Hassocks Parish Council

Minutes

Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 9 December 2025

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

In Attendance: Elaine Langridge (Clerk & RFO).

MINUTES

PC25/101      APOLOGIES Cllr Robert Brewer,

Absent without apologies: Cllr Alex Simmons

PC25/102      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.

PC25/103      MINUTES The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11 November 2025 were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Cllr McBeth challenged the accuracy of the minutes with regard to the Chair’s Report (PC25/97) because he stated that the Council does not have a Communications Policy. He also objected to ‘censorship’ of inter-councillor communications by the Clerk and stated that the current Data Protection Policy does not restrict the distribution of visual or written records of Council sponsored events.

The Clerk advised that the Policy, Resources & Communications Committee (PR&C) approved a Communications Policy in November 2019, which will be updated next year. With regard to sharing recordings of Council events, the current Data Protection Policy refers to the lawful processing of personal data which includes photographs of individuals. The Clerk has a responsibility, on behalf of the Council as a Data Controller, to ensure personal data is managed in compliance with the law. An updated Data Protection Policy will be presented to PR&C in January 2026 which will provide clarification and an opportunity for further discussion of the issues.

PC25/104      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No members of the public were present.

PC25/105      TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES

• Planning Committee – Members noted minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2025

PC25/106      REPORTS

PC25/106.1   Police Report – PCSO Nathaniel Wales who covers the Hassocks area was not present but he emailed the Clerk who provided a summary of reported crimes in the Parish between 1 November – 1 December 2025:

Burglary – Residential: 1, Business: 2

Theft from vehicle: 3

Shoplifting: 1

Assaults (including domestic incidents): 4

Vehicle interference: 1

Public order: 1

Theft of motor vehicle:1

The Clerk also informed Councillors that the garages in Adastra Park and the Bowls Club had been broken into and there were reports of similar incidents in Hurstpierpoint.

PC25/106.2   West Sussex County Councillor – Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman sent her apologies as she was unable to attend but sent a written report (Appendix 1). With regard to footpath 5K, the Clerk agreed to contact the Planning Authority because the flood relief pond is blocking access.

PC25/106.3   Mid Sussex District Councillor report – Cllr Kristian Berggreen provided a report on behalf of Cllr Chris Hobbs (Appendix 2).  There was some discussion about late bin collections and problems reporting issues online.  Members suggested emailing wastematters@midsussex.gov.uk as an alternative contact.  Cllr Weir asked if the new footpath parallel to the railway line would be open soon in accordance with Planning conditions; Cllr Reime thought it should be open in Spring 2026.

PC25/106.4   Rail and Public Transport Matters – none.

PC25/106.5   Community Initiatives – none.

PC25/106.6   Report from Councillors on meetings of outside bodies where the Council is represented

Cllr Bunting reported that four Councillors attended the Community Energy Pathways (CEP) event at Adastra Hall on 26 November.  The event was also attended by representatives of Greener Hassocks.  The organisers are interested in exploring ideas for alternative energy sources in the Parish and gave examples of community initiatives and energy saving projects elsewhere in the country.  The promotion of small domestic installations, water conservation and anaerobic digesters was considered more feasible locally than large scale wind turbines or solar farms.  This meeting was a data gathering exercise and CEP are planning further sessions in Hassocks.

On 18 November, Cllr Gaudencio and the Clerk attended a meeting with Matt Ashdown, the new Headteacher at Downlands Community School.  They discussed the potential for an allotment project at the school, subject to West Sussex County Council approval.  The Chair of the Hassocks Allotment Holders Association has arranged another meeting to discuss this further. With regard to the proposed installation of new cricket nets in Adastra Park, Cllr Gaudencio is keen to encourage equal access and links between the school and the Keymer & Hassocks Cricket Club to help develop more opportunities for girls’ cricket. The Clerk was interested in attending the Business Breakfast meetings for networking purposes in relation to a proposal to set up a Hassocks Traders Association to support local businesses. There was also discussion about anti-social behaviour by young people after school in Adastra Park and the potential for a partnership project with the Garden of Remembrance volunteers.

