Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council

Held at Fulking Village Hall on Thursday 12^th April 2018 at 7.30pm

Attendance:     
Chairman: Cllr Firth
Fulking Parish Council (FPC): Cllrs Hind, Dyos, Healy & Trist
Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC): Cllr Watts Williams
West Sussex County Council: Cllr Dennis
Locum Clerk: Elizabeth Leggo
Clerk: Trevor Parsons
Members of the public: 5 members of the public were present
 

1. Apologies for Absence.
   None for this meeting.

2. Declaration of Members’ Interests.
   None for this meeting.

3. Approve the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 4th January 2018 and the Planning Meetings of 8th February and 26th March 2018.
   The minutes of all three meetings were approved and signed as true records

4. Reports from District and County Councillors.
   Cllr Joy Dennis was present from West Sussex County Council and gave the following updates:

• That FPC should have received a Public Rights of way (PROW) letter, asking if there is any work that the Council would like done.
• A new Speed Indicating Device has been ordered, following the last one having been stolen. A new rota will soon be drawn up.
• Cllr Dennis has been working with a group of residents in the Parish who have a poor broadband signal, helping them to access the ‘Better Connected’ fund. It is hoped that this can be replicated with other groups.
• The Operation Watershed Fund is available again for 2018/19.
• A further £1.5million has been allocated for pothole repair, and work is underway.
• Fulking is not on the list for road re-surfacing this year.
• Cllr Dennis has attended a presentation by ChaMP, sponsored by Southern Water to improve the quality of the water from aquifers on the South Downs. ChaMP is working with farmers to try to reduce the use of nitrates and phosphates, and to change the time of year that these are used.
• Bus Strategy – there is currently a consultation on rural buses.

Cllr Anthony Watts Williams was present from Mid Sussex District Council and gave the following updates:

• Mid Sussex has an adopted District Plan, covering 2014-31. Housing numbers required are 876 per year until 2023/24, followed by 1070 per year until 2031. This amounts to over 16,000 homes across the District.
• The Council is preparing a new Planning Document to identify new sites. This plan does not include a Mayfield Market Town, and there is no plan for a new settlement. Most of the new homes will be built in the three largest town – Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.
• The Economic Development Strategy will soon be taken to Council. Economic growth is being encouraged in the District, and a science park is being planned along with the provision of a sixth form college. It was noted that excluding sixth forms at St Pauls Catholic College and at schools in East Grinstead, that there is no sixth form in Mid Sussex and that most students travel to Brighton to study.
• Regarding planning, Mid Sussex District Council is currently in negotiation with the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to ensure that the District Council is kept informed if there are any departures from planning applications, for applications for major developments, new dwellings or any gypsy or traveller related sites in the Park. It is hoped that a Ward Councillor will be invited to sit on the SDNPA Planning Committee.
• Poynings Pavilion is undergoing refurbishment, and a Community Café will be set up as a trial. Cllr Watts Williams asked FPC to please show its support of this asset in the community.

Actions:
– Cllr Firth to send a formal response to the PROW letter from WSCC
– A Fulking Parish Councillor to attend a talk by ChaMP
– A member of Fulking Parish Council to complete the consultation on rural buses

5. Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions:

• WSCC have been informed that the agreed HGV sign on Clappers Lane can be erected in due course.
• It is unlikely that FPC will need to step in support the rental of the Village Hall as the Village Hall Action Group and the Parochial Church Council have agreed a plan.
• Operation Watershed – FPC is focussing on alleviation of the flooding at the Southern end of Clappers Lane, on the corner opposite Lower Kents.

6. Planning Matters: 

SDNP/18/01642/FUL – Cannonberries, Poynings Road, Fulking, BN5 9NB
Proposal: Erection of dwelling

The following comments were submitted to the SDNP Planning Authority:

Fulking Parish council considered this application on 12th April 2018

This application is for a new dwelling in countryside outside the defined settlement of Fulking. As such it appears to conflict with the policy C1 of the Mid Sussex Plan (2004), SDNPA Draft Plan policies SD1, SD4 and NPPF relating to sustainable development and exceptional reasons to justify new dwellings.

Councillors expressed concern about the precedent this type of development would set in this location and queried the siting, which could have been ancillary to the main house.

