Parish Council News – March 2022
Litter picking
An enormous thanks to our litter picker who has done a tremendous job for us all over the past six years working above and beyond the hours he invoices for. John has now handed in his notice and will be sorely missed. If everyone is not more careful litter will start to build up on our verges and particularly at Court Meadow – although we have recently installed an additional two litter bins it continues to be a problem. If you would like to discuss taking over this role, please contact the office – details at the end of the article. This is for eight hours a month from October to March and 12 hours a month from April to September.
Councillor vacancy
As a request for an election by ten electors was not received by the Returning Officer and because public elections cannot be held until 04 May 2023, Wealden District Council has now confirmed that the Parish Council can proceed to co-option to fill the vacancy to represent the Ward of Five Ashes.
To be eligible to apply for co-option you must:
- be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union (yes, this still will apply);
- be a least 18 years old.
- be an elector of the parish, or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;
- during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work),
- for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.
Applicants must not be debarred from standing as a Councillor.
Parish Councillors are elected every four years by the local community to represent its views in three Parish Council electoral wards:
- Mayfield 11 Members
- Five Ashes 3 Members
- Rushers Cross 1 Member
Decisions for the community are made at meetings of the Full Council that meets 10 times a year, generally on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held at Mayfield Memorial Hall or at Five Ashes Village Hall at 19:30.
Detailed work of the Parish Council is carried out by its committees and as a Councillor you will be expected to sit on at least one. These are listed below with information on the frequency that they are generally convened.
- Planning Executive: Meets every three weeks
- Finance and General Purposes Executive: Meets six times a year
- Community Development Advisory: Meets four times a year
- Rights of Way and Trees Advisory: Meets four times a year
- Community Safety and Traffic Advisory: Meets four times a year
- Mayfield Community Centre Advisory: Meets as and when required but scheduled monthly
- Governance and Risk Advisory: Meets a minimum of once a year
If you would like to be considered, please send your CV and a letter outlining why you would be a valued member of the Council to the Parish Clerk: clerk@mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk
Applications must be received by 03 March 2022 to be considered at the March 2022 Council meeting.
For more information please visit the website to see the most recent publication of the Good Councillor Guide:
Volunteer rights of ways maintenance team
Did you know that we have a fantastic volunteer rights of ways maintenance team? Working in collaboration with East Sussex County Council and the Parish Council, the group helps in the clearance of vegetation over paths or, where there are particular problems, will install and repair stiles, finger posts, waymarkers etc. When they are out, they try to ensure each job takes no more than two to three hours and all the tools and materials are supplied.
They are looking for more volunteers so if you feel you would like to get involved, please contact the office.
Dog fouling
It has been noticed and complaints have been received of a very significant increase in dog fouling particularly at Court Meadow around the perimeter path but also in the High Street.
Wealden District Council has a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog fouling for the whole district under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing (ASBCP) Act 2014.The Public Spaces Protection Order in relation to dog fouling makes it an offence not to clear up immediately after your dog has fouled.
Dog fouling in public areas is anti-social. Dog waste is associated with a number of diseases including toxicarasis. Toxocara is a roundworm commonly found in dogs, and almost all puppies. Eggs from the roundworm are found in dog waste, where they can pose a health risk particularly to small children.
The parasite can cause stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and in some cases blindness. The eggs remain active in the soil for years, long after any dog waste has weathered away, so the risk isn’t always obvious.
If you are witnessed failing to clear up your dogs waste, you will be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice. Similar to a speeding ticket, you have the option to accept this Notice and pay the fixed penalty of £75 within 14 days, or alternatively face prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court. The maximum penalty upon conviction is currently £1,000.
Not being aware that your dog, or a dog under your control, has fouled the land or not having suitable means to remove the dog’s waste are not reasonable excuses for failing to remove it.
Temporary road closures
Lake Street will be closed on 3rd March 2022 from the junction of the A267 and Little Trodgers Lane to allow BT Openreach to carry out apparatus repair works.
Scotsford Road will be closed from 15th to 18th March between 8pm and 6am allow BT Openreach to carry out new connection works.
Criers Lane will be closed on 8th March to allow BT Openreach to carry out apparatus repair works.
East Street will be closed from 7th March to 11th March to allow UK Power Networks to carry out connection works.
Catalytic Converter Thefts
Catalytic converters were targeted last month in Wealden – the below information has been issued:
Signs a catalytic converter theft is being committed:
-a vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area
-a loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle
What to do if you witness the above:
-if the crime is happening now call 999 – if you are unsure, the Police would rather hear about it and decide if a theft is occurring
-if it is safe to do so, take photos of suspects or the number plate of their car (do not approach suspects, as they have been known to use violence)
-if the crime has already happened then you can report it to us online or at your local police station
Pavement licences
The Business and Planning Act 2020 included a temporary streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway. In March 2021 the government announced this would be extended for a further 12 months. This is a streamlined process to allow businesses to secure these licences and where they are deemed to have been granted, allow these licences to remain in place for a year but not beyond 30 September 2022.
Where a pavement licence is granted, clear access routes on the highway will need to be maintained, taking into account the needs of all users, including disabled people.
Wealden limits council tax increase to 9p a week
A rise in council tax of 9.6p a week has been approved by Wealden District Council’s Cabinet committee.
The increase for 2022/23 will mean residents in Band D properties pay an extra £5 a year while those in the highest band will pay an extra 20p a week. An additional 6p a week will be added to the council tax bill for those living in the lowest band properties.
It is the first time council tax bills in Wealden have risen for two years following a freeze in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Wealden council’s share of the council tax bill is 10% and the money helps pay for refuse and recycling collections, planning, street cleaning, environmental protection and free car parking.
The remaining 90% of council tax bills is set by and distributed among East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as well as local parish or town councils.
Please note that the Parish Council precept approved in November 2021 was for no increase in precept.
Parish Council Grants:
Please note that the application deadline for Parish Council grants each year is 30 September for payment in the following financial year. Information on how to apply and the application form can be found in the “Key Documents / Finance” section on the Parish Council website at https://mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/
Parish Council Meetings
The meeting schedule on the website: 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