CONTENTS

Events Throughout the Year Page 1

Statement from the Leader of the Pages 2 - 3

Council

Mayor’s Comments Pages 4

REPORTS

Council Pages 5 - 8

Community Service Committee Pages 9 - 14

Finance & General Purposes Committee Pages 15 - 19

Planning & Highways Committee Pages 20 - 27

Committee Timetable 2009/2010 Page 28

Councillors Contact Details Page 29

Staff Contact Details Page 30

 JUST SOME OF THE EVENTS CO-ORDINATED BY OR IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL OVER THE PAST YEAR

6th July 2008

Seaford Family Fun Day with Wave Leisure

12th July 2008

Mayor’s Charity
26th September 2008
Fashion Show
The Mayor’s Reception for the Land Girls of Seaford

30th/31st August 2008

The South Coast Triathlon

14th September 2008

Mayor’s Fair

5th December 2008

Christmas Late Night
Shopping

Annual Report page 1

 Leader’s Comments

We face an uncertain future. In Local Government we are

being pressed with increasing demands for services at a
time when budgets are tight. We need to demonstrate that
we are giving everyone the best value for each £ we spend.
We can only do this as a Town Council by working together
with the District and County Councils and the many creative
community organisations that we are lucky to have in
Seaford. Working together can make the difference. Thank
you for all the ideas that you give us.

As a Town Council we have set ourselves five main priorities in areas where we
can make a difference. These are:

• To continue to work alongside young people promoting the recently

elected Young Mayor and developing with the Youth Forum a constructive
"menu" of ways the young can have a voice .We are trying to make
progress with the County in order to use Elm Court and back it as a youth
facility;

• We are applying with District support to obtain grant monies through Sea
Change, a government initiative to regenerate our seafront. Grants from
between £200k and £1m can be bid for providing we can secure matched
funding £ for £ Our route plan needs to be clear and uncomplicated;

• We are currently seeking to maximise our golf course income and spread
any additional monies on town projects To this end we are planning to
rebuild the clubhouse and open up the facilities for wider community use;

• Our new Town Clerk and her team are tasked to scan our budgets to
ensure that any savings can be re-invested in local community facilities,
particularly shelters and toilets

• To keep the Crypt open by creating a management committee to maximise

income and develop the cultural heart of the town. Yes, it will mean the
Town Council needs to take on the devolution from the District Council,
and this is shortly to be decided by the Council.

Apart from these 5 major projects we continue to hold our other "big brother"
Councils and unelected quangos to account by being constructive, robust and
purposeful. Areas here include working alongside the Primary Care Trust and the
Seniors Forum in order to improve access to local health services in Seaford so
that travel to Eastbourne DGH is minimized and making sure that we maintain
good respite and day care services for older people .

Annual Report Page 2

Everyone can rest assured that all our Councillors continue to be "voluntary"
giving their time freely on behalf of the Town. As a Quality Council I believe
our staff excel in their efforts not to "tick boxes" but to get things done and
our thanks as Councillors of all political shades are due to those who have helped
us pull through the recent months with no Town Clerk and no Responsible Finance
Officer.

We welcome the new Town Clerk, Mrs Sam Shippen, to the Council. Sam is
rapidly getting to grips with the many issues she faces in the running of Seaford
Town Council, however the early departure of our Finance Officer, Mrs Karen
Taylor, is very much regretted, Karen achieved a great deal in the short time
she was employed by the Council and we wish her well. Maybe our new Town Clerk
will echo the words of Barack Obama (and Bob the Builder!) and say "Yes We
Can".

We are pleased with the development of our pioneering move to 37 Church

Street, particularly with the efforts that the CAB are making to cope with a
100% increase in clients this year due to the economic situation. Our public
meetings continue to be well attended. Seaford people are interested in the
Town and our future.

In conclusion, may I thank all of my colleague Councillors and representatives of

all our multi faceted community groups for their energy, drive and good humour
over the past year.

Jon Freeman

Annual Report Page 3

 Mayor’s Comments

f
This year has brought a number of challenges both to the
Council and to the town and also a number of positive
achievements. Our Town Clerk, Len Fisher, retired after 11
years dedicated service but I am delighted that Sam
Shippen, who has an outstanding national reputation, has
joined us. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome
Sam and her partner Paul to Seaford and to wish them
happiness in their new home. Sam has begun to tackle the
many issues and projects we hope to drive forward in the
next year with energy and enthusiasm and we will all continue Councillor Carolyn Lambert
to work together as a Council for the benefit of the town.
Local businesses and the local economy have to be a key concern this year with
the loss of national businesses such as Woolworths perhaps having the most
dramatic effect on Broad Street. Woolworths has provided jobs for some well-
known local people for a number of years and it is sad to lose these familiar
faces. However, new businesses have opened up, including Tescos and we will do
what we can as a Council to support our local traders.

