It’s been another incredibly busy year at Rother District Council, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all our officers and fellow councillors for their hard work and commitment during 2024.
I’d also like to thank the many people and organisations that we work with to make the district such a wonderful place to live and work.
We had high hopes for 2024 and whilst we had a number of challenges to overcome, the year has been full of successes and good news. The list is far too extensive to do justice but I felt it important to capture some of the great work that’s been going on this year.
In the year that saw the district council celebrate its 50th anniversary, we secured significant funding from various central Government programmes including a little over £19.5 million over ten years from the Long-Term Plan for Towns, more than £18 million from the Levelling Up Partnership.
The money will fund some fantastic work which will help regenerate areas of the district, boost the local economy and tourism, help vulnerable people, improve housing and support community safety.
The Levelling Up funding alone will improve energy efficiency and long-term sustainability of Rye Leisure facilities, fund a mobile community hub for rural areas of Rother and support facilities and business infrastructures in Bexhill, among other projects.
It is now for the council to work with partners to ensure the funding brings the greatest benefits to our residents and we didn’t hang around, holding the first Bexhill Town Board meeting back in May to discuss how £20million from the Long-Term Plan for Towns can be invested. Work continues.
Local businesses are the lifeblood of our district and we have worked hard this year to put in place as much support as possible to help them prosper.
Support this year includes match-funded grants of up to £50,000 to help rural businesses create jobs, increase productivity and adopt new technology, significant funding for five projects designed to support training and boost employability, and free support to businesses across the district to help them reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, while helping them to unlock the benefits of sustainability.
Our parks and green spaces offer our residents and visitors a place to relax, meet friends and stay active and healthy, and we take great pride in them. I was delighted that this year Egerton Park and four of our beaches gained national recognition from Keep Britain Tidy.
Beaches at Camber Sands, Bexhill, Normans Bay and Winchelsea were given a Seaside Award, awarded to the country’s most attractive and well-managed coastal areas. And for the 12th consecutive year, Egerton Park was awarded the Green Flag, recognising its high environmental standards, first-class maintenance and range of facilities.
Those visiting our parks and open spaces to stay fit and healthy, can now enjoy a game of tennis on one of five revamped tennis courts at Egerton Park. The courts benefitted from resurfacing, new nets and posts and a new gate system thanks to investment of more than £100,000 from central Government and Lawn Tennis Association as part of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Park Project.
I am pleased to say that we finished 2024 with positive outcomes to some very challenging issues, which will hopefully bring residents some relief.
A year ago, Pontins at Camber closed suddenly, and the site has remained empty ever since. Repeated efforts by the Council to get information from owners Britannia Hotels were unsuccessful and the village were left with many unanswered questions. Just before the Christmas break, we were able to meet with Britannia Hotels, along with MP Helena Dollimore, and were given assurances that there were plans to redevelop the site as a holiday destination and a promise that the company would work with the district council, Camber Parish Council and Rye Chamber of Commerce as it develops plans.
We also received long-awaited answers on the use by Government of the Northeye former prison site to house asylum seekers. The issue has rumbled on for almost two years causing a great deal of uncertainty for local residents. We have finally received assurance from the new Government that the plans have been scrapped and look forward to discussion with the Home Office regarding the future use of the site.
And now we look to 2025 – a new year full of challenge and opportunity. All at Rother District Council look forward to continuing to do the absolute best for the residents and businesses, and working together to ensure the district continues to thrive.
I wish you all a very happy New Year!
Ends.
Published: 24th December 2024