While it was recognised that this design was less intrusive from the northern aspect (than the previous application) it remains highly visible from all aspects and is still detrimental to the to the scenic beauty of this area.   In this respect is appears to contradict a range of policies in the Mid Sussex Plan 2004, the draft SDNP plan and the NPPF in respect of maintaining the landscape and sustainability of this protected area.

Consequently, the Parish Council voted unanimously to OBJECT to this application.

7. Planning Update:

The Chairman presented a summary of recent planning applications, as below:
For the period since January 4^th until 2^th April 2018.

Action: Clerk to look at the Planning Inspectorate Appeals website

8. Parking – Area West of Ladybrook Spring and Road Lines:

Cllr Hind, Vice Chairman, reminded the Council at the last meeting Cllr Dennis agreed to approach SDNP regarding funding availability for the Ladybrook Spring car parking scheme, once Cllr Hind had sent the historic correspondence. Unfortunately due to changes in the Council email system Cllr Hind had been unable to find any historic correspondence other than the minutes of the meeting of 18th January 2017, item 8 which said:

“Following discussions with SDNP they advised that the “Sustainable Communities Fund” is not available for any car parking schemes so no funding is available from them to support the proposed car parking project for the area west of Ladybrook Spring. There is a remote possibility some funds may be available in the future from the “Community Infrastructure Levy”.

Cllr Hind agreed to send a summary of the parking proposal to Cllr Dennis

Cllr Dennis agreed that she will approach SDNP on the behalf of FPC.

Cllr Hind also reported on parking issues around the Shepherd & Dog Pub, reporting that the Council is going to undertake a survey of residents for their views. This survey would go live the next day on 13^th April for four weeks. Residents of the Parish would be asked their preference on three options around the Pub – double yellow lines, single white line or no lines. In addition, the Council is encouraging general feedback.

9. Grit Bins and Winter Road Management Plan:

Residents have given feedback that the levels of grit have reduced significantly this winter. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice Chairman would investigate this and to speak to the local farmer who has offered to transport the grit from the store to the bins.

Actions:
– Chairman & Vice Chairman to look at the Winter Management Plan
– Council to consider a Volunteer Policy
– Clerk to check that the Parish Council insurance covers volunteers
– Consent to be gained from volunteers if their details appear on the website, to comply with GDPR

10. General Data Protection Regulations:

It was noted that legislation comes into force on 25^th May 2018. The Council has made the following changes in preparation:

• Transferred email addresses so councillors no longer use their personal email accounts
• Documents are shared via the cloud SharePoint, which is restricted to FPC and secure
• Councillors have attended courses to understand more
• Satswana has been appointed as the Data Protection Officer (DPO)
• An Impact Assessment is being undertaken
• The Council will adopt: A Document Retention Policy, a Privacy Notice and a General Privacy Notice.

11. Reports from Outside Bodies.

None for this meeting.

12. Information Items and Items for Future Meetings.

• Cllr Trist asked that Operation Watershed regarding Edburton Road could be added to the agenda for the next meeting
• It was suggested that an update be given on the road condition at the entrance to Preston Nomads Cricket Club

Action: Clerk to add these items to the agenda for the next ordinary meeting of FPC

13. Correspondence.

None for this meeting.

14. Financial Matters:

2017/18 Cheques from Barclays current account (50052760 – balance £6,040.40), issued from
1^st January to 31^st March 2018, agreed at Parish Council meeting on 12^th April 2018.

Income for period 1^st January to 31^st March 2018 – Nil

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.39pm

Date of Annual General Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting: Thursday 10th May 2018

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 12th July 2018
Both to be held at Fulking Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Fulking Parish Council

Planning Minutes

Date of Meeting:  26th March 2018

Present: Councillor Miles Firth (chairman), Councillors Karen Healey, Mark Hind and Michael Trist.

Apologies: Councillor Linda Dyos.

One member of the public was present: Trevor Parsons, Clerk to the Council (designate).

Declarations of interest: all councillors present confirmed that they had no interests to declare in the matters to be discussed at the meeting.

The meeting opened at 7.40 pm.

Prior to the meeting, no members of the public had requested to speak.

The following application was discussed.

Planning reference: SDNP/18/01201/HOUS

Downside, Poynings Road, Fulking BN5 9NB

New single storey living room extension to replace existing UPVc conservatory; demolition of existing garage; installation of new timber framed casement windows; first floor extension to rear and reconstruction of existing outdoor swimming pool.

