Ask The Leader 2009
Hello, I'm Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council. I'd be pleased to answer any question you may have about Wealden District Council’s policies, or other matters involving the Council, which you think, are of interest to people living, working or visiting Wealden.
To ask your question please email AskTheLeader@wealden.gov.uk
I've been a Conservative councillor now for 10 years and I want to do my best for the people of Wealden, a district that covers a large area from the Ashdown Forest to the English Channel.
Your specific enquiries about particular services such as planning applications, licensing or accommodation should be directed to the appropriate department or by emailing info@wealden.gov.uk.
I will try to respond within ten working days of receiving your question and your question and my reply will then be posted on our website. Please provide your name, we don’t need your address. If we think the question is inappropriate for publication we will contact you by email to say why.
And don’t forget: Specific problems and incidents can be reported through our Report It facility.
For information on any of the Ask The Leader questions listed please contact the Communications Officer on PR@wealden.gov.uk
If you'd like to see previous Ask The Leader questions and answers, please see the Ask The Leader Archive.
Ask The Leader questions and answers are listed by month |
Q. I am very disgusted with the complete lack of de-icing of the pavements and side roads in Hailsham and area. Now is the fourth day since the snow first fell. No doubt your answer will be of budgetary and workers health and safety concerns. What of the aged and infirm who are bravely trying to cope? Maybe you should stop producing the self-congratulatory colour newsletters [mostly binned I am led to believe]and relocate the money spent on to real services. Local councillors used to provide aservice and had pride in the community. Since then. it has become an industry and outrageous salaries are paid. Talk about snouts in the trough. What a cushy job. No risk [blame anybody else] short hours and total satisfaction in doing a pretty easy job. Planning permission has I believe been given to another betting shop in Hailsham and I was amazed to see that a Tattoo shop has opened in the town. How wonderful to see the enhancement of our retail choice! The Tesco forecast was absolutely right. Dead high street, worse traffic problems and a really boring town. Some of you need to get out there into the real world and leave your ivory towers now and again-travelling expenses paid out of your own pocket of course!!!!. David Williams |
A.Dear Mr Williams,
I do appreciate the difficulties the snow and ice has caused for both pedestrians and motorists in Wealden's towns and villages. The gritting of roads and pavements, other than the main trunk roads that run through the district, is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council. Its policy is to salt a priority network of roads, which covers all the main traffic routes, and ensure that there is a treated link to each main village. Generally, no other roads will be salted except when there are prolonged icy spells or severe snow conditions. More information about the County Council's gritting policy can be found on their web site. Town and parish councils can provide their own salt bins on difficult stretches of local roads, which they then pay to keep filled. I will forward you concerns to your local County Council representatives, Councillors Bill Bentley and Roger Thomas; and Hailsham Town Council. I would add that this Council does not produce a Council newsletter and its Members this year agreed to forgo any increase in their allowances. From my own experience, I believe that local councillors do take a pride in their community and in providing a good service. But you may think I am biased, so if you have a moment, please read what the public spending watchdog, the Audit Commission, said about this Council in a report published earlier this month. Best Regards, Pam Doodes |
Q.Dear Madam. We are snowed in here at Crowborough. I live in Chequers Way off Millbrook Road and we have very deep snow and now ice. It is treacherous walking as pensioner. I stay in and, fortunately for me, I have very good neighbours. The point is the main roads take priority - this I understand - but once they are clear the side roads are just left lethal. Surely we are entitled to some salt to put down etc.? From Mrs Muriel Salmon (Tax Payer) |
A.Dear Mrs Salmon, I do appreciate how difficult the cold weather and snow has made getting about for many people in the District. The gritting of roads, other than the main trunk roads that run through the district, is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council. Its policy is to salt a priority network of roads, which covers all the main traffic routes, and ensure that there is a treated link to each main village. Generally, no other roads will be salted except when there are prolonged icy spells or severe snow conditions. More information about the County Council's gritting policy can be found on their web site. Town and parish councils can provide their own salt bin on difficult stretches of local roads, which they then pay to keep filled. You may wish to contact them about the local need. I am sorry I cannot be of more help, but I am heartened to hear that you have neighbours look out for you in bad weather. It is so important in our rural community. Best regards Pam Doodes. |
Q: Dear Pam Doodes I wonder if you can help us on this somewhat concerning matter? We own number 1B Beaconsfield Villas, Farningham Road, Crowborough and have noticed a sign attached to the lamp post outside our property. It reads that double yellow lines and 30 minute maximum parking restrictions will be enforced along Farningham Road. We have no off road parking and no option for it. Therefore we and our neighbours are completely reliant on parking along the road. We understand that the parking problem needs to be addressed but surely residents need to be considered also. Hopefully this is something you can assist us with. Kindest Regards Mr and Mrs McDonald |
A: Dear Mr & Mrs McDonald, I have made enquiries on your behalf to East Sussex County Council and I understand the proposal to install double yellow lines in Farningham Road, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough, was originally consulted on towards the end of last year. However, due to a number of issues which have arisen, ESCC has only just been able to proceed to the public advertisement for this proposal, and another one on A26 Beacon Road, near to Crowborough Cross. The proposal includes making the existing double yellow lines from Crowborough Hill across the front of the station on the southern side of Farningham Road permanent and enforceable. This is possible because the road has been adopted by ESCC. In addition, as a result of numerous complaints from businesses and customers of the industrial estate, double yellow lines are being promoted at the junctions of the two private estate roads with the main estate road further to the west and along the entire southern side of the road to encourage the free flow of the traffic to the estate and for those using the Household Waste Site. There is no proposal for any 30 minute limited waiting in Farningham Road. Following the public advertisement, there is now a four week period in which anyone can make an objection. Objections should be made, in writing to ESCC Legal Services Dept. PO Box 2714, County Hall, St Annes Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1AL by 24 December 2009. I hope that helps clarify matters. Kind regards Pam Doodes |
