Annual Parish Assembly

This year’s Annual Parish Assembly had not taken place at the time of writing this article so a summary of what was discussed will be in next month’s Newsletter article. The 2025/26 Annual Report should now be available on the community website.

2025/26 Annual Report from the Parish Council Chairman

I have now been in the Chairmanship of Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council for three years.  I continue to enjoy the role, and I am proud of what we have achieved with many of those councillors elected three years ago establishing themselves and working hard in the community. The Council is unified, and we are working well together to help continue the ongoing projects and dealing with new issues as they arise.

The new Community and Health Centre has begun with our chosen contractor, Sunninghill Construction Company, starting work on the site a few weeks ago. My thanks go to Councillor Lilly for his unrelenting tenacity and dedication, we would not be where we are without him. Thanks also to Councillor Blakeborough who, since he became a councillor, has worked alongside Councillor Lilly and helped make the project happen. As I am sure you know, the current Council was elected on the basis that we would get the project done and we are nearly there. I look forward to next year when hopefully we can say the building is open and operational.

Many other items have been discussed and actioned at Parish Council meetings and you will see a selection of these in the list below.

1. Speeding issues on the A267 at Wellbrook Hill – Councillors Marlow and Tibbles worked hard to reduce the speed limit on Wellbrook Hill and we await the official reduction on that stretch of road. There have been several more accidents further down the road and we continue to liaise and support the action group set up to improve safety on the A267.
2. The continuous problem with potholes and repairs on our roads.  East Sussex Highways being chased regularly at times with little effect. We continue to meet with them and put pressure on them to improve the condition on our roads.
3. The numerous recent road closures and diversions and how best to deal with the issues caused, particularly due to the A267 road closure.
4. Speeding and antisocial parking in Mayfield and Five Ashes, particularly on the double yellow lines and ideas/ plans to identify how to address it. 
5. Antisocial behaviour including vandalism within the Parish but particularly at Court Meadow.
6. With Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council being replaced with a new single Unitary Authority, we have been reviewing the impact of this and liaising with them and other councils so we can be ready for the future
7. Now that Mayfield On-Call Fire Station has closed we await to see what happens next. Councillor Ratcliffe has done a lot of work exploring options and funding potential to see if this can be used in a positive way for the Parish

Finally, I would like formally to thank the following:

• MAYFACS for all the fantastic support they provide for our residents.
• The Bonfire Society for their tireless work on the numerous events they organise.
• Reuben Winter for his work organising the Rights of Way clearance team, and the volunteers who help to maintain the footpaths and bridleways.
• Jeanette Hoare for her involvement with the Newsletter and Mayfieldians
• The other Mayfieldians particularly Marion Robinson for all their hardwork on the events they organise.
• Ken Audsley and Ros Hetreed for monitoring Jubilee Wood.
• Nick Gold for going above and beyond the duties of litter picker.
• Liz Juror and Jo Andrews keeping the public toilets in South Street spotless for us.
• Geoff Gregory and Penny Kemp for their work in Five Ashes.
• Steve Swanton and all those involved in the Mayfield Festival.
• Simon Rudge and the Mayfield Silver Band
• Gavin Ross, Caroline Quill and all those who help with the Scouts and Guides.
• All those that give their time and expertise to help this amazing Parish
• A very big thank you to the Parish Clerk, Janna Todd who without her expertise, hard work and patience we would not be able to do what we do.
• To all my fellow Councillors for their support over the last year and to our lay members.

Cllr Ian Parker

Chairman Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council

Sussex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal

The Government has announced it will consult on a potential modification to the two unitary proposals for the reorganisation of local government in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

For East Sussex, a potential modification to the single unitary proposed by East Sussex (one single unitary authority which would see East Sussex County Council and Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden councils becoming one council) was formally requested by Brighton and Hove City Council and seeks to move four wards and one parish from Lewes into an expanded Brighton and Hove.

It would mean that LGR could look like:

• Authority A: Brighton plus the following wards and parish from Lewes (as requested) – East Saltdean & Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven West, Peacehaven East, Peacehaven North, Falmer Parish (from Kingston ward). That would give the authority a population of around 308,000.
• Authority B: Eastbourne, Hastings, Rother, Wealden and remaining parts of Lewes. That would give the authority a population of around 537,000.

The Secretary of State wishes to explore whether this potential modification would deliver the positive strengths of the East Sussex proposal in relation to service delivery while facilitating the growth of Brighton and Hove. The government consultation runs until 23.59pm 15 June 2026.

Cleaning up after your dog

There has been a sudden increase in the number of complaints received about dog waste bags being left in the lanes, verges and along public footpaths. Please dispose of dog waste bags responsibly, after all the most difficult bit – picking up the waste has been done. Take it home or put it in a litter or dog bin if there is one on your route. There is no such thing as a dog poo fairy that will come along and take these bags away for you!

Rural theft

Following recent reports of thefts from rural outbuildings in Wealden, here a few simple steps to help keep machinery, quad bikes and tools secure from Sussex Police.

• Keep sheds, barns and gates locked
• Remove keys from vehicles and machinery
• Consider CCTV, alarms or tracking devices
• Make a note of serial numbers and photograph valuable items
• Report suspicious vehicles or activity in rural areas

Keyless car theft

Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you do not have keyless entry.

Keyless car theft is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition. Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. How to protect your keyless entry car: 

• When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months
• Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used.

Parish Council meetings

The website meeting schedule at https://mayfieldfiveashes-pc.gov.uk provides information on Council and Committee meetings as well as agendas, minutes of meetings and other meeting documentation