Hassocks Parish Council

Agenda

A meeting of the Parish Council is being held on Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.

Parish Clerk 6 January 2026

Members of the public are encouraged to come to the meetings and there is an opportunity for them to address the Council relating to the non-confidential items on the published agenda. A period of 15 minutes will be set aside in item 4 Public participation. 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.

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES

1.1  To accept Apologies for absence

2. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

2.1  To deal with any disclosure by Members of any disclosable pecuniary interests and interests other than pecuniary interests, as defined under Hassocks Parish Council’s Code of Conduct and the Localism Act 2011, in relation to matters on the agenda.

3. MINUTES

3.1  To accept the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9 December 2025.

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Up to fifteen minutes will be available to allow for the public to make representations, answer questions or give evidence in respect of any items of business included in the agenda, in accordance with Standing Orders.

5. TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES

5.1  Planning Committee – to note the minutes for 1 December 2025 and 22 December 2025

5.2  Grounds & Environment – to note the minutes for 4 December 2025

5.3  Policy, Communications and Resources – to note the minutes for 16 December 2025

6. REPORTS

6.1  Police Report

6.2  West Sussex County Councillor

6.3 Mid Sussex District Councillors Report

6.4Rail and Public Transport Matters

6.5  Community Initiatives

6.6  Reports from Councillors on meetings with outside bodies where the Council is Represented.

7. FINANCE

7.1  To approve the Financial Report and authorise the list of payments in the sum of £31,199.46issued between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Barclays Current Account (2114) (Appendix 1). To view Appendix 1 please click here.

7.2  To approve the Financial Report and authorise the list of payments in the sum of £10,000issued between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Barclays Current Account (2114) (Appendix 2). To view Appendix 2 please click here.

7.3  To approve the Financial Report and authorise the list of payments in the sum of £50.99made between 1 – 31 December 2025 with the Corporate Purchasing Card (0651) (Appendix 3). To view Appendix 3 please click here.

7.4  To approve the Financial Report and authorise the list of payments in the sum of £51,710.43issued between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Unity Current Account (7654) (Appendix 4). To view Appendix 4 please click here.

8.CHAIR’S REPORT

8.1  Current matters (oral report)

9. CLERK’S REPORT

9.1  Current matters (oral report)

9.2  Draft Budget and Council Reserves 2026/27 – Members are requested to APPROVE the budget requirements for 2026/27 and allocation of Reserves as recommended by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee on 16 December 2025. The budget forecast (Appendix 5) shows the estimated income and expenditure under each cost centre and the 2025/26 figures for comparison. (To view Appendix 5 please click here). In general, costs are based on the previous year plus 3.6% inflation except where there are explanatory notes. With a projected turnover of £415,000 in 2026/27, it is necessary to retain a minimum General Reserve of £105,000. The current General Reserve is higher than needed so it is proposed that £147,037 is transferred to Earmarked Reserves to cover project spending and ongoing maintenance of Council assets (Appendix 6). This will leave the Council with a General Reserve of approximately £133,000. (To view Appendix 6 please click here).

9.3  Precept 2026/27 – Members are requested to APPROVE a Precept figure of £370,012 as recommended by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee on 16 December 2025. Annual income is forecast to be £44,477, annual expenditure is forecast to be £414,489, therefore the Council requires a Precept of £370,012 to produce a balanced budget; this amounts to £87.15 for a Band D property (Appendix 7). The Precept enables the Parish Council to represent residents and provide local services such as allotments, Christmas lights, footpath improvements, tree planting, bus shelters, bins, sports facilities, community grants and civic events. (To view Appendix 7 please click here).

9.4  Reserves Policy – Members are requested to APPROVE the draft Reserves Policy (Appendix 8) as recommended by the Policy, Resources and Communications Committee on 16 December 2025. It is not a legal requirement for Parish Councils to have a written Reserves Policy but it is considered good practice as it provides clarity for Councillors, auditors and the public. (To view Appendix 8 please click here).

