Rye Town Council has approved its budget for 2026-27 increasing the Rye precept by 27% or a rise of 76p a week – just under £40 a year – for a Band D property. A precept is the portion of council tax charged by towns and parishes to fund local services and operations.
At the town hall meeting of the council on Monday 2 February councillors expressed their appreciation to Councillor Hansen and Town Clerk Richard Farhall for reducing what could have been a 56% increase in the local precept to around half that amount, although this will involve delays to some important maintenance activities.
Funding provisions remain in place for other vital town facilities, including the public toilets development project
During the discussions, councillors expressed their frustration at how Rother District Council (RDC) was hindering the town council’s ambition to take on additional responsibilities as part of the reorganisation of local government.
It was noted RDC was offering assets requiring expenditure, such as green areas and toilets, but was refusing to provide anything that will raise income to cover these costs, for example a car park. Not only that but, in his review of the budget, the town clerk informed councillors there remained many unknowns in a financial situation continuing to evolve while RDC was being replaced by a new local authority.
Councillor Hansen pointed out that the transfer of assets from Rother to Rye was strongly supported in the recent Rye Town Survey, but unfortunately they all came with a cost with no offsetting income – inevitably resulting in higher than wished for local tax increases.
Councillor Hoggart expressed his belief that Rye will be better at running many of these assets going forward.
Councillor Jonathan Breeds stated this situation stems from a “shoddy deal in the mid 70s” when assets were taken from Rye by the newly formed Rother District Council. Now this is being reversed, Rye Town Council should challenge how only selected, non-revenue generating, assets are being returned.
Mayor Andy Stuart told the meeting how representations had indeed been made to RDC, and while there was some support from RDC councillors, any revenue raising transfers had been blocked by EDC officers. Councillor Hoggart confirmed discussions would continue.
In conclusion, councillors agreed unanimously to support the proposal for a 27% increase in the precept.
Rye News plans to publish further in-depth articles on how Rye will be funded going forward, especially in light of the upcoming changes in the county and district local governmental structure.
The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for 4 March at the Rye Community Centre and the next Rye Town Council meeting will take place on 23 March. All meetings are open to the public.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .