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