Prince Philip Condolences

Due to Covid-19 restrictions Plumpton Parish Council have decided that condolences are to be left via The Royal Family website www.royal.uk.  If you know of anyone who wishes to write a condolence but are unable to access the website, please forward to the Clerk to the Council PO Box 292, Hartfield East Sussex TN6 9FB which in turn will be forwarded to Buckingham Palace.

Prince Philip

Buckingham Palace has issued the statement below following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh:

It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

Plumpton Parish Council joins with our community and people around the world in mourning his loss.

Protocol would normally dictate that from Monday a Book of Condolence will be available in the Village Hall from 8.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. each day until the day after the funeral. However due to Covid-19 restrictions this will not be possible, and we are currently seeking guidance from Lewes District Council.

Further announcements will be made in due course.

Nick Beaumont
Chair, Plumpton Parish Council

Update for Residents from Plumpton Parish Council on Additional housing targets for Lewes District Council (LDC)

The Parish Council received a letter from Maria Caulfield on 23 February. See the full text here. In that letter she confirms the housing target rises from 345 to 785 after May 2021. This is Government Policy.

Lewes Local Plan was adopted in 2016 and was supposed to last until 2030.  In 2018, the (Theresa May) Government introduced the rule about Local Plans being considered out-of-date if not renewed every five years, and that local need must now only be calculated by the ‘standard method’. The ‘standard method’ is the calculation that results in such a high target for Lewes.

Making things worse still, another change meant neighbourhood plans were now effectively only valid for two years.

If a local plan cannot be considered up to date, it is not possible to just ‘renew’ it. There is a statutory process for the preparation of local plans that needs to be followed. This includes gathering evidence, consulting with the community, and submitting the plan to the Secretary of State to arrange an independent examination by a Planning Inspector. Failure to follow the correct procedure would mean that local plan would fail examination.

We received a further email from Maria Caulfield on 14^th March in response to detailed questions asked by Plumpton Parish Council. The questions (see the questions here) were not answered but curiously the email states:-

“The situation currently is that LDC can keep their number at 385 a year if they are able to provide an up to date five year land supply and the standard method up to date figures are here on the indicative local housing need https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-current-planning-system which clearly shows the figure is 385. However, if the local plan expires then developers are able to pick off sites which is why we are seeing a spate of applications coming forward.”

385 is a new number to us which we would like to trust, as whilst it is greater than the current 345 it is considerably less than the 782 via the standard method, but experience suggests we can’t yet take it as guaranteed. At leastMaria Caulfield does confirm that a new housing target does indeed apply after May 2021. This supports the LDC position which was based on the law and policy as written and regular dialogue with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and the Planning Advisory Service.

There is clearly a lack of clarity on government policy as the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government seemed unaware of this in the discussions with LDC, but what is obvious is that this lack of clarity is leading to applications for speculative development across the district.

So, we are still a little bit confused about what is really happening but will not give up the fight for a sensible, plan-led resolution. Click on the Blue Banner “Additional Housing Targets for Lewes District” above this update for more information including the Parish Council response to the initial Land Availability Assessment and ‘Call for Sites’ map.

 Questions put to Maria Caulfield

 Letter from Maria Caulfied 23/02/21

Changes to Bus Services

Government has asked bus operators and local transport authorities to reduce bus services to the minimum level of service necessary to support essential journeys safely. From next week there will be a number of temporary changes to bus services in East Sussex, still providing for a basic level of provision for those who still need to travel. A summary is attached. Regular updates continue to be provided on our website page:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/public/buses/bus-service-changes/

From Monday 18 January concessionary bus pass holders in East Sussex will be able to travel for free before the usual 9.30am time restriction. This will also assist pass holders who need to travel by bus to early morning COVID-19 vaccination appointments. This temporary change to the concessionary bus scheme is expected to continue until schools fully reopen, after which buses before 9.30am are expected to be busy again.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.