Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council held on Thursday 7th April 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 

Parish Clerk: Trevor Parsons 

There were three members of the public present. 

The meeting opened at 7.30pm 

22/019/OM.            Apologies for Absence. 

Apologies were received from Cllr Lucy Mehta (FPC) and Cllrs Trumble, Bennett & Jackson (MSDC) 

22/020/OM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

No declarations were received. 

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. 

The minutes of the meeting were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. All Councillors in Favour. 

22/022/OM.            Reports from District and County Councillors.   

Cllr Joy Dennis reported on WSCC climate change and net zero policies including: 

• Rampion 2 is ongoing to increase off-shore wind energy capability. The new cable will run underground from Clymping to Bolney substation.  
• Shoreham Port is now producing clean hydrogen for use on Crawley buses 
• WSCC have some solar panel farms in place 

• Most primary schools have solar or air source installed. 
• YES Solar still have grants available from WSCC for residential properties. 

Cllr Dennis advised that oil extraction on a small scale has been happening in the county for the last 50 years. 

Cllr Dennis report WSCC response to ash dieback. The Council is concentrating on trees near A Roads and B Roads and it is estimated that around 20,000 trees need to be felled. WSCC is working with landowners who have ash trees on their land next to a stretch of road where WSCC trees are being felled, to reduce landowners tree-felling costs wherever possible. 

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. 

Following on from item 22/009/OM in January 2022 meeting the Clerk applied for a TRO to reduce the speed limit on the whole of Clappers Lane to 30mph. In an email dated 16th March 2022 Nick De Sousa, Assistant Highway Manager at WSCC wrote to FPC to advise that as the Police have no record of communications from Fulking / Poynings residents regarding speeding issues the TRO request has been declined. 

Cllr Joy Dennis advised the meeting that a Speed Policy Consultation will be reporting to WSCC by September 2022 with a decision on “Quieter Ways”, which would include roads like Clappers Lane, will be made by December 2022. If the decision is positive, Fulking Parish Council will apply for a reduced speed limit for Clappers Lane thereafter.   

2) Ultrafast Broadband    

Following on from item 22/010/OM in January 2022, OpenReach extended the deadline for eligible houses to apply for Full Fibre Broadband. The DCMS verification process reduced uptake to under 100% of our target however Colin Warburton now advises that 106% has been reached. There appears to be an issue that not all homes who have pledged for Full Fibre have received an email from DCMS to validate their vouchers. We have asked Cllr Dennis if she can provide us with a list of homes which have pledged but not yet validated their application to ensure they have received the validation email from DCMS.  

3) Market Gardens / Conifers 

The Chairman received an update from Cllr Trumble prior to the meeting to advise that MSDC have not progressed the matter. Unfortunately for residents the dog barking issue remains as bad as ever. 

ACTION: Cllr Hind to contact Cllr Trumble to get a further update on progress.  

4) Queens Platinum Jubilee – Green Canopy 

Cllr Hind reported to the meeting that a Red Windsor tree (also known as “Sweet Lilibet” had been purchased by the Council and it has been planted in North Town Field.    

5) Tony Brooks Memorial 

Cllr Dyos presented the option of a small plaque to be put up in the village hall. Councillors thought this was a good idea and Cllr Dyos will find out sizes and prices for the next meeting.         

22/024/OM.            Downlands School Places.   

Cllr Dennis reported to the meeting that, following an appeal, that all applications from Fulking parents for their children to attend Downlands School in Hassocks had been accepted for September 2022. Cllr Dennis advised that Downlands is always over-subscribed and that she and the County Councillor for Hassocks are scheduling a meeting with the head teacher to discuss the matter further with a view to ensuring the Downland villagers continue to have access to the school. Cllr Hind requested that WSCC formally prioritises places for residents of Fulking and other downland villages due to the transport difficulties they face. 

The new secondary school in Northern Arch, Burgess Hill is due to be completed by end of 2024 which will ease pressure on Downlands.  

