Wealden District Council celebrates it's Golden Anniversary

Thursday, 4 April 2024 14:21

Wealden District Council marked the start of its 50th anniversary this week with a special flag raising ceremony.

The short service was attended by Wealden council staff and a speech was given by the chair of Wealden council, Councillor Jessika Hulbert, who spoke about the history of the council as the new flag was raised.

The district council was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which reformed local government in England and Wales. The new authority covered the area of two former districts, Hailsham Rural District and Uckfield Rural District, which were both abolished at the same time. The new district was named Wealden after the landscape and woodland.

Wealden District Council provides residents with a number of services including waste and recycling, housing, planning, environmental health, benefits, licensing, community safety, leisure facilities and building control services.

The council also collects Council Tax from residents – retaining only 9% of the total bill - on behalf of East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue, Sussex Police and town and parish councils.

Councillor Jessika Hulbert said, “It gives me great pleasure to be chair of Wealden District Council during this 50th year and I am proud to be part of the celebrations.

“The anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate, recognise and highlight the important contribution and work we do within our communities, and showcase the value of local government.

“It’s also an opportunity to focus on the people – leaders, councillors and officers – who have served their local residents, businesses and visitors and made Wealden a better place over the last half century.”

Details of further celebrations will follow in the coming weeks.