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About Westham Parish Council

What is a Parish Council?

It is a statutory local authority set up under the Local Government Act 1972.

'Westham Parish Council covers the villages of Stone Cross, Hankham and Westham. The boundary stretches from Hankham in the north right down to the seafront between Pevensey Bay and Sovereign Harbour. Elections to community councils are held every four years. Westham Parish Council has 13 councillors who meet regularly to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. Westham Parish Councillors do not receive any salary but contribute a great deal of their time and energy to ensure the smooth running of the community.

Westham Parish Council is responsible for:

  • Some street lighting
  • Adur Park Recreation Ground
  • Butcher’s Field
  • 4 childrens’ play parks
  • Some pathways
  • The War Memorial at Stone Cross
  • Allotments
  • Litter picking and general maintenance
  • Westham Pond

The Parish Clerk fulfils a number of functions that include:

  • Managing the office in Stone Cross Primary School
  • Managing the community finances
  • Providing legal advice
  • Inspecting the play parks
  • Contacting advising and liaising with contractors
  • Liaising with Wealden Council, East Sussex County Council and the PCSO
  • Advising and meeting residents

Westham Parish Council has been awarded Quality Parish Status by passing several tests.

These are for the:

  • Electoral Mandate
  • Qualifications of the Clerk
  • Council Meetings
  • Communication and Community Engagement
  • Annual Report
  • Accounts
  • Code of Conduct
  • Promoting of Local Democracy and Citizenship
  • Training

For further information on Quality parish Status please see the NALC website - www.nalc.gov.uk

Why not come along to the next Westham Parish Council meeting?

The dates, times and agendas are displayed on the community notice boards and meetings are held in either the Amenity Hall at Stone Cross School or Westham Village Hall (minutes are available on the website).

How are we funded?

The money that the council spends comes from the rates that are paid by the residents who live in the community and this is shown on the Wealden rates demand bill. This sum of money, called the ‘precept’, is used by the Westham Parish Council to improve facilities and services for local people. Westham Parish Council has recommended that the precept for 2021/2022 is £160,169 and it will fund maintenance, general administration costs, rates, grants, insurances and footpaths. It will also maintain recreation areas and play parks.