also be welcome to support the Parish on the day of the event.

PC23/81     CLERK’S REPORT

81.1     External Audit Report

The Clerk informed Members that the external auditors have reviewed and signed off the 2022/23 Annual return without amendment.

Members were requested to note the outcome of the completed external auditors report and certificate. Members Noted the report and wished to place their thanks and appreciation to the staff for the positive outcome of the audit.

81.2     Council Vacancy

Members were advised that Cllr Sewell recently resigned therefore a vacancy exists within the Council.

A Notice of vacancy had been published and subject to not receiving 10 signatures calling for an election to fill the vacancy the Council will be permitted to advertise the vacancy and fill via co-option.

Members were informed that the Council is likely to receive confirmation from MSDC later this week as to whether the Council are able to progress filling this vacancy via co-option.

The Clerk indicated that at this point the Council will formally advertise the vacancy. Noted

81.3     Community Highways scheme

The Clerk drew member’s attention to correspondence received via email from WSCC (appendix 3) requesting the Parish Council consider a community highway scheme request to install a dropped pedestrian crossing at the junction of Beacon Hurst and Keymer road.

County were seeking the views of the Parish Council prior to the matter being formerly considered by County in early November.

Members considered the request and all members present were supportive of the proposal therefore members AGREED that the Clerk advise County the Parish supports the proposal.

81.4     Precept

Members were advised that the Council has received the second instalment of precept from MSDC in the sum of £156,151. NOTED

PC23/82     URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN – none.

PC23/83     DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the date of the next Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 14th November 2023 at 7.30pm.