Q: I am writing to you as a local resident who is very concerned that the council may be using pesticides in public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, pavements, and housing estates. There are plenty of non-chemical alternatives available and…

A: The Councils climate change and Green to the Core initiative is that the Council eliminates the use of pesticides, herbicides, and peat in council grounds maintenance. As such , we keep the use of such pesticides and herbicides to an…

Q: With visitors cancelling planned visit’s here due to the closure of East Beach toilets, people unable to wash hands or use basic facilities of a toilet just what are the council plans. The toilet has not been sold, and the…

A: East Parade toilets are closed for the winter season and will reopen on 11 April at the latest.

Q: ESCC are regularly posting on Facebook the need to recycle or at least dispose of small batteries ( remote controllers, toys, gadgets etc) using the District Councils refuse/recycling collections. A simple process of placing your batteries in a bag on…

A: Small portable electrical goods and batteries which are contained within a carrier bag can be placed on top of your scheduled collection bin and the bin men should place these in a separate compartment on the collection vehicle.  However, occasionally…

Q: Whilst walking along the seafront, we passed a number of rough sleepers in the shelters. How do/can they access this important e/m? “Please Note: The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated. Rough sleepers in Rother, without access to…

A: To ensure that as many of those who may need to access the provision of accommodation during severe weather the council send email announcements to all agencies who work with and interact with rough sleepers to let them know that…

Q: How much does RDC give to the De La Warr Pavilion every year?

A: We have a three-year funding agreement from 2024-27 with the DLWP against key targets – agreed at Cabinet on 5 Feb 2024 (CB23/68) for maximum grant of £536,139 annually.

Q: Could you please explain why Rother charge £81 pa for their garden waste collection service and Wealden only £60 !

A: This Council, along with many other Councils across the country, is facing unprecedented financial challenges and we must do everything we can to try and deliver a balanced budget while at the same time protecting those services which our residents…

Q: Looking back to my question https://www.rother.gov.uk/ask-the-leader/question-06-22/., I note that the practice of leaving bins blocking the pavements persists. Note an article in Rye News regarding the issue for wheelchair uses. https://www.ryenews.org.uk/news/access-denied#comment-52046 When will RDC instruct the contractor that they are supplying…

A: Unfortunately, the curtilage or presentation of some containers are adjacent to or on narrow pavements. Regardless of the property location residents are requested to place containers out for collection only on collection days and to move them back into their…

Q: I’ve just renewed my carpark permit but despite having a Direct Debit, it doesn’t renew automatically. I have to fill in all the details and then wait for the permit to be posted to me. Isn’t it time RDC bought…

A: Rother District Council will be working with a contractor over the summer period to introduce a digital parking permit system for car parks. Please see https://www.rother.gov.uk/ for updates.

Q: What analysis will be carried out following the trial closure of some of the public toilets in Rye? Will there be a review of financial losses to businesses and charities in the town? If so, how will that be carried…

A: A number of public toilets across the district closed on a trial basis over the winter months. The decision was taken as Rother District Council faces a £3.8m budget shortfall for 2024/25. Over the last eighteen months, we’ve been in…

Q: The public conveniences/toilets at Cooden Beach Station have been closed/boarded up. Why? When will they reopen? as i am sure that you are aware, there are no conveniences at the station. Your webpage about this situation does not open.

A: Cooden Sea Road toilets are located near to both the beach and the railway station. Unfortunately. when they were open they suffered constant vandalism and abuse through ‘cottaging’ which proved difficult to prevent, despite police intervention. It was therefore felt…