22/025/OM.         Ladybrook Spring Update. 

Cllr Hind reported that WSCC have just confirmed approval capital expenditure in this year’s budget to undertake permanent repairs and also that the drainage pipe had been cleared recently as a temporary measure. 

22/026/OM.            WSCC Road Closures 

Fulking, Edburton and Poynings villages are enduring a “Storm of Closures” partly due to a long term project with Balfour Beatty to install ducting in the road for a highway of superfast broadband. The issue is made far worst when the differing agencies close two roads at the same time. Cllr Dennis advised the meeting that she has spoken to the traffic management team to request that no two roads are closed at the same time in the future.   

22/027/OM.            Overnight Parking & Rubbish Dumping 

Cllr Hind outlined the concerns of camper vans parking overnight in laybys in the village. The issue is the rubbish which is then dumped when they leave. Cllr Dennis advised the meeting that rubbish is a MSDC matter and that if a “No Overnight Parking” sign was wanted then the Council would need to apply to WSCC Highways for a Traffic Regulation Order. Unfortunately the Council’s experience of the WSCC TRO process is very poor., Councillors decided to review this ongoing situation.  

22/028/OM.            Local By-laws – Parking & North Town Field. 

Cllr Hind raised the matter of dog fouling in the North Town Field field, despite there being a proper dog waste bin. Cllr Hind advised that Poynings recreation area has MSDC signs showing a £1,000 fine for fouling. The Councillors agreed to investigate further with MDSC. 

ACTION: Cllr Hind to investigate with MSDC. 

22/029/OM.            Village Hall 

Cllr Hind reported that five trustees have come forward and progress on establishing a FULKING VILLAGE HALL Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is underway with Charities Commission.  

22/030/OM.            Appointment of New Parish Councillor – Tom Kardos  

Tom Kardos has put himself forward to be co-opted onto Fulking Parish Council. Cllr Hind has already briefed Tom as to the challenges Fulking Parish Council faces. 

Cllr Hind proposed Tom Kardos be co-opted on to Fulking Parish Council, seconded by Cllr Healy. 

Unanimously IN FAVOUR. Cllr Hind welcomed Tom aboard.  

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  

The application has not made clear what the current class of use the building is going from / to. Ie is it agriculture? We understand from SDNPA that the building is empty. Fulking Parish councillors voted unanimously AGAINST the proposal.  

22/032/OM.              Reports from Outside Bodies. 

None 

22/033/OM.             Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

None. 

22/034/OM.              Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

A quote has been received from Tony Steer to replace the timber from the broken village sign on Edburton Road. To repair and replace the sign will cost £805. Councillors voted unanimously in favour. Clerk to contact Tony Steer to move the matter forward.  

22/035/OM.              Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

Cllr Hind raise a concern that Council Tax bills evidence an increase in Fulking Parish Council precept by 6.3% despite only applying for an increase of 5%. MDSC advised by email that the increase is calculated on the Band D charge and is higher than 5% because of the decrease in the tax base. Cllr Kardos advised the meeting that he has a clear explanation which he will share on email. 

Cllr Hind raise the matter of Clerk’s Pay Award and advised the meeting that the Clerks pay has increased by 1.8% in relation to 2021/2022 financial year meaning there is back pay to be paid. 

Cllr Hind advised the meeting that he will be speaking to Trevor Leggo CEO of WSALC to establish whether there are rules relating to the increasing of the pay band from the current level 20 band.  

Date of the Annual Meeting is Thursday 12th May 2022.  

Next Ordinary Meeting scheduled for Thursday 7th July 2022.   

Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting Fulking Parish Council held Thursday 13th January 2022 at 7.30pm held at Fulking Village Hall. 

