Rye Town Council taking on more responsibility without extra funding and anti-social behaviour by bikers were the main talking points of the annual town meeting on Wednesday 4 March. Around 100 people met at Rye Community Centre to hear a review of the year from Mayor Andy Stuart and ask questions.
The risks posed by local government reorganisation were highlighted by the mayor. “There’s a big risk of higher level decisions being made without local knowledge,” he said, referring to the now delayed new mayor of Sussex and changes at the district and county councils.
As part of the changes, Rother District Council is offering to off-load some of its assets to Rye. “What’s on offer generates little or no revenue,” he told the meeting. “We continue to challenge this. We are not being greedy. Just one car park would do it.”
His review also discussed Rye’s public toilets, the 27% rise in the Rye part of the council tax, allotments, charitable donations and plans for 325 new houses in Rye. He welcomed the recent decision to approve the new Aldi supermarket but expressed disappointment the new homes planned for the Winchelsea Road site had no affordable housing.
He celebrated the achievements of Rye volunteers, including the successful Christmas lights campaign. “It was achieved with amazing amounts of good will,” he said. “When the lights came on it was magical.”
There was a tribute to town clerk Richard Farhall, retiring after over a quarter of a century at the town hall. He described finding a successor as a “rollercoaster” but was pleased a replacement had been found – Amy Head, the current clerk at Peasmarsh Parish Council. He thanked his fellow councillors and the council’s staff.
Being mayor was an honour he said, highlighting three events in particular: Remembrance Sunday, the Mary Stanford Lifeboat anniversary service and the commemoration marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine last week. “I feel so very proud Rye has given a home to the Ukrainians here.”
Anti-social behaviour by bikers provided the most discussion, both in the mayor’s update and during the public questions. There were also questions about speeding on Rye Hill, Rye Heritage Centre, whether Rye can cope with hundreds more homes, potholes, the Rye Neighbourhood plan and how and if the town will receive infrastructure funding from the developers hoping to build new homes.
The debate also returned to the transfer of assets during the public session, with passionate calls from all sides to find a solution that benefits Rye rather than soon to be abolished councils.
The meeting finished at 9pm, an hour later than last year when few questions were asked. At a time when much debate is online, the town meeting was a successful opportunity to explore some of the important issues affecting Rye.
Rye News will have more from the annual town meeting next week, with reports on the controversial transfer of assets and the bikers on Strand Quay. We will also have the full text of Mayor Andy Stuart’s review of the year.
Image Credits: Peter Connock , James Stewart .