Village Plan – Original Ideas from 2010

Posted on Sunday 15th July 2012

Here are the original discussion notes from the Village Plan Working Party first published back in 2010. Things have moved on since then.

The Future Requirements of Fulking village?:-

Fulking is a unique and lovely rustic country village situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), of which there are not many left in Sussex, and now set in part of the South Down’s National Park.

Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) is urging all towns and villages to prepare a development plan for their own area looking ahead up to 2026. If we do not present a plan then MSDC will prepare one for us based on what they think we require, and all future Parish Councils will be required to work towards it. The Parish Council therefore feel it is important that the village produces its own plan for the future, rather than have one imposed by MSDC.

1) Enhance the conservation area of the Village
This can be achieved by removing all telephone poles and putting the cables underground (see also item 6) and perhaps in 2012 with the much stronger signal of Digital T.V. the aerials could be placed in the loft where practical.

2) Limiting the continual enlargement of Dwellings
Within the conservation area, enlargement to properties is often carried out by developers who then sell the property on within some two to five years. With enlarged homes comes the problem of increased numbers of family and then more cars parked in The Street and Clappers Lane . If an extension is allowed within the Conservation Area then it should be to the rear of the property and should not alter the appearance as seen from the road.

3) Embrace the new MSDC and National Park policy
NO new housing development in the National Park, except in very exceptional circumstances.
Clappers Lane should be made a quite lane by WSCC as it is now within the National Park and will be used by a lot more walkers, horse riders and cyclist.

4) The Sewerage Plant:
Must be brought up to the latest EU standards. This would prevent all the lush weed growth which then chokes up the stream, and also bring the discharged water quality up to the standard required to stop pollution of the River Adur and to some small degree, the sea in which we bathe.

5) Village Car Park
We need a Village car park to cater for visitors to the village, customers of the pub and walkers access to the Downs. The Car park must be a green parking area suitably screened to blend with the surrounding area.

6) Telephone and Broad Band System
Due to the increased potential to work at home and to allow any business to function efficiently, the telephone and broadband system must be greatly improved. We all know of the system’s slowness even though it is supposed to operate at 8Mb. Even with a direct line from the exchange to Manor Farm businesses, they are still experiencing many problems. This improvement should be possible if the villages of Poynings, Fulking, and Pyecombe all group together and push for early installation of the new 100Mb fibre optic system for which the government has given permission and which is to be installed all over England within two years (if you can believe this is possible!).

7) Village/Church Hall
A new hall will soon be required as the present one is falling apart due to woodworm and rot. Insulation against heat loss is non-existent as it was built 1902. The new government standards require disabled access and car parking so perhaps a new village hall could be built in the village car park. It should be built to modern standards and fitted with solar panels to reduce the hot water bills.

8) Affordable Housing
A very difficult subject. The main considerations are young people who have lived in the village all their life cannot afford to buy houses here, so they move away leaving their parents who often become unable to manage on their own. The parents are then forced to move away to nearby towns, their house is then sold and the chance to help their parents in old age, and another chance to live in the village is also lost.

9) The Chapel
When the old village hall is demolished, the Chapel, a feature of the village which is still in reasonable condition, should remain and there are several possibilities for its future if let out by the church; it could become a village tea room and small village shop; suitable small business such a firm of accountants, computer sales and repairs, a secretarial service; it could even be converted to living accommodation with an extension at the back. Such options would not alter or spoil the look of the conservation area, whereas to demolish the two buildings and build a new cottage/ house would spoil the rustic charm of the village and would look out of place.

10) Children’s Play Area
This part of the village has been a constant expense for all previous Parish Councils and it is costing the P.C. a lot of extra money. One major expense is the repeated topping up of the bark in the enclosure around the climbing frame. This needs to be replaced by a modern permanent safety material that does not require any maintenance.

11) Allotments
This is a recent issue started by the organic movement and the credit squeeze. There are only a few people who think they want an allotment as most are too busy today with family activities. TV, computers and other modern technology.
The solution that the P.C. therefore suggested is that if anyone has more garden than they need, the P.C would introduce them to a person wanting an allotment and let things takes their course.

These are The Parish Council’s thoughts for the future of the village and the start of the Village Plan.

The Parish Council would like to hear from anyone who has ideas they think should be included in this suggested plan, or indeed comments on items they do not agree with. Please reply to Paula Hazard The Parish Clerk, or to one of the Parish Councillors. Please have your say!! Your views can be expressed at the Parish Council meeting on Thursday 9 September 2010, 7.30pm at the Preston Nomads Cricket Club House. If indifference is shown, then it will be adopted as the official plan for Fulking and lodged with the MSDC.

