Local news

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Council newsletter - Nov 2023

Hurst Meadows Heritage Orchard

Thank you so much to all the local volunteers who came to assist with the raking of the Orchard following the annual cut. This will give the wildflowers and the fruit trees the best chance of flourishing next year. We are delighted that, thanks to the hard work of orchard manager Martin Sadler, Plant Heritage have added our community orchard to the National Plant Collections directory. This reflects the value of this collection of historic Sussex apple trees. Congratulations Martin!



Section 106 Monies / Developer Contributions

Under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, financial contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure, the need for which has arisen because of a new development taking place. This funding is commonly known either as ‘section 106 monies’ or ‘developer contributions.’ The Parish Council will always seek to apply for section 106 funding for local projects wherever possible, and some examples of where we have been successful in doing so recently can be found within this article.

Please click the images to read the full newsletter or pick up a copy of November’s Hurst Life today.

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Newsletter - July 2022

The Annual Parish Meeting predates today’s cycle of accessible Parish Council meetings, and is an ancient custom designed for those on the parish electoral roll to discuss parish affairs. It must be held between 1st March and 1st June and not be before 6pm.

Previously, the forum has taken place in the Village Centre, but in 2020 it was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and was replaced by an Annual Report published on the Parish Council’s website. Last year, anticipating further COVID-19 induced uncertainty around meetings, the Parish Council published its Annual Report, but also embraced technology and held a very successful meeting via a webinar on 18th May 2021.

This year, we were determined to hold it in person and to showcase the facilities at the Court Bushes Community Hub; what we had planned to do in 2020. The theme was ‘Working Together for our Community’. Parish Council matters were truncated and the majority of the evening was given over to pitches from local groups, both as stands and as one minute or ‘elevator’ pitches, and speakers such as the Headteacher of St Lawrence School, Hurst Rethink, Mid Sussex Ukraine Support Group and Age UK. About 85 attended, which was well up on previous meetings and, as a number commented, there was a real buzz in the room. It was evident that much networking took place across the community. Sustenance was provided in the form of teas, coffees, soft drinks and some excellent cake from the team that run the Melting Pot Café at the same location on Thursday mornings.

All could leave with a copy of the Parish Council report, a free sustainable support local Hurst bag, and leaflets/offers from local groups and traders. We would welcome any feedback via office@hurstpierpoint-pc.gov.uk about the event, and what we should aim to do next time.

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council news letter - March 2022

Council information
Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9UY
Tel: 01273 833264
Email: office@hurstpierpoint-pc.gov.uk
www.hurstpierpoint-pc.gov.uk

Council Tax

As this edition is received, the annual Council Tax bill will be arriving as well. For 2022/23, the Parish Council £1,000 Date Grant Approved Apr 2021 are once again facing significant cost increases that are in excess of inflation.

Whilst our auditors continue to note that our General Reserve is below that for a Parish Council of our size, we have again agreed to not rebuild those reserves at this time so as to limit the increase. We also took the opportunity to repay the outstanding Public Works Loan Board loan for the streetlights that were replaced in 2017/18/19. This will reduce our outgoings in future years by £10,204 per annum. Thus, the rise aims to prevent any further depletion of the General Reserve, a reduction in the outputs of the Parish Council, or the closure of a key asset. Any rise will not be appreciated, but as with all we budget summary for next year with a total of £377,355 (excluding the Village Centre which is accounted for within the Village Centre Charity).

To read the whole newsletter please pick up a copy of March’s Hurst Life magazine or click the photos.

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