Cllr Gaudencio also attended an Age Concern Board meeting recently to exchange information.  She reported that Age Concern has someone to assist older people with IT to help address digital exclusion.  They are also interested in hosting a televised Remembrance Day event of the service at the Cenotaph in London next year for older people who cannot attend the parade.

PC25/107      FINANCE Cllr Weir asked what the Urban Hygiene payment was for and the Clerk stated that it was for anti-graffiti paint used on the concrete seat and bins around the skatepark.  Cllr Bunting queried the £300 payment to Active Roofing for garage roof repairs. The Clerk explained that this was for a temporary fix to the roof which was damaged in the burglary. The insurers have now accepted the Council’s claim and a full repair will be carried out shortly to replace the roofing, guttering and fascias.

PC25/107.1    Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £1,424.19 for the period between 1 – 30 November 2025 from the Barclays Current Account (2114).

PC25/107.2    Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £1,450.40 for the period between 16 October – 3 November 2025 with the Corporate Purchasing Card (0651).

PC25/107.3    Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £33,040.28 for the period between 1 – 30 November 2025 from the Unity Current Account (7654).

PC25/108      CHAIR’S REPORT – Cllr Gaudencio asked Members to work together on a response to the Local Government Reorganisation statutory consultation.  Cllrs Weir, Berggreen, McBeth and Cruickshank-Robb volunteered to review the papers and meet in the New Year, before the 11 January 2026 deadline.  Councillor Hatton encouraged Members to pay attention to the financial implications of the proposals. Members can also respond as individuals and details are available on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government website https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-east-sussex-and-brighton-and-hove-and-west-sussex

Cllr Gaudencio reminded Members that there is a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2025 Briefing by West Sussex County Council at 9-10am, 17 December and they are welcome to attend online at home or at the Parish Office (details previously circulated).

Cllr Gaudencio reported that Helen Valler, Deputy Clerk, has completed her CiLCA training and Members congratulated her on achieving this qualification.

PC25/109      CLERK’S REPORT – the Clerk advised Members that Angus Neil had not attended any Council meetings for over six months so in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 he has ceased to be a Council member.  She has informed him of the situation and will advertise a Casual Vacancy in the New Year.

The Clerk notified Members that she had met with Chris Hobbs on 19 November to discuss the impact that the Mid Sussex District Council parking charge proposals may have on the Adastra Park car park. There will be a 21 day public consultation on the MSDC parking proposals at the end of Jan/early Feb 2026.  The car park is already very busy, often full and parking on Keymer Road has increased.  Members thought that the increase in on-street parking is becoming dangerous and Cllr Weir agreed to raise this with Erika Woodhurst-Trueman to take up with WSCC Highways.

Limited parking space is likely to become more problematic if parking is displaced from the Orion and Dale Avenue car parks to the recreation ground when charging is introduced as it will continue to be free of charge for visitors to the park and Adastra Hall.  Improved signage may be needed, the car park linings need to be improved and the Council may need to consider the introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to restrict the number of parking hours.  It was agreed that this issue requires further consideration and it will be addressed by the Grounds & Environment Committee.

The Clerk advised Members that the Parish Office will be open as normal until Tuesday 23 December 2025 when it will close at 2pm and it will re-open at 10am on Friday 2 January 2026.  The office will be staffed but closed to the public on Wednesday 24 December until 4pm.

PC25/110      URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR – There was a brief discussion about the muddy North Field entrance to Adastra Park and it was suggested that some turf mesh should be purchased to improve access.

PC25/111      DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 13 January 2025.

APPENDIX 1

PC25/106.2   West Sussex County Councillor Report

LGR
You will have seen or heard about the Written Ministerial Statement on Thursday 4^th December from the Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, that the government was firmly committed to devolution, was able to confirm the sums for the thirty-year Mayoral Investment Fund, but that the Mayoral Elections planned to take place in 2026 would not now take place until 2028.

The announcement means that there will be a decision-making board consisting only of representatives from the three constituent councils (us, East Sussex County Council, and Brighton and Hove City Council), rather than the councils and the Mayor until 2028.

The delay in the Mayor being elected is likely to mean a delay in when our Fire and Rescue Service transfers into the Combined Authority. Some of the details still need to be worked through, but that and the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities would not now be expected to happen until 2028 rather than 2027.

