DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 16th SEPTEMBER 2025
Present: Councillors: N. Harding (Chair), J. Gray (Vice-Chair), P. Ridley, M. Gray-Smith
County Councillor: E. Kirby-Green
Mrs. I. Marchant: Parish Clerk/RFO
1. Disclosures of interests
Councillor Ridley declared a personal interest in item 6., on the agenda (Rother District Council Community Grants Fund) as she is a member of the Dallington Village Hall Committee and will not take part in the voting.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
None required.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the DPC meeting held on 15.07.25 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor M. Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
5. Open forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green
- A marketing/publicity campaign has started for the Flexibus service.
- A draft business case for unity authority for East Sussex is to be published shortly.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor McLaren sent apologies and emailed a report which is attached at the end of these minutes.
5.3 Open forum – no members of the public were present.
6. Rother District Council Community Grants Fund
RESOLVED: to submit the following grant claim. Councillor Gray proposed and the Chair seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Combatting digital exclusion “Digital Dallington.”
- To use the Village Hall for training, e.g. research, online safety, online banking etc.
- To submit a claim for £1,000.00 (this is a match funded claim and DPC will pay £500).
- The Clerk is to download the form and send to all members.
- Councillor Ridley is to make the claim. (COUNCILLOR RIDLEY)
7. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
The Chair attended a meeting on 30.09.25, organised by ESALC. His debrief will be on the agenda at the DPC November meeting.
8. Planning
8.1 Planning applications for consideration:
- RR/2025/1488/T – Prospect House, Woods Corner
G2, remove 2 limbs. Oak, remove lower limb at 6m. Beech, remove 2 limbs by 2.5m. Hawthorn hedge, up to 1m in spread. W1 hedge cut woodland. Goat Willow, remove 3m one limb. 4x Beech, 4x Holly. 1x Oak, 1x Hazel and 4x Hornbeam, crown lift limbs, vertical clearance of 3m. G5 Beech, raise crown to 2m clearance. T4 Hawthorn, prune 2m from ground. G1 3x Hawthorns, prune 2m ground and T1, T2 and T3 Hawthorns, remove 0.5m depth and 2m clearance from ground.
AGREED: to submit a general comment only stated that we note that the purpose is replacement of stock fencing and future management of hedgerows, but welcome any comments from the Dallington Tree Warden.
- RR/2025/1505/P – Sugar Loaf Yard (old Ajeers site), Woods Corner
Dallington Parish Council strongly objects to this application. The applicant is already advertising self-storage etc., on their Facebook page. We are particularly concerned with large numbers of additional vehicles on the Brightling Road/Woods Corner junction, DPC have already notified ESCC Highways of the danger to children waiting for the school bus (there has already been one “near miss”). We are also very concerned with light pollution regarding this application, Dallington is in a Dark Skies area and the light nuisance to nearby residents. Also, noise from the site affecting nearby residents.
8.2 DPC planning comments made under delegated authority:
- RR/2025/612/P – Paddock Gill Farlm, South Lane
Erection of replacement outbuilding to be used as a granny annexe.
Support.
- RR/2025/653/P – Acelands, The Street
Removal of the Agricultural Occupancy Condition imposed on A/48/418.
Support.
8.3 No other planning matters for discussion.
9. Enforcement
9.1 No Dallington items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.
9.2 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
10. Highways/Rights of Way
10.1 The Chair is still attempting arrangements for individual collection of waste for the residents of Glaziers Forge. (CHAIR)
10.2 Bridge B2688, the Chair will reply to ESCC Highways regarding their reply to his emails on this issue. (CHAIR)
10.3 Safety issues at Brightling Road/Woods Corner junction. The possibilities of DPC installing speed/safety measures will be discussed at the November meeting.
11. Finance
11.1 Bank balances at 31.08.25
- DPC deposit account – £13,629.87
- DPC current account – £2,563.39
- DRG current account – £629.77
11.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. The Chair proposed and Councillor M. Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
MPC current account
- Clerk, salary/home office Aug/Sep 2025 – £1,117.40
- * Parish Online subscription 2025-26 – £42.00
- * UT service charge – £6.00
- * Mastercard fee – £3.00
- * Royal British Legion wreath – £50.00
DRG current account
- * G. Keeley, mowing 05.09.25 – £70.00
* already paid
12. Dates of next meetings
- 21.10.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
- 18.11.25 – full council meeting
Report to Dallington PC from RDC by Cllr Nicola McLaren 16/9/25
Apologies for absence due to the Full Council Meeting of Battle Town Council taking place at the same time. Cllr Kirby-Green offered to cover any questions that arise relating to Rother District Council in my absence.
- I understand that RDC did not receive a completed Housing Survey from Dallington PC, as discussed at the last meeting, but if the PC wishes to discuss potential exception sites or Community-led housing projects then Graeme Quinnell, Housing Enabling & Development Officer, is happy to join an upcoming PC meeting to discuss. Please keep me posted and I will join and please let me know if you need any help on this in the meantime.
- Further to my email sent 17th August concerning Rother District Council Community Grants Fund – the submission deadline has been extended to end October. But the launch date has not yet been confirmed. Cllr Kirby-Green has offered to check on the policy requirements for the PC to make an application. Once the dates are set, I will confirm to you. Please let me know if you need any further help with this.
- The Council has received additional government funding for the Household Support Fund from East Sussex County Council. The funding will help local households most in need with essential costs including food, energy, and water bills. The scheme is now open for applications. It will close at the end of March 2026 or earlier if the funds are fully allocated. Information on who is eligible and how to apply is available on the council’s website www.rother.gov.uk/benefits-grants-and-funding/financial-support-for-residents/household-support-fund
- Work on the development of the new Sidley Hub has commenced. The project is a boost for both the local community and wider Rother district. It is part of the £19.3 million Levelling Up Fund project that will deliver cultural-led regeneration and help improve much needed community facilities in Sidley