Latest News of Local Interest
Artists Open Houses
Poetry, illustration, photography, performance art and screen-based work by a group of autistic and other neurodiverse artists will be on show at Devil’s Dyke Farm from 7th to 29th May under the auspices of the 2022 Artists Open Houses Summer Exhibition.
Annual Parish Meeting
You are cordially invited to:
PLANNING MEETING, ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL & ANNUAL PARISH MEETING on Thursday 12th May 2021 at 6.15pm at Fulking Village Hall.
Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.
Agenda: Extraordinary Meeting – Planning
22/036/OM. Apologies for Absence.
22/037/OM. Declaration of Members’ Interests.
22/038/PM. Planning Application SDNP/22/01880/HOUS.
Location: Four Acres Poynings Road Fulking West Sussex BN5 9NB
Proposal: Extension to existing annexe to create pool and pool enclosure
Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council
22/039/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman
Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting
22/040/APM Apologies for Absence
22/041/APM Approval of minutes APM 05/05/2021
22/042/APM Chairman’s report
22/043/APM Reports from District & County Councillors
22/044/APM. To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2022.
22/045/APM. To consider and agree the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2022 ensuring it accurately presents the financial management of the Council as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
22/046/APM. Date of next meeting
Refreshments. The public and press are cordially invited to attend.
Bobservation No. 92: Migrants and Volunteering
Migrants
It seems to me to be quite ridiculous to make ‘illegal’ entry to the United Kingdom penalised without first attempting to find out what skills the migrant might have. Our nation is plagued by shortages of labour in many fields and workers with skills in the building trade, hospitality sector and agriculture for example could well be found within the ranks of such migrants. They may need training to enable them to fit in with our ways of working and talking but I would think human beings who put themselves to such risks as crossing the Channel in a rubber dinghy show a great sense of determination and courage. Eventually they could become useful tax paying citizens.
Fulking Fair
We seem to be getting along very well with the organisation of the fair on Sunday 24 July but still need helpers. Please give me a shout on 271 or bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com if you have perhaps half a day to give. You will be playing a big part in making the fair possible.
Park & Ride nixed
Brighton & Hove News reports:
The Mill Road park and ride was primarily aimed at people outside Brighton and Hove, especially those living in rural Sussex who don’t have regular bus services and who currently park in the city centre.
On the market
“We are going travelling for 4-6 months and are looking for someone to move into our home from the 1st of July. The resident cat would appreciate you looking after him during your stay. His upkeep costs would be our responsibility.”
Bobservation No. 91: Housing
Rural Housing Support Grants
I understand that the Government is proposing an annual grant of 20% of the rateable value of rural housing for properties with 4 or more bedrooms. This will be the cornerstone of ‘Levelling up’ to ensure that the responsibility of maintaining a large rural property is rewarded. It is not quite clear, as yet, how this will be implemented for billionaires but some sort of compensation for their contribution to society will have to be found to allay public sentiment. Of course, if this comes to fruition it will form a major part of the Conservative manifesto at the next general election. In the event that this will cause a surge in the demand for larger properties, a ‘help to buy’ scheme will be instigated but only for taxpayers in the 40% bracket of Income Tax. (1.4.22)
Bluebells
By the middle/end of April we should have a really good display of bluebells at Furzefield. As it has been in the past 30 years villagers, their families and friends are most welcome to have a walk around. Please take every care to stay on paths and keep children under strict control. Regrettably no dogs. Best if you give us a shout before you come (tel: 271).
Parish Council Meeting
Dear All,
You are cordially invited to the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Thursday 7th April 2022 at 7.30pm to be held at Fulking Village Hall, the meeting will consider the items set out below.
Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk
AGENDA
Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.
22/019/OM. Apologies for Absence.
22/020/OM. Declaration of Members’ Interests.
22/021/OM. Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 13th January 2022
The minutes, subject to any amendments, to be approved and signed as a true record of the meeting.
22/022/OM. Reports from District and County Councillors.
22/023/OM. Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.
1) Clappers Lane Speed Limit Request.
2) Ultrafast Broadband
3) Market Gardens
4) Queens Platinum Jubilee – Green Canopy
22/024/OM. Downlands School Places.
22/025/OM. Ladybrook Spring Update.
22/026/OM. WSCC Road Closures
22/027/OM. Overnight Parking & Rubbish Dumping
22/028/OM. Local By-laws – Parking & North Town Field.
22/029/OM. Village Hall
22/030/OM. Appointment of New Parish Councillor – Tom Kardos
22/031/PM. Planning Application SDNP/22/01214/LDE
Location: Perching Parva Farm Holmbush Lane Woodmancote
Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9TL
Proposal: Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing Use) for the use of an existing building for mixed commercial purposes
22/032/OM. Reports from Outside Bodies.
22/033/OM. Information Items. To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings.
22/034/OM. Correspondence. To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received.
22/035/OM. Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure.
Date of the Annual Meeting is Thursday 12th May 2022.
Next Ordinary Meeting scheduled for Thursday 7th July 2022.
Bobservation No. 90: Social Comment
Fulking Social Committee
It is possible that there are villagers who are either unaware of the Social Committee or of its purpose. It was formed in the late 1990s by Nick & Jill Bremer and since then has raised in excess of £20,000 by fund raising events such as the annual Fulking Fair. This has been mainly expended on support for work in the North Town Field, childrens’ play area and the village hall upkeep. Because these amenities are not owned by the District Council we have to finance their maintenance. The Committee is an independent organisation with a constitution and all decisions are made through the Chair, currently Sally Brownie. Any decisions, financial or otherwise, made are subject to a democratic vote of the members. Whilst suggestions are always appreciated no other body has any control whatsoever over the Committee. All villagers are welcome to join subject to the approval of the existing members.
Auction of Promises
In support of fund raising the Social Committee will be holding an Auction of Promises in the village hall on Saturday 25 June. Final details are still in the hands of a select team of entrepreneurial experts . It would be great if anyone could offer a suitable Promise prize by getting in touch with Sally, Rosemary, Karen or me. The more exciting the better! One thing I can tell you; theatrical celebrity Richard Linford has very kindly agreed to be the auctioneer.
Ukraine
I am sure I am not alone in expressing my horror at the appalling and very unnecessary invasion of Ukraine. It is at times like this that we should all reflect on how fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful village.