Parish Council News – September 2018
Councillor Vacancy
As mentioned in the August edition of the Newsletter the Parish Council needs to co-opt a Councillor to represent the Ward of Five Ashes. If you are interested you should forward your CV to the office with a covering letter outlining why you think you would be a valued member of the Parish Council and any areas of expertise that you could offer. These will then be circulated to Councillors for consideration. Prospective Councillors will be invited to attend a Parish Council meeting to introduce themselves and speak for a couple of minutes. A vote would then take place on the co-option.
Parish Council grants
Also mentioned in the August edition of the Newsletter, applications for grants for the 2018/19 financial year should be submitted to the Parish Clerk by 30 September 2018. Individual grants may be made available up to a maximum of £500. They must be match funded therefore applicants must cover at least 50% of the total project cost. Information on how to apply and the application form can be found in the “Key Documents / Finance” section on the Parish Council website: https://mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/home/ . If you do not have Internet access please contact the Parish Council office on 01435 873784 so a copy of the grants policy and application form can be forwarded to you.
Wealden Local Plan
Wealden District Council is carrying out their consultation on the proposed submission document of their Local Plan. The document sets out planning policies for growth and change within Wealden District (excluding the area of the District which is within the South Downs National Park) up until 2028. After consideration of all representations received they intend to submit the document to the Secretary of State for examination later in 2018.
You can view the Proposed Submission Wealden Local Plan and associated documents on the Council’s website; www.wealden.gov.uk/wealdenlocalplan or at the Parish Council office.
When submitting comments they request that you respond to the consultation questions on either the online consultation portal or their representation form (copies can be made available in the Parish Council office). In order to assist the process, it is requested that consideration is given to any submission to ensure that they are relevant and to the point. If a long submission cannot be avoided, please provide a summary of the main points to be addressed. Before submitting your comments they strongly encourage you to read their ‘Guidance Note for Respondents’.
Please be aware that any comments you submit cannot be treated in confidence as Regulation 30 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004, requires copies of all representations to be made publicly available. Wealden District Council will publish names and representations on its website, but will not publish personal information, such as telephone numbers, emails or private addresses. By submitting a representation you are accordingly confirming that you agree to this and accept responsibility for your comments.
Please telephone 01892 602008 or email ldf@wealden.gov.uk if you require assistance in submitting your representation or if further information is required. If you, or somebody you know, would like the information (guidance notes, forms etc.) in large print, Braille, tape or in another language please let them know.
The Parish Council will be discussing its response to the Local Plan at its September full Council meeting.
Road closures
Please be aware that due to South East Water’s improvement works there are two local road closures scheduled. Pennybridge Lane will be closed for two weeks from 10 September 2018. Coggins Mill Lane will be closed for two months from 24 September 2018 with a long diversion route in place.
South Street is scheduled for closure from 24 September 2018 for five days from the junction of Vale Road to Star Lane for SGN to carry out works to lay a new gas service.
Scam alerts
Fake British Gas refund emails:
There have been reports about fake British Gas emails claiming to offer refunds. The links provided in the emails lead to genuine-looking British Gas phishing websites that are designed to steal the usernames and passwords for British Gas accounts.
Fake LinkedIn emails:
There have been multiple reports about fake LinkedIn emails. They claim that your LinkedIn profile has appeared in multiple searches and provide links you can click on to get more details. These links lead to malicious websites designed to steal your personal and financial details.
Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it’s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
Keep a look out for fly-tipping
Wealden police and local Council investigators are seeking information about systematic fly-tipping in lanes across the District. It is thought to be carried out by the same offenders as each case involves quiet country lanes and happens in the early hours of the morning while nobody else is about. Some incidents have occurred over the previous months in Tinkers Lane and Hadlow Down, blocking lanes and causing danger as well as environmental hazard.
Land owners and farmers have been asked to keep their eyes open, and anyone who spots any suspicious activity or has any information can contact them online at: http://www.sussex.police.uk/appealresponse
or by calling 101, quoting serial 207 of 24/07, or by contacting Wealden Council at street-scene@wealden.co.uk or on 01323 443322.
Redevelopment of Pine Grove
Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council have completed the sale of the Mead House and the car park site in Crowborough. This will bring much-needed new homes to the middle of Crowborough and help maintain the commercial prosperity of the town centre. The 68 new homes will be mainly one-bedroom and two bedroom apartments and include 21 affordable homes, offering housing opportunities for younger people.
Work on the site is expected to begin shortly. The proceeds for the sale of the assets, which belong to the District Council, will be used to fund capital improvement projects across Wealden; those due to the County Council will be spent on capital projects across East Sussex.
Wealden District Council’s former Pine Grove office building was sold to Crowborough Town Council in 2016 to create an enterprise centre for business. A grass area behind the former Pine Grove office has been used by Crowborough Community Association to create a Community Centre for the town. The Community Centre site has now been sold to Crowborough Town Council for £1 as part of the re-development.