Annual Statutory Meeting of Hassocks Parish Council

Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 12 May 2026

Attendees: Parish Councillors Frances Gaudencio (Chair), Kristian Berggreen, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Bill Hatton, Sue Hatton, Don McBeth, Peter Reime

In Attendance: Elaine Langridge (Clerk & RFO)

MINUTES

PC26/1           APOLOGIES Cllrs Maria Angelaki-King, Clare Black, David Bunting, Peter Richardson, Paul Shepherd, Alex Simmons, Ian Weir

Absent: Cllr Robert Brewer

PC26/2           ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON

Members were requested to elect a Chair of the Council for the forthcoming year. Cllr Gaudencio indicated that she would like to be considered for the position.  This was proposed by Cllr Berggreen and seconded by Cllr Bill Hatton.  All Members voted in favour.

RESOLVED that Cllr Frances Gaudencio was elected as Chair for the year 2026/27.

PC26/3           DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

The declaration was duly signed by the Chair Cllr Frances Gaudencio and countersigned by the Clerk in the presence of the meeting.

PC26/4           ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSON

Members were requested to elect a Vice Chair of the Council for the forthcoming year. Cllr Weir had indicated that he would like to be considered for the position.  This was proposed by Cllr Bill Hatton and seconded by Cllr Don McBeth.  All Members voted in favour.

RESOLVED that Cllr Ian Weir was elected as Vice Chair for the year 2026/27.

PC26/5           DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr Weir was not present at the meeting so the Clerk will ensure the declaration is signed prior to the next meeting of the Council.

PC26/6           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.

PC26/7           APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

The Clerk introduced Appendix 1 setting out the expressions of interest received to date for consideration on the respective committees and working groups. The Clerk invited members to consider the proposals and to make amendments where necessary. Each Committee was considered in turn.

PC26/7.1       a) Grounds & Environment Committee

RESOLVED that Cllrs David Bunting, Paul Shepherd, Kristian Berggreen, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Sue Hatton, Peter Richardson, Ian Weir, Maria Angelaki-King and Peter Reime be appointed to the Grounds & Environment Committee (10 members).

PC26/7.2       b) Planning Committee

RESOLVED that Cllrs Kristian Berggreen, Maria Angelaki-King, Robert Brewer, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Bill Hatton, Don McBeth and Peter Reime be appointed to the Planning Committee (7 members).

PC26/7.3       c) Policy Resources & Communications Committee

RESOLVED that Cllrs Paul Shepherd, Ian Weir, Maria Angelaki-King, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Frances Gaudencio, Don McBeth and David Bunting be appointed to the Policy, Resources & Communications Committee (7 members).

PC26/7.4       d) Flood Working Group

RESOLVED that Cllrs David Bunting, Frances Gaudencio, Maria Angelaki-King,
Sue Hatton, Peter Richardson and Ian Weir be appointed to the Flood Working Group (6 members).

PC26/7.5       d) Highways & Transportation Working Group

RESOLVED that Cllrs Maria Angelaki-King, Frances Gaudencio, Peter Richardson, Paul Shepherd and Sue Hatton be appointed to the Highways & Transportation Working Group (5 members).

PC26/7.6       f) Neighbourhood Plan Committee

RESOLVED that Cllrs Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Don McBeth, Ian Weir and Peter Reime be appointed to the Neighbourhood Plan Committee (6 members).

PC26/7.7       g) Adastra Park Working Group

RESOLVED that Cllrs David Bunting, Frances Gaudencio, Bill Hatton, Peter Richardson, Kristian Berggreen, Peter Reime and Clare Black be appointed to the Adastra Park Working Group (7 members).

PC26/7.8       Agreed that the Chair of the Council is ex-officio Member of each Standing Committee.

PC26/7.9       Agreed that the Vice Chair of the Council is ex-officio Member of each Standing Committee.

PC26/8           APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

The Clerk introduced Appendix 2 setting out expressions of interest received regarding the appointment of Parish Councillors as representatives on outside bodies.  Each appointment was considered in turn.