Young people have been very much to the fore this year with our very successful
Youth Forum and of course, the election of Oscar Hardy, Seaford’s first Young
Mayor and his deputy, Eleanor Homan. Four outstanding young people
campaigned hard for this election - three of them were only 14 – and impressed
all of us with their maturity and dedication. Nearly 1,000 young people took part
and voted and it has raised a great deal of interest and enthusiasm at Seaford
Head Community College who provided wonderful help and support for the
project. This is a genuine good news story for the town and I look forward very
much to working with Oscar and Ellie to develop their work programme and ideas
for the year.

Our local voluntary and community organisations and the various faith groups
have continued to work tirelessly for the people of the town. It was a privilege
to hold my ‘Meet the Mayor’ teas as a way of thanking them for all their hard
work. Another outstanding event was the reception I held with Norman Baker
MP for our Land Girls who at last received their long overdue medals for the
service they gave during the war. They are a truly amazing group of women
whose inspirational example was made more real by their amusing tales of life in
the Land Army. I am very pleased that we have managed to get a collection of
their photographs for the Council Chamber as a lasting momento of a very
special day.

Finally, thanks must go to the staff at Seaford Town Council who have
seamlessly covered a wide variety of roles and tasks during a difficult transition
period. They really were our flexible friends and all the councillors very much
appreciate the efforts they put in.

Carolyn Lambert

Annual Report Page 4

Council
 Council

Current Mayor Carolyn Lambert shown front row far left, Councillors Ralph
Taylor and Julian Peterson not present for photograph (photograph taken May
2007).

Mayor : Councillor Carolyn Lambert

Deputy Mayor : Councillor Tracy Willis

Leader of Council : Councillor J H Freeman

Council : Councillors Pat Bennett, Roy Bennett, Paul Bower,

Carolyn Lambert, Réjane Amery, Christopher Conil,
Martin Cornforth, Julian Peterson, Eddie Collict,
Rosemary Collict, Jon Freeman, Tracy Willis,
Bob Allen, Bob Brown, Bob Sinclair, Ralph Taylor,
Barry Groves, Laurie Holland, Linda Wallraven,
Ian White

Meetings held to 31st March, 2009 8

Public questions received 30

Reports/Items considered 56

Overall Councillor attendance at meetings 82.5%

Annual Report Page 5

Items considered Result

Mayoral Functions The Mayor has represented Seaford

Town Council at over 125 events during
the year (15 of these by the Deputy
Mayor).

Final Accounts Financial Year At a meeting on 31st July 2008 Council

31 March 2008 received and approved the Final
Accounts for the year ending 31st
March 2008 together with the Annual
Return to be presented to the Council’s
External Auditors.

Setting the Council Precept At its meeting on 29th January 2009

Requirement for the Financial Year Council approved the recommendations
2009/2010 of Finance and General Purposes
Committee on the level of Council
precept for the year 2009/2010.

Special Recognition Awards At the Annual Council Meeting held on

13th May the Mayor presented special
awards to eight local residents in
recognition of their work on behalf of
the town of Seaford.

Seaford Young Mayor Following a presentation by Councillor

Carolyn Lambert at their meeting on
17th April, members approved in
principle the setting up of a Seaford
Young Mayor Project. A Steering
Group would be comprised of six
people, two members of the majority
group, one of the minority, the Youth
Services Manager for Seaford, one
young person representing the Youth
Forum and one from Seaford Head
Community College.

Annual Report Page 6

Mayors for Peace At their meeting on 17th April the
Committee were given a presentation
by Mr George Farebrother, Secretary
of ‘Mayors for Peace’ about the
scheme and it was agreed that the
Mayor should be a signatory to the
‘Mayors for Peace’ declaration.

Annual Sussex Day It was agreed by Councillors at their

meeting on 17th April to participate in
the annual Sussex Day Celebrations on
the nearest Sunday to 16th June and
that a Sussex flag be purchased for
use by the Council.

Seaford Young Personality At the Annual Meeting on 13th May

of the Year members agreed in principle to the
establishment of a ‘Seaford Young
Personality of the Year Award’
together with a Steering Group of
three elected members and two young
members of the community. At their
meeting on 28th August Council agreed
to the scheme proceeding and the
acceptance of entries from September
with the first award being made in
Spring 2009.

Friends of Bönningstedt A request was made by the Friends of

Bönningstedt that Council consider
taking over the running of the
organisation from 2009. Numbers
were declining and it was felt that the
Council should do all they could to

Annual Report Page 7

 support the group. At its meeting on
28th August Council agreed to take the
lead in twinning arrangements between
Seaford and Bönningstedt for a trial
period of one year for the 2009/2010
Municipal Year.

Proposed Newhaven Incinerator On 28th August members considered a

further contribution being made to the
Friends of the Earth legal appeal
regarding the proposed incinerator at
Newhaven. It was agreed that a
contribution of £1,000 be made should
the legal appeal proceed.

The Crypt Gallery At their meeting on 13th November

members considered the possible
devolution of the Crypt and associated
premises to Seaford Town Council.
Following an appraisal of financial and
other issues, the taking of legal advice
and public consultations the Council
have now decided to take on both the
Crypt and 23 Church Street.