9.5  Investment Policy & Annual Investment Strategy – Members are requested to APPROVE the draft Investment Policy & Annual Investment Strategy (Appendix 9) as recommended by the Policy, Resources and Communications Committee on 16 December 2025. The Council adopted an Investment Policy in July 2023 which needs to be updated in accordance with statutory guidance. The draft document outlines a compliant approach to ensure funds are invested appropriately. (To view Appendix 9 please click here).

10. URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the date of the next Council meeting is Tuesday 10 February 2026.

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.

Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 13 January 2026

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

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

MINUTES

PC25/112      APOLOGIES Cllrs Maria Angelaki-King, Cllrs Robert Brewer, Peter Reime.

PC25/113      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.

Members were asked to make a declaration if they had unpaid Council Tax for more than two months, in respect of agenda items 9.2 and 9.3, in accordance with the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations (para 4.7) – None.

PC25/114      MINUTES The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9 December 2025 were

accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

PC25/115      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No members of the public were present.

PC25/116      TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES

  • Planning Committee – Members noted minutes of the meetings held on 1 December 2025 and 22 December 2025
  • Grounds & Environment – Members noted minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2025
  • Policy, Communications and Resources – Members noted minutes of the meeting held 16 December 2025

PC25/117      REPORTS

PC25/117.1   Police Report – None

PC25/117.2   West Sussex County Councillor – WSCC Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman provided a report (Appendix 1).  She also advised that the WSCC contractor will deal with the hole in the road by Villa Adastra, Keymer Road when they carry out drainage work in February.

PC25/117.3   Mid Sussex District Councillor report – Cllr Kristian Berggreen provided a report on behalf of MSDC Cllr Chris Hobbs.  He advised that the current planning application (DM/25/1894) for the section of cycle link across land owned by Burgess Hill Town Council is still under consideration by officers. Officers are waiting for final comments from MSDC’s Ecology Consultants in relation to statutory Biodiversity Net Gain and once received they will be in a position to determine the application.  It is intended that the application be determined under delegated powers to ensure a decision as early as possible. Taylor Wimpey has indicated that the works on land within their control has commenced and will be completed by the end of January.  Cllr Berggreen agreed to monitor progress.

PC25/117.4   Rail and Public Transport Matters – A written update was submitted regarding the Rail Group’s recent activities (Appendix 2).

PC25/117.5   Community Initiatives – Greener Hassocks & Ditchling have organised to show the film Power Station at The Hassocks Hotel, 7pm on 10 February.  The film is an uplifting and empowering example of Community Energy in action, see https://power.film.  This follows discussions about sustainable energy opportunities at their AGM and they are hoping that by showing the film they can continue the local conversation.  Councillors were invited to attend but unfortunately this date clashes with the next Parish Council meeting.

PC25/117.6   Report from Councillors on meetings of outside bodies where the Council is represented – the Council did not appoint a representative to the Hassocks Twinning Association in May 2025 but agreed to consider an appointment if a request was made.  The Clerk advised that she had recently met the new Chair of the Hassocks Twinning Association and they would like a Councillor representative.  Cllrs Don McBeth and Sue Hatton expressed an interest so they will now take up this role.

PC25/118      FINANCE

PC25/118.1   Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £31,199.46 for the period between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Barclays Current Account (2114).

PC25/118.2   Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £10,000.00 for the period between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Barclays Premier Tracker (3548).

PC25/118.3   Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £50.99 for the period between
1 – 31 December from the Corporate Purchasing Card (0651).

PC25/118.4   Members APPROVED the payments lists totalling £51,710.43 for the period between 1 – 31 December 2025 from the Unity Current Account (7654).

Cllr Richardson questioned why the Council only pays to have the gutters cleaned at the Parish Office and stated that the sports pavilion roof and gutters also need regular cleaning.  The Clerk agreed that this should be addressed when considering the remedial works and ongoing plans to maintain and improve the pavilion.