The following points were discussed by the councillors:

1)  There had been one letter of objection lodged on the SDNPA planning portal, from a neighbour of Downside.  Following this, the objector has been in discussion with the applicant, and reached agreement that a window on a new portion of the eastern elevation (which would have overlooked the garden of the objector’s property) would be removed in an amended set of plans.  This new plan has now been submitted on the SDNPA website, and as a result the objector has now lodged a second letter on to the SDNPA portal, stating that he withdraws his original objection and now supports the application.

2)  It appears that the application would produce a more symmetrical appearance to the front (south elevation) of the property, which had been added to in a somewhat piecemeal fashion in the past.

3)  When examined, it would seem that the proposed works would involve a substantial redevelopment of the property.  This comment was added to by the observation that there is a 12% nett increase in total floor area (including the area lost by the demolition of one of the garages) : Existing area = 410 m2 downstairs, 187 m2 upstairs; proposed 389 m2 downstairs, 278 m2 upstairs.

4) There was a discussion regarding construction vehicles, deliveries of materials etc, which could be significant in number.  It was considered that the width of the road (and its verge) at the location of Downside and the ample amount of room on the drive of the property would mitigate most if not all of the effects of this matter.

5) It was agreed that when the proposed works are finished this would improve the view of the property from the road.

The resulting vote on this application was unanimously to support this application.

The meeting closed at 8.10 pm.

A person is qualified if they are a Commonwealth citizen (which includes a British subject) or a citizen of a member state of the European Union, is over 18, and is an elector. In addition, they will be qualified if they have either during the whole of the twelve months before the day on which they are nominated as a candidate, or the day of the election, resided in the locality or within three miles of it or occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises therein or had their principle or only place of work there. Such work need not be paid, but must be substantial; it may even include duties which the candidate was elected to perform before the election by the very same council as that to which they are now seeking election. One effect of these rules is that it is possible to be a member of more than one council.

Local Government Association 1972, s 70
Parker vs Leo (1992) 90 LGR (court of Appeal)

Source: Paul Clayden: Arnold-Baker on Local Council Administration

Minutes of the Fulking Parish Council Planning Meeting

Held in the Village Hall, Fulking on Thursday 8th February 2018 at 6.30pm

Present: Miles Firth (Chairman), Councillors: Linda Dyos, Mark Hind, Karen Healey
Apologies for Absence: Michael Trist.
No members of the public were present
Declarations of interest: None

Meeting opened at 6.30 pm
Prior to the meeting, there were no requests by members of the public to speak.

The following matters were discussed:

Reference: SDNP/18/00218/HOUS
Perching Farm Cottage Perching Manor Farm, Edburton Road, Fulking Brighton, West Sussex BN5 9LR
Conversion of car port to bedroom and farm office

It was noted that:

• The applicants had received advice to reduce the scope a previous application covering the same footprint
• The walls would be ‘timber clad’ and the windows ‘as existing’ in the application form – a more detailed material specification on the drawing would be helpful.
• A design statement was not submitted.

The resulting vote on this application was unanimously NEUTRAL.

The meeting closed at 6:50pm

Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held at 7.30 pm on 4^th January 2018 at the Village Hall, Fulking

Present: Chairman Miles Firth, Councillors Linda Dyos, Mark Hind, Clerk to the Council Derek Blackhall, WSC Councillor Joy Dennis, MSD Councillor John Wilkinson, and 10 members of the public.

Public Participation. There were no issues raised.

The Chairman welcomed everyone; and confirmed Karen Healy had accepted co-option to the Parish Council.

Apologies: MSD Councillors Colin Trumble and Anthony Watts Williams, Michael Trist, Karen Healy.

Please will all Councillors or district/county council representatives ensure that they notify the Clerk of any possible non-attendance, ideally 24hrs before the meeting.

Declarations of Interest: Miles Firth declared an interest in the Barn Cottage planning application and would abstain from any involvement in the debate.

1. The minutes of the previous meetings held on 12^th October & 12^th December, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.

