HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: All Members of the Grounds & Environment Committee (Kristian Berggreen, David Bunting, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Sue Hatton, Peter Richardson, Paul Shepherd and Ian Weir) with copies to all other Councillors for information.
A meeting of the GROUNDS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE will be held on 17th July 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.
Parish Clerk 10th July 2025
1. TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. TO ACCEPT DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
3. MINUTES. To accept the Minutes of the Grounds and Environment Meeting held on 5th June 2025. (Previously circulated).
4.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
5.OFFICER’S REPORT.1. Officer’s Report (Appendix 1)
6. GROUNDSPERSON REPORT. (Appendix 2)
7. CRICKET CLUB – A representative from Keymer & Hassocks Cricket Club to present a proposal to the committee regarding the installation of cricket nets in Adastra Park. (3. Cricket Club – Net options Appendix 3
8.ALLOTMENT RENT 2025/26. Allotment Rent & Water Review 2025 – (Appendix 4). Members are asked to consider the allotment rental charges & water charges for 25-26.
9.ADASTRA PARK MASTERPLAN. Verbal Update (Cllr David Bunting/Deputy Clerk).
9.1 PAVILION BUILDING SURVEY – Members are asked to consider the options provided and agree a contractor to complete a building survey. Pavilion Building Survey 2025 (Appendix 5).
Hassocks – Stuart Radley – Sports Pavilion Appendix 6
Defect Report (EXAMPLE) – Sussex Surveyors Appendix 7
Example 10-Year PPM Sussex Surveyors Appendix 8
Building Survey Example Report with Photos Sussex Surveyors Appendix 9
9.2 NEW FENCING NORTH FIELD – Cllr Bunting to provide a verbal update.
9.3 TENNIS COURT CLEANING – One quote obtained from www.sportplay.co.uk
To deep clean and carry out algaecide treatment for three courts – £1,890 + Vat.
If members are minded to agree for the work to go ahead there is no budget allocated, so authorisation will need to obtained from full council before the work can go ahead.
10. TRAFFIC & HIGHWAYS WORKING GROUP. WSCC have raised a query regarding the proposed 20mph zone. (Appendix 10).
11. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY (PROW). Verbal Update.
12. OPERATION WATERSHED Verbal Update.
13.URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Thursday 4th September at 7.30pm.
Exclusion of Public and Press In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted Councillors will be referred to the Confidential agenda. If any members of the public or press are present they will be requested to withdraw from the meeting.
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION
15. ADASTRA PARK DRAINAGE – award of contract (Appendix 11).
Please Note:
All members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council and its Committees. Item 4 – a period of 15 minutes will be set aside for the public statements and questions relating to the published non-confidential business of the Meeting.
It may be necessary to consider particular items in confidential session and where this arises, these items will be considered at the end of the agenda.
FILMING, RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. During this meeting members of the public may film or record the Committee and officers from the public area only, providing it does not disrupt the meeting. The Confidential section of the meeting may not be filmed or recorded. If a member of the public objects to being recorded, the person(s) filming must stop doing so until that member of the public has finished speaking. The use of social media is permitted but members of the public are requested to switch their mobile devices to silent for the duration of the meeting.
Appendix 1
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 17th July 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 5 – Officer Report
The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on (G&E) Matters.
1. HASSOCKS FLORAL DISPLAYS
The contract with Greenscene Landscapes to provide the three floral displays has now expired. I have invited Martin Dean to provide us with a new quote for the next two years.
2. ADASTRA PARK – Path Access. Members are invited to note that as per minute ref GE24/62.1, the work to install a land drain along the path adjacent to Adastra Hall has now been completed by our contractor.
3. VILLAGE ROAD SIGNS – Deputy Clerk has been in contact with the Traffic Team at West Sussex Highways. They have confirmed there is no objection to the road signs being replaced. Although any new signs will need approval. Not able to recommend any contractor.
It is proposed that EMR of £4000 are used to replace the six signs in need of updating.
S106 monies available for signage: £12700. Deadline to spend: February 2027. It is proposed that at a later date quotes can be obtained for village gateway signs, using S106 funds.
4. TREE SURVEY – Three arboriculturists have been invited to quote for a tree survey of all our sites. One contractor will be instructed to produce a report to allow us to plan a programme to address any urgent issues and ongoing maintenance to ensure they are safe. There are tree maintenance budgets for Adastra Park, Parklands Copse and Talbot Field that we can use to cover the cost of the survey.
5. ADASTRA PARK WORKING GROUP – A meeting took place on 10th July to agree the Terms of Reference of the group. A five-year plan for Adastra Park will be developed. (included in 2025-6 for HPC Business Plan). The following items are proposed to be included:
6. Adastra Park football pitches – The Groundsperson has signed up to PitchPower, the Football Foundation’s free pitch inspection web app for grass football, rugby and cricket surfaces. Over the Autumn/Winter, we will provide them with photos and measurements of the playing surfaces and they will compile a bespoke report with advice on pitch maintenance. This could unlock future funding from the National Governing Bodies for new equipment and a pitch improvement programme to address any ongoing drainage issues.
