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To all Members of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (with copies to all other members for information).

You are summoned to attend a meeting of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE at Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough on Tuesday 28th July 2026 at 7.30pm when it is proposed to transact the following business:

Julie Miller, Town Clerk 22^{nd} July 2026

Cllr Alison Arthur; Cllr Peter Bucklitsch; Cllr Jane Clark; Cllr Lily De Mitri; Cllr Martyn Everitt; Cllr Martyn Garrett; Cllr Christopher Grose; Cllr Richard Jury; Cllr Kay Moss; Cllr Scott Walters; Cllr Natalie Whittle; Cllr Rupert Woolger

To attend in person visit: Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1DH To attend online click here: Online meeting login

Members of the public are welcome to address the committee on items listed in this agenda.

Please note that those addressing the committee shall not speak for more than 3 minutes. Once public question time has concluded members of the public will not be allowed to interrupt the meeting. Council meetings are meetings held in public but are not public meetings.

13.1 To note awaiting update from the Business Plan Working Group

14. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14.1 To receive questions from councillors Questions shall be recorded in the minutes and responded to at the next meeting or before.

14.2 To receive any future agenda items

14.3 To consider any new risks to be added to the Risk Register To raise any potential new threats or issues that could impact the council and decide if they should be added to the risk register for monitoring and management.

Minutes of a meeting of the ENVIRONMENT Committee held at the Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough on Tuesday 5th May 2026 at 7.30pm

Present

Also present

Councillors Alison Arthur Vice Chairperson

Peter Bucklitsch

Jane Clark

Martyn Everitt Chairperson

Martyn Garrett

Christopher Grose

Richard Jury

Scott Walters

Natalie Whittle

Julie Miller Town Clerk

1 member of public in the chamber

A member of the public addressed the Committee regarding the bench on Fielden Road. They advised that the entrance to their property is extremely close to the bench and that its use is very infrequent. They reported that groups of asylum seekers have recently been frequenting Fielden Road and that residents are concerned. It was noted that social media suggests that asylum seekers have been meeting, drinking and using substances in various areas around the town. The member of the public stated that many Fielden Road residents are elderly and live alone, and that fear of crime is high. They expressed concern that the bench may be used as a place to congregate, drink and use substances, potentially leading to crime and disorder. It was noted that the bench is not overlooked. The request was that the bench slats be removed so that it is decommissioned. It was also noted that the bench at the junction with the A26 has already been removed.

For accessibility, the Chair announced the names of all attendees, specifying whether they were present in person or participating online. During the meeting, councillors were asked to use the red laminated cards provided to indicate when they wished to speak, supporting participants with visual impairments.

APOLOGIES To receive and approve apologies for absence

11294 RESOLVED to receive and approve apologies for absence with reasons from Cllr Liliana Di Mitri and Cllr Kay Moss.

To receive declarations of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests

Cllr Whittle declared an interest in the bench item as a resident of Fielden Road.

Minutes of the meeting held on the 24th February 2026

11295 RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24th February 2026 be approved as a correct record.

11296 RESOLVED for this item to be brought forward.

To note the correspondence regarding the Fielden Road/Warren Road bench and consider next steps.

11297 RESOLVED that the bench at the Fielden Road/A26 junction shall not be reinstated. Should the Police advise of anti-social behaviour at the restored bench at the Warren Road junction, it shall be removed upon the Police's request.

Note the Committee's current income and expenditure position.

These were noted.

Note this Committee’s Earmarked Reserves.

Nominal Code Cost Centre Earmarked Reserves Balance Committed Projected

9014 903 The Ghyll 10,442 2,920 7,522 Fund for accessible pathways and steps repair works at the Ghyll

9015 903 Equipment 12,300 12,300 Replacement strimmers and hand tools for nature reserve operative

9017 903 Street Furniture and Environmental Improvements 1,705 1,705 Street furniture painting and repairs. Including Cloaks Corner lamps.

9019 903 Bluebell wood 3,900 3,900 Post and rail fencing, benches and planting to recover Bluebells.

9020 903 Planting 777 777 Soil for Canada Green planters.

9021 903 Tree Works 1,255 1,255 New land tree works - The Ghyll – awaiting invoice.

i9023 903 Street Lighting 56,790 56,790 General replacement fund for streetlights.

9024 903 Country Park 12,564 12,564 Fund to dredge pond and complete urgent bridge erosion works

9058 903 Future Environmental Projects 12,977 9,600 3,377 Fingerpost – repair and replacements on order.

316 Environment Total 112,710 12,520 100,190

The need for capital renewals program was discussed. An alternative street light contract will be investigated. Litter bin and benches will also be reviewed as part of the asset register work.

