===== PAGE 1 ===== 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 ## COMMITTEE MEMBERS 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 ## MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC To attend in person visit: Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1DH To attend online click here: Online meeting login ## QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (15 minutes maximum) 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. ## AGENDA – ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE– 28TH JULY 2026

ITEM	TITLE	APPENDIX
1.	ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT MEASURES
1.1	To ensure accessibility measures are in place for the benefit of all participants
2.	APOLOGIES
2.1	To receive and approve apologies for absence
3.	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
3.1	To receive declarations of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests

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4.	MINUTES
4.1	Minutes of the Environment Committee meeting of 5th May 2026 and 12th May 2026	A\nPgs.4-10
5.	FINANCIAL MATTERS	B, B1\nPgs.11-15
5.1	To note the Detailed Income and Expenditure by Budget Heading report
5.2	To note the Earmarked Reserves
5.3	To note future financial considerations
6.	POLICY REVIEW
6.1	To note there are no policies to review
7.	TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON NATURE RESERVES	C\nPgs.16-17
7.1	Bluebell Wood
7.2	Country Park
7.3	Pocket Park
7.4	The Ghyll
8.	TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON AMENITY LAND
8.1	Canada Green – there are none
8.2	Palesgate Lane (west) – there are none
9.	TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON TOWN AND GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
9.1	To receive any updates on street furniture, town signs, floral arrangements, dog waste bins and wooden fingerposts
10.	STREET LIGHTING
10.1	To note that the replacement light at Beacon Road West (PB1) has been installed
11.	WALSHES PARK
11.1	To consider the question asked by Cllr Grose at the previous meeting: “Due to the poor maintenance of Walshes Park, should the Town Council consider pushing Wealden District Council to retender the park in 2028 and for the Town Council to take on the maintenance.”
12.	GRIT BINS
12.1	To note report on Grit Bins will follow at a future meeting when resourcing allows
13.	BUSINESS PLAN ITEMS
13.1	To note awaiting update from the Business Plan Working Group

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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.

===== PAGE 4 ===== 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	Councillors	Alison Arthur	Vice Chairperson
		Peter Bucklitsch
		Jane Clark
		Martyn Everitt	Chairperson
		Martyn Garrett
		Christopher Grose
		Richard Jury
		Scott Walters
		Natalie Whittle
Also present		Julie Miller	Town Clerk
		1 member of public in the chamber

## PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 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. ## ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT MEASURES 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. ===== PAGE 5 ===== 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. ## DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 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 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. ## BENCHES 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. ## FINANCIAL MATTERS Note the Committee's current income and expenditure position. These were noted. Note this Committee’s Earmarked Reserves.

The following EMRS were noted

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

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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.

Item	Valid from - to	Comments
CCTV public facing maintenance contract renewal	December 2025 - November 2028	None.
Country Park Management Plan	2023-2027	Action plan to follow
Pocket Park Management Plan	2025-2029	Action plan to follow
The Ghyll LNR Management Plan	2021-2025	Action plan to follow
Bluebell Wood Management Plan	2025-2029	Action plan to follow

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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

## POLICY REVIEW There were no policies to review. ## GRIT BINS To note a report will follow at the next meeting This was noted. ## BUS SHELTERS 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. ## STREETLIGHTING To note the proposed lantern on Beacon Road West is being followed up. This was noted. ## THE GYHLL 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. ===== PAGE 8 ===== # Appendix A This was noted. To note management plans and update reports to follow at a future meeting. This was noted. ## POCKET PARK To note investigations underway with Beacon Academy to form a forest school at Pocket Park This was noted. ## URBAN GRASS CUTTING OPTIONS To note this will be investigated in the coming year. This was noted. ## BASKETS AND BEDS 2026 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. ## FINGER POSTS To note finger post repairs complete This was noted. ## LITTER BINS To note staff being trained in required competency to install litter bins on the public highway. This was noted. ## EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL 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. ===== PAGE 9 ===== This was noted. ## QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 ===== PAGE 10 ===== # Appendix A 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 ===== PAGE 11 ===== ## Appendix B

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

#### 5.1. Income and Expenditure 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 ### 5.2 Earmarked Reserves Below is a list of the earmarked reserves for the Environment Committee and the projects allocated: ===== PAGE 12 =====

Appendix B

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

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

Item	Valid from - to	Comments
CCTV public facing maintenance contract renewal	December 2025 - November 2028	£2,500 per year
Country Park Management Plan	2023-2027	Action plan to follow
Pocket Park Management Plan	2025-2029	Action plan to follow
The Ghyll LNR Management Plan	2021-2025	Action plan to follow
Bluebell Wood Management Plan	2025-2029	Action plan to follow

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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
WealdLink Transport Service	Annual rolling	£4,563 per year. No contract in place. Unwritten agreement between a few Parishes

Appendix B

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Appendix B1

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%
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%
4601	Street Lighting	24,595	1,406	63,000	61,594		61,594	2.2%
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
4116	Tree Works	4,180	2,330	7,000	4,670	1,780	2,890	58.7%
4255	Equipment	210	53	1,500	1,448		1,448	3.5%
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)
903	Earmarked Environment
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
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)

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22/07/2026	Crowborough Town Council								Page 2
10:40	Detailed Income & Expenditure by Budget Heading 22/07/2026
Month No: 4	Committee Report
	Actual Last Year	Actual Year To Date	Current Annual Bud	Variance Annual Total	Committed Expenditure	Funds Available	% Spent to/from EMR
plus Transfer from EMR	11,655	2,784	0	(2,784)
Movement to/(from) Gen Reserve	(77,555)	(11,882)	(135,377)	(123,495)
Grand Totals:- 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)
plus Transfer from EMR	11,655	2,784	0	(2,784)
Movement to/(from) Gen Reserve	(77,555)	(11,882)	(135,377)	(123,495)

===== PAGE 16 ===== ## Appendix C


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

### 7.1 Bluebell Wood ### 7. To receive updates on the following nature reserves 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. ### 7.2 Country Park 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. ### 7.3 Pocket Park 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. ===== PAGE 17 ===== ## APPENDIX C ### 7.4 The GhylII 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. ### 7.5 Crime and Disorder Implications 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.