Annual Report Page 8

Community Service Committee
 Community Service Committee
Chairman’s Comments
It gives me great pleasure to present my Community
Services annual report for the municipal year
2008/2009.
As always I feel it is appropriate that I start my report
by firstly thanking all of my colleagues, Councillors, and
representatives from outside bodies that I have had the
pleasure of working alongside over this past year, their
support has been invaluable and without them I am sure
my role as Chairman would not have been so rewarding, Councillor Tracy Willis
so thank you one and all.
The past year has presented us with many new challenges, indeed at times
frustrations through existing ones, we have received numerous requests for
changes and enhancements and each one has been addressed by my committee
with careful consideration and support. Although at times I am aware that some
people think we are not doing our job, I can assure you we are. Although budgets
have been tight we have managed to make some progress in delivering good
quality and high standards of service to our town

One of our biggest challenges has been over the devolution of the Crypt Gallery
from Lewes District Council to Seaford Town Council, this Council has been
asked to take on ownership of this Ancient Monument, and although at first the
decisions seemed very clear cut it did not come without its problems!! We gave
the opportunity for members of the public to come forward with expressions of
interest however although the town has shown great support for the transfer,
no groups or members of the public have been able to offer a long term solution
with regards to making the project viable for the town, therefore this is still an
ongoing project, many hours of negotiating have taken place between the
working group and Lewes District Council, the Crypt has received much media
coverage and we will shortly be making a final decision on the matter.

The future of South Hill Barn has been carefully addressed as we are aware
that the building although old has character and may be used to bring in revenue
for the Town. The Committee appreciates that whatever is suggested for its
future it has to be in keeping with its surroundings. Over the years many groups
have been approached including farmers in the hope that they would access and
utilise what we have to offer but unfortunately there has been limited interest
and therefore the barn still remains unused. This Committee is aware that we
need to find a long term solution before the barn becomes a liability.

The Salts Recreation Ground has a new skate facility which was welcomed by the
young people in the town and is already being very heavily used, I was saddened
to see however that within the first week it had graffiti on it but at least it did
not put the young people off. As I mentioned in my last year’s report it was a
shame to see the old equipment deteriorate they way it did but lessons have

Annual Report Page 9

been learnt.

The Golf Course Working Group has been having regular meetings with the golf
course users and plans are afoot to redevelop the club house. The golf course is
the main source of income for this town and pays for the expenditure on the
Salts, Crouch and other areas within the town. The committee agreed that the
town would benefit from a new club house. A new website is going to be launched
and this will most certainly encourage users onto the course.

The committee considered a report from the Quakers with reference to having
a Peace Garden within Crouch Gardens. This would be an area where members of
the public could go and have some quiet reflection time if they so desired, there
was to be a statue built and erected and the furniture would have been made
sympathetically to blend in with the project. I had a site visit with some
members and also the parks manager from Lewes District Council and we have
been able to engage their services at no extra cost to our Council, the remainder
of the funding is still being sought by the Quakers and we hope that they
manage to secure what they need as this will be an asset to the Crouch.

Unfortunately we had an unexpected spend from my Committee’s budget over

the removal of the old football stand at the Crouch. The stand was to be
removed by East Sussex County Council as part of their work on their work on
the Mercread project, however the cost unfortunately ended up falling on the
shoulders of this Council which left a gaping hole in our budget.

The new programme for the erection of the second phase of the beach huts has
been put on hold, due to concerns raised from the surrounding residents. The
Committee felt that it would not be appropriate at this time and we would still
investigate the use of the Bönningstedt end of the beach, the Committee
realises that there remains a waiting list which grows slowly and that this will
need to be addressed.

The Allotment Society has asked the Committee to help them identify land that
could be used for allotments. They have a rather large waiting list as this
activity is growing in popularity. The Committee is continuing its search for
possible areas and are keeping the Society up to speed with any developments.

There are far too many projects undertaken by my Committee to mention, but I
have tried to highlight as many as I can within my report, I am aware that the
following year will bring many new challenges to the Committee and we will
continue to work alongside our colleagues in delivering what we can with honesty,
professionalism and integrity.

Tracy Willis

Annual Report Page 10

Chairman Councillor T A Willis
Vice-Chairman Councillor R C S Brown
Committee Councillors R W Bennett, P A Bower, R C S Brown, C Conil,
M P Cornforth, J H Freeman (Leader of the Council, Ex-
officio), L E Holland (Ex-officio), C S Lambert, J C Peterson,
L Wallraven
Meetings held to 31st March, 2009
Public questions received
Reports/items considered
Overall Councillor attendance at meetings
Items Considered
Community Service Budget
2009/2010
Exchange Project (Crouch Gardens)
Seaford Head Nature Reserve –
Coastal Erosion
6
16
36
91.67%
Result
The Net Committee Service Budget
Requirement of £57,286 for the
financial year 2009/2010 and the
revised budget requirement of
£68,290 for 2008/2009 was agreed.
At its meeting on 19th June 2008 the
Committee was updated on this project
by Mrs Wendy Simmons, Chair of the
Management Committee. Concern was
expressed over proposals to place a
metal storage container on the site,
which is within the Conservation Area.
Members requested that it be
clarified with Lewes District Council as
to whether planning permission was
required and also that the Committee
be consulted prior to any painting of
the structure being carried out.
Members resolved at their meeting on
19th June 2008 to negotiate with all
parties involved with the Seaford Head
Nature Reserve to make necessary
adjustments to the boundary of
Seaford Head Nature Reserve in the
event of coastal erosion making use of
Annual Report Page 11

