Recreation Ground
Voelcker Field
We had an excellent response to our consultation on the Voelcker Field, with nearly 50 replies, almost all of them on-line. Most were very keen on the idea of an all weather multi-purpose pitch. Some suggested other projects, such as a skate park, improved play facilities for small children, and even a covered swimming pool.
We discussed the project early in February. We decided that any pitch should be of a high specification, otherwise it would duplicate the tarmac area we already have. The capital costs are large, but more importantly for the Parish Council are the running costs, including supervising play, managing a bookings system, security, and replacement costs. We need to be sure that there is demand to support these costs.
Is the recreation ground the best place for such a pitch? Several of the sports clubs that might use an all weather pitch already use Uplands' indoor facilities; having the pitch near these facilites will influence how likely they are to use it (and so the success of the project).
After much discussion there was a consensus to build it nearer Uplands and the Institute. We will therefore work to achieve this. At the recreation ground we hope to improve the tarmac area for casual play by children, and to improve the existing playing surface on the football fields.

A link to the full document is in the News section of the Parish Council web site www.wadhurstpc.info.

Wealden Budget
Wealden District Council voted for an increase in Council Tax of 4.2%. The increase had to be made in spite of cutting overheads by some £645k for the coming year. Wealden receives the lowest funding in East Sussex from Central Government funds per head as the chart shows



The Council has been able to allocate funds to push forward initiatives to minimise climate change and also to increase supply of affordable homes for rent and shared ownership especially in the rural areas.
When the Government announced free travel for the over 60's and disabled it also announced it would be funded by Government. However it has not worked out that way and it is now a major cost to the Council Taxpayer with an extra £390k having to be put in the 2008-9 budget which is equivalent to apx 4% increase in Council tax.
It is hopefully easy to see why Wealden's 11% share of the total Council Tax collected has increased despite the savings made. A band D household is paying £3.63 a week for the wide range of services that Wealden District Council offers the community.

The Village Plan
In order that local people and organisations may have a say in matters affecting their community, Central Government have suggested that a Plan is prepared echoing the views, needs and aspirations of their town or village.
We have therefore invited some 12 local people representative of different local aspects to attend 3 meetings between now and our Annual Parish Meeting to be held at the Commemoration Hall at 7.30 pm on Wednesday May 28th at 7.30pm.
We will publish this plan for tabling at that public meeting which is open to all residents. Hopefully we will have a lively reaction and open debate.
Our first of the 3 meetings was held on 29th February. We opened by considering the burning issue of car parking. Possible locations for more off street parking are being discussed. Whether parking should be time restricted, long term provision and so on.
The second burning issue was how the Central Government targets might be met to meet the allocation of 300 more homes here in the village. The type of property to be provided and the need for affordable homes versus more commuter homes etc.
We are also hearing from Uplands and the Primary School as to their plans and capacities and how they might cope with input from more homes.
We will continue with these issues and others such as transport, shops, recreation at our further meetings and hopefully definitive conclusions will be reached.
As Chairman (Christopher Price), I found that we had a very constructive and lively input with a considerable measure of initial consensus and am grateful for the time people are giving to this project.