From the leader, Cllr Doug Oliver – August 27, 2021

Last week we saw a further relaxation to the coronavirus restrictions with a change to the self-isolation rules. This change is a crucial step towards our ‘new’ normal and I know it will welcomed by our local shops, restaurants, bars, and venues who have had an extremely tough 18 months.

Despite the easing of restrictions please remember the need for continued social responsibility, wearing face coverings if you can and observing social distancing where possible to help keep us all safe.   

The pandemic has brought financial challenges for many of our residents, and we as a council know we need to continue to support as many people as possible to aid our area’s recovery.

Following support from my Cabinet colleagues and the anti-poverty task and finish group, we are currently consulting on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to improve access to the scheme for self-employed people who are also carers and those self-employed residents who are registered disabled.

We really want to ensure that households where full-time work is not possible are not disadvantaged. I encourage people to take part in the consultation, which can be accessed on the council’s website, to let us know their thoughts on the proposed changes.

I am sure many of you, having watched the recent tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan, are wondering what the council can do to help.

We have previously helped settle families accepted through the Syrian Resettlement and UK Resettlement schemes and officers from our Housing team have been in contact with the Home Office to offer support with the current situation. We are working with the government and partner agencies in East Sussex to secure accommodation in the Rother area in which to resettle those individuals and their families who have supported the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan.

We would welcome any offers of accommodation that can be let to families so they can resettle in the UK. Please email tenant.finder@rother.gov.uk with your contact details.

As we approach the August bank holiday weekend, we expect our beaches to be as popular as ever despite the chilly weather we have been experiencing.

Camber Sands can see up to 25,000 visitors on busy days which can mean lots of lost children. We operate a free wristband scheme enabling children to be quickly and easily reunited with their family. 

This summer the Camber Street Pastors have been helping to hand out thousands of wristbands and provide valuable child safety education to visitors, highlighting again the importance of working together to help keep visitors safe, and I would like to thank them for their work supporting the Police and our Coastal Officers.

Published: 31st August 2021

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