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    Buxted Parish Council

    Buxted Parish Council came into being in 1894 when the present system of Parish Councils was instituted to give rural communities a voice. Buxted Parish covers some 7,000 acres with an electorate of about 2,500 out of a population of 3,200. It encompasses the villages of Buxted, High Hurstwood and Five Ash Down.

    The parish is divided into two wards – Buxted/Five Ash Down (10 councillors) and High Hurstwood (5 councillors). Councils are elected for a term of 4 years. Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday in every month (except August), alternating between Buxted Reading Room, High Hurstwood Village Hall and Five Ash Down Village Hall, at 19.30. Meetings agendas are displayed one week in advance on the Parish notice boards in Buxted (on the Ionides Trust site), High Hurstwood (near The Hurstwood pub) and in Five Ash Down (outside the Village Hall) and on the website. The agenda includes a list of any planning applications received from Wealden District Council for consultation. All meetings of the Council and its committees are open to the public, who are welcome to ask questions or raise issues with the Council before the meetings formally begin.

    An early requirement was to provide allotments, which we do. Councils can also support arts and crafts; contribute to maintenance of churchyards; protect commons, provide buildings for public meetings, functions and entertainment, maintain public footpaths and bridleways (jointly with ESCC), provide footway lighting (we don’t), provide and maintain public open spaces, and comment on planning applications.

    We also take an active interest in highways matters, policy and our environment (e.g. trees and hedgerows). More and more we have to comment on government policies for local government and voice our electors’ concerns.

    Parish assets include Buxted Reading Room, two recreation grounds (Buxted and High Hurstwood), two allotment areas in Buxted (recently re-generated) and High Hurstwood, children’s play areas in Buxted and High Hurstwood, and two bus shelters. The budget is set annually over the period October to December. Planned expenditure less income forms the ‘Parish Precept’ which is levied as part of annual Council Tax. Apart from meeting general running expenses of the council – specifically employing our Parish Clerk – the council makes grants to local organisations and contributes to local projects e.g. Buxted Traffic calming.

    The Parish Council recognises the burden of Council Tax but is also conscious of local needs for improvements in the Parish that increasingly are not being covered by either County or District as they seek to keep within national government budgets. Before increasing Precept to cover costs of local improvements such as the recent traffic calming, the Parish Council ensures that such improvements are what our electorate want and are prepared to pay for.

    Councillors sit on various committees (e.g. Finance, Planning, Communications) and outside bodies (e.g. Ionides Trust, Buxted Community Hall Trust). Each keeps an eye on different parts of the Parish, e.g. for planning purposes and trees.

    Our Parish Clerks, Beccy Macklen & Claudine Feltham (01435 515219) clerk@buxted-pc.gov.uk, who act as the Council’s ‘proper officers’ on the Council’s behalf and under its direction. 

    08 April 2025

    Planning Committee

    Five Ash Down Village Hall Tuesday 7:00 pm View Details
    08 April 2025

    Parish Council Meeting

    Five Ash Down Village Hall Tuesday View Details

    Latest Parish News

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    Stay Safe from Courier Fraud

    Stay safe from courier fraud.

    Courier fraudsters will pose as police officers or bank officials in order to gain your trust.

    To gain the trust of the victim, the visitor or caller will likely have obtained basic details about the victim such as their full name and address – an effective tactic in deceiving vulnerable individuals.

    Fraudsters will go to great lengths, insisting that they are genuine and can be trusted.

    Remember:

    The Police or your bank will never call and ask you to verify personal information over the phone.

    Your bank and the Police will never visit your home and ask you to hand over cash.

    Neither the Police or your bank will never ask you to send your bank card, or cash via the post.

    Please share this with any family and friends and help us to keep everyone safe from fraudsters.

    If you have been a victim or noticed a fraud, you can report to Police on 101/online, or to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

    Free Mental Health Services
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    Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling you are not alone, help us spread the word by sharing this posts.

    Free, confidential Sussex support services are available 24/7.

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