November |
Q. Dear Pam, I am writing to you about a matter that I notice has been raised previously on this forum but has not yet been resolved. I live in the Crowborough area and I use the roads across the Ashdown forest and the A26 daily to commute to work. Due to the nature of my job I often leave home at 5am and on occasions return in the early hours. I have noticed that the increase in the amount of deer crossing the roads has increased dramatically. Almost every journey I have they run across the road in front of me, and yesterday whilst using the A26 on 3 occasions groups of deer (5 in one group) crossed in front of me. The last of which was a very nice miss. I have swerved into the oncoming carriageway on numerous occasions to avoid a collision and unfortunately I know my luck will run out soon. I am also aware of a fatal one vehicle accident on the A26 near the Crow and Gate public house, where the vehicle left the road. The question has to be asked, was this due to a deer crossing? I am a professionally trained driver so I am extremely careful to keep my speed down and observe the road ahead, however there is nothing you can do when the deer run straight out in front of you with no warning. I see from your previous response you talked about displaying signs in particularly deer prone areas, however this is not the answer. As an animal lover it hurts me to have to say it, but there are now too many deer and some decision needs to be made about culling a certain number. I thought I read this was going to happen, but when? Also a lot of the problems could be solved by encouraging land owners and highways to improve fencing along the roads. I do not speak alone as my family, friends and colleagues are all concerned about this problem. Please treat this as a priority otherwise further people will be injured or killed if it is not resolved quickly. Regards, Mr Griffiths.
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A. Dear Mr Griffiths, Thank-you for raising these points. I do appreciate the situation you face as a regular commuter on this route. We are all becoming increasingly concerned about the threat to road safety posed by the growing deer population in East Sussex. The tragic crash at Easons Green near Uckfield earlier this month, which resulted in the death of driver following a deer collision, has underlined the seriousness of the situation. Over past week we have been in touch with the Conservators of Ashdown Forest and East Sussex County Council's Highways department and they share our concerns. Both have been helping set up a Deer Management Group has been set up involving some 30 landowners around Ashdown Forest and beyond who are concerned about controlling deer numbers on their own land. Taking such action remains the prerogative of the owner of the land, and as the deer are able to roam widely, this can limit the effectiveness. Improved fencing would undoubtedly help, but given the size of the deer population and the need to allow access for humans and other animals, it would have to be extensive and prove costly. As the deer population increases, herds search for pasture further afield, increasing the risk to road users. This makes increasing public awareness of the danger posed by deer to road traffic even more important. Last month East Sussex County Council approved a new policy for deer warning signs which targets those sites where there is the greatest risk. The provision of warning signs will be based on crash history, the presence of deer trails, traffic volume and approach visibility. The County's highway department is aware that having too many signs can undermine vital messages. Driving at a reduced speed on country roads will always allow more time to avoid an animal in the road, and reduce the effects of any collision, should this be unavoidable. It pays to be particularly wary during the period from October to December when fallow bucks are rutting, and will travel long distances looking for does. Their movement often coincides with dusk and dawn, adding to the hazard for motorists. It is also worth remembering that deer move in herds. One seen in the roadside is likely to have a number of companions. I must thank you again for raising this issue, and I have forwarded your concerns to the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, the Ashdown Area Deer Group, the Safer Wealden Partnership and East Sussex County Council. Increased awareness about this issue has to be a good thing. Kind regards Pam Doodes.
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Q. Dear Madam What practical steps has the council taken to reduce its carbon footprint? Yours sincerely Miss Kerry Roderick
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A. Dear Kerry, I welcome your enquiry. At Wealden we are serious about the need to take action to reduce the effects of climate change. We have been monitoring energy consumption in our buildings (offices, depots and sheltered schemes) since 1998, and to date have reduced our energy consumption by 16.8 per cent with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions of 17.2 per cent. This has been achieved mainly through investment in efficient plant and intelligent controls for our buildings. We have now expanded the scope of our carbon reduction campaign to include all the operations of the Council and have recently measured and produced a carbon footprint which encompasses all Council activities including vehicle mileage. This is now being used as a baseline to target further improvements in our emissions through our Climate Change Action Plan . We also have a Climate Change Policy and Sustainability Strategy which you may be interested in seeing. Wealden District covers 322 square miles and is one of the largest rural districts in the South East. This puts added pressure on the Council's vehicle operations, particularly when it comes to household recycling and waste collection. We ensure that all new vehicles meet the Euro 5 Standard for harmful emissions and that vehicle routes are planned to minimise fuel consumption. I hope you continue to take an interest in the work this Council is doing to reduce its carbon footprint, and help us encourage householders and businesses to play their part too. Best Regards, Pam Doodes |
Q. Dear Ms Doodes, I would like to know what you are doing to get drugs off the streets, in what way is the police working and how efficient are they? I am utterly horrified by the amount of people in East Sussex that are using drugs on a regular basis and how easy it is to get hold off. The use of drugs seems like such an accepted thing and I want to know how you intend to stop it. Thanks in advance, Kind Regards |
