Council leaders have welcomed a funding boost that will help create new opportunities for residents and businesses.

The money follows the Government’s announcement last year that the district would be one of its Levelling Up Partnership areas which would benefit from investment to address inequalities and support the local economy.

Rother District Council will work with partners to invest the money to improve leisure facilities, health services, community facilities and public spaces and help develop business infrastructure capacity.

Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of the council, said: “Every single person should have the same opportunities in life, regardless of where they live but we know that, in Rother, there are barriers that limit possibilities for some people.

“This latest funding as part of the Government’s Levelling Up programme is an amazing investment for our district and will enable us and our partners make a real difference to people’s lives and futures.”

He added: “We face challenges in Rother unique to us and it’s important that the solutions come from local people and organisations that have the best understanding of the situation.”

The latest Levelling Up funding 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.

The district council will work with partners including East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, Voluntary Sector and Chambers of Commerce to deliver projects that will regenerate areas of the district.

Rother is one of only two Levelling Up Partnership areas in the south east and has already benefited from funding to support the De La Warr Pavilion and Heart of Sidley Community Hub, as well as Shared Prosperity Funding for projects across the district.

There have been three funds awarded by DLUCH to RDC.

• Levelling Up fund: this was a competitive grant programme with successful bids made by De La Warr Pavilion and Sidley Community Hub. This work is already in progress.

• Levelling Up Partnership funding: this £18+m investment has been allocated to projects across the district.

• A new Town Board will be invited to put in proposals for an additional £20million over 10 years, to be spent in line with a shared vision for the town. If this is successful, then this funding will support the development and implementation of a partnership-led investment plan.

Published: 25th March 2024