BT's Proposal to remove Public Payphones

within the Wealden District Area

Update on BT's Proposal to remove Public Payphones

BT made no appeal against the Councils decision (which is given below) and, as a result, the 36 kiosks where the Council made objections to their removal, will remain in situ. Furthermore, the Council has written to English Heritage requesting that 8 of the K6 kiosks are considered for listing and these are as located as follows:-

Wartling - Number 7 (Page 4) Note: this has now been Listed

Waldron - Number 22 (Page 10)

West Dean - Number 15 (Page 7)

Bells Yew Green - Number 38 (Page 17)

Three Cups Corner - Number 23 (Page 11)

The Street, Litlington - Number 14 (Page 6)

Splaynes Green - Number 28 (Page 13)

Colemans Hatch - Number 16 (Page 7)

English Heritage has recently confirmed, in what is a disappointing response, that they will not be listing the remaining 7 kiosks. In light of this decision, officers of the Council are considering whether or not any further representations for review of these decisions is possible. However, as BT did not appeal against the Council's objections, the above 7 kiosks will remain as a local facility.

Notification under section 49 of the Communications Act 2003

Decision by Wealden District Council in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public call boxes pursuant to Part 2 of the Schedule to a Direction published by Ofcom on 14 March 2006 (‘the Direction’).

On 23rd September 2008, Wealden District Council, in accordance with section 49(4) of the Communications Act 2003 (’the Act’), issued a notification setting out its draft decision in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public call boxes pursuant to Part 2 of the Direction (‘the First Notification’).
A copy of the First Notification was sent to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 50(1)(b) of the Act.
In the First Notification, Wealden District Council invited representations about the draft decision by 5.00 p.m. on 17th October 2008.
Wealden District Council has considered every representation about the draft decision duly made to it and Ofcom has not notified Wealden District Council of any international obligation of the United Kingdom for this purpose.
The decision is set out in the Schedule to this Notification.
The effect of, and Wealden District Council's reasons for making, the decision is set out in the Schedule to this Notification.
Wealden District Council consider that the decision complies with the requirements of sections 45 to 50 of the Act, as appropriate and relevant to the proposals.
In making the decision, Wealden District Council has considered and acted in accordance with the six community requirements in section 4 of the Act.
A copy of this Notification has been sent to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 50(1)(b) of the Act.
The Schedule to this Notification shall form part of this Notification.

Cllr Mrs Pam Doodes

Leader of the Council

Date: 20th October 2008

Schedule