ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 2023/24

Published: 09 May 2024

We are ending the 2024 Council year with a full complement of councillors. Thank you to all of you for your time and dedication to the role.

We have made good progress with completing projects this year, but we have unfortunately had the setback of having our application for a 20mph zone rejected. The application was rejected because further engineering measures are needed to bring speeds down in the area. WSCC Highways will investigate which measures may be suitable, and if they can find a solution we may be able to reapply.

In the meantime, the Parish Council has plans to apply for a safer crossing on Lion Lane and more speed activated signs approaching the school and crossroads. The full plans for the roads can be seen in the Walk and Drive in Safety Policy which is on the website.

The Council has a few plans this year, including:

• Clearing reeds from Withypitts Pond 
• Installing two new notice boards 
• Completing the installation of LED lanterns on all of the street lights.

We were delighted to present the Civic Award to Sean Cox who has been a great support to the Parish Council over many years.

The Council remains pro-active in its dealings with both Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council attending numerous meetings and conferences.  When doing so, our main priority is always to put forward the needs of Turners Hill.

We continue to deal with all the normal issues such as:

•    Responding to planning application consultations.

•    Donations to St. Leonard’s Church for the upkeep of the Church Yard; the Two Villages magazine, which allows us to share information with residents, as well as grants for village organisations and charities.

•    Subsidising local groups and charities so that they can have cheaper hire of The Ark.

•    Management, maintenance and letting of The Ark.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank: 

• Our Clerk and Deputy Clerk who provide an excellent service to the Council and residents. 
• Our current Stewards Mr Michael Keeler and Mr Bob Harper for keeping The Ark clean and tidy, and for looking after all of our hirers so well. A special thank you to Bob who is leaving us this year. 
• Mr Jonathan Pratt for co-ordinating Speed Watch and for dealing with the Speed Safety signs and Speed Indicator Device around the Village. 
• Mrs Jennie Forbes for organising and collating the Museum documents and displays.
• Ms Mavis Stanbridge for all of the work she has done over the years to collect cans and raise money for the school. 
• The Paddockhurst Estate for supplying the Village Christmas tree annually. The Fire Service who erected and decorated the Christmas Tree. 
• Tulleys Farm for agreeing to pay for and install new notice boards in the village. 
• Turners Hill Primary School for creating wonderful posters to deter littering in the village.

 Bruce Forbes, Chairman