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.
In May 2023 Wealden residents elected The Alliance for Wealden with a mandate for change, to balance efficiency and financial responsibility with the need for innovation enabling new, creative and exciting ways to build resilience; strengthening communities, protecting the environment and supporting the local economy.
As we reach the halfway point of this administration it is important to evaluate our progress to date and consider what needs our greatest focus to secure the greener, fairer and kinder future we want to achieve for all our residents.
We are proud to reflect on our achievements since the strategy was first formulated in 2023. This mid-term review celebrates our key accomplishments and outlines our priorities for the next three years, leading up to the establishment of unitary councils in Sussex in 2028.
We still face the unparalleled challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition, Government targets for building new homes are even greater now than they were when we were elected to lead this council. We have been, and continue to, work hard to counteract the historic lack of investment in the district’s infrastructure as we deal with ongoing population growth in Wealden. We do this by working with the many partner organisations that can help us make a difference.
In the light of recent proposals to reorganise local government, this is a good opportunity to make sure that we leave a legacy that reflects the needs of our residents. We believe more than ever that the ambition and intention of our priorities and objectives will continue to address the specific focus and aspirations of our communities. By continuing to deliver on these goals, we intend to safeguard the unique requirements and protect the future for our residents beyond the lifetime of this administration.
We will therefore remain steadfast to the overarching priorities we set out in 2023. These reflected the things that most mattered to our communities, and will guide our efforts to create a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive district. We will continue to listen to residents’ experiences and ideas so that our decision making is informed by their views. We will continue to be honest and open about the decisions we make and the challenges we face.
Our commitment to Wealden residents’ well-being and its sustainable development will stand the test of time, providing a strong foundation for future governance and ensuring that the essence of what makes Wealden special is preserved for generations to come.
Our priorities - What have we achieved?
We have already achieved much of what we set out to do when we first published our Council Strategy in 2023.
- Reached a 20% reduction in the council’s carbon emissions improving the energy efficiency of council owned properties, particularly our retirement living homes, investing in renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, promoting the use of electric vehicles and improving waste management practices.
- Produced a Climate Green Paper for developing a climate resilient and net zero district. The paper advocates for renewable energy, sustainable transport, biodiversity and green spaces, waste reduction and affordable climate solutions.
- Funded 12 community orchards, having secured £128,000 from the Coronation Heritage Living Fund. This project is helping deliver community orchards across the district, involving various groups such as schools, parish councils, and community associations.
- Secured £1 million of Warm Homes Social Housing Fund to improve the energy efficiency of 233 council owned homes. In addition, we were part of an East Sussex consortium that attracted £ 3.9 million of Warm Homes funding to improve 90 private sector homes in Wealden.
- Investment in EV charging infrastructure for the district has provided for nine live phase 1 locations. The roll-out of phase 2 sites will follow shortly, as the necessary technology is nearly ready.
- Installed solar panels at the Crematorium has reduced the facility’s reliance on the grid network, including battery storage for storing excess energy.
- Proud to now be collaborating with the Sussex Wildlife Trust on the Wilder Ouse project, which aims to restore natural processes and create a robust Nature Recovery Network within the Ouse River catchment. So far, over 4,512 trees and 700 metres of hedging have been planted, contributing to carbon capture and enhancing local biodiversity. Three ponds have been created or restored, providing vital habitats for wildlife and improving water quality. The wetlands created by the project capture approximately 4,116 tonnes of carbon annually, while the planted hedgerows capture 38,000 kilograms.
- Launched a device recycling project to reuse and recycle old devices working with a local charity, helping to reduce digital exclusion.
- Completed 20 new energy-efficient (EPC A) and accessible Council homes.
- Signed a new waste contract, extending the high performing waste collection and street cleansing contract through to 2033.
- Extended and expanded the use of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in all front-line waste, recycling and street cleansing vehicles across Wealden, delivering a 90% reduction in emissions and improving air quality.
- Invested £16m in the new Wealden Community Sports Hub, in partnership with the Football Foundation, bringing state of the art sports facilities to the area and helping tens of thousands of residents to stay active and healthy.
- Delivered 777 new affordable homes – consistently deliver more new affordable housing than the rest of East Sussex combined.
- Let’s Talk Wealden, our online consultation and engagement site, has been used to create engagement hubs for Waste & Recycling, Planning, Climate Change, and Housing services. This platform has also been used for specific local consultations and campaigns.
- Bought land as the first stage in building a brand new £12m medical centre in Polegate.
- Obtained planning permission for a new medical and community centre based in Mayfield and providing facilities for a wide area of the district.
- Agreed allocations of over £1m for Community Grant funding, which will allow support partners to deliver projects for Wealden residents and its communities such as support for community services, youth support, environmental projects, health and wellbeing, employment and training and arts and culture.
- Wealden Community Lottery raised £102,481.20 from March 2023 to December 2024, supporting over 100 good causes including charities, sports clubs, residents’ associations and village halls.
- Ran the ‘Have you been dumped?’ anti fly tipping campaign in Spring / Summer 2024 to tackle fly tipping in the district. A survey revealed that 96% of respondents now ensure they check for a waste carrier license when using third parties to remove rubbish.
- Refurbished the Uckfield and Hailsham leisure centre pools to improve the facilities, recognising that they are of great community value and support healthier lifestyles.
- Adopted a revised housing allocation policy in June 2024, ensuring that social housing is allocated more fairly, prioritising those in greatest need such as families, the elderly and vulnerable individuals.
- Adopted a revised council tax reduction scheme from April 2024, setting out the criteria for council tax reduction. The scheme helps nearly 4,000 working[1]age residents in Wealden, offering up to 100% reduction in council tax bills for those who qualify.
