We have detailed some key highlights from the Cabinet meeting, held on Monday 8th December 2025.

Budget Monitoring 2025/26, Revenue, Capital & Savings Targets Monitoring – Quarter 2 Update

Charlotte Spendley, Interim Director of Resources, provided Cabinet with a quarter two update on the Budget and Revenue, Capital & Savings Targets.

The revenue budget is currently forecast to be £16.172m at year end, compared to the approved budget of £15.716m.

It was reported that the council is now forecast to draw £1.181m from reserves rather than the originally budgeted £694,000.

37 per cent of savings targets were noted as fully deliverable over the financial year.

The Capital Programme for 2025/26 and beyond remains under review with an anticipated spend of £51m.

Two changes to the Capital Programme were highlighted – that the council has received an additional Disabled Facilities Grant of £664k, and funding of £409k will be required for pumps and related equipment for Fairlight Coastal Defence Scheme.

Cabinet members agreed to recommend to Full Council that the proposed amendments to the Capital Programme, and a new capital budget for the Fairlight Coastal Defence Scheme to be funded from the £200k currently held in reserves for this scheme, with the balance provided by capital receipts or from Community Infrastructure Levy Funds, be approved.

It was also agreed to recommend to Full Council that delegated authority be granted to the s151 Officer to amend the funding mix as required, pending the outcome of the Community Infrastructure Levy funding applications.

Draft Local Plan Consultation

Hollie Harrison, Principal Planning Officer, presented the report on the Draft Local Plan and updated Cabinet members on the recommendations arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 November.

The report sought the approval of Cabinet to hold a second public consultation focused on proposed site allocations in January 2026.

The government’s housing target for Rother is currently 912 every year, more than four times the number of homes currently built in the district.

The draft Local Plan proposes site allocations for housing, employment and Gypsy and Traveller sites, resulting in a housing requirement of 495 per year.

In order to have a new Local Plan that does not to propose to meet the government’s housing target accepted by an inspector, the council needs to show it has considered every option in the search for suitable sites.

The proposed consultation in January will provide the opportunity for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to comment and provide information on the proposed site allocations in the draft Local Plan.  

Councillors urged residents and businesses as well as parish and town councils to respond to the consultation when it opens next year.

Members unanimously agreed that 1) the Rother Draft Local Plan Regulation 18 document be approved for formal public consultation; 2) the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be considered; and 3) the Head of Planning be authorised to make any minor amendments and editorial changes required to the document prior to public consultation, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning.

Cllr Killeen commented: “It is very important we move forward with our Local Plan and launch the public consultation. Agreeing a local plan is vital to ensure homes, jobs, infrastructure, and open space is carefully planned and provided.

“Holding a public consultation to allow people to have their say on the proposals is an important part of the new plan’s development process.”

Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan 2021-2028

A report was presented to Cabinet to formally ‘make’ (adopt) the Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan (HGNP), following a successful local Referendum result.

When formally made, the HGNP will be used to help the council decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area.

Cabinet members agreed to recommend to Full Council that the Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan 2021 – 2028 incorporating the Examiner’s modifications be ‘made’ with immediate effect and form part of the Council’s Development Plan.

Published: 12th December 2025