Public Questions at Full Council on 15 July 2026
Meeting: 15 July 2026
Submitted by: Anne Cross
Reference: PQ01/26
Question:
I am aware of the tensions in Crowborough and the wider district since the Home Office announced plans to use the Crowborough Army camp to house people who are awaiting assessment of their asylum claim.
There has been opposition to the camp from some local people and UK wide organisations. There has also been opposition from WDC on the grounds that camps are not suitable accommodation.
There are charities who are supporting the men in the camp with classes, volunteer activities, events and excursions though this is carried out covertly due to the threat of violence both to the people who are seeking asylum and to those supporting them.
Residents in Crowborough have been targeted, followed and photographed, accused of being ‘from the camp’, children have been bullied at school because of the colour of their skin.
I am aware of at least 5 businesses and community venues in Wealden that have been targeted with threats following their actual or rumoured support of those people who are seeking asylum. Some of these have subsequently withdrawn their support for fear of violence and damage to their business. (Please note I do not wish to name the businesses publicly for fear of further threats to them, however I can share the names with council officials and members if they are not already aware.)
From WDC website:
‘Our Vision: Wealden is a place where people and nature thrive together.
Our Mission: Wealden District Council is to be an enabling and enterprising council working alongside our communities to create a greener, fairer, and kinder district for present and future generations.’
Under Priority Community Resilience & Wellbeing:
‘Building strong, mutually supporting communities which are actively engaged in their own future.
Community resilience is a measure of the sustained ability of a community to use available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations……Everyone should be able to live a healthy and happy life whatever their background or situation……’
CW6. Equality, diversity and inclusion:
‘We will embed equality, diversity and inclusion as a priority across the Council and the district with targeted support for those who experience the most disadvantage in our communities.’
I appreciate that when elected the current administration would not have anticipated this level of community division in Crowborough driven by the decision of the Home Office to house people seeking asylum in the army camp. However:
Will the administration of Wealden District Council commit to giving targeted support to this ‘adverse situation’ that is a community riven apart by fear and misinformation?
Response from the Leader of the Council:
It is true that the Home Office project at Crowborough Camp has revealed differences of opinion between local people, some strongly held and expressed. We know that some are exploiting it for wider political purposes and there has been intimidation, which should have no place in our communities. We also note that it is a small minority of residents behaving in this way, and that the vast majority wish to live together in peace. We are working with several partners, including through the Safer Wealden Partnership, with the aim of reducing the tension in Crowborough and beyond. The Home Office have chosen to operate this camp for at least a year, and very likely longer. We have no say in that, but we will help the community deal with the consequences of the Home Office decision making. The Home Office has finally given funding, which should have been available from before the opening of the camp to asylum seekers, and we will distribute that according to the terms set by the Home Office, to ensure that the asylum seekers themselves are as well supported as possible. We are also pressing the Home Office for more funding so that we can do more to support the wider community.
It is worth noting that we do support the wider Crowborough community in various other ways. Whilst not directly linked to the camp, this shows our commitment to the town and our determination to do all within our powers to help it to thrive. For example, improvements to the leisure centre, a hockey pitch, a community orchard, and new local SEND nursery (to be approved at Full Council this week), a sustainable small business park, street theatre, youth services, citizens advice, support for older adults with dementia, public health a wellbeing programmes.
Meeting: 15 July 2026
Submitted by: Anne Cross
Reference: PQ02/26
Response from the Leader of the Council:
On the 3rd June, Cabinet approved a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy for Wealden which formalises the Council’s longstanding practices in this area. It is a policy that applies to everything we do, in Crowborough and the whole district. Please note that whilst we stand firmly against racism or indeed any form of discrimination, it is not within our power to deal with any discrimination which may occur beyond the delivery of our own services. That becomes a matter for police.
Meeting: 15 July 2026
Submitted by: Anne Cross
Reference: PQ03/26
Response from the Leader of the Council:
As above, the Council is working with several partners to explore different methods of tackling the tension that we see in our community. We are always looking out for more ways to help our communities, often working in partnership with existing organisations, for example through our community grants programme, and so we welcome any further ideas or initiatives.
Meeting: 15 July 2026
Submitted by: Anne Cross
Reference: PQ04/26
Response from the Leader of the Council:
It has been shocking to hear about the abuse and intimidation directed at various members of our community, including volunteers and health workers. People have the right to protest lawfully but moving from offering an opposing view to inciting or even threatening violence is not lawful and should not be tolerated. We continue to work tirelessly with colleagues at Sussex Police and other partners to address this terrible behaviour.
Supplementary Question:
I welcome the response you’ve given me in the final question that I asked, which was your response was to welcome any further ideas or initiatives. I’m sure all members are aware of the Local Government Association document, Common Ground, Building Cohesive Communities, and the Belong Network who produced it. This document recommends an evidence -based, standalone social cohesion policy. I’m asking Wealden Council to work with the Belong Network or a similar organisation to produce a standalone evidence -based social cohesion policy and to assign the necessary resources to carry out the work it recommends. I would be very happy to meet with any of you to share my suggestions further.
Response from the Leader of the Council:
Yes, we are aware of Belong. We actually met with them at the Local Government Association conference, and we will see if any fruitful partnership can come in there.