- Created our Housing and Tenants Together Board, ensuring the voice of tenants is heard and that performance of Housing Service is held to account by independent experts and service users.
- Successfully attracted new businesses to the district, resulting in a 15% increase in local employment. Initiatives include support services for businesses, development projects for modern employment units, funding and grants and investing in infrastructure improvements.
- Secured £ 19,069,827 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding in 2023/24 and spent £ 4,556,236. In addition, we have earmarked £18,918,308 of CIL to support improved public transportation links and health and wellbeing projects.
- Focussed on supporting local businesses through our procurement activity with 40% of our spend, or almost £ 39 million, being with local businesses over the past two years.
- Ran a public consultation about our draft Wealden Local Plan between March and May 2024, with over 12,000 responses received from residents, businesses, landowners, developers and other stakeholders, who seized the early opportunity to have their say.
- Launched the Wealden Innovation Hub, supporting over 50 start-ups and small businesses with a focus on sustainability, emphasising clean growth in partnership with Brighton University’s pioneering innovation network ‘Clean Growth UK’.
- Stared construction on an 8-unit employment park in Crowborough, providing state of the art facilities for new and growing businesses in the area.
- Upgraded over 1000 homes in our existing housing stock with improved energy efficiency, safety and overall living conditions through the installation of better insulation, modern heating systems and other essential improvements.
- Helped to launch the Explore Wealden wine trail in 2024, promoting the district’s vineyards. The initiative has increased the visibility of local vineyards to gain recognition domestically and internationally.
Our priorities - What's next?
Our priorities for the final three years of Wealden District Council remain those that we committed to just over two years ago. With the announcement of Local Government Reorganisation, however, there is a new dimension to our priorities; this is how will we ensure we leave Wealden in the best possible position as it joins with neighbours to form a new unitary council. We are committed, through our priorities, to leaving the best legacy we can for the residents of Wealden.
We will continue to aim to bring assets under our control to carbon neutrality as fast as possible, whilst helping our communities to do the same. At the same time, we will prioritise restoration of natural habitats to increase the biodiversity upon which we depend.
As part of our legacy for Wealden, we will be prioritising delivery of the following over the next three years;
CE1. Tackle the Climate Emergency: The climate change green paper and action plan will set out some key deliverables we can work towards on our district’s path to net zero carbon. We are confident that this work will be built upon by any new unitary council. We will build on the success of providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure in our public car parks by providing faster ‘rapid’ charging provision across the district and investing in solar car ports. |
CE2. Countryside and Biodiversity: Continue to secure sustainable nature restoration projects; in particular, working with and supporting experienced partners to extend the benefits of the Wilder Ouse to wildlife and provide vibrant countryside management for the whole of Wealden. |
CE3. Active Travel & Sustainable Transport: Identify opportunities to support key projects through one-off spending initiatives – for example supporting our community bus providers to reach climate and financial sustainability |
We are committed to our mission that everyone should be able to live a healthy and happy life whatever their background or situation. This requires access to decent and affordable housing, access to nature and leisure facilities, employment opportunities
and healthy food.
As part of our legacy for Wealden we will be prioritising delivery of the following over the next three years;
CW1. Community resilience: Cost of living support including Council Tax Reduction Scheme review, delivery of community grants and implementation of ward-based budgets. We will continue to deliver our benefits outreach work and grow this further with more partners being able to be present at sessions to support vulnerable residents. |
CW2. Infrastructure: Complete Polegate and Mayfield medical centre projects (and others, if possible) and work with the Integrated Care Board on securing improvements in rural health provision |
CW3. Affordable Homes: Continue to deliver new, high quality and sustainable affordable housing to support our most vulnerable residents |
CW4. Listening & Community Engagement: Deliver a step change in support for our cultural and arts sector and support the Winnie the Pooh centenary celebrations |
CW5. Leisure and Culture Services: Deliver the Sports Hub, improved playing pitches, additional sports facilities and a long-term contract for the management of our leisure centres |
Good local jobs, support for our market towns and encouragement of our entrepreneurs and home-grown businesses are critical to a strong a vibrant local economy. To ensure Wealden can continue to provide local economic growth in any new unitary council area we will continue projects that benefit Wealden’s economy.
As part of our legacy for Wealden, we will be prioritising delivery of the following over the next three years;
LE2. Planning: Continue development of the Local Plan with additional focus on how this will integrate with strategic planning as this emerges. |
LE3. Support local retail: Continue to support and invest in the health of town centres and high streets, with a particular focus on culture and sustainability. |
LE4. Support Local Land Based Industries: Continue to support our rural businesses to diversify and become more sustainable, not least through further rounds of rural business grants. |
LE5. Start, Scale & Invest: Complete the construction of the employment park in Crowborough and progress the delivery of the Knights Farm West employment park, securing industrial units for growing Wealden businesses |
Preparing for Local Government Reorganisation
The government’s plans to replace two-tier authorities (county councils and district/borough councils) means creating new councils responsible for delivering all local services (unitary councils). We are making it our priority as a local authority for Wealden to ensure the needs and desires of our residents are heard throughout the process and that the shape and delivery of the new authority continues to serve our local community.
As we move towards the introduction of a Unitary Authority in 2028, we will:
- Engage with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
- Maintain transparency and open communication with residents.
- Adapt our services to meet the new governance structure.
- Ensure continuity and stability in service delivery.
- Ensure that we leave a legacy of strong financial management for our place
- Continue to champion Wealden’s environment, residents, and businesses throughout every step of the process