A. Dear Clara, Thank-you for your question. At Wealden we are working with the East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team to reduce the harm caused by drugs. The Team puts into action the National Drug Strategy in East Sussex, and part of its role is tackling people and places dealing in class-A drugs. Through the work of this Team more people are receiving effective drug treatment than ever before. It has seen a rise in the number of people coming forward and those completing their course of treatment. I would also add that a new cannabis cessation clinic has just opened in Hailsham and Eastbourne. The clinic operates on an appointment-only basis and take referrals from clients aged over 19 years who would like help to stop smoking cannabis and/or tobacco. The Drug and Alcohol Action Team also helps drug users' access to education, training, housing and employment. With regard to the performance of the police in dealing with drug dealers on the street, I suggest you contact the Sussex Police Authority, whose role is to scrutinise and support the work of Sussex Police. Its web address is www.sussexpoliceauthority.gov.uk. More information about the work of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team can be found on the East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership website, www.safeineastsussex.org.uk. Best Regards, Pam Doodes. |
Q. I am writing regarding the car park at the rear of the Greyhound Public House in Wadhurst. Disabled Parking: The disabled parking spaces within this car park are usually occupied by non disabled persons, especially at the beginning of school hours and at the end of the school day. Which leaves no parking available for the disabled. Overnight Camping This is another bug bare – campervans pull into the car park for overnight camping – one would ask where do they leave their rubbish also their effluence? Is it possible on the first account re disabled parking to have the lines denoting these spaces re painted also, a regular visit from a parking attendant to stop non-disabled from parking in these bays. On the second item of overnight camping can a sign be added banning overnight camping? In Wadhurst, parking is a problem due to the size of Uplands Community College – the overspill from Uplands fills the village car park by 9.00 am each morning of term time, I feel with the growing population of the village that steps should be taken to ensure that Uplands supplies more parking, freeing up the village car park for the residents who wish to visit the doctors, dentist, opticians and shops etc. I look forward to receiving your comments in due course. Patricia Percival |
A. Dear Patricia, Thank you for raising these matters. Our Community Officers do carry out regular visits to see if designated parking areas are being used properly and we have heard of no complaints about overnight camping in the Wadhurst car park. We will be making further checks to find the extent of the problem, and reviewing the condition of the lines for the disabled parking bays. We own or manage some 50 car parks throughout the district and, apart from two in tourist locations, all provide free parking. While this is undoubtedly a great benefit for residents and visitors, the absence of revenue from car parks does make it more difficult to ensure more frequent supervision by Community Officers. Regarding the growing demand for car parking space in Wadhurst. I have discussed this with my Cabinet colleague, Councillor Bob Standley, who is a Wadhurst councillor. I understand that it has been suggested that Uplands School could make use of a little-used tennis court near the car park for their own parking needs, which would ease the situation for other users of the Wadhurst car park. We are awaiting further developments. There has also been discussion between Wadhurst Parish Council and East Sussex Fire & Rescue about making available some unused fire service land at the top of the village for car parking. If this proves successful, we would try to introduce more short term parking at the main Wadhurst car park, making it easier for visitors to the village to park while using local services. Once again I would like to thank you for raising these issues. Best Regards Pam Doodes |
Q. Hello Councillor Doodes,
Whilst it is commendable that Local Authorities make documents available in other formats, people have to be aware that the documents are there in the first place. Many visually Impaired people will remain ignorant of items such as the LDF Consultation because the initial information is always in a visual format. If tapes and CDs were made available at local libraries and the offices of the Blind Associations, many more Visually Impaired people would be reached. As many issues where consultation is sought affect Visually Impaired People, sometimes with far greater effect than with able bodied people, it would be desirable to involve them from the outset. If we are not aware of an issue,
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A. Dear Stephen, I am concerned to hear that you have had difficulties accessing information about our ongoing Shaping Wealden's Future planning consultation. I'd like to thank you for the time you have taken to provide our officers with guidance as to the difficulties you have experienced both through the online presentation of the consultation and the software used. I understand that subsequently you have been involved in a meeting with one of our officers and a representative of the software provider which has brought forward a number of suggested improvements which are being followed up. I will be monitoring the progress of this. We are also looking at how we can work with libraries and mobile libraries to supply tape and CD versions of future public consultations. With regard to your point about notifying visually impaired people that the Shaping Wealden's Future consultation is taking place. News of the consultation was covered by the local radio stations in the district. The media release can be accessed through screen-reading software on this web site. Visually impaired users who do not have their own screen-reading software can listen to the content of the Council's web site using Browsealoud, which is available as a free download. The consultation has been widely covered by the local press, which we hope will have then been picked up by the local Talking Newspaper coverage. The consultation material has also been discussed by the Wealden Disability Group. We tried to arrange for a briefing about the consultation to members of the East Sussex Association of Blind and Partially-Sighted People but unfortunately this has not been possible within the time frame of the consultation. At the beginning of July we sent out leaflets about the consultation to every household in Wealden, advising them both of the website and the nine drop-in events being held in villages and towns throughout the district. The leaflet also contained our offer of providing the information in an alternative format on request. All this may still not be enough. We have tried to generate as much awareness as possible while being aware of the many different needs of individuals in Wealden and the cost of publicity during a recession. Through the leaflet and media coverage, we hope news about the consultation will have been passed on further by word of mouth. Large print copies of the summary document for the Shaping Wealden's Future consultation were provided at the drop-in events. I would like to once again thank you for bringing forward these points. We do take inclusion seriously at Wealden and we will strive to make the best use of the technology and media at our disposal to do this. Best Regards Pam Doodes
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Q. Dear Pam, Where has the parking spaces for the disabled gone in the Pevensey Bay Car Park? I think when I was there in January there 3-4 places on the top right hand side. You seem to have put a new machine in near there and put new signs on the 3-4 places that were for the disabled. Why? Colin Creagh.
