Parish Council News – January 2023
The Parish Council wishes residents best wishes for the New Year!
Antisocial behaviour
Unfortunately, there has been more antisocial behaviour at Court Meadow over the last month. On the night of the fireworks display the Memorial Hall’s bin was vandalised – all the rubbish was taken out and strewn across the skatepark. It was then climbed into and used on the ramps. To do this the bin lock was vandalised so it had to be replaced at the expense of the Memorial Hall Management Committee. I would like to thank the community spirited residents that cleared the rubbish up to make the area safe again. On the same evening the public toilets in South Street were vandalised – graffiti was sprayed on the disabled toilet door; a toilet seat was ripped off its fixings and all the toilet tissue was pulled out of the dispensers. I would like to thank our caretaker for the extra time it has taken to clear this mess up too.
Youths have also started to meet up in the wooden den in the kiddie’s play area at Court Meadow. There has been large amounts of litter strewn across the upper and lower areas (an quantity from the fish and chips van so it is assumed this happens on a Thursday evening) and there was drugs paraphernalia left in the den. If you witness any of this type of antisocial behaviour we would be grateful if you could please report it (preferably when it is actually happening) to Sussex Police by telephoning 101.
Safe spaces
At our Community Development Committee meeting in December, feeling safe in the parish was discussed again. As mentioned previously in the Newsletter, Sussex Police offers the below services:
StreetSafe is a pilot service for anyone to anonymously tell Sussex Police about public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused.
Please note: ‘StreetSafe’ is not for reporting crime or incidents. Link:
Safe Space Sussex app
This is an app aimed at helping people if they find themselves feeling unsafe, vulnerable, whilst out and about during the day, evening or night-time and is available to download free from the Apple App and Google Play stores. Once downloaded and logged in, users will see a map showing their location and a number of red pins indicating all Safe Spaces near them, such as local shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, pubs and clubs. Tapping on a red pin will show opening times and directions from their current location to all venues who are signed up to the app.
On arrival at the Safe Space users can identify themselves to staff who will be able to offer them somewhere safe to wait until the Police or a trusted contact can reach them.
If you are a business or service in Sussex that is willing to offer a safe space for people to go to if they feel threatened or at risk of harm? You can sign up for the Safe Space Sussex app, which directs those at risk to available safe spaces nearby. To access:
Become a Councillor
As already mentioned, the Parish Council elections are scheduled to be held on 4th May next year.
There are roughly 20,000 local councillors in England. Councillors are elected to the local council to represent their own local community, so they must either live or work in the area.
Each councillor has their own reasons for running but the role offers the chance to make a huge difference to the quality of life for people in your local area. Being an effective councillor requires both commitment and hard work.
Getting officially nominated
You must make sure that you are officially nominated as the election date draws nearer. This means getting a proposer and seconder to sign your nomination papers (signatories must be registered electors in the ward where you wish to stand) available from Wealden District Council’s Democratic Services Department.
You must also give your consent in writing to your nomination. All the necessary documents must be submitted 19 working days before the day of the election.
More information can be found on the National Association of Local Council’s (NALC) website using the following link: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work in the section named Elections- Make a Change
Temporary road closures and upcoming works
Scotsford Hill, Mayfield will be closed from the junction with Witherenden Road to that of Piccadilly Lane from 30th January 2023 to 1stFebruary 2023 for BT Openreach to carry out repair works.
South Street, Mayfield will be closed on 18th January 2023 to allow BT Openreach to carry out apparatus repair works.
Fir Toll Road, Mayfield will be closed from the junction with the A267 to the junction with Horleigh Green Road from 16th January 2023 to 20th January 2023 to allow South East Water to carry out apparatus repair works.
Handyman
We are still looking for someone who would be happy to be engaged for odd jobs around the Parish. This might include sweeping up bark chips in the play area, weeding and tidying up the flowerbeds etc. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact the office.
Health and Care Services
Healthwatch East Sussex wants to hear your experiences about health and care services, so that they can identify where these are effective and where they can improve. This might be:
- Your visit to the Pharmacy to collect a prescription
- Your latest check-up at the dentist
- How easy you are finding it to register with a GP
- Getting support with access to care services for you or a loved one
- Your stay in hospital
If you can tell them whether you are finding services good, bad or indifferent on their dedicated, specially constructed Feedback Centre: https://healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk/services/
Police precept consultation
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne is asking residents to share their thoughts on policing priorities and the precept element of the 2023/24 Sussex Police budget. The consultation runs until midnight on Tuesday 10th January:
https://sussexpolice.researchfeedback.net/s/Sussex_PCC_policing_priorities_and_precept_survey
Street learning courses
The Street Learning programme has been released for January to March 2023. It offers FREE practical, educational and wellbeing courses to residents in Wealden, aged 19 and above to help develop new skills, enhance existing ones, and expand on education, encouraging growth and self-confidence. Courses such as maths, English and accounting to boost job opportunities as well as sign language, painting, and cookery for people wanting to learn a new skill or take up a hobby are available. The courses are both practical and fun and provided in local community venues including East Sussex College in Eastbourne, Uckfield College, Uckfield Civic Centre or online.
Street Learning is a project run by Wealden District Council in partnership with ACRES, East Sussex College, East Sussex County Council Library, Job Centre Plus, GRH Training, Compass Community Arts and Heathercroft.
Visit www.wealden.gov.uk/streetlearning, @StreetLearning.Wealden on Facebook, or email streetlearning@wealden.gov.uk for more information and feedback left by others who have attended the courses. Updates, new courses and other training opportunities available throughout Wealden can be found on the website.
Instagram – mayfieldvillagelife
Available to for Mayfield and Five Ashes, this site can be messaged with details of a local event or alternatively, contact Cllr Sally Ann Tibbles: sally-ann.tibbles@mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk
and she will put it information up for you. The site ‘mayfieldvillagelife’ is a picture book of activities in this Parish. (Press ‘follow’ at the top of the page and you will be notified of posts as they appear.)
Parish Council Meetings
The meeting schedule on the website: http://www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/ shows this month’s Council and Committee meetings as well as agendas, minutes of meetings and other meeting documentation
Janna Todd, Parish Clerk
Old Manor House, High Street, Mayfield TN20 6AL
Telephone 01435 873784 E-mail: clerk@mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk