Minutes of the Planning Meeting, Annual Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting held Thursday 12th May 2022 at 6.15 pm at Fulking Village Hall. 

Present 

Chairman:                                   Cllr Mark Hind
Fulking Parish Council (FPC):        Cllrs Linda Dyos, Karen Healy, Tom Kardos and Lucy Mehta 

Mid Sussex District Council:           Cllrs Alison Bennett and Rodney Jackson 

West Sussex County Council:          Cllr Joy Dennis
Parish Clerk:                                  Trevor Parsons 

There was one member of the public present who were offered an opportunity to speak.  

The meeting opened at 6.20pm. 

Agenda: Extraordinary Meeting – Planning 

22/036/OM.  Apologies for Absence.        None 

22/037/OM. Declaration of Members’ Interests.      None 

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 

The views of all Councillors were heard, Cllr Kardos commented that the application proposed was a great improvement on the original pre-application. The new pool and pool enclosure will not be visible from the road.  

Councillors had no objection to the proposal and the Extraordinary Meeting closed at 6.50pm 

Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council       Meeting opened at 6.50pm 

22/039/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chairman 

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Cllr Healy proposed that Cllr Mark Hind be elected as Chairman for a further 12 months, seconded by Cllr Dyos. Councillors unanimously in favour. 

Meeting closed at 7.00pm 

Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting 

22/040/APM Apologies for Absence        None 

22/041/APM Approval of minutes APM 05/05/2021 

The minutes of the 5th May 2021 Annual Parish Meeting were unanimously accepted as a true record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes accordingly. 

22/042/APM   Chairman’s report 

The Chairman advised that a number of initiatives were undertaken in the last year and included: 

Village Hall: Discussions were underway to buy Fulking Village Hall from the Church. Following advice received from “Action in Rural Sussex and England” a Charitable Incorporated Organisation has been set up to act as a vehicle to raise funds and eventually to own the hall once negotiations have been concluded with the Church. This continues to be a lengthy process with many legal and fund raising issues to be resolved. 

Information board: With joint funding from South Downs National Park an information board explaining the design and implementation of the Fulking RAM pump and water system by John Ruskin and others has been installed adjacent to the stream. 

Maintenance and repairs: A number of repairs were undertaken in the children’s playground to keep it up to the required safety standards. The finger post and lamppost in Clappers Lane which were damaged by vehicles have been replaced. 

Operation Watershed: Funds have been received from West Sussex County Council for drainage improvements in the village and we are awaiting a start date from the contractors. 

22/043/APM    Reports from District & County Councillors 

Cllr Alison Bennett (MSDC) reported: 

There is a children’s bench design competition in progress for the Platinum Jubilee with the winning design being created and installed in Haywards Heath. 

The Sustainable Economy document is being drafted looking more at the need of nature rather than just carbon reductions. Natural capital mapping for the whole district is being undertaken to assist with the report.   

The District Plan has been paused temporarily but it will need to be completed at some point. 

School places is still a live issue to ensure Downland Villages continue to allocations at Downlands School in Hassocks. 

Cllr Rodney Jackson (MSDC) reported: 

The Council Tax refund of £150 is underway for housed rated A – D. for those who pay by direct debit, this will be refunded automatically, anyone paying by other methods will need to apply for the refund. 

The long term vision for Clair Hall is still under review. 

A Centre for Outdoor Sports will be established within the Northern Arc development. MSDC will need to apply for additional grants as the CIL monies being received will not cover the cost of the project. 

Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) reported: 

Dementia Week – there is a high proportion of the older generation with dementia in the County and this percentage is likely to increase. Because of Covid-19, less people have visited the doctor and therefore been diagnosed. WSCC urged everyone to support the elderly and receive the support they need.  

Refugees – There are a large number of refugees in Sussex due to the previous Afghan crisis, having Gatwick in the County and now Ukraine friends & family initiative. At Gatwick, WSCC have staff there 24 hours a day to help and support Ukraine host families. 

