Working with the Community
For the Community

The Parish is bordered by Kent and its principle village of Groombridge is split by the River Grom. This results in Old Groombridge being in Kent and New Groombridge being in East Sussex, and therefore in our parish. There are three other villages in the parish with their own identities and requirements – Blackham, Withyham and St John’s. In addition there are a number of diverse settlements including Lye Green, Friars Gate and Balls Green.

For electoral purposes the Parish is divided into two wards: Groombridge (covering New Groombridge and Withyham/Blackham) and Marden’s Hill.

The day to day business of the Council is managed by a Clerk with the support of an Assistant Clerk and Community Engagement Coordinator. They can be contacted during business hours at the parish office.

The Parish Council is made up of thirteen Councillors who are elected every four years and who meet every second Monday of the month as a full Council. They are also required to be members of various committees and sub-committees covering such matters as Planning, Finance, Air Traffic, Road Safety and Rights of Way. Further information about your local councillors can be found on our Who’s Who page. All councillors give their time voluntarily.

Members of the public are welcome at these meetings and the agendas and minutes are posted on the website. We also display information on our noticeboards which are at St John’s Church, Cooks Corner London Road, The Dorset Arms Withyham, the junction of Balls Green and Station Road, Blackham Village Hall, Teasley Mead Blackham, Groombridge Post Office and the Parish Office.

The Parish Council is funded by a Precept, the amount householders of the Parish pay as part of the Council Tax, in order to maintain facilities and to respond to the needs of the community. Further information can be found on our Financial Information and Transparency pages.

Read more about Withyham Parish Council