Ask The Leader 2008

Q. Dear Ms Doodes,

The East Sussex Children's and Young People's Plan, 2008-2011, says that one of the priorities in Wealden is "the implementation and enforcement of licensing arrangements to reduce access to and use of alcohol by young people".  I recently wrote to your licensing department to object to the granting of a licence to sell alcohol (Tesco, Sybron Way, Crowborough). I was told that any retail premises may apply for a licence and would probably be granted one.

In this particular case, I am concerned that the industrial estate in which the store is located, is already a meeting place for young people, some of whom use it as a race-track. The ready availability of alcohol in the immediate vicinity will exacerbate the problems there and put more young people at risk.

My question to you is, what is the point of having a Plan which is unenforceable and meaningless? The granting of licences to all and sundry is increasing access to alcohol not reducing it.

Yours sincerely,

Clare Greenyer

Rotherfield

A. Dear Clare,

I am unable to answer questions on specific matters regarding planning or licensing applications. These are handled by the departments concerned.
However I am happy to explain further about licensing and the Children and Young People's Plan.

As Licensing Authority, we uphold the objectives of the 2003 Licensing Act which are the:

• prevention of crime and disorder,
• prevention of public nuisance,
• protection of children from harm,
• public safety.

Responsible authorities, such as the Police and organisations responsible for the protection of children, can object to applications, as can local residents and businesses. Under our current Licensing Policy, the Council acknowledges that the licensing function cannot be used for the general control of anti-social behaviour by individuals once they are beyond the direct control of the licensee of any premises concerned. The control of such anti-social behaviour away from licensed premises, qualifying clubs and temporary events, is primarily a matter for the Police.

More information about our Licensing Policy, and how to complain about premises that have already been granted a licence can be found on our web site under the Licensing pages of the Health & Public Safety section.

The priority within the East Sussex Children's and Young People's Plan for "the implementation and enforcement of licensing arrangements to reduce access to and use of alcohol by young people" is met by joint agency working in the detection and enforcement of under-age sales and proxy sales to young people. The Safer Wealden Partnership, whose members include this Council, Sussex Police and East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust, is very active and, I am pleased to tell you that the incidence of failures during test purchases within Wealden is low.

I disagree with your opinion that the East Sussex Children's and Young People's Plan is "unenforceable and meaningless", and as a Council we will use what means are available to us to achieve its goals.

Best Regards,
Pam Doodes

Q. Dear Ms Doodes

I received this guide either shortly before, or after, reading an article in the Telegraph from the Conservative Leader of another council.

He stated that above all, when in opposition, people wanted less rates and, more importantly, good value. Now in power, and Leader, he ran through the things he had cut out.  One of them was the service guide that your - our - Council has produced.

We don't wish to receive expensive books from the police force, council and others telling us how good they are and what they do. Their actions should shout this from the roof tops.  Sadly they don't, hence these guides or booklets saying how good you are. A splendid feature of new Labour, but please not from a Conservative council.

Last year my car was involved in an accident in Dorchester, Dorset, whilst parked in a car park.  A witness called the police and, because of a similar number of accidents, the policeman asked that I take my details to my nearest police station - Uckfield - on my return home. I did, only to be told: "Not needed. It's a waste of time. Dorset won't want this taken forward!"

Crime is down, frankly because we are fed up of trying to report it. So you can imagine others and my fury when I get emails and brochures telling me crime is down.  It's not.  It's on the increase and please, please don't treat us all as idiots. It's enough putting up with low level crime without being treated as an idiot. To do so is to follow the new Labour spin and try telling us all "this year was the best the NHS has had" when we know it was not; and our hospitals are filthy.

May I leave this with you for a "thought for the day"?

Kind regards

Brian Dodd

A. Dear Brian

Thank you for your comment about the guide we have just published.

Wealden District Council provides a wide range of services to council tax payers and the reason for the guide is to make residents aware of the different ways we can provide assistance.   The guide is a compact document designed to be a reference tool for residents to keep and I feel it is the most effective way of informing our residents about the services we provide and some of our latest initiatives.  We were very careful to keep it small and to print it on lightweight paper to reduce mailing costs and it has been designed to be easy to read and informative.   Unlike other councils we do not publish a quarterly council newspaper but do communicate electronically via our main website, www.wealden.gov.uk; our business help website, www.wealdenbusinesshelp.org.uk; and our website designed for young people; www.w4y.co.uk.

I can assure you we keep a very close eye on all of our expenditure.