Death on Saddlescombe Road – Cllr Dennis reminded the meeting of safely courses available to the public. WSCC are reviewing road signage and safety on all the county’s A & B roads 

Velocity Patches – Pot holes remain a big issue, WSCC have established velocity Patches for fixing multiple pot holes in the same area. Cllr Hind thanked Cllr Dennis for the patch repairs at Ladybrook Spring prior to the major road repairs there later in the year. 

Climate Change – WSCC are on track to be carbon neutral by 2030. 

22/044/APM.   To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2022. 

The Internal Auditor Report was reviewed by Councillors who approved the report unanimously.  

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. 

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2022 was reviewed by Councillors who unanimously accepted the report as a true record of the accounts. 

22/046/APM.   Date of next meeting 

The Annual Meeting date will be provisionally set as Thursday 4th May 2023. 

Meeting closed at 8.00pm 

Refreshments.   The public and press are cordially invited to attend. 

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council held on Thursday 13th October 2022 at Fulking Village Hall. 

Present 

Chairman:                   Cllr Mark Hind 

Fulking Parish Council:         Cllrs Linda Dyos, Karen Healy, Lucy Mehta &  Tom Kardos 

Mid Sussex District Council: Cllr Alison Bennett 

Parish Clerk:                   Trevor Parsons 

There were eight members of the public present. 

The meeting started at 7.30pm where the Chairman invited members of the public to speak. The main concern raised was the increase in power cuts. 

Action: Cllr Healy offered to contact UKPN to understand why there are a greater number of power cuts.   

22/062/OM. – Apologies for Absence. 

Apologies were received from Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) and Cllrs Colin Trumble & Rodney Jackson (MSDC) all busy with County & District matters. 

22/063/OM. – Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

No declarations received. 

22/064/OM. – Approve the Minutes* of the Ordinary Meeting of 7thth July 2022  

The minutes were unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting. 

22/065/OM. – Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions:  To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.  

• Operation Watershed works have started in Clappers Lane which will improve drainage of rainwaters significantly. Work on ditch clearance in Edburton Road will start Monday 17th October. The works should be completed by Friday 21st October. 
• New signage has now been installed both ends of Clappers Lane to alert drivers of a narrow road in an attempt to reduce vehicle speeds along the road.

22/066/OM. – Reports from District and County Councillors. 

Cllr Alison Bennett (MSDC) reported: 

1. A new Winter Support Guide has been published as an aid to residents of where to obtain assistance. 

Action: Cllr Bennett to send the guide to the Clerk in PDF format.  

2. MSDC has submitted a “levelling Up” grant bid for £18.5m to assist in the regeneration of Burgess Hill town centre. 

3. There is a County & District Investment Zone bid to stimulate growth for Burgess Hill town centre and the Science Tech Park.  

4. The latest District Plan Review has been submitted for scrutiny which includes 2000 homes in Albourne / Sayers Common Parish. 

22/067/OM. – Market Garden, Conifers & Small Acres Update 

Councillors reported mobile homes and caravans have been installed without permission in Small Acres. Other than a Temporary Stop Notice issues by SDNPA, no other proactive action appears to have been taken by the Authority.  

The owners of Small Acres have submitted a retrospective planning application and the Parish Council have already submitted Consultee Comments opposing the application from the Planning meeting of 5th October 2022. 

22/068/OM. – Antisocial behaviour MSDC & Police support 

The Chairman reported that two meetings had been held with MSDC and the Police but matters are slow at moving forward. Regrettably the Police have offered little community support so far. FPC is looking to set up a meeting with ASB Team and victims as soon as possible. 

Action: Cllr Alison Bennett offered to contact Mandy and the ASB Team at MSDC to move actions forwards. 

22/069/OM. – Ladybrook Spring & drainage clearance 

The Chairman reported that WSCC have committed to a more permanent repair to the road however WSCC have yet to provide a timescale as to when the works will be completed.  

