1. Attendance
- Nicola Mitchell (RDC)
- Lorna Ford (RDC)
- Alice Nolan (RDC)
- Cllr Sam Coleman
- Joyce Rook (RVA)
- Daxa Parmar (Little Gate)
- Christine Madeley (Talking Newspaper)
- Meena Winter (18 Hours/RRAF)
- Dr Sarah Jacques (SoS)
- Claire Prime (Homecall)
- Emma Jones (CFTC)
- Andrew Barton (HRRA)
2. Apologies
- Terry Steeples (RSF)
- Kim Richards (RVA)
- Teri Sayers-Cooper (CFTC)
- Mark Dimmock (ESH)
- Abul Azad (Interfaith Forum)
- Matt West (Sussex Police)
- Mark Adams (RDC)
3. Council Plan Engagement – Lorna Ford
- Development approach of the Council Plan.
- Three objectives leading to the long-term vision:
- A Thriving Local Economy
- Live Well Locally – looking at this chapter in detail
- Green to the Core
- Live Well Locally objectives and actions to 2028 shared. Discussion around these, noting:
- Age Friendly Action Plan, RDC officer resource planned to work with partners, RDC have not previously had this.
- Active Rother Programme – success across the district and exemplar model for partnership approach
- Anti-poverty Strategy links
- Equalities Strategy to come forward
- RVA Community Hub and support
- Access to services – challenges for residents. sustainable transport is included within other Council Plan chapters
- Sharing information from partners
- RDC’s role in championing voices from partners
- Perception Bexhill centric – other chapters focus on other areas
- Local Success Measures – what’s missing?
- Request for all to participate in the consultation and share across networks
Council Plan 2024 – Rother District Council
4. Digital and Customer Services Update – Mark Adams
Postponed to the November meeting
5. Organisation Updates
Little Gate Farm: The new college is now open, based at the Pelham
CFTC
- Respite Carers campaign
- Just Giving campaign
- Opportunity to advertise in newsletters
- Also partner newsletter update
- All available online
Homecall
- AGM coming up on Monday 16th September
- 61 people supporting
- Weekly coffee morning on a Thursday
- Networking with other sight support organisations
- 50 volunteers in the area
SOS
- Community engagements have been completed over the Summer
- Pre-bookable health check sessions, all booked out
- Winter readiness programme
HRRA
- Issues with getting trustees
- Difficulties in engaging with young people
- Looking to hold event in February, celebrating community – more details to follow
- Many social groups and events – details online and in newsletter
RRAF
- Applied for funding, not successful, however looking at another funding source
- Research project with University of Brighton, hot off the press, ‘Talking of Bexhill: Measuring Values and Perceptions of a Home Town’. The objective of the report is to provide Bexhill Town Board with a refreshed understanding of diverse heritage living in Bexhill, to inform the Board’s long-term plan for the town. Hard copies of the report were shared. Will share online links when available.
RVA
- ESCC Community and Development Engagement survey – please can people complete. This influences how RVA are funded and supported:
Community and VCSE Development Programme - AGM 18 October in Rye – sign up via eventbrite:
AGM & Autumn Connections Community Network | Rother Voluntary Action - RVA’s led ‘Rother Online community Network’ (ROCN) is the monthly virtual version of our quarterly network events. The ROCN is a space for organisations to connect, share information, issues, events news etc- there are also opportunities to present and share work with others. Ask for an invite here:
https://www.rva.uk.com/get-in-touch/ - RVA staffing has increased over last few months, really showing in outcomes and support, and getting out into the community
- RVA is representing the sector on the Rother ICB and we will update via newsletters and the ROCN.
- Working with CA1066 on Winter Readiness resources and events. Please let us know of any activities that you know of that support this.
- NAVCo anti race forum meeting due
- Happy to share info from partners,
Cllr Sam Coleman
- Encourage Tax Credit / Pension Credit update.
- Noting riots across the country in the summer. Is mindful of people within our community who feel anxious.
