Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Haywards Heath Library, 34 Boltro Rd, Haywards Heath, RH16 1BN

Contact: Monique Smart on 033 022 22540  Email: monique.smart@westsussex.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

17.

Welcome and introductions

Members of Central and South Mid Sussex County Local Committee are Pete Bradbury, Andrew Lea, Joy Dennis, Kirsty Lord, Sujan Wickremaratchi, Stephen Hillier, Anne Jones and Andrew Barrett-Miles.

Minutes:

17.1     Members and Officers introduced themselves.

 

17.2     The Chairman thanked the officers from ‘Your Energy Sussex’ and ‘Refill’ who had provided information and advice prior to the meeting.

 

17.3     The Chairman welcomed Richard Burrett, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and Jerry Dillon – Development and Capital Advisor who were both in attendance to provide an update on Woodlands Meed School.  The Chairman also welcomed Paul Jackson-Cole, Growth Programme Delivery Manager who was in attendance to provide an update on the Mid Sussex Growth Deal.

18.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Minutes:

18.1   In accordance with the code of conduct the following interests were declared:

 

·         Mr Bradbury as a member of Mid Sussex District Council and a Trustee of the Sussex Learning Trust.

·         Mr Hillier as a member of Haywards Heath Town Council and also that he works closely with Sussex Clubs for Young People.

·         Mr Barrett-Miles as a member of Mid Sussex District Council and a member of the Steering Group on the Mid Sussex Growth Deal.  Mr Barrett Miles also declared that he is friends with a Guide Leader from Hassocks Guides.

·         Mrs Jones as a member of Mid Sussex District Council and Burgess Hill Town Council.

·         Mr Lea as a member of Mid Sussex District Council.

·         Mrs Dennis as a member of the Steering Group on the Mid Sussex Growth Deal.

·         Mrs Lord declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 11 as she is a member of the Hassocks Guides Committee and agenda item 12 as she owns a property on one of the roads affected by the proposed decision.

19.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 June 2018 (cream paper).

Minutes:

19.1 The Committee noted that minute 7.9 should read Valebridge Road rather than Vale Bridge.  Also that minute 8.2 bullet point 2 should read Burgess Hill Girls School, Keymer Road.  Lastly that minute 13.2 should also include Sussex Road on the third bullet point. 

 

19.2   Resolved that, with the amendments above, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2018 be approved as a correct record, and that they be signed by the Chairman.

20.

Urgent Matters

Items not on the agenda that the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

Minutes:

20.1   The Chairman informed the meeting that he had received a letter from the developers of the Penland Farm housing development, detailing their proposals for works to construct a new roundabout as part of their planning agreement. The Chairman stated that they intend to close the Balcombe Road, Borde Hill Lane and Hanlye Lane junction for three months.

 

20.2   The Chairman stated that he found this unacceptable due to the disruption it would cause.  He had raised his concerns with Streetworks and had received a response from the sub-contractors stating it was due to the different road levels in the area. 

 

20.3   The Committee expressed their concerns over the impact such a major closure would have on local people and businesses. It resolved unanimously that the Chairman should write to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure and the Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment to escalate this matter in order to seek a less disruptive arrangement.

21.

Woodlands Meed School Update

The Committee will receive an update on the redevelopment of Woodlands Meed School and College.

Minutes:

21.1   The Chairman introduced the item by stating that as promised at previous meetings the Committee would continue to keep this item on their progress statement until the point of resolution.  He reminded the meeting that the Committee had no decision making power with regard to this issue but was a place for local concerns to be voiced.  He welcomed the Chairman and members of the Governing Body of Woodlands Meed who were in the audience as well as members of the Complete Woodlands Meed campaign group. 

 

21.2   Mr Richard Burrett thanked the campaign group for the questions they submitted in advance and stated that responses had been circulated and would be attached to the signed minutes.

 

21.3   Mr Burrett confirmed that since the last meeting he had asked officers to proceed with initial preparatory work with regard to a replacement building on the Woodlands Meed College/Newick House site and that had been agreed in principle by Cabinet.  He stated that the process to get the project into the Capital Programme was still ongoing and would take time.  Mr Burrett confirmed that he was committed to getting the project completed.

