Hassocks Parish Council

Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 9 September 2025

Attendees: Parish Councillors Frances Gaudencio (Chair), Maria Angelaki-King, Kristian Berggreen, David Bunting, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Sue Hatton, Don McBeth, Paul Shepherd.

In Attendance: Elaine Langridge (Clerk & RFO), WSCC Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman

MINUTES

PC25/63        APOLOGIES Cllrs Robert Brewer, Bill Hatton, Peter Richardson, Alex Simmons, Ian Weir.

Absent without apologies: Cllr Angus Neil.

PC25/64        DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS Disclosure by Councillors of personal interests in

matters on the agenda, and whether the Councillor regards their interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct – None.

PC25/65        MINUTES The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8 July 2025 were

accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

PC25/66        PUBLIC PARTICIPATION One member of the public present.

PC25/67        TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES

• Planning Committee – Members AGREED minutes of the meetings held on 7 July 2025, 28 July 2025 and 18 August 2025.
• Grounds & Environment Committee – Members AGREED minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025.
• Policy, Resources & Communications Committee – Members NOTED minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2025.

PC25/68        COUNCILLOR CO-OPTION The Council received two applications to be become a Parish Councillor, but one candidate had withdrawn for health reasons. Peter Reime was invited to speak in support of his application.  He moved to Hassocks a year ago and has professional expertise as an architect and an interest in Planning and infrastructure. Members responded to questions and asked about Peter’s personal interests and motivations and then took a vote by show of hands.

Members RESOLVED to elect Peter Reime to serve on the Hassocks Ward, subject to receipt of the signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office form.

PC25/69        REPORTS

PC25/69.1     Police Report – PCSO Nathaniel Wales who covers the Hassocks area was unable to be present, but he provided a monthly report for August which showed the following:

Other than dwelling burglary/ tool/ bike thefts: 5

Damage to vehicle:1

Shop lifting including fail to pay for fuel: 4

theft:1

damage to highway: 1 (painted roundabouts)

The Clerk also shared information about a Missing Person, Rebecca Holdham, who was last seen on Sunday 7 September at an address in the Ockley Park estate.

PC25/69.2     West Sussex County Councillor – Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman presented an update and provided a written report which has been updated to reflect the discussion in the meeting (Appendix 1).

PC25/69.3     Mid Sussex District Councillor report – Cllr Chris Hobbs was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written update (Appendix 2).

PC25/69.4     Rail matters – Cllr Bill Hatton attended the Rail Group Meeting on 9 July but was not present to provide an update. The Clerk informed Members that the Chair of the Rail Group had sent through the minutes, and the key matter was regarding the Railway 200 activities planned for 9.30am-5pm Saturday 27 September. A copy of the poster will be circulated with the minutes and published on the Council’s Facebook page.

PC25/69.5     Community Initiatives – Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, Trustee of Hassocks Community Organisation (HCO), made a request on behalf of the Green Group volunteers for assistance toward watering and clearing rubbish from planters in the village by Hassocks Pet Centre, the railway station and the bottom of Grand Avenue.  It was agreed that the Council would seek a price for watering and cleaning and this matter could be considered by the G&E Committee.

She also updated the Council on two successful HCO Youth Projects over the summer.  A three-day drama workshop led by a professional tutor culminated in a show produced by the young people and the Team Xtreme skateboarding and BMX event in Adastra Park offered coaching and expert displays.

PC25/69.6     Report from Councillors on meetings of outside bodies where the Council is represented

Cllr David Bunting attended the Oldlands Mill Trustee meeting in early September.  The charity has recently purchased a new cherry picker and provided training for their members with support from Ditchling Parish Council and they have submitted a Community Grant application to the Council to enable them to provide further training.

Chris Hobbs provided an update in relation to Adastra Hall (Appendix 3). Cllr Gaudencio was pleased that bookings are going well, there is clearly a lot of local demand and she congratulated the Adastra Hall team on completing the refurbishment works. The Council provided a donation of £30,000 toward the new extension and she would like to arrange a visit for Councillors to look at the improvements. The hope is that we can work together more closely in the future. Councillor Sue Hatton is the Council representative, and she agreed to pass this on at the Adastra Hall AGM w/c 15 September.

PC25/69.7     Appointment of Representative for Age Concern Hassocks – Cllr Frances Gaudencio explained that she and the Clerk had recently met with Penny Wadsworth (Trustee) and John Rose (CEO) of Age Concern Hassocks to learn more about their work and plans for the future.  They want to make greater community use of their premises, which are in need of improvement, and they are keen to work with the Parish Council to assist develop projects that support the needs of older residents. A Council representative would enable better ongoing communications and Members were invited to express their interest.

