Parish Council News – September 2022
Parish Council grants
As mentioned in the August edition of the Newsletter, applications for grants payable in the 2023/24 financial year should be submitted to the Parish Clerk by 30 September 2022. 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.
Antisocial behaviour in our recreation grounds
It is upsetting to have to report that during July and August there was more antisocial behaviour and damage in the play areas. One of the picnic tables in the Mayfield play area was ripped out of its foundations and taken down to the skate park. This resulted in leaving a hole in the rubber safety surface that will have to be repaired at substantial expense from Council Tax funding. There was also evidence of another fire in the skate park immediately adjacent to where the picnic table was left. The following week there had been glass bottles obviously deliberately smashed in the skate park and all-weather court making it dangerous for others to enjoy.
In Five Ashes there has been an increase in the amount of graffiti on pieces of play equipment which is disappointing. It can be removed from metal equipment, but wooden surfaces are much more problematical. It is a shame as the play area was looking smart having recently been painted with new fencing, self-closing gates and earlier in the year additional bark chips.
If you see any of antisocial behaviour, please do report it to 101 and/ or the Parish Council office. Sussex Police has been informed and has said they will increase their patrols, but it would be useful to know when it takes place in case there are certain times of the day when it occurs. It is such a waste of Council Tax money that we all have to pay. If you have any information please let us know.
Pollution incident in Mere’s Lane
Since the last Newsletter edition, Southern Water informed that it was investigating pollution to a drainage ditch in Meres farm, Mayfield, which leads to the River Rother. It followed a sewer blockage in the area, which specialist teams cleared on July 18th. They notified the Environment Agency and carried out impact assessments to understand the extent of any impacts on the environment and wildlife. They also increased the oxygen levels to the River Rother in the surrounding area as a precaution.
Temporary road closures and upcoming works
West Street in Mayfield is scheduled to be closed from the junction with Newick Lane to the junction with South Street with from 19th September 2022 to 22nd October 2022. It is anticipated that it will take 40 days for SGN to carry out new mains connection works.
Free electric blanket testing
East Sussex Fire and Rescue services is offering free safety checks at the below venues. Please remember to bring all controls and cables that come with the blanket. If you are unable to attend an event, you could ask a family member, friend, carer or neighbour if they are able to bring your electric blanket along for you.
Tuesday 27th September 2022
- 10.00am – 12.00pm – Heathfield Fire Station, High Street, Heathfield, TN21 0UP
- 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Hailsham Fire Station, Victoria Road, Hailsham, BN27 2AY
Wednesday 28th September 2022
- 10.00am – 12.00pm – Crowborough Fire Station, Beacon Road, Crowborough, TN6 1AF
- 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Uckfield Fire Station, Bell Farm Road, Uckfield, TN22 1BA
Monday 10th October 2022
- 10.00am – 12.00pm – United Reformed Church Hall – Victoria Road, Polegate, BN26 6DA
- 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Eastbourne Fire Station, Whitley Road, Eastbourne, BN22 8LA
Employment support for young people in Wealden
Wealden Works’ is offering a programme to help people aged 16–24 living in the Wealden area to gain skills, employment and education. Choosing a career, apprenticeship or further education course can be a challenging experience particularly for young people in rural areas. Their main aim is to provide professional career advice and personal guidance to create positive pathways for young people.
During the programme, participants will receive a mix of both life and work skills, including:
- achieve accredited qualifications
- employment opportunities
- help producing professional CVs
- introductions to local businesses
- understanding of personal budgeting and independent living as well as various workshops.
This will help to ensure they have the life skills to move forward with living independently. To join, please contact 📞 07741 271994 or 📩 vbowdler@wealdenworks.co.uk
Reading befriending seeks volunteers
East Sussex Libraries are calling for more volunteers to help expand the Reading Friends programme across the county. Delivered in partnership with the Reading Agency, the reading befriending programme brings people together to read, share stories, meet new friends and have fun.
The library service is seeking volunteers who enjoy reading and would like to help tackle loneliness in their community to set up more Reading Friends groups. Volunteers use reading, including books, magazines and newspapers, to start a conversation and encourage participants to chat and feel less isolated.
Groups can be set up in any East Sussex library. Volunteers are vital to the success of the scheme, and help and support is available to anyone who would like to establish a Reading Friends group.
More information about Reading Friends, how to join a group or sign up to the Home Library Service can be found on the East Sussex website.
Household Support Fund
On 30 September 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the new grant, the Household Support Fund and a further fund was announced in the Spring budget and Wealden has again been provided with a limited fund by the DWP via East Sussex County Council to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.
This fund will close on 30th September 2022 or when the fund has been spent, whichever is sooner.
There is a scheme for Working Age people and a scheme for Pension age people. Both, if eligible can apply for Food vouchers and an Energy payment. For more information visit: https://www.wealden.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund/
Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme starts
Discretionary scheme payments are now available to assist households which were not eligible under the national Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme earlier this year. To receive the Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme payment, applicants will need to be living in bands E-H, or are not liable for council tax in bands A-D but responsible for energy bills and entitled to some benefits. All rebates are subject to earnings/capital limit.
The scheme went live on 26th July 2022 and closes to applications on 3rd October this year or sooner if funds have been exhausted. The government has allocated a total scheme pay-out limited to £327,000 which is equivalent to 2,180 payments. Applicants will be required to upload proof of benefit entitlement and proof of income before a one-of payment of £150 will be issued.
Have your say on Wealden District Council’s Corporate Plan
Wealden is consulting on its Corporate Plan for 2023 to 2027. It will set out the direction, aims and priorities for Wealden for the next four years. They want to know what’s important to you and what you think the Council’s priorities should be for the next four years.
To view further information and complete the survey visit: https://www.wealden.gov.uk/wealdens-policies-and-plans/corporate-plan/ by 30th September 2022. They have also created a short explanatory video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQec0678vi8
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