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A. Dear Mr Creagh, Thank you for contacting us. I understand that Mr Pearman, our Car Parks Officer, has already spoken to you about the disabled parking at Pevensey Bay Car Park. The unauthorised removal of the disabled parking signs was reported to Mr Pearman at the beginning of August. He immediately ordered new replacement signs. The new signs arrived on Monday 10 August 2009, and were put up in the car park on Tuesday 11 August 2009. I hope this answers your concerns. Best regards, Pam Doodes |
Q. Dear Pam, All householders have received a document asking for response to the Core Strategy - Spatial Development Options document. As a retired local (Wealden) government officer I find the delivered leaflet and the Council's website on the subject completely beyond comprehension, and whilst I would wish to have input I cannot find any information that I can either understand or respond to. I suggest that this whole exercise is designed to confuse and limit public response, and I trust that you will review this whole matter if you really want public consultation that can and will have some effect on future decisions for our district. Frank |
A. Dear Frank, Thank-you for contacting us. The Shaping Wealden's Future consultation is an important part of the process which will provide guidance as to how the district is developed over the next 20 years. That is why we felt it was important to notify every household that it was taking place and where they could find out more about it. Unfortunately it would be too expensive to print and send out the 24 page Consultation Summary Guide to all 62,000 Wealden households. I'm sorry you found the leaflet and website unhelpful - that's certainly not the intention. We do want as many people as possible to take part in this consultation, and we have also arranged exhibitions and drop-in sessions to assist this. Full details are in the brochure. I understand you have spoken to one of our officers and that your advice has been helpful in making a number of changes to the way the consultation and the questionnaire is presented online. We are grateful to you for taking the time to help with this. I do hope you will respond to the consultation before the end of August. Best Regards, Pam Doodes.
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June |
Q. Hello Pam, Hopefully you will be able to put us RESIDENTS at ease along the Upper Horsebridge main road: After being bounced around from East Sussex Highways to the Police and to your offices with the response of "until someone is killed in an incident nothing will be improved", I wish to put to you the excess speeds and overtaking on this 30 MPH residential area. The excess speeds include lorries (artics included) and this has not also damaged the road but causes vibrations through to our houses. Several accidents have happened outside our property (we have only been here a year) and the police were involved outside and opposite Bakers Farm, Yet you do not seem to have any records?(The car insurance companies may have postcode assistance)The police on one major incident remarked that they knew how fast the traffic went along this road. As a result of a request to monitor the speeds discreetly there was a police car parked for 2 hours (5-7pm) one day and noted a few speeding vehicles but it was pointed out that the main times of excess speeds is 7-12a.m. and 5am -9.am weekdays, Continuous on weekends. The main culprits are lorries early a.m and obviously this creates excess noise as well. We are scared to ask visitors to park outside our properties accordingly as numerous mirrors breakagesand scrapes have occurred where cars cannot wait to let an opposing vehicle pass! It is noted that a speed tracking cable is at the Amberstone end of the road but it would be much appreciated if you could influence the same for our end (the Mill end). The main cause is the traffic speeding from the Kings Head onwards after coming from the A22. 30 MPH is the legal limit so we would appreciate any traffic calming system/safe parking assistance you can offer us. Thank you for listening TF
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A. Dear Tracy, I share your concern about motorists putting lives at risk when they exceed the speed limit. This is not just a problem for Upper Horsebridge Road in Hailsham, but for much of Wealden. Although the highways are the responsibility of the County Council, Wealden District Council, through its membership of the Safer Wealden Partnership, has been actively supporting measures throughout the district to encourage motorists to keep within the speed limits. Last year there were 118 road injuries and deaths in the district which is significantly worse than the national average, and is something we must change. I understand that average speeds on Upper Horsebridge Road have gone down to below 30mph since a vehicle-activated warning sign was installed, and this has to be good news. You should talk to the County Highways Authority if you want a more detailed picture. Best Regards, Pam Doodes |
Q. Dear Pam, Yes the old chestnut, Gleneagles Drive! There has been a lot of talking on this subject over the years but as usual not much action, and regrettably the problems associated with the "rat run" along this road have become worse. I will ask again therefore - "What is the progress of the calming measures on Gleneagles Drive , or does it need a road accident before the council takes the matter serious?" Peter Pratt |
A.Dear Mr Pratt, Thank-you for keeping this before my attention. I admire your tenacity. Since you contacted me in March we have continued our discussions with East Sussex County Council. Wealden District Council will be considering its response to this matter in the near future, and an appropriate resolution will be sought. Best Regards, Pam Doodes |
Q. Dear Pam, In an issue of 26 February 2009, FM World stated that the British Chambers of Commerce has warned that businesses could be landed with a £3.4 billion tax bill just for using their own parking spaces. Could you please tell me whether Wealden intends to apply for permission to impose the Workplace Parking levy? Gerry Ford |
A. Dear Gerry, Thank you for your enquiry. Under the current registration, any decision to introduce a Workplace Parking Levy rests with the highways authority which, for Wealden, is East Sussex County Council. I suggest you contact them. Best Regards Pam Doodes |
Q.Dear Mrs Doodes, I copied a letter to the Director of Planning WDC on 17th April 09 and received a holding letter on 22nd April 09 from the Administration & Technology Manager stating that the letter had been past to the officer dealing with this matter. To date I have had no further communication from WDC. The letter was in relation to breeches of Planning regulations and Health & Safety issues. Do you think it is acceptable that a member of you staff ignores breeches of Planning regulations and Health & Safety issues and fail to provide a servicethat we pay for. Regards, James Crowborough |
