In 2004, a field of approximately 35 acres (15 hectares) in the centre of the village became available. Part of this field had previously been identified as a possible area for a village green and/or amenity, and to prevent the possibility of the land falling into the wrong hands, it was agreed that the village should acquire it.
At that time the Parish Council felt it was not authorised to use the Gradwell Funds to acquire the land. Consequently a syndicate of five individuals provided the funds via an interest free loan and acquired 15 acres together with a small parcel of land near to the church on behalf of the village. The total cost of this was £56,100. The remaining 20 acres were purchased privately by various local individuals for their own use.
In 2006, the Parish Council confirmed that the Gradwell fund could be used to purchase the land and The East Chiltington Trust was established as a Charity to hold the land for the benefit of all the residents of
The main reasons for holding the land via a Charitable Trust are that:
- The trustees can claim gift aid on any donations.
- The land can be held separately from the Parish Council to protect the parish assets should there be changes to local government policies. If East Chiltington Parish Council should cease to exist, then its assets would go to Lewes Distr
The objects of The East Chiltington Trust are set out in a Deed, which is registered with the Charity Commission. They are:
- "To promote for the benefit of all residents in the parish of East Chiltingon and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interest of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
- The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of the residents of East Chiltington by the provision of facilities for events, sport and the playing of games.
- To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land on the north and northwest of Chapel Lane, East Chiltington.
- To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of East Chiltington such charitable purposes as the trustees may from time to time decide primarily by the provision of grants and loans".
- At any one time, there must be at least four Trustees, of which a minimum of two Trustees must be Parish Councillors, nominated by the Parish Council (as taken from the Trust Deeds below), while the Chairman is elected annually by the Trustees.
- There must be at least four Trustees, at least two of whom are to be elected councillors of the Parish Council of East Chiltington (“the Parish Council”). Apart from the first Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution of the Trustees passed at a special meeting. (A special meeting may be called at any time by the elected Chairman or by any two Trustees - see clause 15 of the Trust Deeds.)
- Each Trustee shall serve a term of four years and shall retire upon the expiry of such term. The Parish Council may re-nominate any retiring Trustee.
- The Parish Council are to be responsible for nominating individuals for appointment as Trustees and in doing so they must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the Charity.
- If as a result of any re-organisation, amalgamation or dissolution of local government the Parish Council ceases to exist as constituted at the date that the Trust Deeds were made then the responsibilities and obligations of the Parish Council under clauses 9 (iii) and 12 (i) of this deed shall pass to the Trustees for the time being whether or not they were previously members of the Parish Council. The Trustees must keep a record of the name and address and the dates of appointment, re-appointment and retirement of each Trustee.
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