SAVE OUR VILLAGE HALL!

Posted on Tuesday 26th June 2012

Fulking Village Hall It may not be the largest hall in the world, says Jen Green — and it may not be the smartest. But our little hall is our only public meeting space, and one of our very few amenities. It is a space to promote our community, meet and talk, run whatever groups we choose… perhaps it’s not so fanciful to see it as the heart of our small community.

In December 2011, villagers learned from the Church PCC that the hall was under threat of immediate closure, following the departure of the Good Start School. The PCC announced that it would need £200 per month to cover running costs such as light and heating to keep the hall open in 2012. Otherwise it would be closed, and the land would likely be sold for development.

Fortunately at the packed meeting, people showed a real enthusiasm and determination to save the hall. In response, the PCC agreed not to sell immediately, but to allow villagers to have the hall for a year for the above-mentioned sum, to be reviewed after six months.
The hall was gifted to the village about 100 years ago to provide a public space. The Village Hall Action Group (VHAG) has been formed to try to prevent the closure and permanent loss of this historic amenity. The first meetings of the Action Group in January have been very well attended, showing a groundswell of support. Villagers have come up with many ideas for increasing usage of the hall. There are now regular meetings that are open to all — please watch Pigeon Post and fulking.net.

SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE HALL!!

From 1 February we need to raise £200 a month to cover running costs. Many of us believe it’s not so much about maintaining bricks and mortar as retaining a communal space for villagers. There is no doubt that the hall will close without support. That’s why the Action Group is asking if you or your household would be willing to give a small sum to help keep the hall open. Please give £3, £5, £10 or more if possible on a monthly basis, or a cheque or cash. Standing orders would be appreciated so we have money coming in regularly. As well as running costs we would like to raise money for repairs and to buy new equipment so we can increase use of the hall.

There are just over 100 households in Fulking, so the maths is easy. If 20 households give £10 a month, or 40 households give £5, we can raise the money. Please return the standing order form to Nick Hughes or Jen Green — see details on the insert sheet. Alternatively you can give cash, a cheque or let us know if you intend setting up a standing order, but prefer not to do it using the form. Email Jen Green on jengreenuk@yahoo.co.uk or Nick Hughes on nickhughes100@ btinternet.com. You may also receive a visit on behalf of this appeal; if you definitely don’t want such a visit, please let us know by email — or pre-empt us by returning your standing order!

What will you get for your money? Well, that’s up to you — to get value for money, we hope you’ll be using the hall regularly, for example as a youth club, toddler group, for exercise or get-togethers, for drama, films, talks, parties etc. Or for the group YOU want to see in the hall — please suggest it at a meeting or email your ideas to Tricia at tricia. robinson@sky.com.

You can use the hall any time you want for the knock-down price of just £1 per person per session for villagers, and £10 per hour for non-Fulking / Edburton residents. To book contact Carolyn Loveless, preferably by email, on cj@rogerl53.plus.com or call 280.

USE IT OR LOSE IT!!

The hall has been very under — used except by the Good Start School. The departure of the school gives us a larger and less cluttered space to use how we want. We are also looking for outside groups, businesses etc to rent it on a part-time or one-off basis, for example for meetings. Any ideas to Tricia Robinson.

New ideas for using the hall and generating income:

A ‘Family Coffee Morning’ where toddlers and mothers get together. First meeting arranged for Wednesday 22 February from 10-12. Any donations of equipment of toys would be welcome.
Zumba sessions — the latest dance exercise craze for which the hall would be an ideal space.
Teashop and art on weekend afternoons in summer, with village artists showing work. Another suggestion would be to find someone to run this as a business on a more regular basis.
Youth club for 9-15s. Nick Hughes, Nicole Walker and Tessa Prothero are organising, probably twice monthly. Dates and times TBA. Equipment needed: half-size pool table.
Film shows: Simon Prince and Adrian Caroen are organising. Equipment needed: projector, DVD player. We have been promised a screen.
The Drama Group organised by Myriam Brenner is to move to the hall for rehearsals soon.
Informal choir — Tricia Robinson 255, Alison Daly 705.
Board games evenings for adults — first one 16 March, 7.30. Jen Green 552.
Gardening produce meetings held maybe twice yearly — spring seedling swap, summer produce swap, with tea, cakes etc.
Pre-Xmas art and craft show.
Art classes a possibility, equipment will be needed.
Fulking ‘s Got Talent — Nicole Walker and Alison Taylor are organising the event for 22 April. • Yoga — Tricia Robinson has moved her yoga classes to the Village Hall again.
Talks and workshops: Jim Bambury will do a bicycle workshop, and first-aid and one-off art workshops are a possibility.
Business / conference venue: Adrian Caroen suggests that, with a bit of upgrading, businesses might use the hall for day meetings. We would need a coffee machine, a screen for projecting presentations etc. The hall would need to be more welcoming with curtains and more comfortable furniture, small tables and better (quieter!) heating.