Seaford Town Football Club –
Mini Football Pitches
Mini Golf Course
Peace Garden
the cliff top footpath dangerous or
impossible.
Councillor R E Allen was authorised to
carry out inspections of the coastal
path and in his absence this to be
carried out by the South Downs
Ranger.
Following a previous request made by
Seaford Town Football Club, at their
meeting on 18th September members
considered the suggestion that two
mini football pitches be situated on
the most westerly of the Martello
Fields. Further consideration would be
given when full financial implications
were known and following a public
consultation.
The Council had been approached by
South East Mini Golf for the setting
up of a mini golf course in Seaford
with Martello Fields being identified as
a possible location. On 18th September
2008 members resolved to agree in
principle the establishment of a mini
golf course on Martello Fields, to
authorise negotiations with South East
Mini Golf and that a public consultation
process be started.
At their meeting on 11th December
members were updated on the
progress of the proposed Peace Garden
at Crouch Gardens. It was proposed to
erect a statue for the garden to be
built in the moat of the Martello
Tower so the public would see its
progress.
Seaford Quakers had raised £5,000
but sought further funding and it was
resolved that a contribution of £3,000
be made from the Community Services
budget subject to approval by Council.
Annual Report Page 12
Extended Open of Certain Following a number of complaints from
Public Toilets the public concerning the winter
closing of the Salts toilet, members
resolved at their meeting on 11th
December to request Lewes District
Council to open these conveniences
from 9.30am to 4.30pm from October
to March and also to advise on the cost
of opening those at Place Lane and
Church Street from 6 to 8pm daily.

Seaford Head Golf Course – On 11th December members resolved to

Proposed new Clubhouse recommend to the Finance & General
Purposes Committee to appoint a
project manager to manage the
proposal to provide a new clubhouse at
Seaford Head Golf Course, to appoint a
professional to draft a feasibility
study and for the provision of
expenditure up to £10,000 to
implement these.

Seaford Beach At a meeting on 8th January 2009 the

Committee considered a request from
the Seaford Chamber of Commerce for
the Town Council to pay £1,100
towards the cost of an engineering
assessment for a reef based structure
off a 400 metre stretch of beach
opposite the Salts Recreation Ground.

A meeting with the Environment

Agency had taken place where they
agreed that the beach did have an
amenity value and agreed to make the
slope gentler and grade the shingle.

Shingle on the beach is being degraded

and lost and the Environment Agency
had indicated that this will get worse.
A reef could help prevent flooding at
Bönningstedt Parade thereby making it

Annual Report Page 13

more viable to erect beach huts at
that location.

It was resolved that a meeting be

arranged with the Environment Agency
to discuss the undertaking of a
feasibility study and to obtain an
undertaking that the works they had
already agreed to carry out will be
completed. Also that negotiations be
held with the Seaford Community
Partnership to use some of the money
allocated to it to help pay for the
feasibility study subject to the
outcome of the meeting with the
Environment Agency.

Annual Report Page 14

Finance and General Purposes
Committee
 Finance and General Purposes Committee

Chairman’s Comments

Another year of change. This year it was not planned

change, but the unexpected loss of several key staff. So
much of the Council’s work depends upon having good,
qualified, committed staff and so the loss of Len Fisher,
Town Clerk, Graham Parish, Finance Officer and Sally
Laidlaw, Accounts Clerk, were individually a great loss, but
the combined impact was a very serious impediment to the Councillor Eddie Collict
work of the Council.

The Council was fortunately able to obtain the services of John Roberts as a temporary
Town Clerk for two days a week whilst recruiting replacement staff with the help of
Trevor Leggo of the Sussex Association of Local Councils. We had a very good
response to our advertisements for Town Clerk and a Finance Officer, and some
excellent candidates for the vacancies. I was very pleased that we were able to
appoint Sam (Samantha) Shippen as Clerk and Karen Taylor as the Finance Officer.
Unfortunately Karen has since resigned, and at the time of writing the Council has to
decide on what is to happen to the post in the long term. In the short term we are
fortunate in that Sam Shippen is well able to manage the financial matters, but will
need help as there are only 24 hours in a day!

It was inevitable that in a relatively small organisation, with such a major loss of staff,
the output of the Council would be adversely affected to the extent that priority has
been on maintaining services rather than developing them. I am especially grateful to
all the staff, those in the office and those on the golf course, who despite everything,
including uncertainty and undoubted frustration, have kept services running, in the main
with their usual good humour.