Note future financial considerations.

Street Light Maintenance Contract – Balfour Beatty 16/10/2024 – 15/10/2034 Three months notice required to break contract

Dog Litter Collection – Wealden District Council April 2026 – March 2027 £305 per bin per year

There were no policies to review.

To note a report will follow at the next meeting

This was noted.

To note a living roof had been requested for the new bus shelter on A26 Bridge Road Brooksworth Home have turned down this request.

This was noted

To note the response from East Sussex County Council Highways to the committee's request for audio functions to be added to new bus shelters.

This was noted.

To note the proposed lantern on Beacon Road West is being followed up.

This was noted.

To note installation details received from Artytime for Fairy Tale Trails and a report to follow at a future meeting.

This was noted.

To note work to establish boundaries on hold due to staff sickness.

This was noted.

To note accessible path project on hold due to staff sickness.

This was noted.

To note three quotes being obtained to update Management Plan.

This was noted.

To note management plans and update reports to follow at a future meeting. This was noted.

To note investigations underway with Beacon Academy to form a forest school at Pocket Park

This was noted.

To note this will be investigated in the coming year.

This was noted.

To note a Winnie the Pooh theme is being planted.

It was noted that this is not an additional cost to the Council, as the existing planting budget is being utilised.

The installation of the baskets was discussed, and it was agreed that the Clerk will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a cherry picker for use by the grounds team.

To note finger post repairs complete

This was noted.

To note staff being trained in required competency to install litter bins on the public highway.

This was noted.

To note a representative from East Sussex County Council Highways team will be invited after the pre-election period.

This was noted.

To note East Sussex County Council has been contacted about holding bicycle maintenance sessions over the summer.

This was noted.

To receive questions from Councillors

Cllr Grose Asked about Walshes Park and the poor maintenance of the park and if the council should consider pushing WDC to retender the park in 2028 for the town council to take on the maintenance. This will be added to the next agenda for discussion.

To receive any future agenda items

There were none.

To consider any new risks to be added to the risk register.

There were none.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm

Minutes of a meeting of the ENVIRONMENT Committee held at the Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough on Tuesday 12th May 2026

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

11360 RESOLVED to elect Cllr Christopher Grose as Chairperson of the Environment Committee

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

11361 RESOLVED to elect Cllr Martyn Everitt as Vice Chairperson of the Environment Committee

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5 MEETING DATE: 28th July 2026 COUNCIL/COMMITTEE: Environment Committee TITLE: Finance Report PURPOSE OF REPORT: To note the Officer's Recommendations below SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Appendix B1 – Income & Expenditure Report CONTACT OFFICER: REO

CONTACT OFFICER: RFO

OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS:

5.1 Note the Committee's current income and expenditure position - Appendix B.1

5.2 Note this Committee's Earmarked Reserves

5.3 Note future financial considerations

Attached as Appendix A is the Income & Expenditure report for this Committee for the financial year 2026/27. Significant variances are reported in bold.

801 Highway Facilities

1051 Income Miscellaneous – Money received from Wealden for the deployable camera (see below for expense)

4652 CCTV – Costs for the deployable camera (see above for income)

4654 Environmental Improvements – will exceed budgets due to the removal of flags

802 Environmental Projects

No significant variances

Below is a list of the earmarked reserves for the Environment Committee and the projects allocated:

Nominal Code Cost Centre Earmarked Reserves Balance Committed Projected

9014 903 The Ghyll 10,442 3,381 7,061 Fund for accessible pathways and steps repair works at the Ghyll

9015 903 Equipment 9,977 9,977 Replacement strimmers and hand tools for nature reserve operative

9017 903 Street Furniture and Environmental Improvements 1,705 1,705 Street furniture painting and repairs. Including Cloaks Corner lamps.

9019 903 Bluebell wood 3,900 3,900 Post and rail fencing, benches and planting to recover Bluebells.

9020 903 Planting 777 777 Soil for Canada Green planters.

9021 903 Tree Works 1,255 1,255 New land tree works - The Ghyll – awaiting invoice.

i9023 903 Street Lighting 56,790 56,790 General replacement fund for streetlights.

9024 903 Country Park 12,564 12,564 Fund to dredge pond and complete urgent bridge erosion works

9058 903 Future Environmental Projects 12,977 9,600 3,377 Fingerpost – repair and replacements on order.

316 Environment Total 110,387 12,981 97,406

To assist with future planning and informed decision making, contracts and commitments will be listed here. This list is for information only.