Speaking up against violence towards women and girls for White Ribbon Day
Tuesday 25 November was White Ribbon Day, a world-wide awareness day organised by White Ribbon UK, highlighting the importance of standing up to violence against women and girls.

It’s a significant date in the calendar, made even more significant this year as West Sussex County Council and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have both become White Ribbon UK accredited employers. White Ribbon UK accreditation shows our commitment to helping ending men’s violence against women and girls, dedication to positive change and to having an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe. We recognise that preventing violence against women and girls means tackling its root causes head-on. That means challenging harmful attitudes, behaviours, and systems that reinforce rigid gender norms and unhealthy expressions of masculinity.

Budget
Last presentation received was October. There is a briefing planned for January, with the 2026/27 budget being approved in Feb 2026.

The last 3 years have seen increases in pay inflation, general inflation, demand and price changes, and capital financing costs. A £17m overspend is predicted for 2025/26, £34m in gross pressures for 2026/27, and a £30m FFR¹ impact over 3 years. A transformative response is needed. The local government financial settlement (3yr funding settlement, first publication under FFR 2.0) is to be announced w/c 15^th Dec. At present the reported budget gap is £16.3m for 2026/27. £10m of which is the impact of FFR 2.0.

¹ Government Fair Funding Review regarding the distribution of funding to local authorities in England.

Stonepound Leak
As I’m sure you are all aware there was a major South East Water leak at Stonepound a couple of weeks ago. The management of the incident was awful. The road closure was poorly planned and very badly executed. I escalated the matter to Network Compliance and they liaised with SEW who adjusted the closure. The result was as bad, if not worse and so I insisted we send our own inspectors out or managed the closure ourselves. An inspector was sent, and she found a high-priority defect for insufficient signage, lighting and guarding. She also requested SEW provide a gateman 24/7. The gate man was not provided. Again, I reported this to Network Compliance. The closure was resolved 2 days earlier than planned due to the interventions, however the various elements of the dreadful management and execution have all been raised with SEW and they have conducted a review of what happened so lessons can be learned. I am still looking into reports I received that water supply notices were not issued to vulnerable people and bottles of water were not supplied.

FP5K
A footpath closure has been in place for this path in Friars Oak for approximately 2 years. At the request of Cllr Hobbs, I looked into when it would re-open. I was told it would be closed until Feb 2026, but then an extension was likely to be granted. I asked WSCC to apply some pressure to the developer to re-open it on time. They thought it unlikely to change, but I am pleased to report that some chasing has resulted in the developer confirming they plan on finalising the path by the end of January. There will still be construction adjacent to the path, so fencing will remain in place and the path will only be 1.5m wide initially. Once the adjacent works have been completed the path will be re-opened to 3m. I am awaiting clarification on the timeline for this.

LGR – Consultation
Reminder to share the consultation on LGR single vs two unitary authority and encourage as many people as you can to complete it and complete it yourself. The consultation can be found here. Do try to set some context when you share the link. Local government reorganisation in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex – GOV.UK

APPENDIX 2

PC25/106.3   Mid Sussex District Councillor Report

We are now a few weeks into the 123 bin collection process, and it has bedded in fairly well, with a high level of residents using the service. Like anything of this scale, there have been teething problems, but these have gradually been ironed out and we are achieving, on average 100 tonnes of food waste being processed each week at the facility in Warnham.

2 weeks ago the government announced that they would be scrapping the “duty to co-operate” requirement of plan-making and last week MSDC were notified that our district plan examination would be re-opened in the new year, but with a new inspector as the previous inspector, Louise Nurser, did not have capacity to deal with our examination. This is great news as the district feels exposed without the benefit of a plan behind it.

We have dealt with, recently, some casework relating to someone living in a van on Ockley Park, and this week we have reported a caravan which looks lived in at the very north of the Parish, on London Road in the lay-by near to Burgess Hill.

Finally, the council is appointing a contractor to run the consultation on the work at London Road recreation park, which will happen during spring 2026.

Cllr Chris Hobbs – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure & Customer Services Ward Councillor, Hassocks.