Category: News

Local Government Act 1972, s.123 ss.2A & 2B Proposed Disposal of Open Space

East Grinstead Town Council gives notice of its intention to dispose of public open space at: St Margaret’s Loop, East Grinstead

Land comprising of a disused railway cutting – Land registry title WSX64824 Land at St Margaret’s Loop, East Grinstead

The disposal is proposed as a freehold sale, at auction.

A plan of the land may be viewed at the Town Council Offices, East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead RH19 3LT, during office hours, or online below.

Objections or representations must be sent in writing to the Town Clerk at the above address, or by email to townclerk@eastgrinstead.gov.uk by 16 January 2026.

Dated: 1st January 2026 Town Clerk

East Grinstead Town Council is pleased to announce that applications for the 2025 Sidney Betchley, Henry Smith Charity, and John Smith’s Trust are now open.

This small charitable trust provides financial support at Christmas for residents aged 66 or over, on a low income, and living in the parishes of East Grinstead, Forest Row, or Ashurst Wood. All applications are means-tested by the trustee committee.  If you know someone who may benefit, please share this opportunity with them.

How to apply

Printed application forms are available from East Grinstead Town Council and East Grinstead Library.

A downloadable version is available here:

Application Form 2025

Completed forms must be returned by the 9 November 2025 marked Confidential to:

Sarah Mamoany – Clerk to the Trustees
East Grinstead Town Council
East Court
College Lane
East Grinstead RH19 3LT

Please note: Applicants will not be notified of the outcome. Successful applicants will receive vouchers by early December.

CRIME STATISTICS FROM INSPECTOR DAVID DERRICK

The following crime statistics were shared at the Public Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday 3^rd June:

East Grinstead – Last 3 months (1.3.25 – 27.5.25)

• 1,896 calls to Police – 291 Cat A (meaning a car will arrive within 10 minutes), 112 Cat B, 168 Cat C
• 100 with a Domestic Abuse (DA) tag (27 less DA calls than in the previous 3 month period)
• 707 incidents were attended by Police (50 more incidents attended than for the previous 3 month period)
• Of the 707 incidents attended – these include 95 violent crimes, 113 medical incident/concern, 71 suspicious acts, 38 road related incidents, 33 RTCs, 32 ASB and 19 burglaries

Recorded crime in East Grinstead

 -25.7% reduction in Burglary

• +20.8% increase for Theft
• +21.2% increase for Robbery
• -3.4% reduction in Possession of Weapons offences
• -11.7% reduction in recorded DA crime

Overall East Grinstead remained a very safe place to live, with Mid Sussex being at the lower end of crime for Sussex, which was approx. mid table across the country.

The police station was used 707 times on different occasions over the past 3 months by officers, even though the front desk was only manned 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm.

Category A calls were responded to within 10 minutes; if this time was missed it would only be by 1-2 minutes, no longer.  Category A was classified as a crime in progress and typically a response vehicle would be sent from Crawley as it was a faster drive.

The ASB rates provided were lower than the impression of issues shared by the public with Councillors.  The importance of reporting incidents was emphasised, as police officers were intelligence led; if the reports were not made the police would remain unaware of issues occurring.

Speeding was the responsibility of the Road Safety Unit, Insp Derrick would follow up with them to share details of this.

Police Officers did not have the powers to enforce vehicle noise unless it was caused by a deliberate modification.

 

The Estates Management Team has been buzzing — and for good reason! We’re thrilled to announce that our town has been crowned a winner of the Bee Friendly Town Award, thanks to an initiative sparked by the Environmental & Sustainable Travel Committee. Pollinators, especially bees, play a vital role in keeping our environment healthy, and our town has always shown them some love. From the vibrant hanging baskets to planting and habitat-friendly spaces, we’re proud to support our tiny, winged workers. But we didn’t stop there. Education and community spirit are just as important. Our Youth Club got creative, designing eye-catching bee posters to mark World Bee Day, while our magical fairy trail became a hub of fun bee facts, bringing awareness with a smile. Together, we’ve shown that small wings can make a big impact — and so can we.