Appendix 2
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 17th July 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 6 – Grounds Person Report
Members are asked to note the Grounds Person Report:
1. Bench at the bottom of the north field vandalised, has been moved to the Groundsperson garage to await assessment regarding a repair.
Nothing further to report as the Groundsperson recently returned from two weeks annual leave.
Appendix 4
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 17th July 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 8 – Allotment Rent 25/26 & Review of Water Charges
Members are asked to consider the following:
The purpose of this report is to invite Members to approve a proposed increase in Allotment Rent for 2025/26. At a meeting of the Grounds Committee on 11 March 2015, a formula proposed by Hassocks Allotment Holders Association was agreed for calculating allotment rents which composes of three elements, plot rent, water installation, and water charges. (Minute 7b). This formula continues to be the agreed process for calculating allotment rents, with amendments as agreed on 3 September 2021 and 21 September 2023 relating to water charges.
1. The Rent formula is as follows:
(a) Plot Rent 2013-14 Plot Rent £18.50 – increased annually based on inflation.
(b) Water Installation. 2011 – an addition of £10 per annum for water installation costs to run for 21 years until 2032.
(c) Water Charges. The charges for water usage were increased from £7 per annum to £8 per annum on 21 September 2023 Minute ref: GE 23/39. It is proposed that the charge for water should remain at £8 per half plot per annum for 2024.
(d) October 2024 – Allotment rent:
£25.98 plus water = £43.98 Rounded to nearest pound = Total £44.00
2. PLOT RENT 2025 – Using the agreed formula, applying inflation (CPI Apr 25) to the rent of £25.98 for a half plot for 2024/25 would result in a total increase of £0.90 (3.5%), bringing the plot rent to £26.88 for 2025/26
Rent (24/25) £ 25.98
Inflation increase £ 0.90
Water installation £ 10.00
Water Usage £ 8.00
Total Rent 25/26 £ £45.00
(a) Review of water charges July 2025.
Current Annual Income:
62 plots in total
Half plots – 19x£8 water charge = £152
Quarter plots – 43x£4 water charge = £172
Total: £324.00.
Current monthly direct debit: £21.00×12 = £252.00
South East Water have advised this amount is not covering usage, they recommend an increase to at least £35.00 per month. Total: £420.00 per annum
Annual Budget 25-26 £400
4. OFFICER RECOMMENDATION.
Option A: Members approve an increase of £0.90 to the allotment rent for 2025/26. This would take the total rent to £45.00 per half plot per annum, based on applying a £0.90 inflationary increase and rounding to the nearest pound as previously agreed. Water charges would remain at £8 per half plot.
Option B: Members approve the above increase with an additional increase to the water charges:
Water usage half plot £ 10.00
Water usage quarter plot £5.00
Total Income: £405.00 per annum
Total Rent 25/26:
£47.00 per half plot
£23.50 per quarter plot
If members are minded to agree this increase the Deputy Clerk will then instruct South East Water to increase our monthly direct debit to £35.00 per month.
Appendix 5
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 17th July 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item 9.1 – Pavilion Building Survey
Members are asked to consider the following quotes to provide a building survey of the Sports Pavilion:
a) Stuart Radley Associates
I can confirm that our fees for providing a condition survey of the interior and exterior of the building would be £1,750 + VAT. The survey would describe the condition of each element and provide recommendations in respect of the planned maintenance likely to be needed in the coming 5 years.
Some estimated costs would be provided as an approximate guide to help with planning repairs.
If you were to decide that you did not want a full condition survey, we could undertake an assessment of the roof only (if that is the point of concern) for £750+VAT.
The condition report on the mechanical and electrical services would be carried out by a separate company. Obtained a quotation from Pope Consulting Ltd. (Appendix 6 attached). Their quotation is in two parts:
b) Sussex Surveyors
Option 1 – Defect Report (Appendix 7)
For undertaking a site inspection and producing a defect report highting the areas of disrepair, their cause and the required remedial works. – £900+VAT.
Option 2 – PPM (Appendix 8)
For preparing a Planned Preventative Maintenance Survey – £1,500+VAT
Option 3 – Building Survey – £1,500 +VAT. (Appendix 9)
RECOMMENDATION: Members agree to instruct a contractor to undertake the work. There is no funding budgeted for this type of work, so authorisation will need to obtained from full council before the work can go ahead.
Appendix 10
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: Grounds & Environment Committee
Date: 17th July 2025
Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item: 10 – TRAFFIC & HIGHWAYS WORKING GROUP
The deputy Clerk has received a query West Sussex Highways regarding our application for a 20mph zone within Hassocks. They require clarification that side and residential roads within the zone will also be reduced to 20mph.