A. Dear James, I have made enquiries on your behalf regarding this correspondence. We received the letter you copied into us and it was given to an officer on ourDevelopment Control team. She was also copied in to the response you received from the developer, Martin GrantHomes, who you had addressed your original letter to. The Officer felt the issues you had originally raised were adequately covered by Martin Grant Homes in their letter. As no breach of the planning conditions had occurred, which would have been a matter for this Council, she did not feel any further action was necessary. I understand that you have copied the Planning Department into a further letter which you haveemailed to Martin Grant Homes and this is currently being looked into and aresponse will be sent to you in the very near future. Best Regards, Pam Doodes
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| Q.Dear Mrs Doodes, You will recall that I contacted you on 3rd January 2009 regarding the provision of Private Medical Insurance for the Non- Manual workers of Wealden District Council. This 'perk' is well disguised in the Budget and Account of WDC preventing the public at large knowing or understandingthat their money is being spent on something that the majority of people would like to have at their disposal but cannot afford. You informed me that the total cost of the PMI during 2008 was £128,000, you also explained that the provision of PMI was under review. Please be kind enough to tell me the outcome of the review. If PMI is continuing for those employees what is the cost for 2009? Being unqualified in the field of finance certain questions come to mind; a] the cost per individual is averagely £312 which is in effect a pay increase butis notsalary, b] how is the income tax paid on this money, c] why doesn't WDC arrange a Group Scheme with an Insurer and cause each individual to make their own choice? You will have got the point that I fail to see how WDC or any other Public funded body can justify using Taxes to pay for this 'perk' for a select few [of course somewhere in obscurity it will be permitted].
Mr Paul Woolmer.
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A. Dear Mr Woolmer Thank you for your enquiry about the provision of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) to non-manual workers at Wealden District Council. I'm happy to provide you with the following update. I can confirm that following a review and consultation with staff, it has been agreed that PMI will be withdrawn from 1 October 2009, although some continuing cover may be provided for members of staff who are mid-treatment at 30 September 2009. The cost of the PMI provision for the period 1 January to 30 September 2009 is £ 126,982. PMI has been a taxable benefit and as such is declared to the local tax office on P11Ds, which results in a tax adjustment for eligible staff. Best Regards Pam Doodes
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Q. We have all been disgusted about the expenses that MPs have been claiming.
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A. Dear David, We have all been surprised and disappointed at the details about the items which some of our elected Members of Parliament have claimed money for under the existing Parliamentary system of allowances. The system through which all officers employed by Wealden District Council claim their expenses is very different. All expense claims have to be accompanied by receipts, and are for travel, meals and other expenses carried out in the course of their employment. The Council's finances are subject to an external audit each year and our accounts are open to public inspection. However the 1998 Audit Commission Act does not give the public the right to inspect documents concerning individuals, so we are unable to publish details of senior staff's expenses. The regulations do permit the publishing of the numbers of officers whose remuneration exceeds £50,000. These can be found on page 25 of the 2007/08 Statement of Accounts . You will notice that the information is given in bands of £10,000 and for this year the Chief Executive's remuneration was in the £110,000 - £119,999 band. Our Statement of Accounts for 2008/09 comes before Wealden's Regulatory and Audit Committee for approval on 29 June 2009, and will then be published. There is balance to be struck when allowing the personal information of employees to be published regardless of whether it would help taxpayers form an opinion as to how their taxes are spent. The Chief Executive and senior management team have agreed this year to forego a pay rise, which is an example of how seriously members of staff take their responsibility. Best Regards, Pam Doodes. |
May |
Q. Dear Pam, I live next door to a lady whose ivy grows up onto and into my shed, yesterday I cut the ivy that was over my fence on the shed, it has crept into the shed and would havedamaged it. While I was cutting she came out and said I was making a mess of her garden because as I was cutting the ivy it was falling into her garden, I could not collect the trimmings and hold onto the shed roof at the same time. Am I wrong, but are you not supposed to leave the cuttingswith the owner anyway? Many Thanks Lesley Hogan
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A. Dear Lesley, I know this sort of situation can occur from time-to-time but unfortunately it is not a matter for the Council. I have been led to understand you may be entitled to cut that part of your neighbours' plants that come on to your land, but as the neighbour continues to own the plant, any cuttings belong to the neighbour and should be returned. I am sure you have already spoken to your neighbour but I suggest that if this matter is a continuing concern to you, you seek proper legal advice. Best Regards. Pam Doodes |
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Q. We have been searching for my husband's forebears at Chiddingley and Laughton, also around the general area, but can find no trace of the graves. I appreciate that these are old, ....1850's.... but can you tell us where we might find any information on old graves. We are quite happy to come and look ourselves, as I am sure you must all be busy people and cannot spare the time for other peoples hobbies! I have Daniel Deacon born in 1746 in Waldron but died in Chiddingley in 1823. He was married to Anne Parris b.1746 d.1817. Some of the ancestors lived in Brickfield Cottages, now the Mohair Centre, but obviously demolished years ago. There were many Deacons around Laughton and surrounding area at that time, but I can find no trace of 'Deacons' living there now. Hoping that you can help me, Sylvia Deacon |
A. Dear Sylvia, As a District Council we are only responsible for a small number of closed churchyards in the district which are no longer maintained by other organisations, and neither Chiddingly nor Laughton are among them. However, East Sussex County Council does keep a lot of old church records. If you look on its Handlist of Registers, you will see that the East Sussex Records Office in Lewes contains the Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths from Chiddingly Parish Church dating back to 1621, as well as records of Baptism and Deaths kept by the Wesleyan Baptist Church going back to 1813. The Records Office also has the Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths from Laughton Parish Church dating back to 1561, and the village's Wesleyan Methodist Baptism records dating back to 1897. I think a visit to the East Sussex Record Office may prove more fruitful! If you go to the County Council web site you will find advice for visitors to the Records Office. The website also contains other suggestions to help you trace your family tree. Good luck with your searches. Best Regards, Pam Doodes.
