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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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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