Wealden District Council is a member of the Safer Wealden Partnership and Cllr Ron Cussons, portfolio holder for Community is presently the Chairman.   Partners working together include the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex County Council and ourselves.   The partnership is working to tackle the issues that you mention and you might like to contact Cllr Cussons or Dr Jeremy Leach to find out a little more about the work being done. 

Best Regards

Pam Doodes

Q. Can you tell me whether Wealden Council has lost any money as a result of the collapse of the Icelandic Banks.

Can you also reassure the Taxpayers of Wealden that any loss of funds due to poor investments either now or in the future by councils generally will not result in higher council tax bills for us.

Thank You

David Of Crowborough

A. Dear David,

Thank you for your question. I am pleased to confirm that Wealden has no investments with Icelandic banks.

The Local Government Association, which represents local councils, and the British Government are working with the administrators and the government in Iceland to get a successful resolution to the situation.

While mindful of the concern people are feeling, I cannot give you any assurances about the global situation. However in February this year, our Cabinet agreed to a Medium-Term Financial Strategy which requires council tax increases to be limited to 3.5-5% over the next two years, and I am determined to keep to this policy.

Best Regards

Pam Doodes

Q. With the current crisis within 116 local authorities over investment in Icelandic banks, can you please confirm and clarify if Wealden have invested heavily and what impact it will have to local services and council tax?

Russell Collins

A. Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your enquiry. I am pleased to confirm that Wealden has no investments with Icelandic banks. As such the collapse of the Icelandic banks is not expected to have any direct effect on local services or Wealden District Council's council tax.

Like all other public authorities we hold money in reserve to allow for unforeseen circumstances and emergencies which we may become involved in. We have always been risk averse in our policy for investing this money, seeking only to put it with institutions which have a sound credit rating. Given the current situation, our Treasury section is actively involved in monitoring credit ratings with the help of our financial advisors to ensure this policy is maintained.

Best Regards

Pam Doodes

Q. Having taken the trouble to register by internet immediately I received the form, why are you wasting ratepayer’s money by sending out a reminder 3 weeks later? Surely your reminders department can check to see if a registration has been made before they send out their letters, or is that asking too much?

Under the Freedom of Information act, can you tell me the cost of sending out reminders and how many reminders were sent out to people who had already registered?

Ray Jackson

A. Dear Ray,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I would like to apologise for any inconvenience we may have caused you. Our main concern is to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote.

The initial electoral registration forms were posted on 22 August 2008.  The data for the first reminder forms was sent to the printers on 23 September 2008 and those forms were despatched by post on 26 September.  Our Electoral Services Section continues to receive registration forms and confirmations in between the reminder data being produced and the actual dispatch of the forms - hence some overlap is unavoidable. I believe this is what happened in your case.  I am afraid it is not practicable to remove overlap forms once the data is with the printer.

From the period when the date for the first reminder forms was sent to the printers, to the time when they were posted, we had 869 registrations confirmed.  The cost of producing these reminder forms was £64.71 for printing and stationery and £139.04 postage, giving a total of £203.75.

Best Regards

Pam Doodes

Q. NFWI was one of the main national organisations in the Local Works Coalition behind the Sustainable Communities Act that became law 2007. Central Government has now invited (October 2008) all councils to 'opt in' to this process. It means that the citizens' panels have to reach agreement with local people, (not just consult) and have a real influence on the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area. It is these ideas that will be submitted to Central Government. We believe that it is absolutely crucial that councils hear loud and clear from their communities and so urge you to opt in.

Yours sincerely,

Victoria Joyce

President,
Waldron WI

A. Dear Victoria

Thank you for your thoughts about the Sustainable Communities Act.

I am committed to giving people more say in deciding local priorities. One of my key priorities for the Council is "Putting people first", so I welcome your enthusiasm for getting involved in the well-being of your area.

The Sustainable Communities Act is an interesting new development for local democracy that will enable local communities to make suggestions for central government action to promote the sustainability of their area. However, we are still waiting for precise details of how the Act will work in practice. The Local Government Association is holding a conference on 14 October where the Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, will announce the formal invitation to councils to submit proposals. We should then have a better idea of the process to be followed.

As you may know, the Local Government Association will be responsible for the short-listing of the proposals made. The LGA has issued some guidance about the Act which you may find helpful. This is available on their website at www.lga.gov.uk.

I firmly believe that local people are well placed to know how to improve the sustainability of their own community. As Councillors, we are committed to representing our local communities and we will give full consideration to any suggestions we receive.