 

21.4   Mr Burrett read the following statement with regard to the proposed actions and timescales:

 

WSCC officers are currently collating relevant information to support the submission of a Strategic Outline Business Case through the Council’s governance process to secure funding for design fees.  The governance process should confirm if funding can be allocated by January 2019.  Thereupon, consultants will be appointed to progress a detailed design that can be submitted for planning approval in Summer 2019.  Subject to planning approval being received, a Full Business Case would need to be written and processed through the Council’s governance process to secure capital funding so tenders can be sought and a contract let in early 2020 with a targeted completion date of September 2021.

 

21.5   Members of the campaign group as well as one pupil from the school and the Chair of Governors spoke and thanked Mr Burrett for his attendance and update but did raise concerns about the timescale and the possibility of slippage.  They also asked if updates could be provided to the campaign team following the Cabinet and Council meetings as the next CLC meeting was not until March 2019.

 

21.6   Both the Chairman and Mr Burrett emphasised that the main point of contact for the school should be the Governing Body and Mr Burrett would speak to them and his officers about the best way to update the campaign team outside of the CLC meetings.

22.

Haywards Heath Sixth Form Provision Update

The Committee will provide an update on sixth form provision in Haywards Heath

Minutes:

22.1   The Chairman provided an update on progress to reinstate post 16 education provision in Haywards Heath.

 

22.2   He stated that on 13 September 2018 West Sussex County Council received confirmation that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) had accepted that there was a need for post-16 education at Haywards Heath. The communication from them stated that ‘whilst the case is marginal, and emerges over time rather than being immediately evident, our assessment concluded that the case had been successfully made’.  He went on to say that ministerial approval had been given to run a process to select a provider to take on the vacant college site. The process will be based on the Structure and Prospects Appraisal (SPA) model that has been used by colleges to assess restructuring options to ensure they can maintain financial sustainability to deliver high-quality education.  The SPA will be led by the Further Education (FE) Commissioner and his team.  The ESFA are now looking for the whole site to be taken on by a single provider.  The desired timeline was that the SPA process would start in October 2018, aiming to select a provider by the end of December 2018 and achieve a college opening date of September 2020.  Given the level of detailed work that is required, this date cannot be confirmed as achievable at this point.

 

22.3   The Committee welcomed this update.

 

22.4   Mr Burrett confirmed that the County Council was not leading on this but was working with partners to achieve a positive outcome.

23.

Talk With Us Open Forum

To invite questions from the public present at the meeting on subjects other than those on the agenda.  The Committee would encourage members of the public with more complex issues to submit their question before the meeting to allow a substantive answer to be given.

Minutes:

23.1   The Chairman opened the meeting to questions from the public.  The following issues were raised and responses made:

 

·         Lindfield resident, Linda Grace, submitted a question in advance of the meeting asking why the County Council is proposing a wide range of cuts to services which support vulnerable people and what discussions have been held with other services as the proposed cuts will have a direct impact and financial consequences elsewhere e.g. mental health services, housing, social care, health and police.  A full written response had been provided to the resident from the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health that confirmed the County Council has been working collaboratively with its six district and borough councils as well as the Coalition of Providers and this engagement is progressing positively.  The response also stated that it had been decided to extend the current funding arrangements beyond April 2019.  The Chairman added that there was a debate on this subject at the recent full council meeting and that could be viewed online via the webcast.  Mr Barrett-Miles also confirmed that it was subject to further discussions at a Select Committee meeting today and a report would be going back to that Select Committee before any final decisions.  Members urged those residents with an interest to keep in touch with the issue via the County Council website as all the Select Committee and Full Council reports are published in advance of the meetings.  The meetings are also open to the public and often webcast.

·         Irene Balls from The Haywards Heath Twinning Association provided positive feedback following their successful grant application towards their Textiles “Friendship” Project.  She confirmed that to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the links between Haywards Heath and their twin towns Traunstein and Bondues, three wall-hangings had been produced.  The project involved local schools, community groups and businesses.  The Committee thanked Irene for the feedback.

·         Mr Ian Gibson asked if the County Council would be submitting a response to the proposed expansion of Gatwick Airport.  Mr Barrett-Miles confirmed that yes the County Council would be responding via a Cabinet Member decision and in advance of that it would be discussed at Select Committee on 6 December.  Mr Gibson was encouraged to look at the report that would be published on the website ahead of that meeting.

