Rye News has given each candidate for the open position on Rye Town Council the opportunity to provide some information about themselves and their vision for Rye. They were also offered the chance to add, if they wished, a promotional poster.
Their submissions are listed here in alphabetical order.
The election will be held on Thursday 18 December.
Simon Bowler
My name is Simon Bowler, I am 59 and have lived in Rye all my life, I am registered as visually impaired. I worked for 37 years as a Civil Servant in several different Government Departments and Agencies, this experience afforded me a good insight and understanding of various processes and procudures.
Having always loved living in Rye and having a solid connection to the good community spirit, where people know and support each other, I consider myself able to represent my community well . I am steadfastly involved and supportive of many local groups, for example, as a keen campanologist I regularly ring the bells at St Mary’s. I volunteer with Friends All Together in Rother, which is a local befriending charity, making companionship telephone calls to people who are lonely and/or isolated. I am also a member of the Rye & District Bonfire Society.
I passionately believe people of all abilities should have a voice on Rye Town Council, although many people have told me they don’t know much about it whereas I consider inclusion of all to be paramount in a cohesive community. I want to be a positive connection between the council and the community and believe I have the necessary skills and attributes to be considered as a suitable candidate for the vacant position.
Now I am at a stage in my life where I have the time and energy to be involved in what could be a time of significant change in Rye thanks to devolution. Changes at the East Sussex County Council and Rother District Council will see more powers devolved to the town hall, and an improved say in how money is spent in our community.
Also, I feel very strongly we need to support plans for affordable social housing for the many people who work in Rye but cannot afford to live here. Many travel in from Hastings or Bexhill and then go straight home again without accessing the community they work in, a real shame as many of them were brought up here, went to school here and have been a big part of our community.
Finally, we need to speed things up and cut the amount of red tape in decision making – just look at the possible building of a second supermarket. It’s taking too long to decide, which is crazy! We need to be more energised and proactive.
Jonathan Breeds
I would be, in a way, seeking re-election to Rye Town Council as I was a councillor previously for 26 years. Perhaps some will wonder why I want another term. Well I was, I believe, a very effective town councillor with credits under my belt such as championing the town steward initiative, the affordable housing project and saving the land the Ferry Road nursery is built on for future generations (which happened when I was mayor).
I felt the need to stand down to concentrate on my business but now have a very capable manager and I feel I have more to give again in the way of experience, understanding the problems of locals, as I went to school here and grew up here, and also as a local business owner of what the town needs now. I hope people will turn out and vote for me but most of all I hope people will turn out and vote. In these troubling times, our vote is our voice and we must all use it.
Lyn Dutton
I first considered the possibility of becoming a town councillor after reading in the Rye Neighbourhood Plan that “growth” is a prime target for the town, but I could not find any detailed plans of how Rye intended implementing this growth strategy in any structured way. So – something needs to be done.
Today, we have a unique opportunity to take more responsibility for the town’s affairs due to two events: the recent handing down of powers from national government plus the possible return of tasks to local level because of regional government restructuring. The sum of these opportunities could result in the people of Rye having a much more powerful role in deciding their future.
Rye’s growth opportunities must create long-term local jobs, and we need more social housing. This beautiful historic town is a tourist magnet – but today lacks sufficient public toilets, car parks or priority for pedestrians over cars in our narrow High Street. We could also add a richness to a visit to Rye by encouraging the development of more cultural and heritage tourism, along with improved marina facilities. And Rye has a special challenge in that any growth must respect the character of the town and its heritage.
The challenge ahead should be achievable if we take a step-by-step approach and plan rigorously – working closely with residents, the new layers of regional government and the Rye Chamber of Commerce.
Why vote for me? I made Rye my home after many years as a senior manager in aerospace engineering in the UK and abroad, and I believe that Rye would benefit from my business management and team leadership skills. I strongly feel that measured growth is the key to Rye’s future and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to making that goal a reality.
Dominic Manning
I am deeply committed to the community I call home. My vision is clear: a healthy and resilient Rye where everyone thrives. As an architect, I love the visual richness of our medieval market town, but it is the people who make Rye truly special.
I have a track record of turning ideas into action:
- Co-founder of Rye Repair Café, now a monthly event, and a regular supporter of Rye Swap Shop since 2012.
- As a Rye Chamber of Commerce member, I have managed the cardboard recycling rota and assisted in setting it up in 2005. In addition to avoiding waste, it also helps local businesses save money.
- I co-founded the Rye Community Garden in Love Lane in 2014, creating a space for physical and mental well-being.
- As a trustee for Strandliners, speaking out on BBC Sussex, I have been holding Southern Water to account for the disastrous spill of bio-beads at Camber Sands.
If I am elected as your town councillor, I will tackle inequalities and do what I can to support residents during this cost-of-living crisis.
In addition, my planning and development expertise will be an asset to the council, guiding sustainable developments for Rye’s future:
- Improving pedestrian and cycling provision in Rye, including a new car-free bridge connecting the schools with Tilling Green.
- A Library of Things, where residents can borrow items they need without extra cost.
- A wildflower meadow on the Salts, enhancing biodiversity and beauty.
I am approachable, proactive and dedicated to serving all residents and businesses. I believe in practical solutions that make life better for everyone in Rye.
Owen Thompson
I have lived in the centre of Rye for three years with my husband and I have embedded myself into the local landscape of Rye through my various volunteering positions and my business Newo Dance. This has enabled me to interact with a cross-section of the community which is essential for building good relationship as a counsellor.
As a community-spirited person I regularly volunteer at RYZ Rye Youth Zone and The Hub on Rye Hill Dementia Café. This has given me a real insight into our communities well-being, something I’m passionate about along with compassion and respect which I would bring to my role as your councillor.
I believe Rye is a fantastic place to live and run a business. This does not mean however Rye is immune to the challenges and problems of living in a thriving tourist town. I recognise these to be a shortage of affordable housing for local people, rising anti-social behaviour and an increasingly challenging economic climate for both residents and businesses. There is also great uncertainty around the proposed government changes to who will deliver local government services.
I will always face these challenges affecting Rye with a broad and balanced approach thinking of you, the residents and businesses of Rye, when making decisions that will impact our town.
I hope to be a fresh voice that will bring new ideas whilst celebrating Rye’s unique character and history.
Image Credits: Richard Farhall , Jonathan Breeds , Owen Thompsonn .
This seems a really strong set of candidates with a diverse range of experience. I hope the unsuccessful candidates don’t lose their enthusiasm and stand again at the next full council election. There are some much needed skills and perspectives here.