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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 and January), alternating between High Hurstwood Village Hall and Five Ash Down Village Hall, at 19.00. Meetings agendas are displayed one week in advance on the Parish notice boards in Buxted (on the Ionides Trust site), High Hurstwood (outside the village hall) 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, 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 two recreation grounds (Buxted and High Hurstwood), two allotment areas in Buxted 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) and outside bodies (e.g. Ionides Trust, village hall committees). 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.
Latest Parish News
Free health checks available for eligible residents this autumn
19
August 2026
One You East Sussex supported by Wealden District Council is bringing the free NHS health check roadshow to communities across Wealden this autumn.
Following the success of the previous roadshows, One You East Sussex will again be using its community outreach campervan, COLIN, to provide bookable NHS health check appointments and health advice. The appointments will take between 30-40 minutes and results will be discussed during the session. Spaces are limited and unlikely to be available on the day, so we encourage booking in advance. To make an appointment, email them or call 01323 404600.
Residents need to fulfil the following criteria to be eligible:
- Aged between 40-74.
- Be an East Sussex resident.
- Are not currently prescribed blood pressure or cholesterol medications.
- Do not suffer from Diabetes, heart, circulatory, kidney conditions or have not previously suffered from any cardiovascular events.
- Have not previously had an NHS health check in the last five years.
New to this autumn roadshow, will be checks offered from Sea Road Car Park in Pevensey Bay.
The Roadshow dates and locations are:
Tuesday 8 September – Station Road East Car Park, Heathfield
Wednesday 9 September – Vicarage Lane Car Park, Hailsham
Tuesday 15 September – Luxford Car Park, Civic Approach, Uckfield
Wednesday 16 September – Croft Road Car Park, Crowborough
Tuesday 29 September – Vicarage Lane Car Park, Hailsham
Wednesday 30 September – Station Road East Car Park, Heathfield
Tuesday 6 October – Croft Rd Car Park, Crowborough
Wednesday 7 October – Luxford Car Park, Civic Approach, Uckfield
Wednesday 14 October – Sea Road Car Park, Pevensey Bay
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “We are pleased to offer free health checks again, a healthy community begins with everyone taking the time to care for themselves. Even when you feel fine, taking the time to have a check-up can help protect your own health. Small steps today can prevent bigger challenges tomorrow, and together we can create a healthier future for all.”
Hattie Deacon, NHS health checks lead, One You East Sussex, said, “The Wealden Roadshow has been a huge success over the past couple of years. Each session has consistently booked up very quickly, reflecting the demand across all the communities in Wealden. Feedback from attendees has been positive, with many expressing gratitude for having access to such an important health service right on their doorstep. The convenient, accessible locations and the warm, welcoming environment have helped break down barriers to healthcare and encouraged more people to take proactive steps in looking after their health.”
Council launches targeted support to help low-income Wealden families manage back-to-school costs
19
August 2026
The new scheme offers a one-off payment of £50 for each child in an eligible household, funded by the council’s Cost of Living Reserve. The funding is limited and awards will be made on a first come, first served basis, so families are urged to apply as soon as possible.
The scheme is designed to provide practical help with some of the costs associated with the start of the school year, including school uniform, shoes, equipment and other essentials. This scheme runs alongside existing support available to families, including East Sussex County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, and Holiday Food and Fun programme, as well as established advice and crisis-support pathways.
Applications are open for a three-week period from today until midnight on 8 September 2026. The scheme may close earlier if the available £100,000 funding is fully committed. Families should apply early and make sure they submit all supporting evidence with their application.
To be eligible, applicants must receive Child Benefit and at least one other qualifying benefit. Only one application can be made per household. Applications must include all required evidence, as applications without the required evidence may be delayed or refused.
Councillor Daniel Manvell, Alliance for Wealden (Labour Party) and lead councillor for Housing, Benefits and Revenues, said, “The end of August is back to school time, with parents and carers facing the cost of new uniforms, sports kits, shoes, and stationery. This can be really expensive, so we are pleased to give this extra support to help up to 2,000 children and their families pay for these essentials.
We can afford to do this because we passed our Cost-of-Living budget earlier this year, where we set aside money to help take pressure off people at difficult times like this.
While this fund is for low-income families and those with disabilities, we know a lot of people across Wealden are struggling. We are continuing to look at ways we can support more residents facing cost-of-living pressures.”
This fund has been supported by the Wealden Partners council group.
Check eligibility information and apply online through the council’s Cost of Living for Residents page.
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