22/070/OM. – Pop Up Camping 

Annie Brown of BD Harris Farm approached Cllr Kardos and the Parish Council to create an agenda item for the farm to share an update on their strategy and business direction following an issue in the summer where a small number of neighbours had raised concern that the location of a pop-up camp site was too close to their homes and intruded on their privacy.  

The Chairman clarified the legal position that under the so-called 28-day rule, anyone with sufficient space and facilities in a suitable location can open up a campsite for 28 days without requiring planning permission. The facilities required are water and toilets, though these can be temporary and / or mobile. 

Annie Brown spoke on behalf of the farm and immediately apologised to the residents for not communicating their plans for this temporary on farm diversification venture, and for any distress caused. She said the idea for the pop-up campsite was conceived after the Open Farm Day to provide more people with an opportunity to visit the countryside and visit the National Park. Annie told the meeting that after costs there was little profit to be gained from the venture. Following some complaints from neighbours, the pop-up camping venture was shut down.  

The Chairman congratulated Annie and David on the success of the Open Farm Day and confirmed that the Parish Council was supportive of initiatives to encourage people to enjoy Fulking and The South Downs National Park. A number of residents expressed their opinions regarding the pop-up campsite including the suggestion that it be moved to the field containing the Shepherds Huts. 

David Ellin (the farm manager) then told the meeting of the raft of anti-social activity the farm faces every day including regular co-ordinated vandalism of the fences at Truleigh Hill where vandals acting in the name of “right to roam” were cutting through wire fencing to walk wherever they liked. David advised that this action creates a serious health risk to livestock and creating unnecessary additional work for the farmworkers.  

It was agreed to continue to build on the good relations that the Parish and the local farmer have cultivated over the years, and to keep an open dialogue for the benefit of all residents and businesses in the Parish. 

22/071/OM. – ROSPA report & Playground Maintenance 

FPC maintain the playground in North Town Field. Councillors inspect the equipment twice monthly. A recent inspection has identified the need for repairs to the steel frame and other items raised by the RoSPA audit. An initial quote for £6,000 plus VAT was received and Councillors asked the Clerk to request additional quotes to ensure best value can be obtained. 

ACTION: Clerk & Cllr Kardos to obtain additional quotes  

22/072/OM. – Village Hall Update 

The Chairman informed the meeting that discussions between the Council, the Fulking Village Hall CIO and the Church were ongoing and slow progress was being made.  

22/073/OM. – Waste Water Treatment building works 

The existing Treatment works were built in the 1950s. Southern Water are about to embark on a 17-month project to update the wastewater and sewage processing facility for the village. Cllr Dyos advised that she and many villagers are unhappy with the lack of communication and that no-one appears to have been notified of the plans for the upgrade. 

ACTION: Clerk to make contact with the works manager to provide a line of communication between Southern Water and the Parish. 

 22/074/OM. – Fulking Parish Council Budget 2023/2024.  

The current precept stands at £10,080 from MDSC. Budget plans for 2023-2024 are being compiled and it is clear that with rising inflation our maintenance costs will be higher next year. Consensus of councillors was that a rise in precept nearer 10% should be requested to ensure the Council continues to balance its commitments with income received. 

22/075/OM. – Reports from Outside Bodies. 

None 

22/076/OM. – Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

None 

22/077/OM. – Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

The Clerk reported that an email had been received from Barclays Bank for information regarding the Council bank account. This is a national review from all banks to all non-personal bank account holders. 

ACTION: Clerk to complete and return the review to Barclays Bank. 

22/078/OM. – Financial Matters: To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

The Clerk provided information to Councillors confirming the current account balance at Barclays was £10,970.13 at the end of September 2022 and that £38,122.39 was held in deposit account of which £25,957.80 is set aside for Operation Watershed.  

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 12th January 2023 

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Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council held on Thursday 7th July 2022 at Fulking Village Hall. 