MAINTENANCE

Jim Sapsted and Lee Holden plus others have offered to help with minor repairs. Plans are afoot to clean and varnish the wooden floor. Chris Gildersleeve and Carolyn Sapsted are going to clean up the kitchen. Any offers of help welcome!

So, lots of ideas — now we need to organise them! So even if you were not able to come to the meetings but could help with any of the above activities, or know where to acquire equipment, please let us know! You can contact Trish on 255, Nick Hughes on 868, Jen Green and Chris Gildersleeve on 552, or the people named as organising events.

Chris Gildersleeve

2012 05 03 PC Minutes

Posted on Thursday 3rd May 2012

Annual Meeting of Fulking Parish Council: Meeting held in the Fulking Village Hall on 3 May 2012 At 8pm

Present: Ms K Watson (Vice Chairman), Mrs P Rowland, Ms L Dyos, Mr M Trist and Clerk to the Council Andrea Dickson. 8 members of the public.

1. Meeting opened by Ms Kate Watson

2. Nomination for Chairman and Vice Chairman were received by the Clerk. Chairman Ms Kate Watson was nominated by Mrs P Rowland and seconded by Ms L Dyos Vice Chairman Mr M Trist was nominated by Ms K Watson and seconded by Ms L Dyos The Chairman and Vice Chairman signed the Declaration of Office forms.

3. Apologies: Dr D Slavin and Colin Trumble.

4. Minutes of Annual meeting of Fulking Parish Council on 2 June 2011 were amended and approved.

5. Chairman s Report Clerk The previous Clerk did not meet the Parish requirements,this resulted in her resignation . Sheena Trist thankfully stepped in to help out until a new clerk could be recruited. Andrea Dickson took up the post of Clerk in April, her details will be on the website soon.

Planning: In the past year Fulking Parish Council has received 11 applications. 3 have been approved. 1 refused. 6 pending consideration. 1 called in by South Downs National Park Authority. Market Garden site is included in the pending consideration list (the application is for permanent permission for the stationing of caravans and a dayroom on the site). This has been called to committee by Mid Sussex, the planned date for this is 31 May (this has yet to be confirmed). The National Planning Policy Network (NPPN) was introduced at the end of March, hopefully this should not alter things too much for Fulking. More information can be found about the NPPN on the internet.

Finances The annual precept has increased by 3.26% to 6344.

Thank you to Bob Rowland for acting as The Responsible Finance Officer and for looking after all financial matters. Thank you also to Nick Hughes for carrying out the Internal Audit of the annual accounts. This was accepted by the Parish Council last night.

Highways: Flooding is still an issue despite Tony Brooks’s best efforts to get this sorted. Please report any flooding to West Sussex Highways Department in Chichester. Speeding is still a problem, articles have been posted in the Pigeon Post highlighting this issue. Fullking was very prepared this year with a winter management plan, although it was not necessary to put this into action.

Village Hall: Parochial Church Council considered selling the Village Hall due to lack of funds. At a public meeting in December the Village Hall Action Group was formed.The action group has worked tirelessly over the past few months improving the facility, raising funds and encouraging people to use the hall. The current arrangement is still in a trial period, the future of the hall is still very uncertain and in the hands of the community.

Village Plan: The Village Plan published last summer has recently been updated. This will be found on the website in the near future.

Crime: There has been a sharp increase in crime in the area recently so please be vigilant. Anything suspicious should be reported on the direct number for non emergencies 101.

Village Fair: Please support the village fair on Sunday 29 July 12noon-5pm. Thank you to the Social Committee which does a great job raising funds and orgainising cleans ups around the village.

Finally thank you to David Slavin for his work as Chairman in the last few months. David will be stepping down as councillor due to work commitments. This will create a vacancy on the Parish Council which will be advertised on the Parish notice board in the near future.
Thank you to all of the councillors for the extremely hard work they have put in over the past year. Thank you also to Aidan Walker for his continued involvement in Pigeon Post and to James Lightfoot for running the website for the village. Final thank you for attending the meeting and for taking an interest in the local community.

