Latest News of Local Interest

Planning Meeting – Tuesday 25th June 2024

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You are cordially invited to the Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Tuesday 25th June 2024 at 7.30pm, to be held at the Village Hall. The meeting will consider the items set out below. 

Cllr Mark Hind – Chairman  

Following the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and regarding regulations on Access to Local Government Meetings, members of the public are advised that they have a right to film/record the meetings of Fulking Parish Council. Members of the public are also advised that by attending a meeting of Fulking Parish Council, they give their consent to being filmed/recorded by other members of the public, if such activity is taking place 

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

24/035/PM.            Apologies for Absence. 

24/036/PM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

24/037/PM.            Planning Application – SDNP/24/02216/FUL – Small Acres 

        Proposal: Single pitch settled gypsy accommodation site, including siting of mobile home and utility building  

Location: Small Acres, Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN6 9NH  

Grid Ref: Eastings: 525066, Northings: 111695 

24/038/PM.           Planning Application – SDNP/24/02233/LDP – Small Acres 

Proposal: Lawful storage of touring caravan  

Location: Small Acres, Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN6 9NH  

Grid Ref: Eastings: 525066, Northings: 111695 

Date of next meeting – Thursday 11th July 2024 

 

        

Bobservation No. 117: Open Gardens

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Henfield Gardens & Arts Logo
Readers
Many thanks for the replies from Sue, Ros, Laurence, Tracey, Roger, Richard.  So good of you to take the trouble to reply. Interesting that several friends and acquaintances assure me that they look forward to reading my thoughts but, apparently, not this month as I have not heard from them!  So, for the time being I will drivel on.

Open Gardens in Henfield
I am very proud to say that our garden at 17 Hewitts is one of thirty gardens in Henfield that will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, from 11am till 5pm. Pam has spent a great deal of time creating what, in my opinion, is a very relaxing and interesting area and is intended to be butterfly, bee and bird friendly. This open garden event in Henfield has been operating for some 25 years now and any gardener, or indeed non-gardener, will find an amazingly diverse selection of gardens to enjoy. It is also a great opportunity to explore the fascinating maze of twittens within Henfield.

Agenda Annual Parish Meeting

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ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL & ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 

WEDNESDAY 15TH May 2024 at 7.30pm at Fulking Village Hall. 

 Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council 

24/025/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman 

Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting 

24/026/APM Apologies for Absence 

24/027/APM Approval of previous years’ minutes Annual Parish Meeting 18th May 2023 

24/028/APM   Chairman’s report 

24/029/APM Guest Speaker – Kayla Ente MBE – BHESCO 

24/030/APM    Reports from District & County Councillors 

24/031/APM.   To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2024. 

24/032/APM.   To consider and agree the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2024 ensuring it accurately presents the financial management of the Council as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. 

24/033/PM Planning Application – SDNP/24/01765/LIS. 

Proposal: Extension and remodelling of the existing dwelling including the incorporation of renewable energy sources and a wildflower roof in addition to the rationalisation of existing outbuildings. Location: Furzefield , Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN5 9NJ 

24/034/PM Planning Application – SDNP/24/01563/HOUS 

Proposal: Retrospective application for amendments to previous approval, to resite the driveway and garage Location: The Dales , Poynings Road, Fulking, West Sussex, BN5 9NB 

Date of next Ordinary Meeting Thursday 11th July 2024. 

Bobservation No. 116: Old Friends

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Old Friends from Fulking
I suppose having moved from Fulking to Henfield a year and a half ago it is always a great pleasure to see old friends from Fulking. Nick Hughes joined us for a coffee one morning and looked as fit as ever, now resident in Hove and the owner of a glorious 55 year old bright yellow Porsche 911! Jill Bremer popped in and seems to be making the best of widowhood in Devon, she swims in the sea most days and is very involved in a ladies rowing boat! We had a pub lunch with Anthony Kenney who is well and living in Ovingdean where he busies himself in village matters! Just a stone’s throw from us Jim and Carolyn Sapsted have made a very happy move to Henfield. We regularly see Samantha Leader who has joined Henfield Parish Council and is still a powerhouse of energy. The logic of our move from Fulking to Henfield was supported by a visit to see the bluebells at Furzefield which we have passed to Rich, Sarah and Archie Brett-Sheridan. Their custodianship of this unique property is as good as anything we could have wished for and they will prove to be a great asset to Fulking.

