There are plaques around historic Rye Town Hall’s council chamber which record past mayors over the centuries – some of whom seem either to have been in office for long periods, or have made regular re-appearances – and this year’s coronavirus pandemic may lead to another oddity appearing on the list.
Unlike Winchelsea, which is not an elected council, Rye Town Council is – and is therefore covered by various laws and regulations covering elected bodies.
But that does not mean it has ceased to exist because it cannot meet – and Parliament is managing to meet, and Prime Minister’s Questions were held on Wednesday – though without the prime minister, and with many MPs asking questions online from their homes.
Mayor Making was due to happen in Rye on Monday, May 4, May Day, but it moved – when the bank holiday was moved – to Friday, May 8, the 75th anniversary of VE Day, marking the beginning of the end of the second world war.
And now, because of social distancing requirements from government to “stay at home”, there will be no Mayor Making on that day – though some very limited celebration of VE Day may take place.
During normal times the town clerk has some delegated authority to act (after consulting informally with members – the councillors – before taking a decision) and the council has given Rye Mutual Aid a grant of £3,500 and cut the rugby club’s rent by half – and is looking at others areas where it might need to consider helping out.
And the town steward is continuing to cut grass round the town – but with a smaller mower, as the large one lacks a spare part.
Town hall staff are also dealing with queries, doing accounts, paying bills electronically and preparing to open a tourist information point in the town hall – whenever this becomes possible.
However, in accordance with the latest local authority meeting regulations, the council has decided to postpone the appointment of a new mayor until May 2021 – or whenever the council is able safely to recommence “in person” meetings.
To do so might require meetings in one of the community centres (in Tilling Green or on Conduit Hill) to ensure continued safe, social distancing.
Because not all the councillors have the equipment nor ability, remote meetings of the council will only be held if there is an urgent need.
However, the handover of the Speakership of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports from Winchelsea to Rye (the Cinque Ports hold this post in turn) can apparently take place automatically on May 21 – though it might just take place with the current speaker, the speaker elect, and the town clerk.
If a mayor can be appointed before May 2021 it will be a very low key event without the usual hot penny throwing, church service or social event.
At present however it looks as though the current mayor, Councillor Mike Boyd, is continuing as mayor until, at very least, May 2021 and will also become the Cinque Ports Speaker – until Rye elects a new mayor – or Rye’s turn to provide the speaker ends.
Image Credits: John Minter .
I wonder if there are any plans to mow the grass on the Cricket Salts? It is very overgrown and looking sorry for itself! While the return of the cricketers and Rye Runners may still be a long way off, it would be good to keep the grass nice to walk on – and would make it less of a job to tackle when it can finally be used for sports again.
The Cricket Salts have now been mown.
I suggest you ask Rother District Council as they own The Salts and, if you check out your rates bill, you will see that they charge Rye residents specifically for looking after this land. So you are paying for what they are failing to do.