PC26/8.1       Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils

RESOLVED that Cllrs Kristian Berggreen and Don McBeth be appointed as the representatives for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/8.2       Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group

RESOLVED that Cllr Peter Reime be appointed as the representative for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/8.3       HASSOCKS TWINNING ASSOCIATION

RESOLVED that Cllrs Don McBeth and Sue Hatton be appointed as the representatives for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/8.4       ADASTRA HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

RESOLVED that Cllr Sue Hatton be appointed as the representative for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/8.5       DOWNLANDS SCHOOL SPORTS HALL COMMITTEE

RESOLVED that Cllr Peter Richardson be appointed as the representative for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/8.6       OLDLAND MILL TRUST

Cllrs questioned whether this role is still necessary and agreed that a representative may be appointed in the future if requested by the trust.    

RESOLVED No appointment was made

PC26/8.7       Age Concern

RESOLVED that Cllr Frances Gaudencio be appointed as the representative for Hassocks Parish Council.

PC26/9           MINUTES The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 April 2026 were

accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

PC26/10        PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No members of the public were present.

PC26/11        TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES

• Planning Committee – Members agreed the minutes for 7 April 2026

PC26/12        FINANCE

PC26/12.1     Members NOTED that no payments were made between 1-30 April 2026 from the Barclays Tracker Account (3548).

PC26/12.2     Members APPROVED the payments list totalling £30,084.02 for the period between 1 – 30 April 2026 from the Barclays Current Account (2114).

PC26/12.3     Members APPROVED the payments list totalling £33,160 for the period between 1 – 30 April 2026 from the Unity Current Account (7654).

PC26/12.4     Members NOTED that no payments were made 3-31 March 2026 from the Corporate Purchasing Card (0651).

PC26/13        REPORTS

PC26/13.1     West Sussex County Councillor – WSCC Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman gave her apologies that she could not attend in person and provided a written report (Appendix 1).

PC26/13.2     Mid Sussex District Councillor – MSDC Cllr Chris Hobbs gave his apologies that he could not attend in person and provided a written report (Appendix 2).

Members commented that the bin collection app was very useful for reminders.

PC26/13.3     Police Report – the local PCSO, Nathaniel Wales, was unable to attend the meeting but provided a summary of incidents in Hassocks between 20 Mar – 20 April 2026, as follows:

Asb – 7 (bin fire at Adastra, ebikes, drugs/vapes, neighbour issues).

Shoplifting – 2

Bike theft/attempt – 1

Vehicle crime – 4

Burglary/ attempt – 1

Theft from skip – 1

PC26/13.4     Rail and Public Transport Matters – none

PC26/13.5     Community Initiatives

PC26/13.5.1 The Clerk reminded Councillors about the schedule for the Twinning Association weekend and informed them that two framed photo montages have been purchased from Dinah Beaton, as a gift/memento for the German and French visitors.

PC26/13.5.2  Cllr Cruickshank-Robb announced that Age UK will no longer support six local Memory Cafes, and the Sussex Rotary Club has taken over responsibility for running them. 

PC26/13.5.3  Cllr Hatton suggested setting up a meeting with the Head of Downlands School as he would like to invite Parish Councillors to visit and it might be possible for some pupils to attend a future Parish Council meeting.

PC26/13.6     Report from Councillors on meetings of outside bodies where the Council is represented

PC26/13.6.1  Cllr Don McBeth attended the Mid Sussex Association of Local Councils meeting where local policing, WSALC updates and Local Government Reorganisation were on the agenda.  Members noted that a new Government consultation is underway regarding the shape of the proposed unitary authorities for Sussex. Cllrs Berggreen and Sue Hatton have been invited to a briefing at Mid Sussex District Council and will report back at the next Council meeting.  The Parish Council may respond to the consultation by 15 June 2026.

PC26/13.6.2  Cllr Peter Richardson was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report regarding his attendance at the Downlands Community School Sports Committee meeting held on 28 April (Appendix 3).