PC25/119      CHAIR’S REPORT – None

PC25/120      CLERK’S REPORT

PC25/120.1   The Clerk advised that the Hassocks Twinning Association is arranging for representatives from Montmirail in France and Wald-Michelbach in Germany to visit Hassocks between 22-25 May 2026. They are expecting 40-50 visitors and are planning a programme of activities over the long weekend. The Twinning Association would like Parish Council support to help promote and fund the visit and they have been invited to apply for a Community Grant.  Councillors were keen to be involved and the Hassocks Twinning Association representatives will attend a meeting in February to learn more about the proposals.

The Clerk and Cllrs McBeth, Gaudencio and Weir met on 7 Jan to consider the Local Government Reorganisation consultation and have submitted a response on behalf of the Parish Council.  Option B2 (two unitary authorities in West Sussex) was the preferred option, followed by the WSCC proposal (one unitary authority in West Sussex) and the Brighton & Hove City Council proposal (five unitary authorities across East and West Sussex). The East Sussex County Council proposal was not considered as this does not affect Hassocks. The Parish Council’s submission highlighted the need to impose a duty on the new unitary authorities, whichever form they take, to engage formally with Town and Parish Councils in the future.

The Clerk has received two quotes of £30k+ to install a wireless audio-conferencing system to improve the sound quality in the Council chamber. It was agreed that a more affordable solution would be to purchase a new conference table which allows the Councillors to sit closer together and to also order a portable PA system, if necessary.

Mid Sussex District Council has advised that that no petition was received by the
9 January deadline, in response to the Notice of Vacancy, so the Parish Council is free to co-opt.  The Clerk will publicise this opportunity on the Council’s website shortly.

The Parish, Town and District Liaison Meeting is scheduled for 21 January. It was agreed that the Clerk would suggest ‘Communications’ be added to the agenda as she has contacted the District Council about various local matters i.e. dog poo bins, road sweeping, road adoptions and been unable to get a reply or discuss issues with officers.

With regard to street sweeping, Cllr Weir stated that the whole of Hassocks needs sweeping, not just the areas which are at risk of flooding, and MSDC Cllr Sue Hatton offered to follow this up.  Cllrs also thought Orchard Lane, which is owned by the Parish Council, needs sweeping to remove debris and leaves and the Clerk agreed to look into this.

PC25/120.2   The Clerk presented the final Budget and a paper detailing the proposed allocation of Reserves in 2026/27, as approved by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee and recommended for Council approval on 16 December 2025. The budget forecast shows estimated income of £44,477, expenditure of £414,489 and a Precept figure of £370,012 to deliver a balanced budget.  Appendix 6 details a movement of £147,037.40 from the General Reserve to Earmarked Reserves in 2026/27 to fund specific projects and ongoing maintenance responsibilities.

RESOLVED Members voted unanimously in favour to AGREE the 2026/27 Budget and the allocation of Reserves.

PC25/120.3   The Clerk presented the Precept and Banding Calculator (Appendix 7).  The Precept of £370,012 is calculated on the tax base figure of 4,245.5 and equates to £87.15 for a Band D (Precept) Council Tax payment (an increase of 3.4% on the current figure of £84.29).

RESOLVED Members voted unanimously in favour to AGREE a Precept for 2026/27 in the sum of £370,012.

PC25/120.4   The Clerk presented a Reserves Policy, as approved by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee and recommended for Council approval on 16 December 2025.  The policy outlines the types of Reserves held and states that the Council will maintain a General Reserve of at least three months net revenue expenditure as a contingency and Earmarked Reserves for identified purposes.  