2. Reports from District and County councillors:

WSCC matters

-it was confirmed the Parish would pay for the replacement HGV sign if it went ahead
-Joy would speak with Miles offline regarding outstanding broadband matters Action Joy
-Joy confirmed there would be an Operation Watershed budget in 2018/19
-Joy will follow up with Richard Speller the advice he has been asked for in respect of Clappers Lane Action Joy
-Joy confirmed replacement SID equipment was being purchased to replace the stolen items
-Albourne are offering free defibrillator training
-the mobile telephone signal is still poor, but a new mast is planned in the North of the region which may improve the signal in Fulking
-Joy is part of a task & finish group regarding buses and happy to take any feedback.

MSDC matters
The District Neighbourhood Plan is nearing completion; it now contains an additional 500 houses in Hassocks, there is a half-day hearing with the inspector on 5^th February. The five-year housing supply now exists, but none yet exists for years 2024 onwards; this could be a big issue as Mayfield Homes sites must be considered in consequence.
The MSDC 2018/19 budget increase was 3.8% higher than the previous year

3. Planning Applications:

3.1 SDNP/17/06019/FUL
Location: Land at Cannonberries Poynings Road Fulking Henfield West Sussex BN5 9NB Proposal: Erection of dwelling.

It was noted this is a substantial, inappropriate development on a green field site and that the surrounding properties are all bungalows.
It appears to contradict the SDNPA policy for no additional buildings in this area; and there are issues in respect of both MSDC and SDNPA planning policies.
A further concern relates to setting a precedent as there are no plans for extending the village in that direction.
The Parish Council voted to object to this application.

3.2 SDNP/17/06007/FUL
Location: Barn Cottage Poynings Road Fulking BN5 9NB Proposal: Extension to and re-modelling of existing house.

It was noted the previous application was much bigger, and was withdrawn.
The current application shows the roof height to be higher than the existing property, and has a slightly bigger footprint; however, it was accepted there needs to be some reasonable applications for property extensions allowed in the village.
The resulting vote was NEUTRAL.

4. Matters Arising:

4.1 Clappers Lane Unsuitable for HGVs sign-There is an outstanding issue to be resolved regarding the actual siting of the sign.

4.2 Proposed parking measures West of Lady Brook Spring-Joy Dennis agreed to approach the SDNPA regarding possible funding availability with Mark after he has supplied the historic correspondence; but stated that the current proposal includes very expensive materials Action Mark/Joy.

5. Highways

Gullies/Drains
As usual, any problems/blockages must be reported to
http://love.westsussex.gov.uk/Reports or 01243 642105. Please pass info to the PC for its records.
The Parish Council must be informed of highways/flooding issues for them to follow up; please send incident numbers to the Parish Clerk. Richard Speller has an interest here.
 

6. Other matters.

6.1 Yellow Lines-There is to be a paper written for the next meeting explaining the 3 options (do nothing/white lines/yellow lines) and a discussion with a view to making a final decision. Action Mark/WSCC Highways.

The meeting was suspended at 8.35 to hear a comment from the audience, then reopened at 8.40.

6.2 village hall status-It was noted there are ongoing local discussions and a need to find the definition of the term ’safeguarding’. Action Miles
6.3 FOI/Transparency Issues-There are known privacy/email/cloud issues coming up this year. Miles is attending a course for clarification.
6.4 Operation Watershed update-the invoice has been paid; further funds were needed when justified by application to WSCC. Action Miles

The meeting was suspended at 8.50 to hear (an unrelated) further comment from the audience, then reopened at 8.53.

6.5 The clerk’s resignation-The Chairman reported that the clerk had decided to resign, received and accepted the resignation letter, and thanked him for the valued work undertaken since his appointment in early 2015.

7. Financial matters

7.1 The following cheques have been processed since the last PC meeting

NB Advance email acceptance must be obtained from the Parish Clerk in all cases before using an emergency cheque in order to ensure full financial compliance whilst ensuring as far as possible suppliers are paid in the month the invoice is received-this meets SSALC best practice advice.

7.2 The current cheque list and stubs, and the quarterly bank reconciliations were approved; and the income and expenditure to date were noted.

7.3 2018/19 Precept. The Parish Council approved the Clerk’s paper noted the amount of £8,696 (a 2% year on year increase) will now be notified to MSDC in accordance with their submission timetable. Action Derek.

Meeting closed at 9.06pm.

Signed…………………………                      Date…………….  Minute 20/2017