Best Regards,

Pam Doodes

Q. Dear Mrs Doodes,

As a local resident I am writing to you to urge you to please do all you can to ensure that the council decides to ‘opt in’ to the new Sustainable Communities Act process when invited to by central government in October this year.

The Act is great news for all of us locally. For the first time we have a law that gives local government and local communities the power to drive central government policy on reversing community decline and promoting sustainable communities.

Furthermore as a university student who has recently undertaken work experience in an organisation promoting and encouraging shopping in local and independent shops, I understand and appreciate the importance of supporting our local economies and communities. Through adopting this Act, it will enable us, as citizens and also you as Councillors and representatives of the local region, to undertake beneficial and targeted action for communities, at a grassroots and democratic level.

Politicians and the media are always talking of ‘political apathy’, with this Act it will motivate, and ensure community action!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Nadia Bunce

A. Dear Nadia

Thank you for letting me know your views about the Sustainable Communities Act.

I am committed to giving people more say in deciding local priorities, one of my key priorities for the Council is "Putting people first".

The Sustainable Communities Act is an interesting new development for local democracy that will enable local communities to make suggestions for central government action to promote the sustainability of their area.  However, we are still waiting for precise details of how the Act will work in practice.  The Local Government Association is holding a conference on 14 October where the Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, will announce the formal invitation to councils to submit proposals.  We should then have a better idea of the process to be followed.

I should emphasise that most proposals are expected to come from local groups such as community organisations, parish and town councils, neighbourhood forums, and residents' and tenants' associations.  They will put their ideas to their council.  Councils will then consult with a representative panel of local people to consider proposals in detail.  Those thought most suitable will be forwarded on to the Local Government Association.

The Local Government Association will be responsible for the short-listing of the proposals made.  The LGA has issued some guidance about the Act which you may find helpful.  This is available on their website at www.lga.gov.uk.

I firmly believe that local people are well placed to know how to improve the sustainability of their own community.  As Councillors we are committed to representing our local communities and we will give full consideration to any suggestions we receive.

Best Regards,

Pam Doodes

Q. Dear Madam,

Uckfield has a big problem concerning the elderly people that live in the areas served by the local bus.

1.  The bus does not run on Saturdays or Sundays the two days when things happen in the area and when we would like to get about, we cannot take advantage of the market days or items in the civic and other centres, it also makes a nonsense of our bus pass because the very days it would be a great advantage there is no service.

2.  If the local bus is too expensive to be applied on these days then the other services that pass through Buxted and Uckfield could be diverted to accommodate those that live in the area.

3.  Although this would not solve everyone's problem consideration could be given to stopping the service midweek for say a day, but I would consider this a last resort.

Please do not suggest contacting ESCC, Wealden pays for and supplies our tickets and we would sooner hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

K. V. Robinson

A. Dear Mr Robinson,

Thank you for your questions.  I have made some enquiries and I understand your predicament.  There is no service on weekends serving the town's residential areas.  East Sussex County Council is responsible for commissioning bus services.  Wealden District Council supplies concessionary passes within the District and reimburses bus companies for their use at a cost of approximately £250,000 a year to local taxpayers.  However, Wealden has no powers to direct bus operators and cannot afford to provide additional services.

I understand from the County Council that the weekend 245 Service was not well used and was withdrawn in 2006.  The County Council has received a few requests for the weekend service to be reinstated.  Financing an additional service at weekends would be outside their existing budget.

I have asked the County Council whether one of the 249 weekday services could be switched to a weekend to provide a Saturday service, but understand this would not be possible.

However, Community Transport for the Lewes Area is planning to run a survey of passengers on the 249 bus to find out what people think of the Service.  This will be followed by a full consultation of CTLA members. 

Consequently, there will be an opportunity for members of the CTLA to influence the way the 249 Service is provided in the near future.  If you and your friends and family are not already members of the CTLA, I would encourage you to join the organisation in order to be able to use the 249 (and 246) bus and to have your say on the future of the Service by taking part in the survey.

To find out more about the CTLA and CTLA membership you can call 01273 517332, or visit their website, www.ctla.org.uk.  To qualify for membership you need to be able to show that you are unable to access normal forms of transport, either through illness, disability, disadvantage or not having the service you require available to you.

Thank you for raising these issues and I hope there is a successful outcome following the CTLA survey.  I am sorry I can be of no more help.

