Latest
Pond Update 26 August
A film of oil-like material appeared in the pond on Saturday the 22nd of August and collected as a black oily substance in various places at the edges. You will see the immediate action taken by RPC and volunteer groups below and on the News page
Our maintenance contractor has since visited the pond on Monday to assess the situation first hand. His assessment indicates that this is not fresh oil from a recent road spill or contamination. Instead, it is likely to have come from old run-off oils and natural vegetation oils that were trapped in the pond silt over many years.
Recent relocation and removal of significant amounts of silt in the pond, followed by a very large influx of water from Thursday’s downpour, disturbed the lower layers of the pond and allowed these older oils to rise to the surface. This can happen naturally in ponds after works of this type but was likely amplified by the heavy rainfall and the sudden increase in water levels that occurred soon afterwards.
The surface film is expected to disperse naturally over the next week or two. Given the immediate work from the Brighton and Hove Wildlife Rescue Team and community volunteers on Sunday, no further action is recommended at this stage. The contractor has advised that this type of occurrence does not normally have a significant long term impact on the pond and the wildfowl are being monitored.
A Southern Water engineer also inspected the pond earlier on Monday and found no operational issues with nearby Southern Water assets. They have also advised that the oil should dissipate naturally over the next few weeks.
The Parish Council will continue to monitor the situation.
Parish Council statement on pond oil contamination
The Parish Council is aware of an oil contamination incident at the village pond, believed at this stage to involve engine oil. The matter has been reported to the Environment Agency, and local wildlife rescue volunteers have already taken action to reduce the immediate impact. One duck has been taken to a veterinary surgery so that oil can be safely removed. Brighton & Hove Wildlife Advice & Rescue Service (WARS) attended for much of Sunday and observed some contamination on other birds, although those birds were still able to fly.
The initial response led by (WARS), was supported by community volunteers, using absorbent pads to remove the worst of the oil from the pond. The Council is grateful to everyone who responded quickly and helped protect local wildlife and in particular Dave Bull from the local branch of the Royal British Legion. Our maintenance contractor Pete the Pond has inspected the pond by video call and advised that the vegetation should recover and that fish are likely to be able to avoid the contamination. Pete is expected to visit on Monday to assess the pond in person and advise whether any further immediate action is required. Notices posted by the Parish Council will remain in place for the time being. Residents are asked to follow the advice on those notices and to avoid disturbing the pond or any wildlife while the situation is being assessed.
The Parish Council will provide further updates when more information is available.
Pond Update 19th of August
Pete, our pond maintenance contractor, visited the pond on 18 August. His team caught and removed most of the fish so they can be rehomed in a nearby lake. Th
ey also tidied the pond, removed some plants and carried out a light dredge. The silt was left in place and used to fill gaps in the liner and reinforce areas where it had receded. Pete reported that the ducks are in good health and said the water is around 18 inches to 2 feet deep at its deepest point. Although there has been some rain today, with more forecast, we will continue to monitor the situation. Please see our frequently asked questions page for further infornation
Fly Tipping
We have been made aware of several incidents of garden waste being fly-tipped on Whiteways Lane and elsewhere in the Parish. Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste, items, or materials. It is a criminal offence and may result in an unlimited fine or court action. If you have evidence of illegal dumping, please contact the parish clerk at parish.clerk@rottingdean-pc.gov.uk or report it directly to environmentalenforcement@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Village Pond Update
Drought is a natural weather event. But given the extreme heat the Parish Council has sought advice from City Parks and our pond maintenance contractor about the condition of the village pond. Their view is that the wildfowl should be unaffected, as they will naturally move to better water. Most aquatic insects can fly away, while others will burrow into the pond’s wet mud. If the drought continues there may be an impact on fish unable to reach deeper water, and on some insects that may dry out in the heat. Newts, frogs and toads should largely cope by finding damp shelter.
The Parish Council will continue to monitor the situation, but no action is planned at present. Topping up the pond with chlorinated water would harm wildlife, and using large volumes of water would go against Southern Water’s advice to use water wisely during the current drought conditions to protect household supplies. Residents are reminded not to enter the drying areas of the pond, as doing so could harm wildlife and surfaces that appear firm may hide deep, dangerous mud.
For more information read the meeting minutes
See News Section for more
Rottingdean Parish Council
Rottingdean is the only Parish Council in the Brighton and Hove area funded by a small addition to the Council Tax (the precept). There are 9 Councillors elected every four years. Rottingdean Council’s aim is to:
- To preserve and protect the natural environment, seafront, green spaces and character of our village
- To promote and enhance the quality of village community life, services and amenities
- To monitor and influence priorities for the development of the built environment, highways, traffic, and pathways by working closely with relevant BHCC departments
In all our work and indeed in deciding how best to use our delegated powers the Parish Councillors, who remain unremunerated, always have the best interests of residents in mind. Having a Parish Council is a vital part of local democracy ensuring the Rottingdean residents have much more say in the future of the village and that the interests of residents are directly represented in wider decisions on infrastructure and planning. The Parish Council’s delegated powers mean we can contribute to a range of local services and amenities which may otherwise be given a much lower priority given the pressures on Brighton and Hove City Council.
Supporting Activity
To preserve and protect the natural environment, seafront, green spaces and character of our village
- By maintaining the Village Pond
- Through the Beacon Hill Nature Reserve Stewardship Group
- The installation of a new Pond Path
To promote and enhance the quality of village community life, services and amenities
- Making the Lower High Street a pedestrian priority area
- Refurbishing Park Road Toilets
- Providing Grant funding to local community groups and charities
- Providing a new green space at the centre of the Village – St Aubyns Field
- Supporting artistic and cultural events
- Promoting tourism and economic activity
- Working with BHCC to improve the Air Quality in the High Street
To monitor and influence priorities for the development of the built environment, highways, traffic, and pathways by working closely with relevant BHCC departments
- Scrutinising all planning applications
- Working with BHCC to manage Air Quality
- Co-funding pavement repair on the High Street
- Working with BHCC on a solution for lighting of the Twitten
Rottingdean Council is funded by a small amount added to the Council tax (the Council tax precept) that is agreed in April each year. Funds are used to improve to the village environment and make grants and donations to initiatives and activities which benefit the Community. Our grant application form and guidance can be found here
The Parish Council has a number of Advisory Groups that consider the detail of proposals and make recommendations to the full Parish Council to consider. See more here
First created in November 2010, this website is regularly updated and new ideas for content are often added. As well as providing public information, the Parish Council wishes to hear your feedback, ideas and comments, so please e-mail your views direct to us at parish.clerk@rottingdean-pc.gov.uk
The current Rottingdean Parish Councillors are:
Clerk to the Parish Council: Chris Hayes