6. Speakers: Councillor Peter Griffiths gave an overview of the services West Sussex provide. Andrew Trigg (SDNPA) Neighbourhood Planning Officer for the National Park gave an update for Fulking on Neighbourhood Planning. Tricia Robinson gave a review of the progress made by the Village Hall Action Group.

7. Comments from the floor.

8. Dates of next Ordinary Parish Council meetings July 12, October 11, January 10 2013.

Meeting closed at 9.30pm

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2011 07 11 PC Minutes

Posted on Monday 11th July 2011

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on Thursday 7th July 2011 at 7.30pm

MT, PR, KW, LD & DS. Clerk to the Council. Apologies from MSDC & WSCC representatives. 20 Members of the public present.

The minutes from the last Ordinary Parish Council meeting held on 14th April 2011 were approved.

Tony Brooks wrote to SDNP re: operation of the 28 days rule for the flight strip, however has no response to date. Pump House adjacent to the public house — SDNP were to take over responsibility for this issue, however no further correspondence has been received. Bus Services Cuts: No 17 from A281. WSCC have not jetted the drains outside the Old Thatch. This issue is in need of attention,

Fulking Village Hall: The Chairman gave a brief update on the VH. The Chairman then introduced Rev Currer to brief the meeting in more detail. Rev Currer reported that the Hall belongs to the Parochial Church Council. The hall has been in disrepair for many years. Discussions have taken place regarding selling the site, or demolishing the building and rebuilding. The PCC were reluctant to sell the site commercially. A letter of intent was received by the PCC from residents proposing to develop the site and build a hall for the use in the village. It would be agreed that should this option there would be an agreement that the use is non-commercial gain and for development for the village. This is the current position and still under discussion. The Big Society encourages this type of work with communities. There would be a village trust in place should this option be chosen in order to ensure there are no commercial sales in the future. The ownership was registered without the deeds for the VH therefore whoever purchases the site would take out insurance in order to cover any Covenants issues. Suggestions took place regarding the possibility of the Church considering leasehold for the VH site. The PCC will aim to keep the village informed of the progress on this issue. The next steps are for the PCC to meet with the proposing group to discuss further. The next step should this proceed would be for a surveyor to come and inspect the site for advice. A proposal then goes to the dioceses of Finance for approval before going to solicitors. It was felt it was important to ensure the village have been consulted as part of this proposal. Discussions took place regarding historic ownership. The PC could not afford this in the past due to the costs involved. Thanks extended to Caroline Currer for attending the meeting this evening.

Local Planning: Lower Kents — Cllr Rowland updated: 2 buildings – one achieved retrospective planning. The second building required full planning permission; however there had been delays due to Elections and neighbourhood issues with consultation. MSDC thought there was no need for this application to go to committee, however, following lengthy discussions with our MSDC Cllrs we have managed to get this to go to committee. No date set yet.

Market Garden — The 5-year agreement expires on 26th Sept 2011 in order to give MSDC time to establish further information. Martin Small and Mike Bleakley from SDNP are the Link Officers for MSDC, and have been involved in this issue. It would be key to continue with Mike Bleakley with this issue as the SDNP are not happy with the current situation. The owner is thought to be registered at the Withey Patch, so the 5 year agreement was due to the lack of availability to re-homing them. CLAG asked for support from the PC to work with MSDC to establish what has been worked on in the 5 years since this 5 year temporary planning was granted. The PC agreed this issue will be supported and will work with CLAG where required. The land is understood to be owned by the Hearne family. Cllr Dyos updated that the SDNP felt this was of significant issue, therefore will require further investigation.

Old Pump House — Previously known as smugglers walk. A mobile home was placed in situ in April, and subsequently the Enforcement Officers from MSDC completed a site visit. There is a 6-8 week timescale currently for the removal of the mobile home, along with various building materials. There has been a history of Enforcement issues with this property.

Backway: It was noted there are more vehicles using the backway. Access for 3 vehicles only had been agreed. This is a Bridleway, and should be 1 metre wide. The Chairman informed members that this issue was not for the Parish Council and this should be discussed between the residents in the area.

The Village Action Plan: to be delivered with this week’s Pigeon Post. Thanks to all those who have worked on the Action Plan.

Notice Board: Cllr Dyos stated that the current notice board is in need of repair and is too small. Clerk to look into the costs of a new notice board.

Concerns have been mentioned to Cllr Watson regarding the control of dogs around the access land in order to protect nesting birds. 1st of March to 31st July. Information is on the National England Website.

Next Meeting Date: Thursday 6th October 2011 at 7.30pm.

Meeting closed at 9pm.

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