DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, HELD ON 15th JULY 2025
Present: Councillors N. Harding (Chair), J. Gray (Vice-Chair), M. Gray-Smith (part), P. Ridley
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
County Councillor E. Kirby-Green
District Councillor N. McLaran
Members of the public
29th July 2025
1. Disclosure of interests
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
None necessary.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the DPC annual meeting held on 20.05.25 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green
- Andrew Turner has been appointed as the new Head of Highways.
- He is fully aware of the issues in East Sussex and surprised as the amount of traffic, he previously worked in Somerset.
- The Chair queried the type of surfacing used for road repairs, this does not appear to last for very long and vehicles are damaged by loose particles which can be highly dangerous.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor N. McLaren
- Councillor McLaren said it was a great honour to serve as District Councillor
- She is also a member of Battle Town Council.
- RDC has been named as the most improved district council in the country for Climate Change Emergency.
- Housing development: RDC are currently revising their Local Plan, they are expected to build 932 houses/year. They plan to maximise what can actually be achieved. They have been granted funding from Central Government.
- Community Groups are first in line to purchase community assets/
- A grant is available for community orchards.
5.3 Dark Skies/Andromeda Event – Dallington Tree Warden, Doug Edworthy (see item 8.)
- A major event is planned for September (Andromeda Event) at Dallington Recreation Ground. The Tree Warden is to sent all details to the Clark for publication (website/noticeboard)
5.4 A resident said that the road repairs at Woods Corner have not been carried out satisfactorily and are deteriorating very quickly.
6. Grants and donations
6.1 RESOLVED: to donate the sum of £500 to St. Giles Church in memory of Wendy Miers and her tremendous contribution to the parish. The Chair proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous.
6.2 RESOLVED: to donate the sum of £200 to the PTA (Dallington CoE Primary School) towards their summer event. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
7. Fingerpost at Rookery Lane
RESOLVED: after discussing the various quotes, it was resolved to accept the quotation from Jaak Signs for the sum of £1,545.80 plus VAT for a completely new post. Councillor Ridley proposed and the Chair seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8. Andromeda Event at Dallington Recreation Ground
- The proposed date is 18.09.25 (or a week later depending on the weather). The Andromeda Galaxy is visible during this time.
- The event will start around 7.30pm and bookings are being managed, some 30/40 people are expected.
- Visitors will be asked to park their cars facing the hedge to avoid any light interference.
- Refreshments and hot soup will be available.
- All details of this event are available on our website at – www.dallington.org.uk – noticeboard.
9. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
Our county and district councillors will keep us informed of any further developments/progress.
10. Planning
10.1 No planning applications for consideration
10.2 Planning application done on delegated authority – none.
10.3 The Members discussed a DPC representation to the appeal APP/U1430/W/25/3366199/3078 concerning application RR/2024/2041/P at Earls Croft, land adjacent Earlsdown, Dallington and continue to support this.
10.4 No other planning matters for discussion.
11. Enforcement
11.1 No Dallington items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.
11.2 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
12. Highways/Rights of Way
12.1 The waste collection and other issues at Glaziers Forge will be discussed at the September meeting.
12.2 Site meeting with ESCC Highways Steward on 07.04.25.
- Almost no active response to be expected from ESCC Highways.
- ESCC reported no traffic collisions reported to Police in last 3 years, DPC do not agree.
There have been at least 3 collisions in the past 5 years ane others presumably not reported to the Police.
- Netherfield which appears to have a similar number of properties near the road have a 30mph speed limit.
- It appears any responsibility for lowering speed limits will be down to the parish council, who are looking into this.
13. Finance
13.1 Bank balances at 30.06.25
- DPC deposit account – £7,879.87
- DPC current account – £3,840.79
- DRG current account – £561.77
13.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous.
DPC Account
- Clerk, salary/home office (Jun/Jul 2025 – £1,117.40
- DRG top-up – £500.00
- Satswana, DPO service 2025-26 – £90.00
- * ICO registration 2025-26 – £52.00
* already paid
DRG Account
- * G. Keeley 19.06.25 mowing/topping – £70.00
- * G. Keeley 31.05.25 mowing/topping/removal of mole hills – £210.00
* already paid
13.3 RESOLVED: to approve the first quarter accounts at 30.06.25 as presented by the Clerk. The Chair proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
13.4 Two current authorised signatories signed the updated mandate for Councillor Gray-Smith to have full access to the Unity Trust bank accounts for DPC and the DRG.
14. Dates of next meetings
- 19.08.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
- 16.09.25 – full council meeting