Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting of Fulking Parish Council held Thursday 17th 2024 at 7.30pm at Fulking Village Hall.

Present

Chair: Cllr Mark Hind

Fulking Parish Council (FPC) Cllr Linda Comber, Cllr Lucy Mehta, Cllr Tom Kardos & Cllr Karen Healy

Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) Cllr Geoff Zeidler

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Cllr Joy Dennis

Clerk Trevor Parsons

There were three members of the public present.

The meeting started at 7.30pm.

Agenda

24/053/OM. – Apologies for Absence.

All councillors were present

24/054/OM. – Declaration of Members’ Interests.

No interests declared

24/055/OM. – Approve the Minutes* of the Ordinary Meeting of 11th July 2024 and Planning meeting 12th August 2024 The minutes, subject to any amendments, to be approved and signed as a true record of the meeting.

Ordinary meeting – Proposed by Cllr Kardos, Seconded by Cllr Mehta – approved unanimously

Planning Meeting – Proposed by Cllr Comber, Seconded by Cllr Healy – approved unanimously

24/056/OM. – Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions – To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.

Village signs – The Clerk reported that two signs were repainted and erected on new posts with the final repainting underway with James Lightfoot. It was unanimously agreed that the new village signs are excellent.

TRO Poynings / Edburton Road – The Clerk reported that WSCC has approved the speed reduction to 40mph along Edburton Road and Poynings Road outside the villages. It is hoped that vehicles will now travel slower and large lorries will less frequently be directed through the village by satellite navigation.

RoSPA Playground Inspection – following RoSPA stand response in July, further investigation is required. Council to send photos to RoSPA for clarification of which play activity requires repair.

Parish Plan – To be reviewed at January meeting.

Small Acres – The recent planning application was declined by SDNPA. In additional the council has been notified that an appeal has been made against the enforcement of the eviction.

Flytipping – Cllr Healy reported issues with MSDC removing flytipping from Clappers Lane. Police had instructed for the waste to be moved off the road resulting in contractors refusing to remove the waste now on private land. Cllr Healy contacted Cllr Ziedler for his assistance to instruct contractors to remove the waste, and this has now been done.

24/057/OM – Reports from District and County Councillors.

Councillors received their quarterly report from Cllr Zeidler (MSDC) with matters pertaining to Fulking being:

I have received the offer of support for Parish Playground in North Town Field for a PSPO and provided a route forwards. I have also assisted a resident in getting fly tipping cleared and there is continuing support in relation to the Small Acres enforcement.

Cllr Dennis (WSCC) reported:

1. The WSCC budget for next year is looking favourable with no impact on services, this will be reviewed and ratified.

2. A County Water Summit Group has been created including delegates from WSCC, the water companies and DeFRA. There are serious issues to be addressed around future availability of drinking water due to the level of new builds in the County and the responsible management of wastewater.

3. There is a new lane rental scheme in place where contractors (utilities, developers etc) digging up certain roads will be charged a daily levy of £2,500 to incentivise the contractor to complete works in a shorter number of days. The County has employed 10 enforcement officers to ensure compliance of the rules.

24/058/OM – Village Hall Update

Cllr Hind updated the meeting to advise that the Village Hall CIO was meeting that week to appoint additional trustees and to put in place an action plan to raise £100,000 to secure the purchase of the Hall from the local Parochial Church Council.

24/059/OM – Ram Pump repairs

The Ram Pump House roof has missing tiles. As a listed building, consent would be required from SDNPA to replace the roof. The Clerk will be undertaking an initial survey of the Ram Pump House on 26th November with a local specialist to establish whether a repair (which may not need planning consent) or replacement roof will be required and report back to Councillors with findings.

24/060/OM. – Fulking Parish Council Budget 2025/2026

Councillors discussed the Budget for the next financial year which would include starting a separate fund for the future replacement of the playground equipment. If a grant to assist with the new playground was to be sought in the future, the Council would need to evidence its contribution towards the cost. It was proposed that the precept be increased to £13,800 being a rise of £500 to cover the increasing costs of running the Council plus £2,000 to be held in a separate account for the new playground fund. Councillors voted four in favour of a precept of £13,800 for 2025/2026 with one Councillor against.

24/061/OM. – Reports from Outside Bodies, Information Items & Correspondence

An invitation to the AGM of WSALC on Monday 4th November 2024 was received and Cllr Healy indicated her intent to attend on behalf of Fulking Parish Council

24/062/OM. – Financial Matters: To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure.

15/07/2024 Sigma Payroll £28.45

16/07/2024 Village Sign 2 £500.00

24/07/2024 Electricity £132.53

30/08/2024 Village Sign 3 £500.00

11/09/2024 Clerk Salary £1,549.86

Receipt – Precept £5,625

Councillors reviewed the income and expenditure for the period and unanimously agreed to ratify all the payments made.

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 16th January 2025

The meeting closed at 9.30pm