There is a concern that if certain roads are excluded this could unintentionally signal to drivers emerging from a 20mph zone that it is appropriate to increase their speed, potentially raising safety concerns.
Currently roads such as the following won’t be included:
Downsview Rd
Bonny Wood Rd
Clayton Avenue
Woodsland Rd
Chancellors Park
Parklands Rd
Windmill Avenue
Kings Drive
Queens Drive
Damian Way
Church Mead
Members view are sought
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the meeting of the GROUNDS AND ENVIRONMENT Committee held on Thursday 17th July 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.
Attendees: Councillors Kristian Berggreen, David Bunting, Bill Hatton, Peter Richardson,
Paul Shepherd and Ian Weir, Frances Gaudencio, Sue Hatton,
In attendance: Helen Valler (Deputy Clerk). One member of the public.
GE25/015 APOLOGIES: There were no apologies for absence.
GE25/016 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Paul Shepherd declared an interest in Item 9.3 Tennis Court cleaning.
GE25/017 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Grounds & Environment Committee meeting held on 5th June 2025 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
GE25/018 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. One member of the public present who spoke in relation to GE25/021 – Cricket Club. The meeting was adjourned.
GE25/019 OFFICER’S REPORT.
Members noted the report provided in Appendix 1 of the agenda.
The following points were discussed:
GE25/020 GROUNDSPERSON REPORT
Members noted the report provided in Appendix 2 of the agenda.
Deputy Clerk informed members that the Monday Group has confirmed that they will be able to repair the bench that was vandalised. Members thanked the local carpenter that had offered to repair the bench.
GE25/021 CRICKET CLUB – Members considered a proposal from Keymer & Hassocks Cricket Club to install cricket nets in Adastra Park. The following points were discussed:
RESOLVED: Members are broadly in favour of the proposal and support the Cricket Club, subject to further information and the exact design being agreed. The member of the public left the meeting.
GE25/022 ALLOTMENT RENT – Members considered the allotment rental charges & water charges for 25-26.
The following was discussed:
RESOLVED: Members agreed to apply an inflationary increase to the allotment rent of 0.90 for 2025/26. It was also agreed to increase the charge for water to:
Half plot – £10
Quarter plot – £5
The direct debit payment will be increased to £33.30 per month.
GE25/023 ADASTRA PARK MASTERPLAN. A verbal report was provided by Cllr David Bunting.
Nothing further to report
GE25/023.1 PAVILION BUILDING – Members considered the options provided and agreed a contractor to complete a building survey. The following was discussed:
RESOLVED: It was agreed that Stuart Radley would be instructed to undertake:
The request for funds will be included on the council agenda for 18th August.
GE25/023.2 FENCING NORTH FIELD – The Park Working Group decided last week that to discourage people from entering the area around the stream on the north boundary, more extensive fencing is required. Cllr Bunting to meet with a representative from The Monday Group to assess whether they can complete the work, or we require a contractor.
GE25/023.3 TENNIS COURT CLEANING: Members considered the quote from www.sportplay.co.uk. The Deputy Clerk presented a further quote for £2850.00 from Sports Maintenance. It was explained that this company had visited the site and propose to complete:
It was discussed that the courts are now two years old and would benefit from an annual maintenance schedule being created.
RESOLVED: The committee agreed to instruct Sports Maintenance to complete the works.
The Deputy Clerk informed members that as per minute ref PC24/109.2&3 it was agreed to set aside a sinking fund for future maintenance of the tennis courts. Currently there is £3638.00 budgeted. These funds can be utilised for this work. When the budget for 26/27 is put together the EMR reserves would be replenished and an additional budget set up for annual maintenance.
GE25/024 TRAFFIC & HIGHWAYS WORKING GROUP
Members discussed the query submitted by WSCC Highways Team regarding our application for a 20mph zone.
RESOLVED: As all the roads in question are residential no-through roads within the village the committee agreed that these roads should be included in the 20mph scheme. Deputy Clerk to confirm to West Sussex Highways.
Cllr Gaudencio left the meeting at 8.45pm
GE25/025 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY (PROW). Cllr Ian Weir provided a verbal update.
GE25/026 OPERATION WATERSHED Cllr Ian Weir provided a verbal update.
GE 25/027 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairperson for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda. Nothing further to add.
GE25/028 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Thursday 4th September 2025 at 7.30pm.
GE25/029 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION:
Please refer to the confidential minutes.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9pm
See full list of 2025/26 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
18/08/2025
Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Hassocks Parish Council
18/08/2025
Planning Committee
See full list of 2025/26 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
The Council Office is located at:
Parish Centre, Adastra Park,
Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8QH.
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Wednesday CLOSED
Friday
10.00 a.m. to 12 noon.
