We have detailed some key highlights from the Cabinet meeting, held on Monday 3rd March 2025.
Homelessness Strategy goes out for consultation
Cabinet members discussed the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030.
Councillors heard that there is a statutory duty to provide a five-year strategy, and to consult with residents, businesses and wider stakeholders on the policies that determine the work of the council in this area.
Cllr Ruairi McCourt, portfolio holder for housing, said: “The draft strategy provides an overview of housing and homelessness challenges in Rother – and any improvements that need to be made.
“The strategy sets out key actions for us and our partners as we work together to tackle the issues overt the next five years.”
Councillors approved the draft strategy for consultation and resolved to extend the current strategy until the new document is adopted.
Four projects receive community grants scheme funding
Members of the Cabinet were recommended to approve over £51,000 worth of funding for community projects in Rother.
Four projects were on the table for funding from the Council’s Community Grants Scheme. One was aimed at supporting vulnerable families in rural Rother at risk of isolation, and three were designed to boost communities in Brede and Westfield.
The specific grants proposed were to help pay for:
- A new play area and accessible path at Brede
- New accessible play equipment at Westfield Recreation ground
- New floodlights at Westfield Football Club
- A project aimed at boosting wellbeing for vulnerable families at risk of isolation in rural Rother.
Cllr Teresa Killeen, MBE, portfolio holder for planning, said: “The proposed grants aim to enhance the lives of our residents. Very often, the grants are the final piece in the funding jigsaw that enable community projects to proceed.”
Cabinet approved the recommendation and the allocation of funding for the four projects concerned.
Protecting assets and services ahead of Devolution and LGR
A report was presented to Cabinet members on a new framework designed to protect local services and assets ahead of a possible Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.
Cllrs discussed how services and assets could be protected – including those that might be transferred to another local council or organisation, and those that would transfer to a possible new unitary authority.
Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of the council, said: “With Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation looking likely within the next two to three years, we have a duty to look at our assets and services now. We want to ensure we get the best result for our local communities, whilst protecting our medium-term financial plans.”
Cabinet agreed to provide a six-month ‘Expression of Interest’ window for Town and Parish Councils or other groups and organisations for the transfer of services.
Cabinet members also agreed to update the council’s framework for this area of work and give the chief executive, in consultation with the leader, delegated powers to make amendments to the framework, amend contracts as required, and to agree all related legal and associated documentation to finalise the transfer.
Rother Local Development Scheme
Cabinet discussed the updated Rother Local Development Scheme (LDS) ahead of its submission to Government.
The key purpose of the LDS is to provide a timetable for the preparation of a Local Plan and any other Local Development documents.
The updated LDS is required to include clear, realistic, and specific dates for consultation and submission of the local plan. Once updated, the LDS must be made publicly available, and a copy sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
The most notable change to the LDS concerns the timetable for preparing the new Rother Local Plan. Due to the new timetable, adoption of the new Local Plan in Rother will now take place towards the end of 2027.
Cllr Teresa Killeen, MBE, portfolio holder for planning, said: “As we know the Local Plan is particularly important for each Council to produce. The LDS sets out the programme and timescale to produce that plan so is another key document in the process.”
Cabinet approved the Rother LDS and its submission to Government this week.
Rye Neighbourhood Plan Review
Cabinet members discussed a report on the Rye Neighbourhood Plan Review (RNPR).
The RNPR has been prepared by Rye Town Council. The parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area in 2015 and the Rye Neighbourhood Plan ‘made’ in 2019. The Review is the subject of a statutory public consultation which will end on the 7th March 2025.
Any representations put forward in the consultation will be considered through an examination process by an independent Examiner to determine whether the Plan meets the ‘basic conditions’ required and whether the nature of the Plan has changed and if it will go, once again, to referendum.
Cabinet agreed to submit the report to the Examiner and authorise the Chief Executive to consider any potential modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan that may be raised through the examination process.
Published: 6th March 2025