·         A resident of Burgess Hill asked why a number of mature trees had been removed from Church Walk and expressed disappointment that no local consultation had taken place before doing so.  The Area Highways Manager responded stating that they had been removed due to the trip hazard that the roots posed.  It was planned that they would be replaced in time by more suitable trees and planters.  Members asked the Highways Manager to ensure that he consult with residents and the local Members before any decisions on replacements are made.

24.

Progress Statement pdf icon PDF 46 KB

The document contains brief updates on statements of progress made on issues raised at previous meetings.  The Committee is asked to note the report.

 

Minutes:

24.1   The Committee considered the progress report on matters arising from previous meetings (copy appended to the signed minutes).  It was noted that:

 

·         The Cuckfield road works had been completed.

·         Lindfield High Street would be resurfaced in March and this would be daytime works only.

·         The Chairman reported that he and Mrs Jones had attended a meeting of the Governance working group that was reviewing the Mid Sussex CLCs.  Other members had submitted written responses and it was hoped they had made a compelling case to revert back to 3 CLCs for Mid Sussex.  The outcome should be known in time for the next CLC.

·         The Area Highways Manager provided an update on the Crescent Road TRO stating that a number of objections, including a petition, had been received.  He along with the local Members where speaking to the objectors to try and resolve those objections.  It was agreed that if objections could not be resolved within the next 2 weeks then the Area Highways Manager would notify the Committee and they would consider the need to do an ‘urgent action decision’ to move the scheme forward.

·         Regarding the proposed pedestrian crossing on the A272 at Cuckfield, the Area Highways Manager confirmed that a meeting was taking place this week to discuss the project.

·         Mr Hillier asked when the Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) would be installed at Fox Hill.  The Area Highways Manager confirmed that the first one would be installed by occupation of the 20th dwelling and the second by the 50th.  Mr Hillier also asked if CLC members would be minded to support a recommendation to install traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Hurstwood Lane and Fox Hill as part of the Hurst Farm agreement. The Area Highways Manager stated that he could see the benefit of a signalised crossing but that they did have high ongoing maintenance costs.  The Committee supported the proposal in principle.

·         A resident asked if the birch trees in Penland Road would remain.  The Area Highways Manager undertook to find out and report back.

25.

Mid Sussex Growth Deal pdf icon PDF 1 MB

The Committee will receive a presentation about the Mid Sussex Growth Deal.  This will include information about the A2300 and the Northern Arc.

Minutes:

25.1   The Chairman welcomed Paul Jackson-Cole, Growth Programme Delivery Manager from West Sussex County Council.  Paul provided a powerpoint presentation about the Growth Deal in Mid Sussex – copy appended to the signed minutes.

 

25.2   Following the presentation Members raised the following issues and questions:

 

·         Members hoped that the sense of place for the existing villages would be maintained.

·         Sustainable transport options where being discussed further at the Steering Group this week.

·         More work was being undertaken around transport modelling with partners.

26.

Central and South Mid Sussex Community Initiative Funding (CSMS07(18/19)) pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

 

The report summarises the Community Initiative Funding applications received via The West Sussex Crowd.  The Committee is invited to consider the applications and pledge funding if appropriate.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report the Committee resolved:

 

 

(a) That the following awards be made:

 

233/CSMS – Hassocks Guide Hall Association, £2,500 towards a new heating system.

 

243/CSMS – Sussex Clubs for Young People, £3,000 towards purchasing a new vehicle to transport sports coaches, youth workers and a range of equipment.

 

244/CSMS – Ashenground Community Centre, £3,000 towards purchasing kitchen equipment and marketing/training costs for a new community café.

 

273/CSMS Blackhouse Lane phone box renovation, £2,000 towards structural repair work and paintwork costs to restore three phone boxes.

 

 

(b) That the following application be deferred:

 

 

264/CSMS – Parochial Church Council of Bolney, towards installation of handrails above stone steps on churchyard’s public footpath.  The Committee felt that more information was required before a decision could be made and agreed to reconsider it at their next meeting if the project could be deferred on the West Sussex Crowd.

 

The call-in deadline is 7 November 2018.

