There was controversy in Rottingdean last week at the annual meeting of the parish council.

Not about the yellow submarine but the sudden appearance of 3ft telegraph poles on the perimeter of the village green. The chairman suggested the poles were an essential improvement complying with all the safety legis- lation, albeit an eyesore that residents should accept because of excellent value for money. The villagers were horrified to discover the council hadn’t consulted Rottingdean Preservation Society and heard from residents, whose properties overlook the green, that they had not seen the suggested daily anarchic activity of drivers crossing the green – although they had noticed that the city council parks department frequently invaded the area. The local school was blamed by the parish council who suggested that parents ignored the law by parking on the green and using it as a short cut. Many red herrings were introduced including one councillor who assured the meeting that he saw frequent unlawful acts as he fed the ducks at 8.15am, while another suggested the headteacher and the governors had ignored requests to admonish offending parents. This failed to persuade the residents who voted 20 to 6 that the parish council should reflect on the points raised and consider other ways of reducing their annoyance at the perceived misbehaviour of the public without affecting the aesthetic qualities of the village. Perhaps Rottingdean parish councillors should reflect on what they are supposed to be doing and maybe the villagers should reflect on whether there is a need for both a parish council and a preservation society.

Sara Brown
Park Crescent, Rottingdean