Please see the latest news attached from Wealden District Councillor Graham Shaw.

Ward budget

I have used this year's ward budget to assist High Hurstwood School, the Allotment Association, the Horticultural Association and Buxted Together. However, I still have about £1000 left of my 2026/7 budget for grants to local charities and voluntary. I have approached a couple to offer help but did not receive a reply! Obviously, if anyone knows someone who might benefit, please let them and me know. I really don’t want to end the financial year with any grant left.

National Scheme of Delegation

As reported in my last update the government is changing the way we have to make decisions about planning applications. From 31st October, most applications will have to be decided on by planning officers, not councillors. Larger or more complex applications may still be decided by the committee, but only if certain legal criteria are satisfied. Importantly, councillors’ ability to refer a proposed officer decision to the committee (often called a call-in) comes to an end. The Council protested about this strongly in responding to the government’s consultation, along with many others, but to no avail.

Local Plan

The Council voted to have the final consultation on the draft Local Plan at its meeting on 18th September. I know it caused a lot of disquiet, but we are between a rock and a hard place – either have a plan and make the case for lower target housing numbers (which is what we propose) or reject a plan and have the government impose a plan with their own target minus the environmental and design standards we proposed. The consultation closes on 2nd November after which a final version goes to the Planning Inspectorate for their consideration.

Land North of A272

You will be aware of this new application – you may be discussing it tonight. As I did when the earlier application came to committee, I shall speak against it. I have received some very valuable analysis from residents not least in relation to changes in the NPPF which have happened during the preparation and submission of the new application.

Crowborough Camp

The twists and turns around the Camp continue, not least around planning issues. Suffice to say that the Secretary of State insists that planning decisions relating to the Camp are his prerogative, rather than WDC as the local panning authority, though latest correspondence does not appear to give any reasoning. We continue to consult with legal advisers.

In addition, despite our opposition to the Camp, government expects WDC to manage additional funding to support those that are providing support to asylum seekers within the Camp and is making “per head” funds available for that purpose (with very tight criterion for its use). From our existing resources we also propose to create a Crowborough Community Investment Fund to invest an additional £170K to the Crowborough Town Council, the Cadets, for town centre improvements and local groups/projects. ESCC have indicated they will undertake their duties to the Camp using their existing resources. The NHS and Police receive separate funding for costs they may incur. More details can be found in the papers for the latest WDC Cabinet meeting.

Graham

Graham Shaw, Alliance for Wealden

Green Party Councillor for Buxted