On the financial side, despite not undertaking any major new projects, it has proved
difficult to stay within budget. Indeed we have had to use our earmarked reserves to
undertake work on the Martello Tower and Hurdis House. Overall staff costs have
risen following the review by South East Employers. Added to this the cost of
replacing staff and of temporary arrangements has proved high, as well as being
difficult. (What the Council has found is that there is a shortage of suitably qualified
people available to take on the work of larger town councils.) Two other factors have
added to the financial pressures on the Council, that of reduced income from
investments and bank charges (as a result of which we need to move our bank account)
and a reduction in the income from the golf course. Of these the most important for
the long term is the income from the golf course.

Whilst income from the beach huts remains buoyant, the golf course has earned less
than we originally estimated. This is a trading activity so we should not be surprised if
the income varies from the estimate, especially in the current climate. The income
from the golf course pays for a significant part of the town’s expenditure upon areas
such as the Salts, the Crouch and many open spaces. It is therefore a priority to

Annual Report Page 15

maintain our market share and rather than just arresting the decline in income from the
golf course, seeking to increase it.

Because of the international and national financial situation the Council precept has
been kept below 5%. This means that the Council will need to look not only to getting
better value out of each £ spent, but will need to redouble efforts to find grants and
other sources of funding in order to undertake works for the benefit of residents.
The future of the Crypt is a good example of current opportunities and costs facing the
Council (there are many others!). The Council has been given the opportunity to acquire
the Crypt. It is clear that if this building is to be retained in the long term as a
valuable venue for local art, additional funding will be necessary. There are many other
similar projects where the amount of money is relatively small, but when all other
options and efficiencies have been explored, there is a choice to be made of whether to
go ahead or not, and consequences will follow whatever the chosen option.

This has been an interesting year; much of what has happened has required the Council
to respond to some very difficult issues. There remain a number of important matters
that require attention and we know that the climate we have entered means that like all
businesses and organisations we are going to find life getting more difficult. However,
with our new Town Clerk, Sam Shippen and the changes she has started to make, I am
sure that the Council will come out of this year much fitter and stronger.

Eddie Collict

Chairman Councillor E N Collict

Vice-Chairman Councillor P A Bower

Committee Councillors R E Allen, R G Amery, R W Bennett, P A Bower,

R C S Brown, C Conil, J H Freeman (Leader of the Council, Ex-
officio), L E Holland, C S Lambert, R J Sinclair

Meetings held to 31st March 2009 4

Public questions received 7

Reports/items considered 18

Overall Councillor attendance at meetings 94%

Items Considered Result

Interest on Investments £10,821.23 interest has been received to

end of March 09 from investments on
Treasury deposits and overnight deposits
of cleared balances for the financial year
2008/2009 against a revised budget of
£11,000.
Annual Report Page 16
Setting of the Council’s Precept After scrutinising the budgets of the
Council’s three Standing Committees and
evaluating its future commitments, this
Committee was able to recommend to
Council that its precept for 2009/2010
should be £335,913 so that the Council
Tax charge at Band ‘D’ becomes £34.04
for 2009/2010.

Grants to Voluntary Bodies Grants are available from the Council to

outside voluntary bodies that are
beneficial to the residents of Seaford.
During the past year 32 grants were
awarded totalling £4,220.

Internal Audit Services The Internal Auditor was appointed at the

first meeting of Finance and General
Purposes Committee.
Each year the Internal Auditor produces
an Internal Audit Memorandum which is
presented to the members of Finance &
General Purposes Committee. This
includes an introduction – The Audit Code
of Audit Practice, The Local Councils
Governance and Accountability Guidelines,
proposed Timetable, Primary Audit
Objectives for Year, Secondary Audit
Objectives for Year, Method of Working
and Audit Programme Content.
Reports that are produced are discussed
with officers and presented to Committee
members on a timely basis and any action
agreed. In addition the Council as a whole
receives and has a chance to debate the
Internal Auditor’s report before agreeing
the Annual Return.
The Internal Auditor is sent copies of all
Council Agendas and Minutes and is
consulted and made aware of new
developments in the services, risk
management and corporate governance.

Annual Report Page 17

Risk Management Policy Statement The Local Council’s Governance and
Accountability Guidance states that Risk
Management is not just about financial
management, it is about achieving the
objectives of the organisation to deliver
high quality public services.

Annual Report Page 18

Planning & Highways Committee
 Planning & Highways Committee
U

Chairman’s Comments

The year has been difficult with some information coming very
late for the Committee to make an informed comment. The
most notable of these was the proposal by East Sussex County
Council for a waste transfer station at Cradle Hill Industrial
Estate where we were informed that the amount to be stored
was increased 100 fold three days after the Committee had
met and discussed the application. Councillor Bob Allen

In spite of the valiant efforts of our Town Clerk we were unable to get the
application cancelled or deferred so that discussion of the new figures could be
undertaken properly. Steps are to be taken to complain about the breakdown of
the democratic process so that this does not happen again.