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April |
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Q. Dear Pam Doodes
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A. Dear Chris,
I have contacted our colleagues in East Sussex County Council on your behalf and they say that the number of deer casualties throughout East Sussex is increasing rapidly. Around the Ashdown Forest, it has trebled since 2002. However, studies show this has minimal effect on driver behaviour. If signs were provided at every location where residents have raised concerns, it would result in many signs across the county and make them less effective in raising the awareness of drivers in the real problem areas.
With regards to potholes in roads, please take advantage of the Report It facility on our website to report any road problems to the County Council Highway Authorities. Best Regards,
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Q. Tesco car park and roundabout. Sincerely
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A. Dear Mrs Francis,
Thank-you for your inquiry. I do appreciate your concerns about road safety. Highway matters are the responsibility of East Sussex County Council. I have been in contact with the council on your behalf and I understand this issue was discussed at a recent safety review and improved signs were suggested as a possible solution. The county council is currently monitoring the situation, and will have another look at the roundabout during the next safety audit which will take place at the end of the year. The car park has been designed making use of the shape of the land in Tesco's ownership. The number of car parking spaces required for a new store is governed by the store's retail area, and the spaces provided are within the required standards. When driving in any public car park, particularly when other motorists may not be familiar with the layout, it is important to be vigilant at all times.
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Q. I've sent the message below to your council tax department on numerous occasions. I've had no reply or even a simple acknowledgment. Is it because I'm sending it to the wrong department, there is no one there or they can't be bothered? sincerely Simon M Kemp |
A. Dear Mr Kemp, Thank-you for bringing this to my attention. I have contacted our Council Tax department. Their email software is currently experiencing a problem with the automatic acknowledgement of email which, until you alerted us to this, we were unaware of. We are now taking action to correct the fault. The Council Tax department has received both your emails and will be replying to you very shortly. I apologise that we have not acknowledged your earlier enquiries and once again I would like to thank you for helping us to identify this fault. Best Regards, Pam Doodes. |
Q. I wonder if we should now call our town " Kebab City " as it seems that the council is only interested in filling the shops that the revenue it creates and nothing else . How many of those who make such rash decisions actually live in the area ? Peter Pratt |
A. Dear Mr Pratt, Thank-you for your enquiry. As a Council we are concerned about the number of empty shops in Hailsham High Street and we are working on a number of initiatives to support retail businesses during the recession including town guides, promotional posters for empty shop windows and a buy local campaign. Any change of use application for a town centre in Wealden is carefully considered by our planning service and where appropriate, one of our two development control sub-committees. Last December, an application for a change of use from retail shop to a hot food takeaway for a premises in Hailsham High Street was refused by Wealden Development Control South sub-committee on the grounds that it would have a detrimental impact on the residential and general amenities of the locality, a detrimental impact upon the vitality of the town centre, and a disruptive effect on other shop fronts through a concentration of non-retail uses. This refusal was then taken to planning appeal. The Planning Inspector overturned our decision and granted permission for the change of use. The Planning Inspector's decision was that the vitality of the town centre would be enhanced by allowing such a change of use to what is one of several empty premises on the High Street, and that it would not result in an over concentration of non-retail use that would affect the viability of the nearby shops. In such planning matters, it is the Planning Inspector who has the last word. With regard to your question about whether councillors involved in decision-making live in the area, you can find a list of membership of the Development Control South sub-committee, as you can all Wealden committees, on the Wealden web site. Further information about Wealden District Councillors can be found here. Best Regards Pam Doodes |
Q. What is the progress of traffic calming measures on Gleneagles Drive , or does it need a road accident before the council takes the matter serious ? Peter Pratt
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A. Dear Mr Pratt, Thank-you for raising this matter which I know is important to residents. We are trying resolve outstanding issues relating to the introduction of traffic calming measures for Gleneagles Drive with East Sussex County Council and the developer, Redrow Homes. One important consideration is the County Council's concerns for the safety of emergency vehicles which will use the road. We hope to be able to make good progress on this matter so that work can begin on implementing an effective scheme. Best Regards Pam Doodes.