Present 

Chairman:                                      Cllr Mark Hind 

Fulking Parish Council (FPC):         Cllrs Linda Dyos, Karen Healy and Lucy Mehta 

West Sussex County Council:         Cllr Joy Dennis 

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

Parish Clerk:                                 Trevor Parsons 

There were six members of the public present who raised the following: 

(I) Fulking Fair to be held on Sunday 24th July 2022 

(ii) Raising awareness of the Alternative Energy conversations being held by villagers 

(iii) Contractors acting for WSCC are not removing all the temporary traffic signs once the works have been completed which is causing confusion. 

The meeting opened at 7.30pm. 

22/001/OM.            Apologies for Absence. 

Everyone present – no apologies required 

22/002/OM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

No members interests declared prior to the meeting.  

22/003/OM.            Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 8th October 2021 and extraordinary meetings 30th November 2021 and 16th December 2021. 

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

The minutes of the meetings were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. All Councillors in favour. 

22/004/OM.            Reports from District and County Councillors.   

Councillor Dennis (WSCC) reported that budget planning for 2022/2023 were in progress at County level   

Councillor Jackson (MSDC) reported that there was a drop income levels at District level particularly from the leisure centres being closed for a considerable time. Similarly, car parking revenues are also down. District has agreed to use £554k from reserves to reduce the deficit and in addition raise Council Tax by £4.95 per month per household being a 2.8% increase. 

Councillor Jackson reminded the meeting that businesses in the leisure and tourism sectors could apply for government grants. 

Councillor Bennett (MDSC) reported that the District Plan is still being scrutinised in relation to the potential 7,000 new homes which will be required before 2038. Hurstpierpoint, Sayers Common and Albourne may well take the brunt of the increases. 

Councillor Bennett also advised that officers are now qualified to apply fixed penalty notices for fly tipping. 

Councillor Trumble (MSDC) spoke regarding the District Plan informing the meeting that 57% of MDSC land was constrained land (AONB or National Park). This means all new housing is built within the remaining 43% of the district.  

22/005/OM.            2022 – 2023 Precept 

Following the finance review of Parish income and expenditure held in December 2021 where the Clerk laid out a budget of spending for 2022/2023 an increase in precept of 5% would be required to balance revenue against spending. 

According Cllr Hind proposed an increase of 5% raising annual precept from £9,600 to £10,080. Seconded by Cllr Healy. Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the increase. 

ACTION: Clerk to wite to Mid Sussex District Council to request a precept of £10,080. 

22/006/OM.            Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting. 

Market Garden – Dogs Barking  

Cllr Trumble (MSDC) reported that Environmental Health had visited the site and initially concluded that there was no evidence of breeding at Market Gardens. However, following additional information provided by retired WSCC Councillor David Barling regarding the sale of puppies from adjacent premises, Cllr Trumble advised that he was going to ask the Investigation Office at MSDC to undertake further work. Cllr Marsh advised it was a requirement for premises operating commercial kennels to have the appropriate licences. 

22/007/OM.            MSDC and SDNP representative – Councillor Gary Marsh 

Cllr Marsh is the MSDC representative on the South Downs National Park planning committee. 

Concerns were raised with Cllr Marsh that Consultee Comments made by Fulking Parish Council in planning applications were frequently ignored by SDNPA and Councillors were therefore very dissatisfied with the performance of the planning team within SDNPA. 

An application from last year where SDNPA totally ignored Council representations regarding the negative impact of on-street parking in The Street was given as an example 

In response to a question on G&T sites, Cllr Marsh advised that following the recent assessment of needs undertaken by MSDC (which included Fulking as agreed with SDNPA) there will be no unmet need within the next five years. Post 2028 there may be a need but MSDC will have G&T spaces available to meet any anticipated need identified within Fulking, through the implementation of the District Plan. 

22/008/OM         Ladybrook Spring    

Cllr Hind expressed his thanks to WSCC Highways for recently filling holes by the roadside caused by water runoff and parking cars on Edburton Road and for placing the “ICE” warning signs adjacent to Ladybrook Spring. A capital request for remediation works to Ladybrook Spring has been put forward by Richard Speller Area Highways Manager who visited the site with colleagues. Cllr Hind asked for and received confirmation from Cllr Dennis that she would be supporting this proposal.   

