===== PAGE 1 ===== # 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 2 ===== 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 5 ===== 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. ## BASKETS AND BEDS 2026 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. ## 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 6 ===== 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