RFO

22/07/2026 Crowborough Town Council Page 1

10:40 Detailed Income & Expenditure by Budget Heading 22/07/2026

Month No: 4 Committee Report

Environment Actual Last Year Actual Year To Date Current Annual Bud Variance Annual Total Committed Expenditure Funds Available % Spent Transfer to/from EMR

801 Highway Facilities

1051 Income-Miscellaneous 0 3,672 0 (3,672) 0.0%

4601 Street Lighting 24,595 1,406 63,000 61,594 61,594 2.2%

Highway Facilities :- Income 0 3,672 0 (3,672) 0

4115 Street Furniture Maintenance 1,126 1,027 4,000 2,973 2,973 25.7%

4602 Litter Bins 1,485 698 4,000 3,302 3,302 17.5%

4603 Seats 35 667 4,000 3,333 3,333 16.7%

4604 Bus Shelters 923 0 2,339 2,339 2,339 0.0%

4607 Dog Litter Collection 8,599 0 8,961 8,961 8,961 0.0%

4651 Planting 11,213 0 12,000 12,000 12,000 0.0%

4652 CCTV 18,160 3,672 2,500 (1,172) (1,172) 146.9%

4654 Environmental Improvements 0 1,000 1,545 545 1,000 (455) 129.4%

4661 Weald Link Transport 4,396 2,282 4,532 2,251 2,251 50.3%

Highway Facilities :- Indirect Expenditure 70,532 10,751 106,877 96,126 1,000 95,126 11.0% 0

Net Income over Expenditure (70,532) (7,080) (106,877) (99,797)

802 Environmental Projects

4255 Equipment 210 53 1,500 1,448 1,448 3.5%

4116 Tree Works 4,180 2,330 7,000 4,670 1,780 2,890 58.7%

4402 The Ghyll 868 1,958 4,000 2,042 1,848 194 95.2%

4475 Country Park 1,024 281 12,000 11,719 187 11,532 3.9%

4656 Bluebell Wood 592 181 2,000 1,819 1,819 9.0%

4962 Pocket Park Nature Reserve 149 0 2,000 2,000 2,000 0.0%

Environmental Projects :- Indirect Expenditure 7,023 4,803 28,500 23,697 3,815 19,883 30.2% 0

Net Expenditure (7,023) (4,803) (28,500) (23,697)

9014 The Ghyll 0 461 0 (461) (461) 0.0% 461

9015 Equipment 0 2,323 0 (2,323) 618 (2,941) 0.0% 2,323

903 Earmarked Environment

9017 Street Furniture 5,535 0 0 0 405 (405) 0.0%

9021 Tree Works 6,120 0 0 0 0 0.0%

Earmarked Environment :- Indirect Expenditure 11,655 2,784 0 (2,784) 1,024 (3,807) 2,784

Net Expenditure (11,655) (2,784) 0 2,784

6001 plus Transfer from EMR 11,655 2,784 0 (2,784)

Movement to/(from) Gen Reserve 0 0 0 0

Environment :- Income 0 3,672 0 (3,672) 0.0%

Expenditure 89,210 18,338 135,377 117,039 5,838 111,201 17.9%

Net Income over Expenditure (89,210) (14,666) (135,377) (120,711)

Continued over page

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 7

MEETING DATE: 28th July 2026

COUNCIL/COMMITTEE: Environment Committee

TITLE: To receive updates on nature reserves

PURPOSE OF REPORT: This report is to give the Committee an update on maintenance and improvement of the nature reserves

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: There are none

CONTACT OFFICER: Town Clerk

OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS:

7 The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the report and to receive updates on the recreation grounds.

7.1 Bluebell Wood

7.2 Country Park

7.3 Pocket Park

7.4 The Ghyll

The new nature reserve operative team are currently reviewing the management plan and preparing an operational action plan which will be shared with the committee along with updates on progress.

A resident has contacted the council to highlight the lack of consistent signage at the Country Park; this will be reviewed as part of the accessibility updates. Quotes are currently being obtained for the dredging of the pond and the repair of the erosion and bridges.

The Pocket Park has been subject to an increased amount of anti-social behaviour this summer which has been reported to the police for additional patrols. Beacon Academy has begun a trial into using part of the park for their forest school and a report will follow in the new term on its progress.

The Ghyll requires significant improvements and maintenance work; the new nature reserve operative team are awaiting the new management plan before preparing an operational action plan which will be shared with the committee along with updates on progress.

In accordance with Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Town Council has had due regard to the likely impact of its decisions on crime and disorder, including anti-social behaviour, and the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances. The Town Council remains committed to supporting a safe and welcoming community by considering crime prevention where relevant, working with partner agencies as appropriate, and encouraging residents to report concerns to the relevant authorities.