PC26/14        CHAIR’S REPORT – none

PC26/15        CLERK’S REPORT

PC26/15.1     The Clerk informed Members that she had sought competitive quotes for the insurance renewal and Clear Councils had provided the lowest quote.  The final price could rise a little as she was waiting for a revised quote with increased Fidelity Guarantee from £500k to £750k in accordance with the internal auditor’s recommendation but should still be within budget.  She also advised Councillors that she intends to seek up to date valuations for the Council’s buildings and will review the asset register during the coming financial year to ensure property cover is sufficient. Members approved the renewal of insurance cover with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc.

PC26/15.2     The Clerk shared a copy of the draft 2026/27 Municipal Calendar with Members for their consideration. Members were concerned about work pressures during the audit preparations and asked for the G&E Committee date to be moved to 25 February 2027 and suggested that the PR&C Committee in March 2027 could be cancelled if necessary. After this change had been made, Members were content with the proposals and agreed to the programme of meetings for the coming year.

PC26/15.3    Members noted that the first Parish precept instalment in the sum of £185,006 has been paid by Mid Sussex District Council.

PC26/15.4     The Clerk presented a list of regular Direct Debits for utilities.  She explained that the contract for the Parish Office gas supply will be changed in October to get a better tariff. The Veolia contract for glass recycling would start shortly and would cost approximately £44 per month.  This will stop the cricket club from putting glass bottles from the bar into the Biffa Waste bin.  Councillors were in favour of doing more recycling.  They noted that the cricket club pay to hire the pavilion but do not make a direct contribution toward the waste costs.  The Clerk agreed to reissue the list of direct debits as there was an error with regard to Waste Water and Water Supply services (Appendix 4).

PC26/15.5     The Clerk presented the Risk Register, as discussed by the Policy Resources & Communications Committee and recommended to Council for approval on 28 April 2026.  The Council’s Financial Regulations require the Council to review and approve the risk management policy annually.  

RESOLVED Members APPROVED the Risk Register

PC26/16        URGENT MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR – None

PC26/17        DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 9 June 2026

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Appendix 1

County Councillor Report to Parish Council 12 May 2026

Firstly, my apologies for not being able to be present. Secondly, I am absolutely delighted to be carrying on in my post having been re-elected. I look forward to continuing working with you.

Some brief updates:

Stonepound – the roads immediately leading into the crossroads and the crossroads itself will be resurfaced. We are in the detailed design phase. At present it doesn’t look like it will make it into this year’s plans, though the Senior Highway Steward concerned is pushing, as am I.

Grand Avenue – this roundabout and its approaches has been re-instated and re-lined. This follows repeated requests by myself, Chris Hobbs and the recent accident. I have also asked for foliage that may be obscuring the junction or signage to be cut back. I do not have a date for this as yet.

Stanford Avenue – the resurfacing work was completed some weeks back, but the re-lining was impeded by some parked cars, resulting in a partial re-lining. This has now been completed.

Motorhome in the bus stop on the northbound layby – I reported this vehicle to WSCC with a view to the homelessness team visiting to see if the individual needed support to find more permanent accommodation or other assistance. The team visited but the motorhome had already left.

Overhanging hedge and homemade double yellow lines on the approach to Stonepound Crossroads travelling from Hurst to Hassocks. These have both been reported to WSCC for officers to write to the owners of the homes.

Hassocks Infant School – is just under PAN (published admission number) at 87 places accepted of 90 available. The falling birth rate means the school is likely to be slightly under PAN for the next few years.

I met with the Head of Hassocks Infant School on Monday and discussed LGR, SENAT (Special Education Needs Assessment Team) performance and the new Crisis and Resilience Fund which will see parents provided with a wraparound style of support to help build resilience to financial shocks rather than just responding to the crisis.

WSCC Election results:

Liberal Democrats 23 seats

Reform UK 23 seats

Conservative Party 11 seats

Green Party 7 seats

Labour 5 seats

Independent 1 seat

The next WSCC meeting is 22 May when the new Chair will be elected and appointments to committees and the cabinet made.

Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman

West Sussex County Councillor for Hassocks and Burgess Hill South

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Appendix 2

District Councillor Report to Parish Council 12 May 2026

• Poor parking continues to be an issue in the village and whilst we are now seeing more enforcement officer visits and tickets issued they can’t be everywhere, all the time. The key issues are: abandonment of cars on double yellow lines at school pickup time, parking on single yellow lines, overstaying the timed bays in Keymer Road and around the village. This is a human behavior issue, an “I can get away with it so I can do it” approach. We need to continue to communicate that it’s not acceptable and it puts lives at risk. Perhaps the parish council can help amplify these messages for us.
• Consultation will soon start (this week) on development at London Road recreation ground.
• We continue to work with Taylor Wimpey on the bridleway to Burgess Hill from Ockley Park. A newt survey was required, and this was undertaken in early March, the earliest time in the survey period when it can be done. This is used to apply for a license from Natural England to allow the work to progress and that should be very soon.
• We have now had full roll-out of food waste collections for 6 months and recycling rates have been exceptional. Not all WSCC councils have delivered the service (as they were required to by law) but we were the first to complete the full roll-out. We have now launched an APP which amongst other things can be set to deliver notice as to what bin collections are due that week. Many residents are finding this extremely helpful in managing the sequencing of what bin goes out when.

Cllr Chris Hobbs

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure & Customer Services

Ward Councillor, Hassocks

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Appendix 3

Parish Councillor Report to Parish Council 12 May 2026

• Sports centre continuing to run well – membership slowly increasing and finances remain positive
• 20yr anniversary of the centre coming up this year – considering some as yet undefined event to celebrate
• Encouraging additional use of facilities during school summer break for all types of sports activities
• Existing 3G football pitch approaching end of normal life expectancy – subject to ongoing maintenance.  Apparently, there is a sinking fund to cover future replacement(?)
• S106 funding bid for new 3G (9×9) pitch seems promising.  This will be a schools managed project, possibly commencing summer 2027 subject to £ and planning approval
• Still promoting construction of new activities studio.  Possible spring 2028 start subject to £ and planning approval
• Storage of school sports equipment is becoming problematical.  Possible purchase of additional steel container on new standings.

Cllr Peter Richardson

Parish Council Representative: Downlands School Sports Hall Committee

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Appendix 4

Appendix 10 (Revised)

DIRECT DEBITS

(at 5 May 2026)

The direct debits at the Unity Trust Bank current account are currently:

Name	Variable Amount	Recurrence	Description
SW Business Stream	£56.29	Quarterly	Bowls Club – Waste Water
SW Business Stream	£57.36	Quarterly	Pavilion – Waste Water
SW Business Stream	£41.13	Quarterly	Burial Ground – Waste Water
SW Business Stream	£19.24	Quarterly	Parish Office – Waste Water
EDF Energy	£78.61	Monthly	Parish Office – Gas Supply
Biffa Waste Service	£227.64	Monthly	Refuse Collection
British Gas Trading	£111.11	Monthly	Pavilion – Electricity Supply
British Gas Trading	£258.05	Monthly	Parish Office – Electricity Supply
British Telecommunications	£71.94	Monthly	Landline and Broadband
Castle Water Ltd	£19.46	Monthly	Pavilion – Water Supply
Castle Water Ltd	£9.47	Monthly	Burial Ground – Water Supply
Castle Water Ltd	£10.28	Monthly	Bowls Club – Water Supply
Castle Water Ltd	£15.25	Monthly	Parish Office – Water Supply
EE Limited	£50.66	Monthly	Mobile Phones Contract
Lloyds Corporate Card	£3.00	Monthly	Visa Purchasing Card
Mid Sussex District Council	£535.00	Monthly	Business Rates
SE Water	£51.00	Monthly	Allotments – Water Supply
Veolia ES (UK) Ltd	£0	Monthly	Glass Recycling
GC re United Gas	£0	Monthly	Parish Office – Gas Supply

 

Elaine Clarke

Clerk/RFO