Annual Parish Meeting

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Draft MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held on
20 May 2025 at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors Kristian Berggreen, David Bunting, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Sue Hatton, Don McBeth and Ian Weir.

In Attendance: Elaine Langridge (Clerk & RFO), Helen Valler (Deputy Clerk).

1. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Cllr Gaudencio welcomed Parish Councillors and one member of the public present at the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES

Councillors Maria Angelaki-King, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Angus Neil, Peter Richardson, Paul Shepherd, Alex Simmons and Robert Brewer.

3. MINUTES

The minutes of the Annual Parish meeting held on 23 May 2024 were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

4. CHAIR’S PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25

Cllr Gaudencio, Chair of Hassocks Parish Council, presented a summary of the Annual Report 2024-25.

She began by thanking the outgoing Clerk, Ian Cumberworth and welcomed three new staff members Francis Lea (Grounds Person), Helen Valler (Deputy clerk) and Elaine Langridge (Clerk & RFO) and outlined their backgrounds. Tracy Forte (Assistant to the Clerk) has reduced her hours to one day pw. and continues to be an asset to the Council.  She also thanked Jane Barker (Administration Assistant) for her flexibility during the staff changes.

Cllr Gaudencio went on to talk about the work of the Council Committees and various Working Groups who deliver the business plan.  She thanked the Parish Councillors who have led on projects and contributed in meetings throughout the year.  She also expressed thanks to Kirsty Lord, the outgoing West Sussex County Councillor, for her attendance at meetings and assistance with local issues.  In total the Council dealt with over 4,000 enquiries in 2024-25, regarding assets, 350 foodbank vouchers and day to day administration.

The Policy, Resources and Communications Committee oversee Council income and expenditure, and the Council is currently in a healthy financial position.  In 2024-25 the Precept (council tax) provided £331,827, this amount has increased in the current financial year due to housing growth in the Parish but costs per household have slightly decreased.  The Council has £273,500 in General Reserves and £259,402 in Earmarked Reserves which are ring-fenced for specific projects.  The Council recently received a good audit report which stated that financial procedures are well established and followed.  In 2024-25, the Council was pleased to provide a number of grants to support the following local sports clubs, community and environmental groups – Adastra Stoolball, Age Concern, Angels Knitting Group, St Catherine’s Hospice, Hassocks Community Vegetable Patch, Air Ambulance Kent Surrey and Sussex, 4 Sight Vision and St Peter & St James’ Hospice.

The Planning Committee meets every three weeks and considered 150 applications in 2024-25, which meant lots of paperwork to review, thought and reflection to comment on behalf of the Parish Council.

The Grounds and Environment Committee has initiated a scheme to improve the drainage in Adastra Park and commissioned a drain mapping survey.  This Committee also led on the relocation of the Memorial stones from the Royal British Legion building to the Garden of Remembrance in Adastra Park and organised a service with Father Alex on the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day in May 2025.  Cllr Gaudencio thanked the Garden of Remembrance Volunteer Group for their hard work and the VE Day planting.

Other volunteers, whose work is much appreciated, include the Woodland Flaura and Fauna Group who help maintain Talbot Field and the Monday Group who make a great  contribution. Cllr Gaudencio also thanked Penny Wadsworth who promotes the hanging basket scheme.

The Parish Council worked with Windmills Junior School in 2024-25 to create the bird and butterfly mosaics for a public art tree on the Parish Office building which has been very well received.

Allotments are in high demand; there are currently 65 people on the allotments waiting list and this year the Council started a search for more allotment space. The Parish Council also replaced the rusty old gate with a new security gate.

West Sussex must be given credit for maintaining the numerous grass verges of Hassocks. These, with an abundance and variety of trees are part of the unique charm of this area. Our commitment to enhancing our green environment is indicated by financially contributing to tree planting each year and once all locations are approved by West Sussex County Council the trees are planted during the winter.

The Parish Council is currently working on a programme to make a series of footpath improvements and supported an upgrade to Public Right of Way 8C.

Cllr Gaudencio also recognised the hard work of the Speed Limit Working Group who carried out surveys and a consultation to support a bid to West Sussex County Council for the introduction of a 20-mph speed limit zone, which the Parish Council will financially contribute toward.

The Chair paid tribute to the work and contributions of Leslie Campbell, a dedicated Parish Councillor for many years, who sadly passed away in March 2025.

Copies of the Annual Report 24-25 were distributed to attendees present and is set out in Appendix 1. To view Appendix 1 please click here.

5. OPEN FORUM: OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO RAISE ANY ISSUES

Question (Q) & Answer Session (A)

No questions were received in advance.  Members of the public were provided with an opportunity to raise questions.

5.1 Q Can maintenance of the cricket outfield be improved to deal with some worn and uneven patches of ground which affect play?

A. The recreation ground is multi-sports, and it is currently being used regularly by football clubs for training and matches which affects the quality of the pitch. The Clerk will discuss the matter with the Grounds Person and get back to the cricket club to let them know if the football pitches could be relocated or additional grounds maintenance work might improve the situation.

That concluded the questions.