Julia Peckham R.I.P.
Just to report the passing away of Julia on 23 April after a relatively short battle with cancer. Although not resident in Fulking, Julia was a very good friend of the village. She and her husband Richard were involved in the Annual Village Fair, the Choir and Christmas arrangements at St Andrews as well as putting on several fundraising plays. I well remember the hilarious Punch & Judy she put on at the fair some years ago. After Richard’s death from Motor Neurone Disease she became very involved in the care of victims of MND, as well as fund raising really substantial amounts for research into this, at present, incurable nightmare. A very talented actor and great friend. Oh! How we will miss her.

Interested Readers
I have absolutely no idea how many of you read Bobservation each month and it would assist me in making a decision whether to continue blathering away if you would you kindly e-mail me at bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com just saying ‘I read you’ if you do. Thanks, Bob.

Planning Meeting – Tuesday 30th April 2024

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You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Tuesday 30th April 2024 at 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams where the meeting will consider the items set out below. The public is invited to this meeting so please contact Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk on 07767 422733 or at parishclerk@fulking.net if you would like to join this meeting.  

Mark Hind – Chairman  

Following the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and regarding regulations on Access to Local Government Meetings, members of the public are advised that they have a right to film/record the meetings of Fulking Parish Council. Members of the public are also advised that by attending a meeting of Fulking Parish Council, they give their consent to being filmed/recorded by other members of the public, if such activity is taking place. 

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

24/024/PM.          Apologies for Absence. 

24/025/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

24/026/PM.          Planning matters – SDNP/24/01082/FUL 

 

Proposal: Change of use of the space above the garage annex, to be used for business purposes  

Location: Site Of Oldwood , Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN5 9NJ Grid Ref: Eastings: 524855, Northings: 113892 

 

Date of APM & AGM to be Wednesday 15th May 2024. 

Parish Council Meeting agenda Thursday 11th April 2024

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You are cordially invited to the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Thursday 11th April 2024 at 7.30pm to be held at Fulking Village Hall. The meeting will consider the items set out below. 

Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk  

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

24/014/OM.         Apologies for Absence. 

24/015/OM.         Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

24/016/OM.         Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 11th January 2024 

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

24/017/OM.         Reports from District and County Councillors.   

24/018/OM.         Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.  

          TRO Poynings Road / Edburton Road 

          WSCC drain unblocking 

          Small Acres 

24/019/OM.      Parish Plan 

24/020/OM.        Reports from Outside Bodies. 

24/021/OM.       Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

24/022/OM.       Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

24/023/OM.        Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

Date of the Annual Meeting is Wednesday 15th May 2024.  

Next Ordinary Meeting scheduled for Thursday 11th July 2024. 

Bobservation No. 115: Legislation and Quotations

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Anticipated Legislation
The recent failure of most, if not all, of the water companies to prevent unacceptable amounts of sewage being regularly discharged into rivers, lakes and the beaches of Britain have caused the Government, so I am given to understand, to bring about imposing legislation to force these companies to drastically improve their performance in these areas. I am told that funding will fall 50% on the companies and 50% on their customers. Accordingly water companies will be restricted to declaring dividends of 0.01% maximum and water rate charges will have to increase substantially. To achieve this increase there will be three main areas that will bear the brunt. These will be private houses with swimming pools, saunas and garden hoses. The proposed charges will be £10,000 p.a. for swimming polls, £9,000 for saunas and £2,000 for garden hoses. As well as this the proposed legislation will enable HMRC to increase these amounts by however much is necessary to achieve cleanliness in our rivers, lakes and beaches. It is thought unlikely that anyone will object to such socially acceptable legislation. 1/4/24

