Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting Fulking Parish Council held Thursday 7th October 2021 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 Parish Clerk: Trevor Parsons

There were two members of the public present.

The meeting opened at 7.30pm.

Bob Rowland informed the meeting that the Fulking Village Christmas Party will be held on Saturday 11th December 2021 in the Village Hall and the Fulking Fair will be held on 24th July 2022.

Action: Clerk to invite County and District Councillors to attend Christmas Party

An open discussion was also held regarding vehicles travelling too fast on Clappers Lane where the National Speed Limit applies. Councillors agreed that this is a concern to many residents and it was agreed to add this topic to the January 2022 agenda to discuss possible solutions.

Action: Cllr Healy to discuss options regarding speed limits with Cllr Joy Dennis of WSCC.

21/075/OM. – Apologies for Absence.

All Councillors were present

21/076/OM. – Declaration of Members’ Interests. None declared

21/077/OM. – Approve the Minutes* of the Ordinary Meeting of 29th July 2021 and Extraordinary Council Planning Meetings of 5th August 2021 & 5th September 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.

21/078/OM. – Councillor Vacancy.

Samantha Leader resigned from the Council on 24th September 2021 as she and her family have moved to Henfield. She will be missed by everyone in the village where she played such an active role in bringing the community together. Bob Rowland confirmed that

Samantha’s stepping down would be a big loss to the village. It was agreed that a small gift be sent to Samantha for all her work.

Mid Sussex DC have been notified of the departure and a Councillor Vacancy notice has been attached to the noticeboard and posted on fulking.net.

Cllr Hind has been previously approached by a villager who had expressed an interest for Co-option and he will pursue the matter further and advise Councillors accordingly of his discussions.

Actions: Cllr Hind offered to arrange the gift for Samantha and to contact villager.

21/079/OM. – Reports from District and County Councillors.

Due to an error where the Clerk failed to invite District & County Councillors to the meeting there were no reports received. The Clerk has subsequently emailed his apology to District and County Councillors.

21/080/OM – Market Gardens

Concerns were raised about the excessive barking of dogs from the direction of Market Gardens and Environmental Health at MSDC have agreed to contact the owners with a view to resolve the matter.

Fulking Parish Council also met with representatives from MSDC and SDNPA to express concerns over the Planning Inspectors Decision and the potential for future expansion at the site.

21/081/OM. – Fulking Parish Council Budget 2022/2023.

The Clerk advised Councillors that the Precept for 2021/2022 was £9,600. A budget for 2022/2023 needs to be prepared which will include costs which will be incurred in relation to the village hall which should be included in the budget. From this information a request for Precept will be made to MSDC in January 2022.

It was agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting in early December to discuss further the budget for next year.

Action: Clerk to arrange meeting in early December

21/082/OM. – Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions: To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.

• Operation Watershed

The Active Community Fund Application was submitted to WSCC for a grant to repair and reinstate overgrown ditches in Edburton Road and Clappers Lane. A grant of around £26k has been sought for these works. A decision is awaited.

• Streetlight

The new streetlight has been installed in Clappers Lane to replace the lamp knocked down by an anonymous speeding van driver. UK Power Network have been paid to reconnect the lamp however the work is still to be done.

Action: Clerk to chase the contractors for an update on light connection

• Finger Post

An order for a replacement post was made on 17th May 2021 from JAKK Country Signs however we still await delivery.

Action: Clerk to chase up the request.

• Ram Pump Information Board

Cllr Hind advised the meeting that the information board is being produced and is expected to be installed by the end of the year.

21/083/OM. – Playground Maintenance

The RoSPA annual inspection report for the playground in North Town Field raise a number of amber warnings which required attention. The playground was surveyed by Playsafe Playgrounds Limited of Midhurst and a quotation for £1,499 plus VAT was presented to the meeting.

Councillors voted unanimously to accept the quote and to proceed with the works as quoted.

21/084/OM. – Village Hall Update

Agenda item 21/060/OM in July 2021 Ordinary Meeting reads “Although the Council is of the opinion that this registration is valid, to avoid any uncertainty it is to take legal advice from Surrey Hills Solicitors a firm recommended by the West Sussex Association of Local Councils (WSALC)”

Fulking Parish Council have now received legal advice from Ian Davison partner of the above firm which is that “the Land Registry is beyond challenge” and ownership of the land and village hall sits with the Church.

Cllr Hind advised the meeting that negotiations have restarted with Rev Tim Harford and that a formal meeting with representative’s of “VHAG” (Village Hall Action Group) be arranged to advise on progress.

Action: Cllr Hind to arrange meeting with VHAG representatives

21/085/OM. – Clappers Lane Water Leak Survey

Meetings have taken place with Councillors, WSCC, South East Water and Southern Water to identify all the leaks along water pipes in Clappers Lane. The road has been closed for several days during September for emergency works to be undertaken.

21/086/OM. – Reports from Outside Bodies.

None

21/087/OM. – Information Items. To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings.

21/088/OM. – Correspondence. To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received.

WSALC AGM is set for 29th October 2021 and councillors have received an invite to this virtual meeting.

A letter has been received from Andrew Griffiths MP offering the council his support in relation to grant applications and community funding.

21/089/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 £10,544.04 was held in the current account and £13,048.65 held on instant access deposit.

The new finger post (£1,000) and playground maintenance (£1,500) were costs over and above the planned budget for 2021/2022 however sufficient reserves are held in the above accounts to cover these expenses.

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 13th January 2022

The meeting closed at 9.00pm.