Questions are being asked about Pevensey Town Trust, with changes taking place in the organisation.
The Trust took over ownership of the car park in Pevensey in 2010. It enjoys an annual income that comes in the form of fees from visitors to the village.
At the time of the takeover, the old cattle market and town square, adjoining Pevensey Castle, had been run as a car park by Wealden District Council for 21 years. Members of the Town Trust gave them notice to quit in January 2009.
Trustees, who administer various areas of Pevensey on behalf of villagers, were quoted as saying that they ‘felt the area had been neglected’.
Bay Life understands that resignations from the Trust left the organisation without a clerk and treasurer.
There are some puzzles about both the management of the trust and the basis on which they are receiving an income from the car park.
Last accounts lodged with the Charities Commission show that on 31 Dec 2012, an annual income of £20,483 had come to the Trust, against a spend of £10,762. Accounts for the preceding year show much the same pattern. These are significant sums of money yearly.
Where, perhaps local people are entitled to ask, does the balance go each year? If it is not being spent, why is it not being spent?
The stated aims of the organisation are laudable;
‘Our aim is to refurbish and maintain these assets for the benefit of visitors from the UK, overseas and for future generations to enjoy, visit the Court House and Gaol’.
Bay Life is aware that some monies have been spent on essential maintenance work on the Court House and Gaol, but there is very little information available publicly about the activities of the Trust. In consequence questions about the organisation have increased.
The concern is not in the interests of the Trust or the village.
In The Eastbourne Gazette today (Tuesday April 15), Robert Slater, in his useful weekly roundup of local affairs in Pevensey Bay and Pevensey village makes the following comment;
‘Chairman Norman Beaney informed me they have just held elections for the positions of clerk and treasurer and both these positions have been filled by people from outside the parish’.
‘All I could comment is many people in Pevensey must be very uneasy when a charity in charge of such an important part of our village should elect people from outside, especially when I believe more than one person who actually lives in the parish offered their services’.
It is an interesting comment and leaves opens the possibility that the affairs of the Trust could be scrutinised further.
What is noteworthy is the quality of community effort that is now gaining momentum in the re-profiling of the area.
We have always had a rich and particular history in our midst.
It has not been possible, largely because of the adverse economic climate over the last five years, for businesses and organisations to spend money on the development of any services in the way that they would have wanted.
It is no secret that Pevensey has suffered greatly, and along with it footfall down the High Street.
There are two very good public houses and they do brisk trade, but the historical dimension to the High Street has not enjoyed much of a presence in recent years.
But it is beginning to happen now.
Foremost in these efforts is what is happening at the Priory Court Hotel and Tea Rooms. The activity is transforming interest in the area, particularly from visitors that want to come and stay for a few days.
It is a transformation worthy of note.
English Heritage is planning to put some new resources into promoting Pevensey Castle.
There are also initiatives from Wealden Council and some new community based efforts.
An obvious question to ask is why Pevensey Town Trust is not part of this activity?
It is important that what Pevensey Town Trust said publicly when it took control of the car park does not become a historical footnote.
It hasn’t escaped the attention of local people that there is something of an irony in the situation.
The same charge that was levelled four years ago could now be put to the Pevensey Town Trust.
The area has been neglected.
It will be interesting to see what happens now that the organisation has a new clerk and treasurer. Hopefully, there will be some more discernible benefits for the people of Pevensey, guided by the articles of association through which the Trust governs the affairs of the old cattle market and town square in the village.
Simon Montgomery
editor, Bay Life
