Please see below details of the two East Sussex County Councillors who are responsible for Heathfield and the surrounding area.
For a full list of Councillors, please visit:
www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/about/people/councillors/find/default.aspx
Rupert Simmons is the East Sussex County Councillor for the Heathfield division. Other responsibilities include:
1. Chairman of Health Overview Committee
2. Representation of the county in Europe and especially regarding INTERREG funding
3. Director of East Sussex Energy, Infrastructure and Development Ltd
Last updated: August 2011
Since being elected in 2001 Rupert had the honour of being the cabinet member for education and then learning and school effectiveness. It is a matter of personal pride that during that term of office, the standards of education performance at all key stages have improved beyond all recognition. The investment in our school buildings and equipment and facilities has also been dramatic and lastly and not least, the recruitment of outstanding headteachers and high quality teachers has gone from strength to strength. The investment in early years provision most noteably, Children's Centres, has raised the life chances of many of our youngest generation. He also played a part in the creation of the University Centre in Hastings, shortly to be expanded with a second phase and the concept of the multi-sited Further Education College.
Cllr Rupert Simmons was chairman of the County from June 2009 until May 2011. During that time he particularly leant his support for the outstanding voluntary sector, encouraged the regeneration of the business community; particulalry the small and medium sized enterprises and endeavoured to bring the young and elderly of the various communities together.
Heathfield Partnership
For the last few years Rupert has chaired the Board of the Heathfield Partnership Trust Company Limited. Since 1997 the Heathfield Partnership has evolved from a steering group into a limited company which in turn is now recognised as a charity trust. Over that time an enormous amount of work has been done to regenerate the town and improve its amenities and over £1 million has been raised in grant funding to execute a number of projects across the Heathfield and Waldron Parish. Please see project page for full information on various initiatives such as the farmer's market, the swimming pool and improved Broadband campaigns, the community service website http://www.heathfield.net/, shopper's guide, town information boards, public information points and the soon to be launched "Heathfield Works! which will help groups of young people who are not in education, employment or training get work placement experience.
When Rupert was elected in 2001 Heathfield was policed from Hailsham so he campaigned to the Chief Constable for the re-introduction of the local police station, a local police team and an arrest station within Wealden, which we now have. Uckfield police station is now available for police officers to take citizens needing to be arrested rather than travelling to Eastbourne. In the last year, 8 anti-social orders have been placed and an innumerable number of crimes have been dealt with. He has also campaigned sucessfully for better equipment for the Heathfield police team now comprising a Sergeant, Police Officer and 6 PCSOs. The end result is a safer community for everyone.
With Rupert's education portfolio he has had the privilege of seeing, throughout the County, the young at their best and has regular dealings with the Youth Council in the Youth Centre. A number of partnership projects have come from this direct liaison, including the youth council having their own website.
Rupert has spent much of the last 7 years trying to bring in increased safety measures within his ward. Establishing the Heathfield Local Transport Plan - 9 projects were identified and only the A265/A267 junction to commence by the end of the year and the A265/Lewes Road junction scheduled for 2010/2011 are yet to be concluded. The Halley Road safe crossing and 40mph speed limit is now installed and should be a major help to students gaining access to the school. In addition 30mph speed controls are now in operation in Broad Oak with a new pedestrian crossing to the village hall to be installed in January 2012. Further reduction schemes are scheduled for Punnett's Town and Three Cups.
Rights of Way
Having worked closely with the rights of way officer team to improve access to pathways throughout his ward the greatest success has been the rebuilding of 6 bridges in the Warbleton Parish.
Transport
Over recent times there has been a gradual erosion of bus routes and services connecting Heathfield and its surrounds. Rupert has met with all the bus company executives and campaigned for better services and improved timetables. This has resulted in Sunday services being returned and two per hour services at peak times. Rupert is chairing a Partnership project which provides the "Youth Express" service for young in the area surrounding Heathfield to get to positive activities at the Youth Centre but also beyond such as swimming pools, cinemas and bowling alleys. There is also a group service for the more isolated in the community to get to outings.
Hailsham Road Post Office
Much of Rupert's representation work has been very successful but he is very sad that he failed to protect against the closure of the Hailsham Road Post Office.
Other Associations:
Governor of Broad Oak and Punnet's Town Primary Schools
Governor of Heathfield Community College
Member of the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Waldron Church
Trustee of the Waldron 800 Trust
Chairman of the CATTAM Committee
Contact Details:
Telephone: 01435 813481
e-mail address: cllr.rupert.simmons@eastsussex.gov.uk
Postal address for division responsibilities:
Beacon view Cottage
Waldron
nr Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 0QU
Postal address for responsibilities regarding health matters:
East Sussex County Council
Westfield House
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1RJ
Chris Dowling is the East Sussex County Councillor for the Framfield and Horam division which includes part of Uckfield, Framfield, Blackboys, Waldron, Horam, Cross-in-Hand and Five Ashes. Chris was first elected to the County Council in 2001 and is a Conservative Councillor.
Chris lives in Uckfield and is married with two grown up daughters and runs a print and graphics business in Uckfield.
Chris is always happy to speak to local residents about County Council matters and can be contacted by the following:
Email address: cllr.chris.dowling@eastsussex.gov.uk
Telephone number: 01825 767695
Address: 89 Hunters Way, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 2BB