Consultations discussed and responses made have included the ESCC draft
parking policy for Seaford, Road Safety Compliance, Gypsy and Traveller
accommodation needs, Conservation Area Advisory Committees, the draft
cycling strategy, and the possible removal of public payphones.

We have continued to support the work of planting by the tree wardens to

enhance the environment of Seaford without endangering visibility for traffic.
We have tried to respond to concerns about excessive speeds of traffic and are
still seeking further training from the police for volunteers wishing to use the
Council equipment for gathering accurate statistics on the speed of vehicles in
some locations in the town. We have now been successful in obtaining a bus
shelter in Pelham Road.

On pedestrian safety we have made representations about the placing of

bollards and an ATM outside the new Tesco Express store and are eagerly
awaiting the improvements to Sutton Corner junction.

We continue to monitor the progress of plans for the future of the Cuckmere
Estuary and one of our members has visited Southwold in Suffolk where a
similar scheme is proposed.

I have attended the Inquiry into the proposed housing development in

Eastbourne Road which was recommended for refusal by the Committee. Other
notable planning applications which have attracted our attention have been 2
applications for development on land adjacent to 47 Surrey Road, flats above
Gorringes in Station Approach, the former Beachcomber Hotel, and the Tudor
Manor Hotel.

Annual Report Page 20

I particularly wish to thank our voluntary Architectural Advisor, Mr Stan
Aldridge for his help and our Committee Clerk, Mr Mike Wright for accurately
recording the minutes of some quite convoluted meetings throughout the year.

Bob Allen

Chairman Councillor R E Allen

Vice-Chairman Councillor M P Cornforth

Committee Councillors E N Collict, R F Collict, J H Freeman (Leader

of the Council, Ex officio), B W Groves, L E Holland (Ex
officio), C S Lambert, J C Peterson, R J Sinclair,
L Wallraven, I J White, T A Willis

Mr. S. Aldridge (Architectural Consultant)

Meetings held to 31st March, 2009 18

Public questions received 107

Reports/items considered 91

Planning Applications considered 134

Overall Councillor attendance at meetings 94.44%

Consultation Documents Considered by the Planning and Highways Committee

 Consultation by BT on Proposals to Remove Payphones – letter from BT

concerning the proposed removal of three payphones in Seaford at
Bishopstone Road, Vale Road and Sutton Road.

 East Sussex County Council – Changes to the Planning System consultation

document.

 East Sussex County Council – Improving our School Buildings

 Environment Agency’s ‘River Ouse Catchment Flood Management Plan’ –

Draft Consultation Document.

 East Sussex County Council - Draft Report on Consultation in selected

streets and survey of visitor parking on seafront.

Annual Report Page 21

  Executive Summary and Central Rail Corridor Board Report : Lewes-
Uckfield Railway Line.

 South East England Regional Assembly – Consultation document

concerning a partial review of the South East Plan; Gypsy and Traveller
Accommodation Needs.

 Lewes District Council – Consultation document concerning Conservation

Area Advisory Committees.

 Lewes District Council – Draft Street Naming and Numbering Policy.

 East Sussex Fire Authority – Integrated Risk Management Plan for

2009/10 to 2011/12.

 East Sussex County Council – Road Safety Compliance Consultation

Document

 East Sussex County Council – Review of Supported Local Bus Services

Items Considered Result

Dutch Elm Disease A South Downs Joint Committee

report on conserving the East Sussex
Elm population and funding of Dutch
Elm disease control was considered by
the Committee at their meeting on 10th
P P

April 2008.

Members resolved to agree that the

sum of £1,000 be donated annually to
the South Downs Joint Committee, for
a period of three years, in respect of
the control of Dutch Elm disease,
subject to a condition that it be spent
on the conservation of elm trees in
Seaford and that the Town Council be
provided with an account of how the
money is spent.

Dragon’s Tooth Tank Traps at At their meeting on 10th April 2008

P P

Cuckmere Haven members considered a request by Plan

Sussex Ltd to support the listing of
the World War Two tank traps located

Annual Report Page 22

 at Cuckmere Haven. Members resolved
to support the application for listing.

Fairfield, Albany & Fernlea, An application for the demolition of

Eastbourne Road existing dwellings and erection of nine
x two bedroomed and five x three
bedroomed houses with access route
and car parking was considered by
members at their meeting on 1st May P P

2008.

Objections raised were :

 Overdevelopment
 Out of character
 Loss of privacy
 Inappropriate design
 Traffic concerns

A re-submission of this application for

the demolition of three bungalows and
erection of four x three bedroomed
houses and ten x two bedroomed
cottages with access road and eighteen
car spaces including two integral
garages was considered by the
Committee on 4th December 2008.
P P

Objections raised were :

 Unneighbourly
 Out of character
 Road safety concerns
 Contrary to Policy ST3 of the
Local Plan
If this application was approved it
should be inspected by the Police
Safe and Secure Team.