6. AOB
Nothing to note
7. 2024 Meeting Dates for Noting
2pm-4pm, Wednesday 13th November 2024
1. Attendance
- Nicola Mitchell (RDC)
- Cllr Sam Coleman
- Mark Adams (RDC)
- Terry Steeples (RSF)
- Christine Madeley (Talking Newspaper)
- Kim Richards (RVA)
- Nancy Tipler (Little Gate)
- Meena Winter (18 Hours)
- Craig Steenhoff (RDC)
- May & Ana (DISC)
- Linda Seddon (RRAF)
- Christie Ward (Dance Ability)
- Sarah Jacques (SoS)
- Andrew Barton (HRRA)
- Caroline Aherne (BDAA)
2. Apologies
- Lorna Ford (RDC)
- Emma Jones (CFTC)
- Teri Sayers-Cooper (CFTC)
- Amanda Lyons (RVA)
- Annette Holmes (RVA)
- Mandy Curtis (18 Hours)
- Dee Flower (Little Gate Farm)
- Mark Dimmock (ESH)
3. Updates and action review from December 2023 meeting
- The proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme were approved at Full Council in February 2024 with a move from an 80% funded scheme to 100% funded scheme.
- RDC set and agreed its budget for 2024/25 at Full Council in February 2024.
- MA provided update to RDC Digital and Customer Services Strategy; thanked members of the Steering Group who contributed to the working group event on 21 February 2024. The strategy is progressing, and next stages scheduled throughout the summer 2024.
- NM/MA – each consultation reviews the groups they wish to hear from, and throughout the consultation process.
- HR provided details of Rother Community Lottery to TS.
- HR provided ToR. To be reviewed in July 2024 meeting
- Digital Switch over: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology have reviewed and updated the Public Switched Telephone Network Charter (Public Switched Telephone Network charter – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). RDC will be supporting communications relating to the switch.
4. Rother Draft Local Plan Consultation (Planning Policy)
Presentation by Craig Steenhoff (RDC).
Provided background to the Draft Local Plan 2020-2040. It will guide development and land use until 2040. The plan has two overall priorities:
- Green to the Core – emphasising the need to consider the impact of our planning decisions on the climate emergency, biodiversity crisis and the High Weald National Landscape.
- Live Well Locally recognises that in all planning decisions, the goal is to create healthy, sustainable, and inclusive communities.
Consultation opens 30 April 2024, closes 23 July 2024. Draft Local Plan 2020-2040 – Rother District Council
Public exhibitions will be held throughout the district between May 24 – July 24, details will be announced on our website, social media and MyAlerts. Hard Copies of the Draft Local Plan will also be available, locations will be available online.
General observations were provided, including:
- Language used throughout the document and in the public exhibitions
- What are the key messages?
- Engaging with people in their 20’s and younger families
- Challenges of getting information to people who do not go out
- Supporting people through change in life stages
- Providing accessible transport links, including walking/mobility access and cycles.
The Steering Group gave its thanks to Craig for the pre-engagement and will encourage clients to participate in the consultation and support sharing information.
5. Organisation Updates
Little Gate Farm
College is opening in September to help young people get the skills and support they need to go into work. Open day in Summer, limited tickets.
SC
Heart Of Sidley Festival on 15 June 2024, contact HoS direct if would like a stand.
DISC
Recently been awarded National Lottery Community Funding for 3 years. Are celebrating 6th Birthday this month. Details of support groups and events can be found on their website (Home (discdementiasupport.org) ) or social media.
Dance-ability
Received funding for classes from Active Rother and classes are currently £2 per person
Bexhill Dementia Action Alliance
Call for volunteers, recently awarded £1,000 from Bexhill Lions.
HRRA
Established over 20 years now. Has challenges of recruiting trustees and looking to explore ways for younger people into volunteering.
RVA
Reviewing support activities and gap analysis to develop programme. Attending Jobs Fair and mindful of the increasing demand on voluntary sector to provide and deliver on more and more complex needs, alongside budget challenges and restraints.
CFTC
The Annual Carers’ Voices Conference takes place during carers week on 11 June 2024, at the Kings Centre, Eastbourne. Annual Carers Voices Conference 2024 | Care For The Carers (cftc.org.uk)
Bexhill Talking Newspaper
Has expanded to cover Hastings and Rural Rother.
Homecall
55 Clients and 45 Volunteers. VIP hub every Thursday at The Picture Playhouse. In April, a local PCSO will be joining to give a talk on scam prevention.
RSF
Afternoon Tea on 22 May 2024 at St Barnabas Church, Sea Road, booking in the normal way. Looking to hold an event in September to mark Older People’s Day. It will focus on matters of concern to RSF members. More details to follow.
18 hours
Developing new strategy for RRAF and exploring ways to fund projects.
6. AOB
Date for diary: IDAHOBIT day 17 May 2024, invitation to join CEO to follow.
Police and Crime Commissioner elections held 02 May 2024, reminder for ID to be taken to vote.
7. 2024 Meeting Dates for Noting
- 2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 17 July 2024 Council Chamber
- 2pm – 4pm, Wednesday 13 November 2024