RESOLVED Members voted unanimously in favour to adopt the Reserves Policy

PC25/120.5   The Clerk presented an Investment Policy & Annual Investment Strategy Reserves Policy, as approved by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee and recommended for Council approval on 16 December 2025.  The document outlines the legal context, the different types of investments available to the Council, the investment objectives set out in the statutory guidance and a strategy for Hassocks Parish Council to ensure compliance and prudent financial management. Following approval of the strategy the Clerk intends to take investment proposals to the Policy Resources & Communications Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED Members voted unanimously in favour to adopt the Investment Policy & Annual Investment Strategy.

PC25/121      URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR – None

PC25/122      DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 10 February 2026

Appendix 1

County Councillor Report to Parish Council 13 Jan 2026

Upcoming WSCC Meetings

Sussex and Brighton Devolution next steps, 16 Jan.

Communities, Highways and Environment Committee, 19 Jan.

Council Plan and Budget 2026/7, 21 Jan, budget likely to be confirmed on 6th Feb.

Member session on report on adult social care, 29 Jan.

Upcoming Local Meetings

Hassocks Infant School, 22 Jan.

Woodlands Meed School, 28 Jan.

Full Council, 20 Feb.

Current areas of County Councillor focus in addition to casework

Progress on improved cycle routes and better bike parking e.g. Bike Port | Cyclehoop

Road surfaces and safety

Training/Further training – Adult and child safeguarding training, appeals panel training, data protection

Enquiries regarding the position of a parked caravan

WSCC decisions taken in recent days:

Following a procurement process in 2024, the Library Service will be implementing a new Library Management System. This system manages all customer records, loans of stock, cataloguing, acquisitions and payments. It also supports the library website, library app and integrations to self-service kiosks in libraries, access to the public computers and eLibrary products.

The changeover requires the current system to be frozen, time for data migration, and testing that the new system is operational before resumption of service to customers. Access to the current system will stop when libraries close on Saturday 17 January. The Library Service project team will then test data and functionality, including connections to kiosks, website, app, public computers and our eLibrary.

This process will require 3 working days, meaning all libraries in West Sussex will be seeking permission to be closed on Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January 2026. Staff will be working in libraries on the data migration and system testing. All libraries are expected to be open, as usual, from Thursday 22 January 2026.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, has approved –

  1. the capital allocation of £2.1m for the 2026/27 – 2029/30 programme of scheduled maintenance and capital works at the County Council’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites;
  2. the launch of relevant procurement activities; and
  3. delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Support Services to award the necessary contracts to deliver the programme.

Erika Woodhurst-Trueman

West Sussex County Councillor for Hassocks and Burgess Hill South

Appendix 2

We have not had a Rail Group meeting since 7 November and the only updates to report are:

  • There are engineering works between Gatwick and East Croydon for the next 2 weekends so no direct trains to London – it is bus replacement from Three Bridges to East Grinstead.
  • Progress is being made on the Accessibility feasibility study for Hassocks Station and at the GTR Stakeholder meeting we attended in December we were advised that key stakeholder consultation had/was taking place.  Hopefully, we will receive a draft of the proposals shortly.
  • I met with the Station Manager for this area at Hassocks Station on 19 December and he is following up on matters we discussed:
    1. Repairs and cleaning to the roof of the furthest north stand-alone waiting shelter on the London bound platform
    2. Re-painting of the underpass – he is waiting to hear when this will be done
    3. He has asked for a dedicated drop-off point to be included in the forthcoming accessibility works
    4. He is arranging for the 3 posters the Rail Group produced for our Railway 200 event at the station last September documenting the history of Hassocks Station to be put in poster frames to be erected permanently (as a sort of mini exhibition) on the railings before the first large planter on the London bound platform
    5. He thinks it is a nice idea for a wooden bench in memory of Leslie Campbell, a longstanding member of the Rail Group and Parish Councillor, to be erected on the South bound platform but is waiting to hear from GTR’s Community Station Partnership Manager that this will be acceptable and details of how this should be done.  I will let you know when I hear further on this.

Catherine Cassidy
Hassocks Parish Council
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