Cllr Graham Shaw, District Councillor Report for Buxted Parish Council

Consultation on Local Plan (“Regulation 18”)

The first steps in consulting residents, community groups and businesses across Wealden will be launched at 5pm on Friday 15th March, ending at 5pm on Friday 10th May. The draft Local Plan contains a wealth of information and proposals, ranging from possible development sites, sites Wealden does not think appropriate, as well as approaches to ensuring the quality and types of housing, promoting climate change and net zero, protecting the natural environment and habitats, promoting employment, flooding, infrastructure etc.

Councillors are committed to making the consultation as open and effective as possible. We are encouraging everyone in Wealden to take part, not only telling us what you disagree with, but also what you support and what we could more we could do.

You can register to be informed about the start of the consultation at: https://consult.wealden.gov.uk/kse/

There will be several opportunities for you to engage and comment, including:

- an online, virtual exhibition, which will provide information about the key aspects of the plan and opportunities to comment,

- 9 face-to-face exhibitions across the district, the closest to Buxted being: Maresfield Village Hall, Monday 25th March, 14.00-20.00, Uckfield Civic Centre, Saturday 13th April, 10.00-16.00 Crowborough Community Centre, Saturday 20th April, 10.00-1600.

- a Community Forum for Buxted residents on Saturday 27th April, 10.00-12.15, at St. Marys’ Church Hall, to further consider the Local Plan and discuss with me your views and ideas.

The draft Plan is the outcome of enormous amounts of work by both Council officers and councillors, seeking to balance the top-down pressures from Government, alongside local needs for appropriate housing, protecting our natural environment and considering the limits of local infrastructure. As the local councillor I voted to establish this consultation. It doesn’t mean I agree with everything in the Plan! But I am convinced that having a Local Plan will be better than what we have had for the last few years – namely, a developer “free-for-all” and a deluge of planning applications and costly appeals. I really encourage you to get involved and make your voice heard so that the next draft of the Plan reflects your views, both positive and negative.

Buxted Primary School

I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with this years “Green Team” of pupils from the school. Their energy in wanting to address important environmental issues inside and outside the school (such as litter, energy use and recycling) gives me hope for the future. Alongside this, year 6 pupils will be undertaking an environment module, including work on traffic, pollution, air and water quality, and carbon footprints. It would be great for them to get a wider UPDATE MARCH 2024 Through direct mailing and various networks, this update currently goes to about 350 people around Buxted. Please feel free to forward to any friends or networks of which you are a member. audience for their work and I hope we can arrange this; and if you have some expertise you would like to offer the school, I am sure they would be happy to discuss this.

Council Tax rises

You will no doubt be aware that council tax will increase this year, as the costs of delivering services continue to rise and Government support for local authorities remains insufficient. Some of the “big ticket” items, such as adult and children’s social care are not the responsibility of the District Council, however, other areas, such as responding to increasing homelessness, especially of families, are our responsibility. The Council recently agreed a conservative budget *(with a small C) to avoid unnecessary expenditure, control spending, and well manage reserves. This means the Wealden Districts share of council tax will rise by 2.99%.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Alongside increases in council tax we are continuing to support financially vulnerable council taxpayers. They can continue to benefit from an enhanced CTRS. Under the new scheme, agreed by the Council recently, a single person could receive a 100% reduction if their earnings are up to £103.82 per week. For a couple with no children this is £152.32pw; for a couple or single parent with one child this is £214.90pw; and for a couple or single parent with two or more children this is £272.25. We are very aware that, whilst residents pay may have gone up, living costs have risen even more. Further details are on the Council website but if you need assistance, please contact me.

Downlands Farm Appeal

This concluded recently with the Planning Inspector supporting the Councils decision to oppose the application for 400+ dwellings alongside the A22. In announcing that the appeal was dismissed, the planning inspector said the main issues were the effects of the proposal on Ancient Woodland; on protected species and whether the proposal provides adequate mitigation in relation to the potential effects of the proposal on Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC); on the highways network including whether the scheme provides safe and suitable access for all users; on heritage assets, including non-designated heritage assets and historic landscape character: and finally, whether the proposal would be in an appropriate location, having regard to local and national policies which advocate development in locations which are accessible to local services and restraint to development in a countryside location.

Grants for Rural Businesses Wealden has won £500,000 to provide grants to support a range of rural businesses, including the purchase of equipment and machinery, adaptation of premises, the creation or expansion of rural leisure and tourism businesses and farm diversification outside of agriculture. The fund closes on December 31, 2024, or when all funds are allocated. More information about the grant scheme and details of how to apply can be found at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/support/grants/ruralbusinessgrants

…and finally… 

Congratulations to those campaigning for the re-opening of the footpath 23 from Chillies Lane to meet footpath 24 towards “Stroods”. I know lots of local residents are looking forward to being able to walk the path, after so many years closure, but let’s hope this will be accompanied by better weather.

Contact me on cllr.graham.shaw@wealden.gov.uk

Wealden’s website is www.Wealden.gov.uk