22/009/OM         Clappers Lane Speed Limit request 

Following a concern raised by a member of the public at the October 2021 meeting who noted that the national speed limit of 60 mph applies to this narrow road, the Clerk wrote to all villagers to gauge opinion on the matter. In excess of 40 villagers replied to the Clerk supporting the proposal to reduce the speed limit for the whole of Clappers Lane to be 30 mph. 

Cllr Dennis advised that a proposal to allow lower speed limits, such as 20 mph on rural lanes, is currently being discussed within WSCC. Councillors debated the issue and unanimously agreed in the meantime to apply to WSCC for a TRO to apply a 30mph restriction to the whole of Clappers Lane. 

ACTION: Clerk to apply to WSCC for TRO in line with Councillors decision  

22/010/OM.         Ultrafast Broadband 

Fulking Parish Council, in conjunction with Poynings, has recently been successful in its application for government grants to enable OpenReach to provide Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband to houses in the centre of the village. This amounts to 95 homes in Fulking. The process begins with eligible houses within the scheme applying for vouchers to the value of £4,000 each. Providing enough residents apply for vouchers to cover the cost of delivering Ultrafast, this will be done. Residents applying for vouchers will be required to upgrade their existing broadband to an ultrafast package with a provider of their choice for at least 12 months. 

The Clerk and Chairman have hand-delivered invitations to apply for vouchers to all 95 houses in the scheme and will follow up further communication as the closing date of 25th February approaches. 

22/011/OM.            Village Hall 

A public meeting was held at the village hall on Saturday 4th December 2021 where Cllr Hind presented a proposal to form a Village Hall Trust to purchase the land and village hall, on behalf of the community, from the Church of England at a cost of £75,000. Reverend Tim Harford represented the Church at the meeting.  

Cllr Hind was aware that some residents have challenged the legitimacy of the Church’s ownership but informed the meeting that Fulking Parish Council had taken legal advice. The advice was received that the Church’s ownership, as recorded at Land Registry, was undoubted and “beyond challenge”. 

At the public meeting following a lengthy question and answer session with Cllr Hind and Rev Harford attendees voted 20 in favour of the proposal and 5 against.  

An online TEAMS meeting to discuss the terms of reference for the fundraising team will be held on Tuesday 18th January 2022 to move matters forward.  

22/012/OM.         Queens Platinum Jubilee – Green Canopy 

Cllr Hind informed the meeting of the green canopy initiative with all councils across the UK being encouraged to plant trees in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Fulking Parish Council does not own any land therefore it was agreed to approach North Town Field Trust to see if a tree could be planted on this land.  

ACTION: Clerk to write to NTF to see if this can be done. 

22/013/OM.         To discuss a suitable memory to Tony Brooks. 

Tony Brooks was a former Councillor and Chairman at Fulking Parish Council who sadly passed away in December 2021. He made an outstanding contribution to the community whilst he lived in the village. A discussion was held over whether to and how to record his contribution. A number of options including a memorial plaque at the Ladybrook spring were discussed although Councillors were undecided on the best way forward. and decided to consider the matter further later into 2022.This item to be re-considered at the next meeting 

ACTION: Cllr Dyos to investigate production and cost of a memorial plaque. 

22/014/OM.             Reports from Outside Bodies. 

None   

22/015/OM.             Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

Alternative renewable energy options to be added to the April 2022 agenda. 

22/016/OM.              Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

The Clerk received an email from Andrew Griffith MP office advising that the Community Grant Scheme will re-open to May 2022. A grant will be applied for in respect of the purchase of the village hall.  

22/017/OM.              Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

The current cashbook of income and expenditure was sent to Councillors prior to the meeting confirming a balance of £4,619.42 was held in the current account and £40,000 held on instant access deposit due to the receipt of the Operation Watershed grant. These works will be carried out in the next three months. 

