News
Council news, commentary, and updates from Andrew Wilson — 48 posts from the archive and counting.
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Andrew's account of meeting the Minister for Border Security and Asylum on the possible extension of Crowborough Training Camp.
Andrew's response to Labour's planning committee reforms, which he argues shift decision-making away from elected councillors and towards officers.
Judicial review documents suggest the Home Office secured Crowborough Camp's availability until 2030 — what does 'no decision made' really mean?
Andrew’s own account of standing in the May 2026 ESCC by-election, and his decision to join the Conservative Party.
Andrew's account of the Crowborough Training Camp judicial review, and why he believes Council leadership followed community pressure rather than led it.
Andrew's account of being ordered to stand down as Chair of Scrutiny after a retweet, and a coordinated press release targeting opposition councillors.
Andrew's first-person account of the Home Office decision to house up to 600 migrant men at Crowborough Training Camp, and the actions taken since.
The Home Office has told Wealden District Council it intends to use Crowborough Training Camp as temporary asylum accommodation for up to 600 adults.
Andrew, as Chair of Scrutiny, calls for answers after the Council's Alliance leadership kept the Crowborough Training Camp decision quiet for over two weeks.
Opinion piece on leadership failures at Wealden District Council, written from Andrew’s time as an Independent councillor.
Andrew's open letter responding to Councillor Ben Cox's public comments following the 'rights of rivers' motion vote at Full Council.
Andrew's rebuttal of the Green Party's 'Horam and Punnetts Town Fact Checker' by-election leaflet, and its claims about the Southern Water case.
Andrew responds to claims about the formation of Wealden Partners, a coordinated Independent and Conservative opposition group at Wealden District Council.
Andrew's campaign case against the Green Party candidate in the Horam and Punnetts Town by-election, and the Alliance administration's record.
Opinion piece on Wealden District Council hiring a PR agency, set against a year of council tax, FOI, and planning committee controversies.
Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council have agreed a new lease for Uckfield Leisure Centre running up to 2042.
Opinion piece on Wealden's reduction of planning committee size from 12 to 9 members, and its effect on opposition representation and scrutiny.
Andrew's account of a heavily-redacted Freedom of Information response from Wealden District Council, following ICO intervention.
Wealden District Council successfully challenged a planning appeal in the High Court, protecting ancient woodland at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club.
Opinion piece on Wealden's premature Council Tax and Business Rates direct debit collections over Christmas 2024, and the Cabinet response.
Wealden District Council apologises after a scheduling error meant some council tax and business rates Direct Debits were taken early, on 27 December.
Opinion piece arguing the Green/Labour/Lib Dem Alliance's housing and AONB policy contradicts its own election promises.
Wealden District Council welcomes NPPF changes on climate mitigation but is concerned the top-down housing target for the district has increased again.
Opinion piece questioning spending decisions made by the Wealden District Council Alliance administration.
Andrew's account of a Planning Committee North vote to approve 15 houses in the High Weald AONB, and why he argued the application should have been refused.
Andrew's analysis of Labour's revised NPPF housing targets for Wealden, and questions over the Alliance leadership's response to Government.
New Wealden businesses are invited to a free Ready To Grow event on 3 October at Uckfield Civic Centre, offering workshops and business advice.
Wealden District Council is surveying residents on its “Have you been dumped?” campaign to help reduce fly-tipping across the district.
More than 300 Wealden primary schoolchildren are taking part in free art workshops exploring the wildlife and heritage of the Cuckoo Trail this summer.
Wealden Crematorium marks its fifth anniversary with an open day on 31 July, offering guided tours of the cremation process to visitors from across Sussex.
Wealden District Council and People Matter are hosting a career event on 12 July 2024 in Hailsham to help Armed Forces veterans find civilian jobs.
A special 80th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings, hosted by Wealden District Council and neighbouring authorities at Pevensey Castle.
Twelve Wealden vineyards have joined the new Explore Wealden Wine Trail, offering tastings, tours and events across the district this summer.
A Pre-Construction Services Agreement has been signed with Baxall Construction to progress the new Mayfield Community and Health Centre project.
A first-person account written at the time of leaving the Liberal Democrats and the Alliance for Wealden.
New cycle repair stations installed along the Cuckoo Trail — a small, practical improvement for local cyclists.
Andrew's account of the Full Council debate over new council tax premiums on vacant properties and second homes, and his push for proper scrutiny.
A new business park at Farningham Road, Crowborough, has been granted full planning permission by Wealden councillors at Planning Committee North.
Full planning permission granted for a new sports hub facility in Hellingly, including floodlit pitches, a skate park, and solar-powered parking.
A new Council Strategy for Wealden, focused on climate, community resilience and the local economy, approved by Cabinet ahead of Full Council ratification.
Wealden District Council has launched Let’s Talk Wealden, a new online hub for residents to view proposals, ask questions and discuss local issues.
A telephone survey by Opinion Research Services is gathering resident feedback on Wealden District Council’s performance this autumn.
A planning application for the Wealden Community Sports Hub in Lower Dicker, Hailsham, has been submitted after significant community input.
Wealden residents are urged to check their electoral registration details during the annual canvass or risk losing their chance to vote in local elections.
Existing players of the Wealden Community Lottery can refer friends via Facebook or WhatsApp for a chance to win free tickets in a monthly prize draw.
Andrew's early explainer on how Wealden's planning system actually works — housing targets, the Local Plan, and the NPPF's 'tilted balance'.
Andrew's early reflections on his first weeks as a newly-elected Liberal Democrat councillor, and the committees he was appointed to.
A legal case against Wealden District Council planning officers and councillors was withdrawn mid-trial, with full costs awarded against the claimant.
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