Seaford Town Football Club A planning application by Seaford Town

Football Club for the erection of a
football stand (existing stand to be
demolished) was considered and
supported by members at their
meeting on 1st May 2008. They
P P

commented that this would be a great

Annual Report Page 23

 improvement on the existing stand,
members would like to see the gap
between the stands paved.

Ellenbank/The Tempest, Cliff Road On 22nd May 2008 the Committee

P P

objected to a planning application for

the erection of a three storey block of
nine x two bedroomed flats and four x
three bedroomed maisonettes plus
underground parking area for Cliff
Road Developments Ltd on the
following grounds :

 Overdevelopment
 Unneighbourly
 Overbearing
 Overshadowing
 Poor 3rd floor access
P P

 Inadequate parking provision on

a route to the proposed
National Park
 Contrary to Policy ST3 of Local
Plan

This application was approved by Lewes

District Council.

Land adjacent to 47 Surrey Road The Committee considered a re-

submitted outline planning application
for the erection of four x two
bedroomed and eight x three
bedroomed earth-sheltered eco-
homes, car parking, landscaping and
foul drainage system for Mr J Rigden
on 24th July 2008 .
P P

Members objected on the following

grounds :
 Contrary to Planning Policies S1,
ST3, ST9 and ST10. Members
wished to see this area of land
left as a public amenity area. If
the District Council were
mindful to approve the
application this Council would

Annual Report Page 24

 request that Permitted
Development Rights were
revoked.

A further outline planning application

was discussed on 4th December for the
P P

construction of seven x three

bedroomed earth sheltered eco-homes,
car parking and landscaping, windmill
for power generation and sustainable
urban drainage system for The Rigden
Group.

Objections raised were as follows :

 Contrary to Policies ST3(a) &
ST3(c) of the Lewes District
Local Plan
 Contary to Policies S1(f), S1(j)
& EN17 of the East Sussex and
Brighton & Hove Structure Plan
1991-2011.
 Contrary to Policies PPS3 &
PPS9 of National Planning
Guidance.
 Should be left as public amenity
area.

Land adjoining 47 Surrey Road On 24th July 2008 members objected

P P

to an outline planning application for

the construction of a windmill
incorporating electricity generating
capacity and two x three bedroom
houses for Mr J Rigden as follows :
 Contrary to Planning Policies S1,
ST3, ST9 and ST10.
 Overbearing in that neighbour-
hood.
If the District Council were
mindful to approve this
application this Council would
request that a long term
management and maintenance
programme is implemented.

Annual Report Page 25

Parking Review On 24th July members considered a
P P

revised draft parking report for

Seaford from East Sussex County
Council and were pleased that full
results of the public consultation had
been made public and notice taken of
comments made. Changes to one hour
for parking in Broad Street and also
changes to loading bays were
welcomed. Members felt Lewes
District Council should be approached
with regard to a reduction in car
parking charges for short term parking
in Seaford car parks.

The Council did not wish to see on-

street parking charges or parking
permits as these measures just move
the problem to another part of town.
John Robbins from the County Council
was to be asked to attend a public
meeting on these proposals.

The problems of motorised caravans

parking overnight in Splash Point car
park and for more than the twelve
hours allowed was also mentioned.

Rebuilding at Dane Road, Station On 22nd January 2009 members

P P

Approach considered revised design details of a

previous planning application for the
rebuilding of new shops and offices
with 12 one bedroom flats above
following the demolition of existing
shops and offices at Dane Road,
adjacent to Seaford Station.

Objections raised were as follows :

 Out of character
 Effect on the adjacent listed
building (Seaford Station)
 Inappropriate design for that

Annual Report Page 26

 location
 Refer to the Architects
Advisory Panel
 Plans did not show the adjacent
buildings and therefore the
impact of the adjacent buildings
 Plans were not in accordance
with the advice that this
Council had received concerning
what should be shown on plans.
 Regret that an application for
this important, prominent,
gateway site is being treated in
this way.

Members requested that Lewes

District Council inform the Town
Council of recommendations made by
the Architects Advisory Panel.

Committee Budget At its meeting on 18th December the

P P

Committee agreed a net budget of

£11,417 for Planning & Highways
Committee in 2009/10.

