The search for a successor to Rye Town Clerk Richard Farhall has begun again following a previous attempt in December. The current clerk leaves in March after 26 years’ service.
Rye Town Council says it “needs a Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) who can manage its statutory responsibilities, lead the staff team, maintain mutually beneficial relationships with local organisations – and steer the Council through local government re-organisation, as it prepares to take over assets from Rother District Council.”
The ideal candidate is described as “an excellent communicator, with a ‘can do’ attitude, who can demonstrate both management skills and the ability to think strategically.”
The closing date for completed application forms is midnight on Sunday 8 February, with interviews on Monday 16 February. Rye Town Council says “previous applicants need not re-apply.”
You can find more details about the role here.
Last chance to sign the Bin the Beads petition
Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore and the Sussex Wildlife Trust are campaigning to eliminate the use of bio-beads. This follows the release of about five tonnes of these peppercorn-sized pieces of plastic from Southern Water’s Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works at the end of October last year. The millions of beads have washed up at Camber Sands and on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The campaign, Bin the Beads, was launched in December at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve as reported in Rye News and is calling on water companies to switch from plastic pellets to more environmentally friendly water treatment methods.
A petition to the House of Commons, set up by Dollimore, requests that the Commons asks the Government to work with the water companies and the Environment Agency to end the use of bio-beads. The issue was raised by the MP in a packed Prime Minister’s Questions on 14 January, giving the issue national attention.
Deadline for signing the Bin the Beads petition is 26 January 2026. You can sign it here.
Also about to close
Consultation on proposals to introduce parking charges at Broomhill Sands car park on Lydd Road in Camber ends on 30 January.
East Sussex County Council is proposing a £2 charge for one hour and £4 for two. A daily rate would be £8 during the summer and £6 in the winter months.
Parking for blue badge holders, cycles and motorcycles would remain free. Payment for parking would be available using a mobile phone app or card via a parking machine on site.
You can submit your views here.
Congratulations
The Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, whose diocese includes Rye, will be the most senior Catholic cleric in the country in his new role. Pope Leo XIV has appointed The Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster.
Bishop Richard said, “It has been a real privilege for me to serve you all during these last 10 years and I shall be sad to leave the Diocese. May I thank you for all the support, patience and understanding you have shown to me over these years as we have journeyed together.”
Archbishop-elect Moth will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner was presented with the King’s Police Medal (KPM) by His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales at a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 10 December.
Chief Constable Shiner became the force’s ninth Chief Constable in July 2020 and the first female Chief Constable in the history of the Sussex Police.
Reflecting on the ceremony at Windsor, Chief Constable Shiner said, “I am extremely proud to be the Chief Constable of Sussex Police and to lead a workforce of such dedicated, passionate and professional officers, staff and volunteers.”
Image Credits: Jim Cameron/Geograph https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/232336 cc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/, Kt bruce , ESCC .