UPDATE - Graham Shaw, Wealden District Councillor for Buxted

Changes to national planning policy

My last update focused solely on the governments consultation on the National Policy Planning Framework, so I won’t repeat my observations here. Wealden Council submitted a response (it was a very tight deadline) which you can see at:

https://www.wealden.gov.uk/UploadedFiles/Response-to-the-NPPF-Consultation-2024-V5.pdf

In addition, I made a short report to the Buxted Parish Council which is recorded in the minutes of the last meeting available at:

https://www.buxtedparishcouncil.gov.uk/media/Meetings/Minutes/Parish%20Council/2024/Minutes%208%20October%202024.pdf

We now await governments decisions about what national policy will look like.

Climate Change Strategy

Wealden adopted a Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2019. Since our election in 2023 we have developed an updated strategy and action plan, part of which has included wider consultation with residents, local organisations, parish council networks, local environmental groups, Wealden Strategic Partnership and across all the departments of the Council itself. A residents survey showed that over 70% believed that climate change is already affecting the district. This pretty much reflects national figures.

We asked what sort of projects or activities people wished to see in their local area and most popular were:

• Improving green infrastructure; walking, cycling, buses and electric vehicles,
• Solar or wind energy; increasing solar panel grants, use on new builds, grants and costs to access and permission for wind turbines,
• Tree Planting; increased planting and stronger restrictions or penalties for tree felling.

We are undertaking further research especially on the risks of not acting to address climate change in the district, how we can encourage the use of clean energy and move faster towards net-zero emissions. In terms of emissions Transport (47%) is the main source of emissions within the district with residential buildings (36%) and agriculture (21%) being the other key sources. On the positive side the land within the district plays a significant role in carbon sequestration – reducing the districts overall net emissions.

Next steps will be to work on the areas where we have direct control (e.g. our housing, offices and vehicles) and those we have influence over (e.g. transport, waste, planning, jobs and training). There will be further community engagement opportunities, and I hope we can contribute to that here in Buxted. During COP29 (November) we will host a ‘Climate Assembly’. Please let me know if you want to engage with these developments.

Wealden Community Grants Programme 2025-2028

Wealden District Council are opening the Community Grants Programme 2025-2028, which will support partners to deliver projects and services to support Wealden residents and its communities. We are asking registered charities, not for profit organisations and Community Interest Companies to apply. Commercial organisations, Town and Parish Councils, schools or similar statutory organisations cannot apply to this programme. The funding programme opens on Wednesday 9th October 2024 and the deadline to apply is Wednesday 4^th December 2024.

Applications will be considered from organisations who wish to apply for funding of £5,000 or above per annum for a period of three years but organisations must contribute the same level or more match funding (cash and/or in-kind) against the funds they are asking the Council. If you have any queries, please contact communitygrants@wealden.gov.uk

I am more than happy to support any groups in Buxted that wish to apply. Please let me know.

South East Water

I received this from SEW. Given the problems Buxted residents have had in the past you may be interested:

"We'd like to invite you, and your community, to find out more about your drinking water company and learn more about our ambitious five-year £1.9 billion investment plan, which is currently being reviewed by our regulator, Ofwat. It's an opportunity to meet our team, ask any questions about the plan or about drinking water supplies in the region.
The 'Behind the tap: Your drinking water questions answered' virtual meeting is scheduled to take place from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday 12 November 2024 and will be independently chaired.
At the session you will have the opportunity to ask myself and other senior colleagues questions and let us know what really matters to you.
Your questions could cover:

• the service we provide
• our relationship with the environment
• population and housing growth
• working in partnership
• making bills affordable
• whatever other topic is important to you

The event will cover our drinking water supply plans across our whole supply area of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire”.

You can register to attend here: https://yourquestions.eventbrite.co.uk/

Wealden Citizens Advice – debt and energy support

Wealden supports Citizens Advice to provide free, impartial advice on money, debt, benefits, housing or employment problems helping to support residents across the district.

The organisation gives free, impartial advice on money, debt, benefits, housing or employment problems helping to support residents across the district. The advice service is funded through the Wealden Community Grants programme receiving £165,000 per annum.

Between April and June 2024, they supported 1,375 clients, gained a total income of £672,961 for clients and had a total of £335,603 debt written off. This included several residents of Buxted. If you, or someone you know, needs help please help them contact Citizens Advice.

Please don‘t hesitate to contact me to discuss these or any other issues important to you.

Contact me oncllr.graham.shaw@wealden.gov.uk

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