East Sussex Highway’s Rural Tree Survey

You may already be aware of the pink/yellow/orange dots on trees on the side of the road in your area. These have been put there are part of East Sussex Highway’s rural tree survey across the entire road network of East Sussex, being carried out by a professional arb surveyor, or by one of East Sussex Highway’s team. They indicate trees with faults that have been noted and require remedial works. Trees that are being inspected may be owned by ESH or may be private. They are including in the survey any tree that may impact the highway should it fail. If a tree is privately owned, the owner will be contacted as soon as possible with details of the tree(s) and a time-frame for the work to be completed. The remedial works may be as low-key as severing ivy or removing overhanging limbs. However, if the tree is in a critical condition such as being dead or showing signs of internal decay (fungal fruiting bodies), then the required work may be to remove large sections or entire tree.

Christmas Scarecrow Competition

The Patina fundraising team at Plumpton Primary School invite you to join their Christmas scarecrow competition and trail. The competition is open to anyone in the villages of Plumpton, East Chiltington and Streat.

Saturday 11th December to Sunday 20th December

To Enter a Scarecrow

• Complete an entry form
• Pay just £2 to enter
• Build a fabulous festive scarecrow
• Enter by 29th November to be included on the trail map

To Follow the Trail

• Buy a trail map and judging form from the Village Shop for just £1
• Enjoy festive walks around our lovely villages to discover and judge the scarecrows

 Christmas Scarecrow Competition Poster

 Scarecrow Entry Form (Word document)

Information for residents  – Covid-19 testing centre at the racecourse

Plumpton – Gateway to the Downs

Skatepark Reopens

 Please see the attached guidance regarding social distancing

Covid-19

Current government advice:

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people.
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

Remember, this advice is there not only to reduce the spread of the virus but also to protect NHS resources.

For up to date information please see  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

Coronavirus Support Group

If you are able to help others or need help please contact the Plumpton and East Chiltington Coronavirus Support Group (email: Covid19@geniuswithin.co.uk) or the Parish Council.

If you know an older person who is concerned about leaving the house, make sure you:

• Stay in touch over the phone.
• See if they need any help shopping.
• Encourage them to stay active in the house.

If older members of the public have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, they can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 7 days a week: 0800 055 6112

Follow this link for more information about the Plumpton and East Chiltington Coronavirus Support Group.

Council Meetings Cancelled

Please note due to the current corona virus outbreak we expect the Parish Council meeting scheduled  in May to be cancelled including the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Statutory Meeting.  We will confirm new meeting dates when we can. In the meantime correspondence, planning applications and payments will be responded to by the Clerk to the Council in consultation by email with councillors. Please email the office in the normal way and we will respond as soon as possible.

Skate Park and Playpark Closed

Following government advice, the playpark and skate park will remain closed and not to be used until further notice.

Village Hall and Pavilion Closed

Update 1 July 2020: Following the Government’s announcement last week that only two households up to a maximum of 30 from both households can meet indoors, the Parish Council have made the decision to keep the Village Hall and Pavilion closed until further guidance is received.  The Parish Council has a duty of care both to the users but more importantly to its employees.

Free Defibrillator Cancelled

Due to Covid-19 this has now been cancelled.

Petition Improve Road Safety on the B2116

Crisp Packet Recycling

Collect crisp packets to raise funds for the Kent, Sussex, and Surrey Air Ambulance

Recycle Schemes in support of AAKSS – Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex

Proposed Gypsy and Traveller Site

Update 29th December 2019

Further to the Local Plan Part 2 Hearing in public last April 2019, the Inspectors report is now released and is available here :-

Inspector’s Final Report December 2019

   Inspector’s Final Report Appendix December 2019

Blue Badges

County Councillor Sarah Osborne reported at the last Parish Council meeting that people with less visible disabilities can now apply for blue badge.  To see if you qualify please click on the following link https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.

Casual Vacancies

There are casual vacancies for the Parish Council.

 Casual Vacancy Notice

Plumpton Plastic Challenge

 Notes from meeting on how to reduce the use of plastic in Plumpton

Pavilion Refurbishment

The refurbishment was part-funded by a LEADER grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (£49k), and the remainder from our New Pavilion Fund (£28k) and the Parish Council (£7.5k).

With many thanks to Des Lambert, who helped us navigate the grant application process, and to parish councillor Emma Elford, who led renovation programme, got the grants, liaised with everyone involved.

The refurbishment has included:

• removal of the old kitchen to open up the space
• re-positioning of a new  kitchen and utility room into the old committee room
• recovering of the floor throughout
• reconfiguring of the changing rooms
• increased storage facilities
• substantial replacing of rotten timbers throughout the infrastructure
• replacement of multiple doors
• replacement of window glass
• part installation of new composite cladding and sofits
• substantial re-plastering work throughout
• roof repair.

Steve Bodsworth was the contractor. We owe him many thanks for doing a fantastic job to a very high standard and completing on time.

As with all building jobs, we found some unexpected problems along the way that Steve responded to quickly, which allowed us to keep on schedule.

Now the work is complete, it has highlighted other parts of the facility that are looking a bit tired. Plumpton Parish Council will be costing further work to maintain this valued facility within a long-term preventative maintenance programme.  We’ll provide further details in due course, later this year.