Present 

Chairman: Cllr Mark Hind 

Fulking Parish Council: Cllr Linda Dyos, Cllr Karen Healy and Cllr Tom Kardos 

West Sussex County Council: Cllr Joy Dennis 

Mid Sussex District Council: Cllrs Colin Trumble, Alison Bennett and Rodney Jackson 

Parish Clerk: Trevor Parsons 

There was one member of the public present. 

The meeting started at 7.30pm. 

22/047/OM.            Apologies for Absence.

Received from Cllr Mehta and Gary Marsh who both have Covid. 

22/048/OM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

No declarations received. 

22/049/OM.            Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 7th April 2022.  

The minutes, subject to any amendments, to be approved and signed as a true record of the meeting 

22/050/OM.            Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.  

1) Speed Indicator Device 

The Clerk advised the meeting that he had received a quotation from Stocksigns for £173.39 plus VAT for two single track road warning signs for Clappers Lane. Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) confirmed that these signs could be installed as they are information signs only. 

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of purchasing the signs which will hopefully result in users of Clappers Lane to drive more carefully. 

ACTION: Clerk to order new signage. 

2) Market Gardens & Conifers 

The noise of dogs barking and the possibility of unlicenced dog breeding continues. Cllr Trumble (MSDC) said he understood the problem however advised the meeting that without specific evidence MSDC cannot take any further action.    

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the increasing levels of unsocial behaviour in the village. Cllr Trumble advised the meeting that MSDC has a liaison officer called Mandy Cunningham who may be able to offer general advice and support.  

Cllr Dennis advised the meeting that WSCC also have a Liaison Officer who might be able to give us some guidance. 

ACTION: Clerk to arrange a meeting with Parish Councillors and District & County Liaison Officers 

22/051/OM.            Village Hall Update 

Cllr Hind reported at that we are still waiting for the church to formally confirm their agreement to the sale of the village hall for £75,000.  Cllr Hind advised the meeting that the Fulking Village Hall CIO had been formally created, that a bank account was in the process of being opened and that the Expression of Interest in relation to the Community grant scheme had been submitted. We have also been informed that Nigel Kennedy has offered to put on a fund-raising charity concert. 

Action: Cllr Hind to look at ways to regularise the incomes from VHAG, Social Committee and Village Hall revenues. 

22/052/OM.             Asset Inventory and Maintenance 

The Clerk presented councillors with the latest inventory of assets. Presently there is no formal maintenance schedule in place. A reactive stance to repairs is the present policy which seems to work for the most part.  

The annual RoSPA audit of the playground is due later this month. 

22/053/OM.              SDNPA Planning – Gary Marsh 

Sadly Gary could not attend however WSCC and MSDC provided the following reports. 

Cllr Joy Dennis (WSCC) reported 

• Census information for 2021 confirmed that the population in West Sussex had grown by 9.4% in the last 10 years, whereas East Sussex grew by 3.4%. Horsham District saw a 35% increase in over 65’s. 
• The South East Transport and Bus consultations are still ongoing  

Cllr Trumble (MSDC) reported: 

• After four years of deliberations, as part of the District Plan, MSDC has passed its sites allocation for new housing (1093 per year) and has land until 2031.  
• MSDC is reviewing its Ukraine Family Housing Plans following the central government lead refugee housing for 6 –12 months. 

Cllr Hind thanked the County and District Councillors for their reports and requested that Cllr Gary Marsh send the Parish Council a written report regarding MSDC’s position on traveller site provision.  

22/054/OM.             Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

None 

22/055/OM.              Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

None 

22/056/OM.              Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

The Clerk reported to the meeting the latest financial position which is in line with expectations. We are still waiting for Landbuild to make a start on the Operation Watershed funded repairs in Clappers Lane and Edburton Road hence the larger than normal balance in the deposit account. 

22/057/OM.               To set a date for the next Ordinary Meeting in October 2022. 

Provisionally set for Thursday 13th October 2022. 

Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.