Big borrowing
As expected, the government has approved East Sussex County Council’s request to raise an extra £70 million of funding, known as exceptional financial support (EFS).
A spokesperson for the council said the fund was essential to set a balanced budget for 2026/27, “It is welcome that the government has recognised those needs and the fact that existing resources were no longer enough to meet them. However. it must be stressed that this funding will be raised through borrowing. The help in the short term will increase repayments in years ahead and therefore increase the financial pressure on the council and local taxpayers.”
ESCC is one of at least 35 local authorities drawing on EFS for the coming year.
Appeal success
Congratulations to the team behind the purchase of The Bell in Iden. A share offer to help buy the pub has raised £312,000.
The Bell has been closed since June 2023. The financial backing will see it re-open later this year.
Fancy dress protests
The Local Government Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against Rother District Council for their complaint handling over the Market Garden site in Fairlight.
Sixteen homes are being built on Lower Waites Lane which has been the subject of a long running dispute with villagers for almost a decade. The council was found to have failed to recognise “expressions of dissatisfaction.”
Local action group Village People, whose members include those who work in construction site management, general building, disability advice and housing management, decided to hold satirical fancy dress protests to raise awareness of their complaints about the way the development is being built, its effect on the local environment, and to highlight the need for affordable housing which is not included in the proposals.
Help needed at Heritage Centre
Rye Heritage Centre is looking for a part-time administrator, as manager Simon Parsons explains.
“2026 marks 50 years since Rye Town Model first went on public display. Rye Heritage Centre is an independently funded charity, set up in 2020 to ensure the centre remained open to educate, inform and entertain visiting tourists and the local community following closure by the previous operators.
“We are now looking for a part-time administrator to assist with running the centre. The post is for 15 hours per week, flexible working with some weekends involved. Rye Heritage Centre has a vibrant and friendly team, who are mostly volunteers. The right applicant will be dealing with a variety of administrative tasks and occasionally providing front of house cover, working closely with the manager and the volunteer team to ensure the future development of this independent Heritage Interpretation Centre.
“If you’d like to apply for the post please email rhcmanager@icloud.com to request further details and an application pack.”
Stuck in the sand
An early morning rescue for a car stuck on the beach at Camber took place on Friday 27 February.
HM Coastguard New Romney was called at 3.40am to assist moving the car off the sands, recovering both car and passengers. The car was stuck near the high water mark, with the next tide due two hours later.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said, “Vehicles should not be driven on the beach without prior authorisation. In the event of a vehicle being stuck, your own private recovery must be organised and the coastguard informed.”
Image Credits: Heidi Foster , ESCC , Village People , RHC , John West (Romney Marsh CRT) .