Quotations Group
Meeting on Monday mornings at 11am in Fulking village hall, the Quotations group is a chance for discussion for adult villagers and ex-villagers in friendly surroundings. Very ably lead by Samantha Leader a subject is chosen by mutual agreement and discussed the following week. A voluntary donation of £1 each week covers tea and Samantha’s marvellous shortbread. Quotations relevant to the chosen subject are invited and are collated and printed out each Monday to be read out at the meeting. This is an informal get together and a very good way to meet other local residents.

Bobservation No. 114: Henfield vs. Fulking

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Henfield
Having departed Fulking some year and a half ago it seems worthwhile reminding you of the many advantages accruing to Fulking as a result of being only 3 miles away from the mother ship.
It would be easy to record what Henfield does not have, banks being the major omission. However It is quite amazing what a variety of shopping is available, in many cases of a very high standard. Much of the absence of banks is supplemented by the very excellent service provided by the Post Office. To preserve continuity of friendships etc. Henfield is a very logical step to move to when the relative remoteness of Fulking becomes difficult due to age or infirmity. This major village is probably one of the kindest and socially active places in the UK with a multitude of clubs and societies open to anyone interested, even a link to the Horsham food bank! A very good source of what is on offer is BN5 magazine so ably driven by local villager Emma Cole. As well as a very interesting history the layout of ‘twittens’ that encompass practically the whole village and provide very helpful pedestrian short cuts everywhere. Further information is always available from the museum located in the entrance to Henfield Hall. It is well worth a look next time you are in Henfield.

Fulking Fun Day
The Social committee are considering having a ’fun day’ possibly on Sunday 16 June instead of a fair. This will be part of an exercise to have more, but smaller events during the year to raise money principally for expenses connected with the village hall. Villagers from the other Downland villages will be encouraged to get involved. Please contact Sally if you would like to join in.

Bobservation No. 113: Badgering the Post Office

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Badger Cull
You may be unaware that the badger cull in England is proceeding without any proof that it is effective in reducing TB in cattle, whereas vaccination is successful. I do exhort you in any way to protest this wicked and cruel way of eliminating our largest native wild mammal. I am currently protesting via AVAAZ but you will have your own method.

Post Office Scandal
It should come as a salutary lesson to all of us that, in spite of living in a democracy, if a government or government agency wishes it can inflict grossly unfair treatment on any individual or group of individuals it cares to. Such is what has happened to the 900 or so Sub-postmasters over the last twenty odd years and is still not resolved in a fair and appropriate fashion. Whilst remaining apolitical, I would encourage you, when given the chance to cast your vote in a General Election, to consider yourself in the position of a post office sub-postmaster, and decide who you would want representing you in Parliament.

Not only this scandal has been with us but some immigrants involved with the Windrush situation are still waiting for a just and financially sensible solution to the appalling way in which they have been treated. I like to think that the racial inequalities of the past are long gone but Windrush smells of prejudice. All of the three main political parties have, over the course of time, been in a position of power during both of these miscarriages of justice and all three need to get them sorted quickly before we put our ballot in the box later this year.

Fulking Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 11th January 2024

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You are cordially invited to an Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Thursday 11th January 2024 at 7.30pm to be held at Fulking Village Hall. The meeting will consider the items set out below. 

Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk  

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

24/001/OM.            Apologies for Absence. 

24/002/OM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

24/003/OM.            Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 12th October 2023 

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

24/004/OM.            Reports from District and County Councillors.   

24/005/OM.            Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting. 

24/006/OM.            Small Acre Update 

24/007/OM.            Parish Plan Update 

24/008/OM.        2024 – 2025 Precept 

24/009/OM.         Proposed TRO – New speed limit.       

24/010/OM.             Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

24/011/OM.              Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

24/012/OM.              Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

24/013/OM.               To set a date of Annual General Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting:  

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 11th April 2024.