Wealden Liberal Democrats

James Partridge, the Liberal Democrat ESCC candidate for Crowborough North & Jarvis Brook in the upcoming May 6th local elections, is today launching a new online Crowborough Housing Survey to gauge local residents' views on the hotbed issues of housing, planning and development.

"This issue is clearly one that affects everybody," says James. "And I am therefore keen to get as full an understanding as possible of people's concerns so that, if elected, I can really represent the interests of all Crowborough residents, and ensure that we all get a say in our beautiful area's future."

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our third online Curious Conversation event last month. It proved to be another lively, informative and well-attended virtual Q&A session with Liberal Democrat MP and former party leader Tim Farron (who'd kindly agreed to return after his appearance at our AGM in November left everyone wanting more!). The session was brilliantly hosted again by our very own Lucy Buck, and afterwards lots of people stayed behind to continue chatting informally. For those who couldn't make it, we are hoping to make the Zoom recording available soon.

With a population of 25,000 and rising, Hailsham is larger than the towns of Uckfield, Crowborough, Lewes and Rye. Yet each of those smaller East Sussex towns has something that Hailsham still lacks - a community hospital.

"Our town is missing out on vital local services," says Hailsham LibDem County Council candidate Steve Murphy. "Because we don't have our own hospital, residents are forced to travel unnecessarily for their health care needs."

Following the inspiring and informative virtual Q&A with Lib Dem MP Tim Farron at our virtual AGM in November (which left everyone wanting more!) we are thrilled that Tim has agreed to return for an hour-long virtual Curious Conversation via Zoom on Thursday January 21 from 7-8pm.

To RSVP (and submit questions for Tim in advance if you'd like) please email: lucy@wealdenlibdems.com

As many of you will know, the Tory-controlled Wealden District Council has been conducting a public consultation "Direction of Travel" regarding the drafting of a new Wealden Local Plan, necessary because their previous one was rejected and scrapped a year ago. Members of the public who live in the Wealden area are being encouraged to participate. The responses should guide the council's approach to housing and land use over the next few years. The consultation will close at midnight on Monday January 18th so there is now very limited time to respond.