Best Regards

Pam Doodes

Q. 1. Why aren't there any re-cycling facilities in Halland, or kerbside re-cycling, I have to drive to Ringmer and Lewes in order to re-cycle - not very green I'm sure you will agree. When will this be corrected? I have spoken to near neighbours most of whom say that they don't re-cycle as there are no facilities. Bit of an own goal when you talk about reducing land fill waste!

2. The speed of traffic on the B2192 between Terrible Down and the A22 roundabout far exceeds the 40 speed limit. Although the volume of traffic is not excessive, the heavy goods lorries and other vehicles speeding through this part of the village creates danger. There has recently been an accident at the roundabout. It also reduces the quality of life of the residents in this part of Halland. It is hazardous to walk along the pavements as they are narrow and some hedges are overgrown. Another own goal as you want us all to get more exercise. In order to walk our dog we have to drive elsewhere. Green?

In a nutshell I would like to see
1 Recycling /kerbside collections.
2 A reduction in the speed limit to 30mph where it is currently 40mph, together with a vehicle activated warning sign where the present 40 sign is; as this is a residential area.

I look forward to your comments
Sincerely
Cindy Gillman

A. Thank you for your questions.

Recycling

I am pleased to be able to tell you Wealden is planning to introduce kerbside collections to all rural areas by 2010 as required by current legislation. As there are some 22,000 rural properties in Wealden this is quite a major undertaking and work is already underway to find the most efficient way to roll out this programme to all.

Places to accommodate Bring Sites are extremely difficult to secure in rural areas due to public opposition and no sites have been identified in Halland. However there are three sites much closer to Halland than the ones you referred to in your email. These are:

• Church Marks Lane, East Hoathly
• Laughton Lodge, Common Lane, nr Halland
• Framfield Recreation Ground Car Park

Each of these sites has facilities for glass, paper and cans.
In addition all the main towns in Wealden have facilities within the supermarket car parks and some of these also have plastic recycling facilities. Full details of our facilities can be found on our website.

Speed Limits

With regards to the overgrown hedges an email or letter to the Parish Council alerting them to the problems and will enable them either to ask local householders to trim back their hedges, or if the request is received with a negative response take other appropriate steps to ensure that the footpaths are kept clear for pedestrians.

Your Parish is covered by East Hoathly with Halland Parish Council. The Clerk is Mrs Anne Newton and she can be contacted 01825 890182, email framfield.pc@virgin.net

Best regards
Pam Doodes

June

Q. We are all aware that local authorities have been overstepping their authority and using anti-terror powers to snoop on law abiding members of the public.

Could you please inform the residents of Wealden how many times surveillance has been undertaken by Wealden using the RIPA regulations over the last 12 months.

It would also be interesting to know under what heading any surveillance has been actioned ie fly tipping etc.

What is your view of councils snooping on the public using RIPA outside its intended remit.

David H (Crowborough)

A. Dear David,
Thank you for your question about the use of RIPA regulations.

Last year we made 12 applications under the Regulatory of Investigatory Powers Act - an Act that is in place to make sure public authorities do not over step the mark when carrying out surveillance. All applications were granted. Ten were in relations to noise nuisance, one to fly tipping and one to graffiti. These were in direct response to concerns raised by Wealden residents.

To take action against noisy neighbours, evidence is needed and this can involve sound recording, so we make sure we put the proper regulatory measures in place before taking evidence.

Surveillance is also needed to gain evidence so that we can take action against graffiti and fly tipping. Fly tipping is a major problem for Wealden. We cover 320 square miles of some of the finest countryside in the south east and had to deal with 651 fly tipping incidents during the financial year 2006-2007. The use of cameras can provide us with necessary evidence to take action against offenders to ensure they do not repeat the crime, and keep the countryside looking the way the residents of Wealden want.

I do not agree that our use of the RIPA powers amounts to "snooping". We take our responsibilities seriously and only use surveillance technology where appropriate in order to protect our residents and the environment.

I do hope you are now reassured
Best regards
Pam Doodes

Q. I am rather concerned about the hysteria over plastic bags. My wife and I re-use our bags over and over for shopping, refuse bagging, lining waste bins, picking up dog and cat mess, sandwich wrapping etc. etc.

A ban on these very handy household items would mean only that we have to buy the bags on a roll from the same supermarkets who used to give them free. Good sales ploy comes to my cynical old mind!
Ireland has seen sales of bags on a roll rise by 400% since the bag tax came into being, negating any gains made. That will happen here simply because we need the bags.

