Annual Report 2019
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WILLINGDON AND JEVINGTON PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 1 CONTENTS PARISH COUNCILLORS CHAIRMAN ................................................................................................................................ 3 AMENITIES COMMITTEE................................................................................................................ 6 CEMETERY COMMITTEE ................................................................................................................ 7 EVENTS COMMITTEE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE .................................................................................... 9 LIBRARY COMMITTEE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 PLANNING & LICENSING COMMITTEE .............................................................................................12 RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE ..............................................................................................13 COUNTY COUNCILLORS CLLR D AND S SHING...................................................................................................................15 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS CLLR D MURRAY ........................................................................................................................19 CLLRS R AND S SHING .................................................................................................................22 PARISH REPORTS WILLINGDON MEMORIAL HALL .....................................................................................................24 CUCKMERE BUSES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24 WEALDEN DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS.......................................................................25 WANNOCK HALL………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..25 MEETING ATTENDANCE ............................................................................................................ …26 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP……………………………………………………………………………………………………………26 MINUTES OF THE 2018 ASSEMBLY…………………………………………………………………………………………………27 COUNCIL FINANCE UPDATE ...........................................................................................................29 2 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 20 MAY 2019 As is my usual practice, the following is once again a brief résumé of my work as Chairman of the Council over the last year during which I have endeavoured to continue to represent the Council to the best of my ability, at the same time as keeping our residents informed and highlighting all the good work our Council has done. Commencing with a calendar of events I have been involved in over the past Council year: 4 May I attended with Cllr Fran Pritchett, Wealden’s Code of Conduct seminar conducted by Trevor Scott which was very informative. 3 June – along with my WILLRA Councillors and Committee, and Cllr Murray once again the annual Music in the Park Event was an enormous success. Thanks must especially go to Nicola Williamson, Assistant Clerk for her untiring work in putting everything in place, also Stuart Freeman for his invaluable help and Events Chair Christina Lynn. Without the help of all who helped in putting up and taking down the Marquees etc., this event wouldn’t go as smoothly as it does and tremendous positive feedback is always received. 15 June I attended with Fran the 80th Anniversary lunch at Trinity Church which was a very special occasion. 29 June several Councillors joined me at the Library for a day when residents were encouraged to bring in any books they were able to donate. The response to our request was quite overwhelming so a big thank you to all our generous residents. 4 July we attended the Willingdon Branch of the Royal British Legion tea party at Flint House courtesy of Gillian Keef. 13 July Fran and I attended the District Scout AGM at Bushy Wood. As most people will know I have been involved in Scouting for many years and am proud to remain the President of 1st Willingdon Scouts and keep abreast of our other successful Group of 2nd Willingdon Scouts. 7 September was the Flower Festival at our Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin which was a very successful event. The displays were absolutely stunning and a good amount of money was raised towards the Organ Fund. 15 September in the evening, Fran and I took part in the St Wilfrid’s Starlight Stroll, walking 6 miles and raising £230 for an excellent cause. Very many thanks to those who kindly sponsored us. 17 September we met with Inspector Gross in Hailsham for an update on police matters in our area. 20 September we had a second Library Open Day for the donation of books – once again very well supported. Many thanks especially to Cllrs Ian Nisbet and Christina Lynn for sorting donated books along with Cllr Fran Pritchett 30 September was the Parish Walk. Many thanks to those Councillors who supported us. The walk was across Mornings Mill Farm to Jubilee Way and then across the foot bridge and back along Seven Sisters Way finishing at the Parish Office for refreshments. 1 November Cllr Fran Pritchett and I attended the Schools Speaking Competition where we were delighted to witness our Willingdon Community School gaining 2nd place. 3 2 November Cllr Fran Pritchett, Andy Watkins and I, along with our Clerk attended a seminar on engaging with the local community held at Wealden District Council in Hailsham which we found very interesting. 3 November I spent 3 hours at The Triangle selling poppies for the Willingdon Branch of the Royal British Legion which I have done for a few years now. 9 November I attended a rehearsal for the Remembrance Day Parade. 10 November at 11am we had a Remembrance Service at the Parish Office. Many thanks to those Councillors who turned up for this very important occasion which was commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1. 10 November in the afternoon along with Cllrs Stuart Freeman, Martin Cooper, Les Moor and Fran Pritchett we built our Beacon on the Downs over Willingdon in readiness for the following day. Once again an enormous thanks to Farmer Richard Brown who provided the material for the Beacon and those who helped me build the Beacon. 11 November many Councillors joined me to parade from Upper Kings Drive to St Mary’s Parish Church along with the biggest contingent of Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and St John Ambulance that we have had for years. The church was magnificently decorated for this very special occasion and as is usually the case our young people really did us proud. A big thank you to them, their parents and their dedicated Leaders. 11 November in the afternoon we had another enormous contingent joining me and other Councillors for the Remembrance Service we lead at the Ruthless Memorial on the Downs above Butts Brow. We were joined by Stephen Lloyd MP, and Deputy Mayor of Eastbourne. 11 November just before 7pm Father Kevin Agnew accompanied by Deacon Sue Wilkinson led a short commemorative service at our Beacon on the Downs – part of the National Chain of Beacons across the country. The Last Post was played by Peter Davey and the Beacon lit at 7pm. The very large crown then joined in singing songs from the era and some members of Lewes Bonfire let off some brilliant flares which lit up the sky for some time. It was a brilliant clear night and the view across Eastbourne was second to none and we were able to see Beacons near Hastings and Battle in the distance. This was a truly fitting end to a weekend of Commemorative Events of this special anniversary. Enormous thanks to all who were involved in any way and to those who took photographs for us for the Council Website. Another example of the Council working for the Community which we all represent. 25 November Cllr Fran Pritchett joined me at the Town Hall where the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, presented Awards including Queen’s Scout Awards. Among those receiving Awards were Scouts from our 1st and 2nd Willingdon Groups – excellent achievements. 8 December I attended the Willingdon Community School Christmas Fair which Fran and I always like to support. 12 December we had our usual update meeting with Inspector Gross at Hailsham. 13 December was our annual Christmas Carol evening on Jubilee Gardens. Lots of children came to visit Father Christmas and it was as usual a very good well attended event. Many thanks once again to all those involved especially with putting up and taking down marquees and to Kim Gardener for organising the Father Christmas Parade. 4 4 January we met at the Parish Office to discuss the latest Mornings Mill/University of Brighton Planning Application to discuss the way forward. At this point I would like to give thanks to Cllr Howard Coote who looked after things in my absence visiting family overseas. 14 March along with many other Councillors Fran and I visited the Preview of the Airship Station Exhibition at Trinity Church Hall – a wonderful exhibition of the history of the Airship Station the workshop of which was on our Library site which of course has the commemorative plaque on it. 17 March I attended the Licensing of Father Kevin Agnew as Vicar of St Mary the Virgin and Deacon Sue Wilkinson as Assistant Vicar. 23 March Fran, Nicola Williamson, Assistant Clerk and I joined residents in a Litter Pick. The response although rather disappointing resulted in a very successful morning resulting in the collection of over 10 big bags of litter. Cllr John Martin also carried out a litter