RESOLVED that Cllrs Frances Gaudencio and Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb (subject to confirmation there is no Conflict of Interest) to be appointed as the representatives for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC25/70        FINANCE – Members considered the Financial Reports and supporting bank statements for the period ending 30 June 2025 as set out in Appendix 1 and the period ending 31 July as set out in Appendix 2.  Cllr Shepherd queried a payment made to Spy Alarms on 15 July for £612.  The Clerk explained that a sensor in the Parish Centre was faulty resulting in alarm failure so an out of hours emergency callout was required which is much more expensive than routine servicing.  There was also a question about why Burgess Hill Marching Band have been paid in advance for the Remembrance Sunday event and it was explained that this was to secure the booking on that day.

PC25/70.1     Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £53,295.84 for the period 1-30 June 2025 and £27,685.20 for the period 1-31 July 2025.

PC25/71        CHAIR’S REPORT – The Chair had received a letter of thanks following a meeting between Alison Bennett MP, Cllrs Frances Gaudencio, Ian Weir and Lesley Cruickshank-Robb on 7 August so the local MP could learn more about our work and issues facing constituents.

Members were advised that WSCC has published a new Flood Risk Management Strategy but Hassocks is not mentioned which is disappointing given previous work and engagement on the issue. West Sussex County Cllr Erika Woodhouse-Trueman offered to follow this up with the appropriate officers.

There will be an online training session on Planning matters including the new National Planning Policy Framework at 12.30-1.30pm on 24 September which Members are welcome to join independently or via Zoom in the Parish Centre – details will be circulated by email.

Cllr Gaudencio, the Deputy Clerk and Cllr Don McBeth had recently met with the Leader of the Scouts and the proprietors of the  Greyhound Pub to continue planning for the Remembrance Sunday parade. More stewards are needed so any Councillors willing to help should contact the Deputy Clerk asap. The Guides and Brownies will try to recruit parent volunteers and HCO has sent the Hassocks Life article to their volunteer database. Cllr Hatton asked the Council to notify MSDC of the event details as they will want to take a wreath. WSCC will also want to lay a wreath. Cllr Paul Shepherd will be unable to lay a wreath at Clayton as he will be away. There will be further discussion and details of road closures will be presented to the PR&C meeting on 23 September.

PC25/72        CLERK’S REPORT

PC25/72.1     Community Grants – Three applications had been received for the Phase 1 funding round and Members were asked to consider the merits of each bid.   The details of the scheme and the application forms were set out in Appendices 3 and 4.

After careful consideration Members RESOLVED to award the following sums:

• £600 to Oldlands Mill toward volunteer training sessions.
• £500 to the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex toward operating costs of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
• £600 4Sight Vision Support toward support for residents with sight loss.

PC25/72.2     Light Up Hassocks – Members were informed that a donation of £1,500 would be paid to the Hassocks Community Organisation to support the annual Light Up Hassocks event which will take place on Friday 5 December 4-8pm.

PC25/72.3     External Audit – Members were advised that the annual audit had been concluded.  The External Auditor Report and Certificate 2024/25 (Section 3 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the Year ended 31 March 2025) and the Notice of Conclusion of the Annual Audit have been published on the Council’s website.

PC25/72.4     Unbudgeted Expenditure – The Clerk sought approval for expenditure on three projects to be funded through General Reserves. For information, at the Year End in March 2025 the Council had £273,500 in General Reserves and £259,402 in Earmarked Reserves.

PC25/72.4.1  Sports Pavilion Buildings Survey – Cllr Bunting explained that the G&E Committee had discussed the condition of the building. There are leaks in the roof that need addressing, it was designed as an eco-building, but the solar panels were not fitted, and the utility costs are comparatively very high.  These issues need to be remedied and future proofed which is the purpose of the surveys.

Members RESOLVED to allocate a budget of £4,250 for the Sports Pavilion Buildings Surveys.

PC25/72.4.2  Cupboard Fitting – The Clerk explained that more secure space is needed to clear the cabinets in the foyer and store archived documents, so it is proposed to employ a carpenter to convert the desks/workspace in the Council Chamber to lockable cupboards. Cllr Hatton asked if we could also address the untidy flyer table in the foyer which would require some additional budget.

Members RESOLVED to allocate a budget of £2,500 to create more cupboard space and purchase a display unit.

PC25/72.4.3  North Field Fencing – Cllr Bunting explained that the NE corner of the North Field is used as a meting place by young people but there is a steep drop into the stream, and some fencing is needed to secure the area for health and safety reasons.  The G&E Committee have considered the options and are in favour of a 30m length of 6’ high metal fencing.

Members RESOLVED to allocate a budget of £2,860 for new fencing in the North Field.

PC25/73        URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR – Cllr McBeth mentioned that the lighting outside the building is very poor and needs to be improved.  Cllr Cruickshank-Robb asked if it would be possible to use Talbot Field for allotments.  Both of these items will be considered by the G&E Committee.

PC25/74        DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 14 October 2025.

PC25/75        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 in attendance they will be requested to withdraw from the meeting in the public interest.

