Rye Town Council is now officially responsible for the public toilets on the Strand and Gun Garden for the next year, having signed a 12-month licence from Rother District Council. Both sets of conveniences had been set for part conversion into coffee shops under proposals put forward by Rother District Council last year.
The longer term solution for the conveniences is still a long way off.
The meeting of Rye Town Council on Monday 22 June heard the news about the new licences and discussed a request from Rother for Rye to also take on the running of the toilets on the Salts at Lucknow Place. That building had been under discussion for conversion for a bike hub but no lease has been signed.
The proposal is part of a transfer of assets between both councils as part of local government re-organisation.
Rye’s councillors expressed frustration again about a lack of information of how the transfer might be funded.
“We should be wary of taking on things without any money-making assets,” said Jonathan Breeds. “We don’t have to take on all the toilets and should concentrate on doing some of them very well.”
There was also confusion about Rother transferring other assets to Rye, with the news the district council was now keeping ownership of Cadborough Marsh. Councillors speculated about the reasons behind the move wondering whether a developer had been eyeing up the land for new housing, in spite of the high flood risk.
There were frustrations too about the transfer of the Salts playing fields to Rye. Town Clerk Amy Head explained she had been told by Rother there needed to be clarification about their official status as playing fields before any decision could be made.
“It’s all very unsatisfactory,” said Mayor Chris Hoggart.
Image Credits: James Stewart .