Councillor Peter Williams Leader of Burgess Hill Town Council

Peter will be using these pages to provide regular updates on projects, issues and topical matters of interest to Burgess Hill residents. He can be contacted using the details published on the ‘Town Councillors’ page.

Matters of Concern….plus good news – Leader Update 39 

There are a number of matters that are rumbling around at the moment and causing some concern. Let’s start with water resilience. Our climate experts are telling us that our world is warming and whatever your views are on climate change, the temperatures we are now experiencing are breaking records on a regular basis. The south-east area of England, in particular, is seeing rain-bearing weather systems being displaced further north, resulting in immense pressure on our local water resources, mainly Ardingly Reservoir and the River Ouse.
The image below shows Ardingly Reservoir in early October 2025 when it was just a quarter full. Will this become a regular occurrence?

His Majesty’s Planning Inspectorate has been looking closely at Mid Sussex District Council’s draft District Plan and the Planning Inspector assigned to the plan is asking for an increase in the number of homes to be built in Mid Sussex from 1088 per annum to 1300 per annum, almost 20% more. The Inspector is expecting the District Council to identify land on which these extra 2,900 homes are to be built. Unfortunately, this means more green field sites. If this target is reached, then there will be another 18,000 more homes to be supplied with water, at a time when South-East Water Company are having difficulty NOW with supplying demand. Water stocks are gradually reducing, pumping stations are breaking down and aged pipework is disintegrating. Perhaps it is time to build new infrastructure before yet more new homes?

One of Burgess Hill’s oldest playgroups, Windmills Opportunity Playgroup, has been providing a safe and entertaining place for young children of ages 2 – 4 since 1984. It includes the provision of Special Educational Needs and those for whom English is not their first language.

As I write this, I learnt from a trusted source that no work on the repairs has yet started, even though the District Council have publicly stated they are committed to having the Centre open again as soon as possible. I am approaching the District Council to ask for their timeline for repairs to ensure that Windmills can go home as soon as possible.

The Council’s Maintenance Team have spent many hours in Church Walk this year, putting more three-tier planters and hanging baskets in place and planting them with summer flowers. The result has given our residents pleasant places to sit and enjoy a display of colour from one end of Church Walk to the other.

Imagine then, if you will, how the Council felt to learn that overnight on Saturday, 4th July, three of the top tiers of the planters and one hanging basket were removed and taken away, the contents of which were dumped near St.John’s Church.

However, thanks to a resident who called the Help Point on Wednesday, 8th July, the planters and basket were found in St.John’s Park in a shopping trolley. The Maintenance Team quickly recovered them and found they were undamaged. Now we are looking to reinstate them and replant.

In timely fashion, there is to be a special viewing of the documentary film ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ that was previously shown on television and introduced by Chris Packham.  It will come to St.Wilfrid’s Church Hall, 80 Station, Burgess Hill on Thursday, 24^th September 2026 and will be followed by an hour of discussion facilitated by Brian Kilkelly, a climate advisor who has worked with many international organisations around the world.

If you want to come along, please copy this link to book your free tickets for the event, which will start at 7pm.

https://buytickets.at/burgesshillcommunityactionnetwork/2280507.

Finally, I shall end with some good news about a new free event that is happening soon at the Bandstand on Church Walk. Called ‘Boogie at the Bandstand’, it will feature live music, entertainment, food stalls, kids trampolines, skateboarding and circus skills and the opportunity to learn all about Jolf. What is Jolf? Come along and try for yourselves!
‘Boogie at the Bandstand’ starts at 3.30pm and runs through to 8pm on Friday, 17th July. Look forward to seeing some dancing in the street.

END