Parish Council Statement Bus Shelter Damage

Bus Stop Shelter by the Services Pease Pottage

The Parish Council is aware of the discussions surrounding the bus stop shelter by the services and the repeated incidents of criminal damage.

We wish to make clear that:

Resident views are always considered by this Council. Every email and communication received is carefully reviewed, and we have responded to those who have been in touch to explain the difficult position in which we all find ourselves

Since the initial damage in July last year, the Council has commissioned the original bus shelter contractors and engaged local trades to carry out multiple repairs. Regrettably, each repair has been swiftly undone by further acts of vandalism, placing a burden on public funds and diverting resources from other priorities.

Criminal damage is a serious offence, if you have information about those responsible, you should report it directly to Sussex Police. https://www.sussex.police.uk/.../af/how-to-report-a-crime/

This shelter was not subject to wider public consultation prior to its acquisition. By contrast, other shelters installed by the Council or transferred to the Parish have not suffered damage to this extent.

While shelters are designed to be robust, the difficulty lies not in construction but in the actions of certain individuals who appear determined to deface or damage it, despite the considerable efforts of contractors and the wider community.

Public funds are at stake, taxpayers money is funding these repeated repairs. The Council has a statutory obligation under the Local Government Act 1972 to manage its assets responsibly and ensure that public money is spent prudently.

While we may consider the shelter unsightly, the Council is still required to balance a range of responsibilities, which extend beyond responding to individual views and encompass the safeguarding of community assets, together with the prudent management of public funds in accordance with statutory obligations.

The Council has been actively pursuing a solution that serves the whole community, balancing its responsibilities to safeguard assets and financial obligations. Members of the Council are in direct contact with the developers who installed the shelter as part of the new development, who have agreed to tidy the site and intend on replacing the shelter. We are awaiting confirmation of the timetable for these works, which will be undertaken at no further cost to the Parish. This represents a positive outcome for the community. In the meantime, the Council continues to monitor the site closely to ensure matters are progressed.

While social media posts may generate discussion, they do not resolve the issue and often add to frustration. Defaming or blaming the Council, or the individuals within it, is not conducive to progress. It will not prevent the Council from fulfilling its role, but it does place harmful and unnecessary demands on those already working hard to resolve local issues on behalf of the community.

We recognise that not everyone has access to the full picture, but public criticism without the facts can be discouraging and misleading particularly where progress often depends on governance processes, financial considerations, and approvals beyond the Council’s immediate control.

The Council remains committed to listening to all its residents, protecting public facilities, ensuring that decisions are made responsibly and in the best interests of residents and wider public interest

If you have any questions, or concerns then please email the Clerk. clerk@slaugham-pc.gov.uk or contact your local Council representative

sussex.police.uk

Report a crime