Graffham Village Plan for 2026-29 finalised

This final version features revisions to the draft published in October, reflecting feedback received.  Chairman  Gillian  Charlesworth  said:  “Most of the comments we received, from half a dozen parishioners, indicated that there is general support for us having a plan.   The biggest issue raised was how the parish council collaborates with other village organisations.  The key point to stress is that we are  not trying to take over everything – but only suggesting that there may be scope for making things simpler for all by exploring potential areas for working together on things like admin.  We’ve revised the plan to make that clearer.”

The plan covers seven areas the parish council intends to work on – issues that are most regularly raised in the village:

• Traffic volume and speed., including the aim of having the current 30 mph in the village cut to 20 mph, the installation of aesthetically appropriate ‘gateways’ at each of the three road entrances to the village to highlight to motorists the speed restriction and working with neighbouring parishes to have all roads running between them designated as ‘Quiet Lanes’.
• Management of village assets for long-term viability, by working with other bodies to look after resources like the Rec, Pavilion, Play Park and Empire Hall.
• Village amenity – working with land owners and other local authorities to ensure roads and other rights of way are kept safe and clear.
• Local environmental issues, in particular investigating the feasibility of providing allotments, creating a village resilience plan and pressing the relevant authorities to ensure local oil drilling sites are safe.
• Local government reorganisation, including the proposed merge with neighbouring East Lavington Parish Council – and noting the three-year plan would need to be revised to reflect the expanded civil parish when the merger takes place.
• Local crime, inviting Sussex Police to advise on crime prevention.
• Community engagement, with the roll out of the new website for Graffham.

You can read the plan in full here.