I noticed a Sussex Express headline last week that 'Wealden was drowning in plastic bags'. Arrant rubbish! I do a lot of walking as a retired man, and I never see one, let alone drown in them!

I was a seaman for a number of years and I can assure you that the ocean is not full of them either! What I have often seen in mid ocean are rafts of plastic bottles and fishing industry detritus. never plastic bags!

I feel that this is just jumping on the 'green' bandwagon to look modern, and is entirely unneccessary. It will make no difference to plastic bag usage. We will just have to pay for them. Just as in Ireland! The supermarkets love it of course, because they will make profit on what, at the moment, is a substantial lossmaker! Roy Hills.

A. Dear Mr Hills Thank you for your email about plastic carrier bags. I wish more people followed your example of re-using their plastic carrier bags, sadly most people only use them to carry their groceries home. We would like to encourage people to act like our parents and take a bag with them when they go to shop.

As a waste collection authority Wealden is well aware of the number of plastic carrier bags that are discarded and end up in landfill and there they stay until they degrade, which can take hundreds of years. Even bio-degradable bags, which biodegrade into small pieces of plastic can take up to 20 years. Bags may be given out 'free of charge' (but the charge is included in the overall costs) by the supermarkets but council tax payers are footing the bill for disposal, so they are paying twice. Anything Wealden can do to reduce usage will be to the advantage of us all.

May I assure you we are not jumping on a bandwagon, we are just doing our small part to try to reduce usage by raising awareness of the issue. By lobbying supermarkets and other retailers we hope everyone will take a more responsible attitude and look at ways to reduce the packaging on their goods and find other, more environmentally friendly materials for bags. Best regards Pam Doodes

May

Q. Dear Pam, please could you advise what opportunity there might be as a volunteer at Wealden Council?

I am particularly interested in the recent plan to develop a Natural Environment & Biodiversity Policy for Wealden. Is there any opportunity to become involved in this project, even just as an observer? I did speak with one of the Councillors about this but it didn't really help me.

My understanding is that a working party will report to a scrutiny committee in October. The report will need to include: ‑ Management plans‑ consultation with internal and external advisors‑ How Local Biodiversity action plans will be implemented‑ Training of members and publicity (schools etc)‑ development of biodiversity indicators‑ template for an annual monitoring report My background is as a Business Development Director and I am now looking to move towards a career in conservation.

I have been volunteering in conservation on the Ashdown Forest for the past 2 years. Any involvement in this project would help my understanding of processes and give me some valuable experience. I am certain that my skills and enthusiasm could also be of benefit to the project. Thank you for your consideration. Yours Sincerely Emma Newman

A. Emma Thank you for your enquiry about our plans to develop a Natural Environmentand Biodiversity Policy for Wealden.

This work is being carried out by a working party of elected members of the Environment Scrutiny Committee.Working Parties take advice from experts within and outside the Council, and I am happy to forward your details to the working party members as it is upto them how they proceed.

It will be reporting in public to the meeting scheduled to take place at 10.00a.m. on October 14th in Committee Room 1 at our Pine Grove offices in Crowborough. May I thank you for your voluntary conservation work in the Ashdown Forest? It is one of Wealden's greatest natural assets and I appreciate the contribution from volunteers like yourself to keep it that way. Best regards Pam Doodes

Q. How is the Council making the most of the internet to keep in touch with the people of Wealden ? (27/04/08)

A. You are probably already well acquainted with what the Wealden web site has to offer, if not I hope you can find a few minutes to look at the online facilities that we offer, such as Report It, Online Payments, Planning Applications on the Web and the Benefits Payments calculator.

The site also makes use of Browsealoud software which allows it to "talk" to blind and visually impaired users. As a Council we realise the benefits of electronic communications. Councillors receive reports agendas and other documents on line, saving on postage costs. We use the internet as one of ways of consulting with members of the public on a number of issues, including the future development guidelines for the district, the Local Development Framework. We are aware that not everyone has access to the internet, so we ensure that we consult by other means as well.

We also run specialised internet sites, such as the Wealden4Youth site, which is a dedicated site for young people aged 10-19; and the Business Help website. This also provides online foreign translations. And if people are unable to access the internet from home, it is worth while remembering that local libraries provide free internet access, as do the 17 Public Information Points available in shops, pubs and other public places throughout the district.

We recently set up a web facility linking parish councils to Wealden District Council and local district Councillors can link their own web page in to the Wealden site, and I am sure we will continue to expand our electronic usage as long as it provides an efficient cost-effective way of keeping in touch with people in Wealden. (29/03/08)