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March |
Q. I received recently the 'guide to your Council tax' and unlike the entries for ESCC and the Fire authority, the explanation of expenditure was under a series of nebulous concepts like 'putting people first', 'pride of place' and 'purpose through partnership', all of which is great management speak but tells us nothing about the detail behind Also, I notice that Wealden has achieved 'improved levels of street cleanliness. This obviously does not cover rural or semi rural roads which are a disgusting mess - an example being the A26 from Eridge to the Kent border at Tunbridge Wells which hasn't been cleaned for at least a year. Unfortunately street cleanliness is a highly visible |
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A. Dear Mr Hunter,
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Q. Mr Larkin appeared today at the Public Enquiry in Crowborough, relating to the Crowborough Beacon Golf Club application to de-register common land. |
A. Mr Jackson, |
Q. As a taxpayer of many years we have the following questions:
A.Dear Mr van Schreven, As an employer of over 500 people, it is our policy not to provide personal information about individual members of staff. However, I can tell you that only one senior council officer at Wealden receives a salary in excess of £100,000. This is the chief executive. On your second point, a leaflet explaining the new council tax rates which Wealden will be collecting on behalf of itself, East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue and your local parish council, is being mailed to every household in the district. If you have not received your leaflet by the end of March, please contact the District Council on 01323 443322. The amount of council tax which is used to pay for Wealden District Council's services is less than 11 per cent of your total council tax bill. Wealden's council tax rates are affected by the level of support grant the authority receives from central Government. Unfortunately, despite being one of the largest districts in England, we receive the 13th worst grant settlement per person in the country because of the way support rates are calculated. Furthermore, in times of recession we receive an increase in demand for many services, such as housing advice and benefits support, while at the same time a decline in demand for some of the services we charge for, such as planning applications. Thank-you for your interest in these issues. Best regards, Pam Doodes
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February |
Companies big and small are all making cut backs, some quite severe. None of these jobs existed before Blair came on the scene. Surely getting rid of them now would save the tax payer quite a substantial amount of their hard-earned money, which seems a subject the council does not put at the top of their agenda. They do not have money worries. They just hold their hand out for more and the tax payer has to oblige. Thank you Robert Lee |
A. Dear Mr Lee, Employment is one of the largest costs faced by Wealden District Council, and consequently the council tax payer. Contrary to what you say about councils and money worries we have, like many individuals, been affected by the decline in investment income. We have also suffered from a fall in income from the use of some of our services such as planning. Consequently, we are thinking long and hard about how we can reduce our costs. At our last Cabinet meeting, we agreed to recommend a reduction in this year's Council Tax increase from 3.9 per cent to 3.5 per cent. This was in response to widespread concerns about the levels of Council Tax voiced by our Wealden Residents Panel and the other organisations we consulted. Furthermore Cabinet agreed to draw up a transformation programme in order to reduce the Council's net costs. Among the options we will be looking at are reducing service standards, changes in working practices and the possibility of commissioning services or delivering services in different ways. I can assure you that this matter is now firmly at the top of our agenda. At the end of 2008, we have 45 staff vacancies. Of these, 20 have been put on hold because of the current financial situation and, for a further nine posts, recruitment has been delayed for other reasons. A year ago, a third of existing vacancies were being staffed by temporary workers. This proportion has now fallen to a quarter. During 2007 we advertised a total of 89 vacancies. Last year, the number of vacant posts we advertised had reduced to 66. We may be one of the biggest employers in the district, but I would like to assure you that each and every vacant post is carefully scrutinised before it is advertised to make sure it is entirely necessary. I hope I have been able to address some of your concerns. Kind Regards Pam Doodes |
Q. Why haven't the side roads and pavements of Crowborough been gritted even though it hasn't snowed now for nearly 48 hrs? In fact why wasn't the roads and pavements gritted BEFORE it snowed as the bad weather has been forecast for several days. Do the Council not check the weather forecast!!! In Canada 3 inches of snow would be considered a dusting and unlike around here everything still works at temperatures of -30c and snow is measured in feet not inches. Will we get a reduction of our Council Tax to take into account the services we haven’t had this week (bin collection, gritting, schools)? David, |
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The gritting of roads and pavements in Crowborough is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council Highways Department. I have contacted them on your behalf and they have informed me that they have been salting roads in Crowborough before and during the snowfall in early February, but they do not have the extra resources needed to salt side roads. A programme of salting began on Sunday 1 February before the snow fell. On the standard main road routes, this began at 3pm and the secondary "snow" routes were salted from 6pm. The following morning the standard routes were again salted, starting at 5am, followed by ad hoc salting, and this programme was repeated at 2pm and 8pm the same day. Salting was again carried out at 4 am the following day. It takes gritting lorries three hours to complete the standard routes, and two hours to complete the snow routes. In cases of extreme weather this leaves no time to carry out further salting of other roads before having to set out again to ensure the main routes are kept clear. During this period East Sussex's highway teams worked around the clock to keep the main routes clear and I hope you will agree with me that they did a good job. The Highways Department also carried out hand salting of the town centre pedestrian pavements on the Monday afternoon. However hand salting with shovels does consume relatively larger quantities of salt. Because of concerns about the dwindling supplies, it was decided to limit hand salting on Tuesday 3 February, and no pavements in Crowborough were salted on that day. I understand that ESCC has now received fresh consignments of salt. Where refuse and recycling collections are missed because of bad weather, we carry extra collections in the following weeks to ensure standards of service are maintained. Kind Regards Pam Doodes |
Can I ask to see what he is filming? Are there any rules on this sort of thing? I'd like to know how it is before I go and speak to him. Many thanks Emma Godson |
