DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 18th NOVEMBER 2025
Present: Councillors: J. Gray (Chair), M. Gray-Smith, P. Ridley
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
County Councillor E. Kirby-Green
District Councillor N. McLaren
Member of the public
1. Disclosure of interests
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
Councillor N. Harding (Chair) sent apologies.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the DPC meeting held on 16.09.25 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Gray-Smith proposed and the Chair seconded, the voting was unanimous.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green
- Adult Social care has been rated good. Children in Care has been rated as exceptional.
- The large verge drop near Carricks Brook has now been repaired.
- Councillor Kirby-Green said if DPC are not happy with ESCC Highway’s response regarding the Woods Corner matter, please contact her.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor N. McLaren
- Housing development will be revised in RDC’s Local Plan, going public in January 2026 for consultation. There will be multiple small sites.
- The recent plastic pollution at Camber Sands, now pellets are appearing on the French coast.
- RDC and Wealden DC are to introduce a new food waste collection in Spring 2026. This will include kitchen caddies and an outside orange bin which will be collected weekly.
- Councillor McLaren has an article in the November Messenger – The Rights of Trees.
5.3 Public Question Time – a member of RAYNET gave the meeting all details required for them to use the DRG for emergencies, training and some storage. Details are in the item 6.
6. Dallington Recreation Ground
For information regarding RAYNET, please click on the following link.
- RAYNET have requested the use of the DRG, including the pavilion for emergencies, training and some storage.
- Their expected use, apart from emergencies, is around 6 times a year.
RESOLVED: to agree, in principle, their use of the DRG as this is a very important organisation, particularly regarding resilience planning. A formal agreement will be arranged with them after Christmas. There will be no charge for their use of the DRG and pavilion, but they will pay for any electricity they use. The Chair proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
There will not be a solstice celebration at the DRG this year. It was very poorly attended last year and there is a carol service at St. Giles Church the same evening.
7. Grants and donations
RESOLVED: the Members decided not to donate funds to the Friends of Dallington School for their Winter Wonderland event. The Chair proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8. Rother District Council Community Grant Fund
The Mountfield Village Hall Committee have submitted a grant application for “Digital Dallington,” supported by DPC.
- Councillor Ridley has led this application.
- This for any Dallington residents who would like training and confidence in our digital world e.g. online banking and shopping, security and keeping yourself safe from scammers and hacking.
- Two new laptops are proposed and there will be some training and talks from experts.
9. Devolution/Local Government Planning
As Councillor Harding (DPC Chair) was not present, this item will be on the agenda at the DPC January meeting.
10. Planning
10.1 No planning applications for consideration
10.2 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
The discussion on the recent meeting with ESCC Highways regarding Woods Corner speeding issues will be deferred until the DPC January meeting.
No other highways matters for discussion.
13. Finance
13.1 Bank balances at 31.10.25
- DPC deposit account – £13,686.26
- DPC current account – £1,135.99
- DRG current account – £362.77
13.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payment. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk salary/home office Oct/Nov 2025 – £1,117.40
13.3 RESOLVED: to approve the second quarter accounts at 30.09.25 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
14. Dates of next meetings
16.12.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
17.01.26 – full council meeting