Rother council leaders have agreed to partly pause plans to hand facilities to communities, as a result of uncertainty surrounding local government reform. On Monday October 26, Rother District Council’s cabinet agreed to adopt a new approach to its Community Asset Transfers.
The programme involves plans to transfer some district council-owned assets — such as parks, public toilets and car parks — into the ownership of town and parish councils.
It had been developed in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) — a process, which may see Rother District Council and other bodies replaced with a new unitary authority.
The LGR process was paused by the government last month. In light of this, council officers had recommended the programme be limited to “priority assets” until further information emerges.
Christine Bayliss (Lab), cabinet member for regeneration, said, “A priority asset would be one that satisfies all of the following three criteria. One, the transfer of the asset provides a financial payback to Rother within three years or avoids a notable liability for Rother District Council. Two, the asset is a simpler or standalone site and, three, day-to-day costs of the asset are currently funded by Rother District Council and not special expenses.
“As per the report, nine sites across the areas of Battle, Bexhill, Icklesham, Northiam, Rye and Sedlescombe are considered to meet these criteria. The remaining assets will be paused until further detail is received from central government.”
The nine priority assets include the Marley Lane/Coronation Gardens recreation ground and an open space in Netherfield known as Darvel Down. They are expected to be transferred to Battle Town Council.
The programme is also be expected to see: Rye Town Council take ownership of the public conveniences in Station Approach; Northiam Parish Council take on the Main Street Car Park; Sedlescombe Parish Council taking over both its car park and public conveniences; and Icklesham Parish Council taking on public conveniences in Dogs Hill Road and Monks Walk.
Bexhill Town Council is set to receive the Manor Barn Public Conveniences and the Lower Galley Hill Car Park and section of adjoining land. These assets had not been among those initially identified for inclusion in the CAT programme, but were included following a recommendation from officers.
Officers said the transfer of the other assets will be reviewed once the government’s position on LGR has been clarified.
By: Huw Oxburgh, Local Democracy Reporting Service
