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Some facts about Wealden Partners – the new opposition group working for residents

Over the past few days, certain councillors and activists have taken to social media and the press with a series of misleading and opportunistic claims about the formation of Wealden Partners, a new opposition grouping at Wealden District Council. Let’s be absolutely clear: Wealden Partners is not a merger. No one has changed political colours. […]

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For Horam and Punnetts Town, why it’s time to vote “Anyone But Green” on 10th July

We all knew that a by election was something that would not be unlikely during a 4 year term. For some Wealden residents the upcoming by-election in Horam and Punnetts Town isn’t just about choosing a replacement for outgoing Green councillor Cornelie Usbourne, it’s about choosing a direction for your community. Do you want more

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Wealden’s spin machine: taxpayer-funded PR to polish the wreckage of a catastrophic year

In a move that would make even a Downing Street comms director blush, Wealden District Council has hired a PR agency. Not to engage residents on council priorities. Not to communicate planning reform. No, it’s to “shine a light on positive local stories.” Apparently, the solution to failure is better photography. This announcement wasn’t made

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New long-term lease agreed for Uckfield Leisure Centre between Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council

Following the decision for a lease extension in 2022, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council have agreed a new lease agreement for the provision of Uckfield Leisure Centre up to 2042. Uckfield Leisure Centre is owned by East Sussex County Council and is a dual use site providing sports facilities to Uckfield College

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Power grab or planning reform? The troubling motives behind Wealden District Council’s Alliance led planning committee changes

Wealden District Council’s recent decision to reduce the size of its planning committees from 12 to 9 members is not just an administrative adjustment, it’s a cynical and calculated political manoeuvre that undermines the democratic process and raises significant concerns about transparency, accountability, and the centralisation of power. Moreover, the working party that was responsible

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Open, Honest and Transparent? Not in Wealden.

For an administration that claims to be open, honest, and transparent, Wealden District Council’s Alliance for Wealden is going to extraordinary lengths to avoid being open, honest, and transparent. They also commit to being “kinder” as part of their Council Strategy. In January 2025, I submitted what should have been a simple Freedom of Information

Open, Honest and Transparent? Not in Wealden. Read More »

Ancient woodland saved temporarily from development after landmark ruling

An appeal decision on a proposed development in Hellingly has been challenged in the High Court by Wealden District Council. The ruling means that ancient woodland at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club in Hellingly has been saved from development for the time being. A planning application was submitted to Wealden council in 2022 from Downsview

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Council Tax Chaos: From Manvell to Mayhem in Just over 30 Days

The recent mishandling of Council Tax and Business Rates direct debits by Wealden District Council is not just a regrettable administrative error; it is an outright failure of leadership, accountability, and communication. This fiasco, which saw over 17,500 residents and 324 businesses charged prematurely just days after Christmas, has caused unnecessary financial distress to many.

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“Alliance for Wealden” in complete disarray

The self-styled “Alliance for Wealden” has descended into political chaos. The recent release of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has only added fuel to the fire. Overdevelopment was a central issue in the 2023 District Council elections, and it continues to be a pressing

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