A year of major progress, investment, and innovation across the district – that’s the view of council leaders at Rother District Council as the authority publishes its 2025 annual report. Despite ongoing financial pressures, the council has delivered a wide range of improvements designed to strengthen communities, support local businesses, protect the environment, and enhance public services.
Opening of Camber Welcome Centre
One of the year’s flagship achievements was the opening of the Camber Welcome Centre, providing improved visitor safety facilities, RNLI support, and a dedicated space for coastal safety operations, as well as offering new educational opportunities.
Strengthening the local economy
Tourism and local enterprise received a boost through the launch of the Rother Wine Triangle, promoting seven award‑winning vineyards across the district with new signage, trails, and visitor information.
Good progress was made on the De La Warr Pavilion masterplan – which will enhance visitor facilities, safeguard the historic building, and increase skills and learning opportunities.
Supporting communities
The Council relaunched its Community Grants Fund, receiving 52 applications and allocating the full £100,000 to grassroots projects across the district.
Rother’s natural spaces continued to shine, with Egerton Park receiving the Green Flag Award for the thirteenth year running and four district beaches achieved Seaside Awards.
Construction began on the £3.4 million Sidley Community Hub, set to provide new community facilities, accessible spaces and recreational opportunities when completed in 2026.
Over £1 million in Disabled Facilities Grants was allocated to help residents live independently and safely at home, supporting essential adaptations such as ramps, stair lifts, and accessible bathrooms.
Delivering sustainable housing
A major milestone was reached as the Tapestry at Blackfriars development in Battle moved ahead, with 200 homes—130 of them affordable—now well underway.
Rother was also selected as one of only ten national frontrunners for the government’s Council Housebuilding Support Service, providing tailored support to expand and accelerate the delivery of high-quality, affordable homes.
Leading on climate and nature
Rother received national recognition for its climate action, rising from 50th to ninth place in Climate Emergency UK’s district council rankings—a leap from 19% to 50% against key climate and environmental criteria.
The Council also delivered extensive planting initiatives, establishing two new micro woods and supporting ten community orchards across the district.
Rother achieved silver status from the Carbon Literacy Project, with over 30% of staff now trained, and formally declared a nature emergency to strengthen action to protect and restore biodiversity.
Improving customer service and financial resilience
The Council implemented a new Customer Charter, strengthened internal communications, adopted a Communications Framework, and modernised its Planning system, all aimed at improving customer experience.
Between April 2024 and April 2025, the Council delivered £2 million in savings while maintaining essential services and updating its asset register to support long-term decision‑making.
Council leader, Doug Oliver, said: “This has been a year of real progress for Rother. We boosted our local economy, invested in our communities through grants, major projects like the Sidley Community Hub, and more than a million pounds of home adaptations for residents who need them most.
“We have accelerated the delivery of affordable homes and taken huge strides in tackling climate change—rising to one of the top‑ranked district councils in the country. Our planting projects, carbon literacy achievements, and declaration of a nature emergency show just how seriously we take our environmental responsibilities.
“And all of this has been achieved while delivering £2 million in savings and improving the way we serve our residents.”
Published: 5th March 2026