When local authorities use surveillance cameras, their use is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. The Council's use of surveillance powers is monitored by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners, which carries out regular inspections of our investigations. However, your enquiry indicates that the surveillance cameras have been installed by the owner of a private house. The 1998 Data Protection Act regulates the use of Closed Circuit TV surveillance. If the house where the cameras are located is operating as a business, then it will have to comply with the Data Protection Act. The Act does not cover CCTV surveillance that is carried out by an individual for the purpose of "personal, family or household affairs". However, where CCTV is installed for personal domestic use, it should not be used to point deliberately on to other people's property, for the use of spying on that property. If this was the case, you may have grounds for making a complaint to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner's Office has a helpline which can be contacted on 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45, and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may also find the website Your Rights, useful in this matter. Best Regards, |
Q. I would like to raise with you the increasing issue of aircraft noise from aircraft landing into Gatwick Airport. Thank you. |
I'm sorry for the time taken to get back to you on this matter. As a District Council, we have no statutory responsibility for aircraft noise. It is not covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Neighbourhood Noise Act 1996, which makes it difficult for us to use our limited resources to monitor such noise when we have no means to remedy it. We have contacted the Civil Aviation Authority, who told us that, in their view, they can do little about the general noise from commercial aircraft in the South East. The Department for Transport is responsible for policy on aviation environmental matters, and CAA points out that it remains the Government's policy to see that the commercial airports around London prosper. Kind Regards |
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Mr Carter who is Joe's grandfather will now submit a new application. Mr Carter said "We have had a fruitful discussion and I am optimistic that the scheme will meet Joe's needs and will receive a fair hearing. I am grateful to the Council for being open to a new approach". Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council said "We have been anxious to resolve this difficult issue from the start and are glad that a solution has been identified. However, this case has raised a number of deep concerns over national policy and I shall be writing to the Prime Minister urging him to issue further Government guidance on the provision that local authorities make for servicemen and women disabled in the service of their country". |
Scores of perfectly healthy trees have been decimated by a gang of chainsaw-wielding individuals. What was once a lovely nature walk has been ruined, all in the matter of a few days. Perfectly healthy trees have been razed to the ground, along with laurel shrubs, silver birch and a host of others. The Cuckoo Trail is no longer a nature walk in Heathfield, there will be no butterflies this summer, and now we will have no nesting birds. Not one whit of sensitivity has been shown to the residents living adjacent to the Cuckoo Trail, to their privacy or indeed the enjoyment of all the people who use the Cuckoo Trail. What was once an asset to the area is being systematically destroyed by Andy Mitchell and his team as far along the Cuckoo Trail as Hellingly. Why is the council sanctioning the removal of perfectly healthy trees on such a vast scale at a time when tax payers’ money could be more usefully spent elsewhere? This wanton destruction of our environment should be stopped henceforth. I am sending a copy of this email to Charles Hendry, MP and will be writing to the local press, the Minister of the Environment and to other charities including the RSPB and others. There should be witness to this vandalism of OUR nature walk. Jenny Hannington |
Wealden District Council and its partner, East Sussex County Council, have been carrying out a systematic programme of tree thinning and coppicing on the Cuckoo Trail for the past six years. Such maintenance work, although at first sight may look drastic, is necessary to preserve the long term environmental benefits of the Cuckoo Trail. The Cuckoo Trail was an active railway until 1968. Up until then, the cuttings and embankments were kept clear of trees to reduce the fire risk caused by steam trains. The trees now standing have grown up as self-seeded specimens over the last 40 years since the railway closed. The result has been a mixture of tree species - some appropriate to the location and in good condition, others much less so. In many parts of the Trail, we have seen too much overcrowding for the trees to grow properly. Overhanging trees cause the Trail to lie wet for long periods with consequent problems with leaves and ice. We also receive some complaints from neighbouring landowners about the danger of falling timber, interference with TV signals and the loss of daylight to their property due to tree cover. Coppicing and thinning of trees opens up the canopy to allow light in and promotes the growth of the layers of vegetation below. Both are vital for wildlife and serve to promote many species of bird and butterflies. Within a year or two, the cut trees coppice and grow, scrub and herb layers spread and flourish, and a wide range of birds and butterflies are able to take advantage of a richer environment. Environmental management is a long term affair. While I appreciate that you may find it difficult to believe now how such work can be for the benefit of wildlife, please defer your final judgement until you see the results in a year or two. Similar concerns have been expressed by residents and users in previous years when we carried out similar thinning and coppicing on the Trail at Hailsham, Hellingly and south of Horam. I am pleased to say that the vast majority of people change their minds when they see the wildlife flourish as a result of the coppicing work. Where possible, we do remove non-native species such as laurel. These are invasive and of little use to wildlife. This approach is approved by all the main conservation agencies, including the RSPB. The benefits of the work are not just for wildlife. Users of the Trail often comment on the improvements to their perceived safety and security which result from the path being more open. Best Regards Pam Doodes. |
Q. Why is it so hard to get our side roads cleaned? have lived in Bramble Drive, Hailsham; for 11 years & the road has been swept twice in that period of time, also when walking or driving around the area the amount of litter left lying around is disgusting. We look like a third world nation instead of a so called civilised society. There is a need for our councillors to take a stroll around their constituencies and see for themselves. Frederick Hodgson |
Our road sweepers do regularly visit Bramble Drive, but we no longer mechanically sweep the verges in this neighbourhood. We believe the mechanical sweepers are more effectively employed along the district's main thoroughfares which suffer greatly from litter dropped from motor vehicles. If there are occasions when you see problems with litter, you can notify the Council online through our Report it system. There is a link from our website's home page. Kind Regards Pam Doodes |
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