 CONFIDENTIAL

PC25/76        TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES

• Parish Council – Members AGREED to minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2025.
• Grounds & Environment Committee – Members NOTED minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025.
• Extra-ordinary Parish Council – Members AGREED to the minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2025.

APPENDIX 1

PC25/69.2  West Sussex County Councillor Report

Assigned Committees

• Community Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee, next meeting on 12th September with pre-brief on 10th September
• Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee substitute

Adult Services

Villa Adastra CQC rating  – ‘good.’  To be sold to a matching provider, waiting for an update.

Cycling

Cllr Ian Weir has been invited to join a Working Group to be established to consider cycling and cycling safety re: Clayton Hill in particular. Also, cycle racks as there are currently none in the village.

Community Highways Schemes (CHS)

Beaconhurst CHS – works will shortly be undertaken in association to a Community Highway Scheme to improve pedestrian crossing points, at the junction of Keymer Road and Beaconhurst. The scheme involves the installation of three new dropped kerb crossing points, and new footway to improve pedestrian links and safe crossing points. The works are due to commence on the 22nd of September, and scheduled to take place over four weeks, between 7:30am to 5:30pm.

The rules regarding CHS are changing so only one scheme per area per annum will now be taken forward.  The deadline for submissions was 31 July and applications will be initially reviewed and scored by staff prior to submission to the full panel October.  There are a number of potential highways improvements schemes in Hassocks including the 20mph proposal submitted by the Parish Council following local consultation, Stonepound Crossroads, Dale Avenue Windmills crossing and other safety related schemes such as junctions between Ockley Lane and Keymer Road, Lodge Lane and the B2112 so it will be necessary to prioritise.  The collection of data and evidence of public support are important factors.

Schools

Windmills – tour 10^th September, LA governor role, crossing/road safety, etc.

Twineham – The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning has approved the launch of a public consultation, in accordance with the Department for Education guidance, to seek views on the proposal to close Twineham CE (Voluntary Controlled) Primary school from 31 August 2026.

Forward Look

NRS Healthcare has gone into liquidation.

In Brighton & Hove NRS provided community equipment services such as rails, hoists and beds, and in East Sussex and West Sussex they supplied Technology Enabled Care services. TEC allows someone to call for help in the event of an emergency, if they’re not feeling well or if they become anxious about a situation, such as an unknown caller to a home. As of Friday 1 August 2025, West Sussex County Council has a replacement TEC (technology enabled care) provider, Livity Life.

Priority is to ensure continuity of service for West Sussex residents. During the transition period, Livity Life will handle urgent repairs for existing customers and urgent hospital-discharge installations. After this routine referral will resume. Customers can contact the new provider Livity Life by emailing westsussextec@livitylife.co.uk or for urgent issues contact 01243 963722.

Meetings

Next full council meetings

23rd September – extraordinary meeting focused on Local Government Reorganisation

17th October

Erika Woodhurst-Trueman – County Councillor for Hassocks and Burgess Hill South

APPENDIX 2

PC25/69.3  Mid Sussex District Councillor Report

• The subject of local government re-organisation has been building pace throughout the summer with a public consultation over 3 options – Option A, an all-west Sussex wide new authority (mirroring the WSCC map), and 2 versions of Option B – B1 which is an east west split of Mid Sussex, Crawley, Horsham and Adur with Chichester, Worthing, and Arun forming a 2nd Council, and B2 which again sees an East West Split but with Adur being part of the western council. The business case will be published in the next week, and Mid Sussex District Council members, along with all the other district councils and West Sussex County Council, will debate the solution we wish to back on Wednesday 24th September, the officers will be asked to send our submission to the government at a cabinet meeting later that evening.
• ARC, the centre for outdoor sports, opens this week for its’ first bookings providing new sports facilities for the south of the district.

Cllr Chris Hobbs – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure & Customer Services

Ward Councillor, Hassocks

APPENDIX 3

PC25/69.6  Update from Adastra Hall for Hassocks Parish Council

As planned, we re-opened the Hall on Monday, 1st September with our summer projects completed. This has included:

• 7 new toilet cubicles, including 3 disabled units and 2 to feature baby changing tables
• The cubicles all feature automatic ventilation and lighting to reduce power usage
• A new fire alarm system
• New fire doors with additional security, restricting the use of the facilities to the users of the building
• New CCTV covering the outside areas of the building
• Full redecoration through the front of the building
• An 85 inch presentation monitor and conferencing camera and sound system
• New tables for the main hall
• Re-routed path around the side of the building
• New graphics in the lobby area, including the new “History of Hassocks” artwork produced by the U3a History group

The project has been fully funded via s106 grants from MSDC. It has come in on budget, and on schedule and hirers have commented about the look and feel of the building being much enhanced.

Bookings remain at an all-time high and this month we welcome a new, over 65s exercise class to the hall on a Tuesday afternoon.

Chris Hobbs

Chair, Hassocks Community Association

Chair, Adastra Hall Hassocks Community Association CIO