Annual Report Page 27

 Seaford Town Council Contact List
Councillors
Seaford Central Mr J Freeman
Windyshiels, Links Road, Seaford, BN25 4HX
Mrs P Bennett
Tel : (01323) 899256
15 Kingsway, Seaford, BN25 2NE
E-mail : cllr.jon.freeman@eastsussex.gov.uk
Tel : (01323) 892881
E-mail : patricia.bennett@lewes.gov.uk Mrs T Willis
93 Lexden Drive, Seaford, BN25 3JF
Mr R Bennett
Tel : (01323) 491402
15 Kingsway, Seaford, BN25 2NE
E-mail : tracy.willis93@yahoo.co.uk
Tel : (01323) 892881
E-mail : roy.bennett@talktalk.net Seaford South
Mr P Bower Mr B Allen
1 Homefield Close, Seaford, BN25 3DQ 7 Heathfield Road, Seaford, BN25 1TH
Tel : (01323) 898741 Tel : (01323) 896724
E-mail : paul.bower@mottmac.com E-mail : b.allen@lewes.gov.uk
Mrs C Lambert Mr R Brown
5 Chapel Close, Seaford, BN25 2JJ 25 Cunningham Court, Ringmer Road, Seaford,
Tel : (01323) 892868 BN25 1AW
E-mail : Carolyn.lambert@lewes.gov.uk Tel : (01323) 872226
E-mail : bobbrownstc@yahoo.co.uk
Seaford East
Mr R Sinclair
Mrs R Amery
10 Connaught Road, Seaford, BN25 2PT
28 Old Nursery Close, Alfriston Road, Seaford,
Tel : (01323) 893627
BN25 3JZ
E-mail : bob.sinclair@lewes.gov.uk
Tel : (01323) 872822
E-mail : rejanegamery@aol.com Mr R Taylor
1 Elm Villas, Saxon Lane, Seaford, BN25 1QN
Mr C Conil
Tel : (01323) 872399
30 Hazeldene, Sutton Avenue, Seaford,
E-mail : ralph.seaford@yahoo.co.uk
BN25 4NQ
Tel : (01323) 897863 Seaford West
E-mail : chris@conilmusic.com
Mr B Groves
Mr M Cornforth 72 Marine Drive, Bishopstone, Seaford,
11 The Covers, Seaford, BN25 1DF BN25 2RU
Tel : (01323) 492119 Tel : (01323) 896297
E-mail : mcorn4th@yahoo.co.uk E-mail : barry.groves@lewes.gov.uk
Mr J Peterson Mr L Holland
20 Vale Road, Seaford, BN25 3EY 4 Beacon Close, Seaford, BN25 2JZ
Tel : (01323) 896058 Tel : (01323) 891996
E-mail : jpetersonseaford20@tiscali.co.uk E-mail : laurence.holland4@bt.internet.com
Seaford North Ms L Wallraven
1 Eadric House, Bishopstone Village, Seaford,
Mr E Collict
BN25 2UE
7 Balmoral Close, Seaford, BN25 3DF
Tel : (01323) 492246
Tel : (01323) 891307
E-mail : Linda@lindawallraven.orangehome.co.uk
E-mail : edward.collict@lewes.gov.uk
Mr I White
Mrs R Collict
83 Hurdis Road, Seaford, BN25 2TH
7 Balmoral Close, Seaford, BN25 3DF
Tel : (01323) 892276
Tel : (01323) 891307
E-mail ian.white@lewes.gov.uk
E-mail : collict@yahoo.co.uk

Annual Report Page 29

 Staff
MRS SAM SHIPPEN - TOWN CLERK -
responsibilities
• The Council performing its duties
with the law and its powers.
• All staff including those at Seaford
Head Golf Course.
• Assists in the formulation of
Council policies.
• All Council projects.
• Advises member’s on new
legislation affecting the Council
and its business.
• The Council’s accreditation as a
Quality Council.
• Deals with marketing, publicity
and advertising for the Council.
Contact Sam on
sam.shippen@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Vacant Post - FINANCE OFFICER -
responsibilities
• Responsible Financial Officer for
the Council.
• Prepares all financial reports.
• Advises the Council on all financial
matters
• Manages and monitors the
Council's finances.
• Undertakes all risk assessments
• Deals with the leases and licences
on all Council property.
SHEILA LEWRY – ADMINISTRATION
OFFICER – responsibilities
• Reception duties.
• Deals with all enquiries not
needing specialist knowledge.
• Letting of beach huts.
• Provision of memorial benches
• Letting of Council land.
• Preparation of Town Guide.
• Annual Christmas lights.
Contact Sheila on
sheila.lewry@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Seaford Town Council , 37 Church Street, Seaford, BN25 1HG
Tel : 01323 894870 Fax : 01323 872976
E-mail : admin@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk
MIKE WRIGHT – ADMINISTRATION
MANAGER - responsibilities
• Day to day running of the
Council’s office.
• All agendas and minutes including
attending all Council and
committee meetings.
• Maintenance of all Council
property and assets.
• Ensures all queries and enquiries
are dealt with correctly.
• Matters affecting Council staff at
the Council's office including
recruitment.
Contact Mike on
mike.wright@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk
FRAN MITCHELL - ADMINISTRATION
OFFICER – responsibilities
• Mayor’s Secretary.
• Personal Assistant to the Town
Clerk.
• Council’s websites.
• Production of quarterly
Newsletter.
• Production of Council’s Annual
Report.
Contact Fran on
fran.mitchell@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk
JACQUE FOX - FINANCE ASSISTANT
– responsibilities
• Deals with day to day financial
matters.
• Payment of all bills and
preparation of Council invoices.
• VAT.
• Monitors public utility
consumption and payments.
• Internal audit checks.
Contact Jacque on
jacque.fox@seafordtowncouncil.gov.
Annual Report Page 30