Minutes:

26.1   The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

26.2 Resolved -

 

(a) That the following awards be made:

 

233/CSMS – Hassocks Guide Hall Association, £2,500 towards a new heating system.

 

243/CSMS – Sussex Clubs for Young People, £3,000 towards purchasing a new vehicle to transport sports coaches, youth workers and a range of equipment.

 

244/CSMS – Ashenground Community Centre, £3,000 towards purchasing kitchen equipment and marketing/training costs for a new community café.

 

273/CSMS Blackhouse Lane phone box renovation, £2,000 towards structural repair work and paintwork costs to restore three phone boxes.

 

(b) That the following application be deferred:

 

264/CSMS – Parochial Church Council of Bolney, towards installation of handrails above stone steps on churchyard’s public footpath.  The Committee felt that more information was required before a decision could be made and agreed to reconsider it at their next meeting if the project could be deferred on the West Sussex Crowd.

27.

Haywards Heath: Queens Road and Adjoining Roads - Proposed Traffic Calming, 20mph Speed Limit and Weight Restriction (CSMS08(18/19)) pdf icon PDF 56 KB

The Committee will be asked to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report the Committee resolved:

 

That having considered the objections to the proposals, the Committee authorised the Director of Law and Assurance to make the order to introduce:

 

A series of six sets of raised speed cushions

A 7.5 tonne (except for access) Weight Restriction

And all associated regulatory traffic signs

 

The Committee agreed not to support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit.

 

The call-in deadline is 7 November 2018.

Minutes:

27.1   The Committee considered a report by the Director of Highways and Transport (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

27.2   The Area Highways Manager introduced the report.

 

27.3   Mr Wickremaratchi, the local member for the proposed scheme, spoke in support of the proposals and stated that the consultation showed the majority of those who responded supported the scheme.

 

27.4   Mr Bradbury raised concern about the 20mph speed limit and how that element of the scheme had progressed to this stage.  He stated that the Committee had not been consulted and that he would be writing to the Cabinet Member to ask how this had happened.  With regard to the 20mph speed limit Members suggested that was not required as speed limits alone do not reduce speed and the other elements of the proposals would help to reduce speed.  It was also suggested that if a 20mph speed limit was supported for this area then other areas would also want it and this was not something the Committee would support across the area.  However the local member Mr Wickremaratchi stated that the consultation clearly showed community support for the 20mph element of the scheme so he would support its progression.

 

27.5   Mr Hiller suggested that some of the changes to parking arrangements, as part of the Penlands Road TRO, could also change driver behaviour as some double yellow lines are being removed.  That would allow for more parked cars than could reduce the speed of traffic.

 

27.6   Resolved that the Central and South Mid Sussex County Local Committee, having considered the objections to the proposals, authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the order to introduce:

 

A series of six sets of raised speed cushions

A 7.5 tonne (except for access) Weight Restriction

And all associated regulatory traffic signs

 

The Committee agreed not to support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit. 

 

27.8   Mr Wickremaratchi asked for it to be noted that he did support the 20mph speed limit.

28.

Nominations for Local Authority Governors to Maintained Schools and Academy Governing Bodies (CSMS09(18/19)) pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Report by Executive Director of Children, Adults, Families, Health and

Education

 

The Committee are asked to approve the nominations of Authority School Governors as set out in the report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report the Committee resolved:

 

To approve the following nominations:

 

Nominations for Reappointment:

Bolney C.E. Primary School

Mrs Judith Kew for a four year term

 

Nominations for Appointment:

Birchwood Grove Community Primary School

Mrs Sandra (Sandie) Piper for a four year term

 

The call-in deadline is 7 November 2018.

Minutes:

28.1   The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director of Children, Adults, Families, Health and Education (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

28.2   Resolved that the Central and South Mid Sussex County Local Committee approve the following nominations:

 

To approve the following nominations:

 

Nominations for Reappointment:

Mrs Judith Kew to Bolney C.E. Primary School for a four year term

 

Nominations for Appointment:

Mrs Sandra (Sandie) Piper to Birchwood Grove Community Primary School

for a four year term

29.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at Downlands School, Hassocks.

 

Members wishing to place an item on the agenda should notify Monique Smart via email: monique.smart@westsussex.gov.uk or phone on 033 022 22540.

Minutes:

29.1   The Committee noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at Downlands School, Hassocks.