22/018/OM.               To set a date of Annual General Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting:  

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 7th April 2022 

Date of the AGM to be Thursday 12th May 2022. 

ACTION: Clerk to set up meetings and invite Councillors via “Office” 

Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of Fulking Parish Council (FPC) held on Tuesday 30th November 2021 at 7pm via Zoom. 

Present: Councillors Mark Hind, (Chairman), Linda Dyos, Karen Healy, Lucy Mehta and Trevor Parsons (Clerk) 

The meeting opened at 19:02 

Members of the public were invited to attend the virtual meeting however there were no members of the public in attendance. 

21/089/PM.          Apologies for Absence. – All Councillors present 

21/090/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. – None 

21/091/PM.          Planning matters 

Location: Customary Cottage The Street Fulking BN5 9LU SDNP/21/05523/CND 

Proposal: Variation of condition 4 relating to planning approval SDNP/21/03640/HOUS to change the use of the garage from incidental use to ancillary use, in connection with the main dwelling: 

It was noted 

This application is an amendment to planning application SDNP/21/03640/HOUS approved by SDNPA earlier in 2021. This application seeks to change Condition 4 (see below) from “incidental” to “ancillary” use. 

Fulking Parish Council met on 30th November and all Councillors OBJECTED to this change of use. 

The property is not currently occupied by the owner and is subject to long term rentals 

The Council is concerned about a number of issues relating to this change of use: 

1) “Ancillary” use will allow the out building to be used as a holiday let. The Council is concerned that access to the outbuilding is via an apparent legal right of way along a narrow bridleway. Use as a holiday let would lead to a constant stream of cars along this narrow route causing a danger to bridleway users and destroy the character and appearance of the local area. 

2) We believe “ancillary” use will be in breach of SD25 as the the building will no longer be a garage. 

3)  It is unclear if the previous house extensions were pre or post 18/12/2002, as the house plans are not included with the application. We believe that this application may contravene policy SD31 as the size of an ancillary building is relevant when assessing an application that is subject to the parameters of policy SD31 

Should SDNPA be minded to approve this change of use Fulking Parish Council requests that a condition be added that it cannot be used as a separate holiday let dwelling. 

Condition 4: 

The detached garage/outbuilding, hereby permitted shall only be used for purposes incidental to the occupation and enjoyment of the dwelling known as Customary Cottage. It shall not be used or occupied separately or severed from the main dwelling. 

Reason: To ensure that the outbuilding is used only in connection with the existing dwelling to safeguard the amenities, character and appearance of the local area through the management of uses within new development in the area. 

21/092/PM.          Planning matters 

Location: Arbor Vitae The Street Fulking BN5 9LU SDNP/21/03914/HOUS 

Proposal: Extension to swimming pool plant room. Erection of single storey artist’s studio to rear of garage in walled garden 

It was noted that there was no material change to the original application and councillors UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED this new application. 

The meeting closed at 19:33 
Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 13th January 2022. 

Minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting Fulking Parish Council held Thursday 2nd September 2021 at 7.00 pm held at Fulking Village Hall.

Present

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

Parish Clerk Trevor Parsons

The owner of Arbor Vitae attended the meeting and was invited to run through the planning application. No other members of the public were in attendance.

The meeting opened at 7.00pm.

21/072/PM. Apologies for Absence. – none

21/073/PM. Declaration of Members’ Interests. – none

21/074/PM. Planning matters

Location: Arbor Vitae The Street Fulking BN5 9LU SDNP/21/03915/LIS.

Proposal: Extension to swimming pool plant room. New porch on rear elevation of studio at side of house. Erection of single storey artist’s studio to rear of garage in walled garden

It was noted that:

Councillors examined the application and there were no objections raised. The improvements are out of sight from the road and the South Downs and in keeping with the rest of the property.

Four Councillors voted IN FAVOUR with one Councillor NEUTRAL

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 7th October 2021