Archives for News - Page 11
Protect Our Green Spaces
CHARMIAN KENNER Standing Up For Nature (SU4N) Hastings & Rother is holding an event for everyone concerned about losing our precious green spaces to building development. Protect Our Green Spaces…
Northeye: Back in the Frame for Detaining Would-Be Migrants?
HUGH SULLIVAN Amidst a flurry of news about cross-channel migration, including stepped-up border security and multiple drownings, there has been no word from Sir Keir Starmer’s government about the future…
Council’s Energy Costs and Greenhouse Emissions
According to a survey published in The Times last week following Freedom of Information Requests, Hastings Borough Council (HBC) paid pence per kilowatt-hour for electricity in the year to March…
Paediatric GP Service for Broomgrove
Independent councillor for Baird, MIKE TURNER, highlights the new child-focused health provision in Broomgrove and the need for a greater investment Cllr Nigel SindenDr Fox with Cllrs Batsford and Turner…
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
From our website Too Many Roundabouts Although I have been aware of this project for years (Finally, a Road to Somewhere in HIP 259), I have only recently taken an…
County Council Set to Slash Social Care Spending
The cabinet of East Sussex County Council (ESCC) wase due to meet on Thursday this week to discuss savings proposals on next year’s budget, which at present is predicted to…
Former University Building Under Hammer
The six-storey University of Brighton building at Priory Square was due to be auctioned on Wednesday this week by London agent Allsop. The building consists of the former main Hastings…
Gaza Protest Trial Adjourned to Brighton
The trial of three local men charged with aggravated trespass at a community protest outside a St Leonards armaments factory in February has been adjourned to a further hearing in…
Goodwill in Short Supply
Southern Water held another of its drop-in events at the Stade Hall last Thursday (5 September) to reassure local people about the ongoing works in the Hastings area to improve…
Housing Action Man
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN talks to Hastings BC’s Deputy Leader and Housing & Community Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Glenn Haffenden, on the vital importance of housing to the future of the town…
No Access, No Way Out
Commonweal Housing has recently published a report focussing on the impact of the lack of available move-on options in the private rented sector for people experiencing homelessness. No Access, No…
HBC Auction Bargains
Two properties purchased by Hastings BC to help tackle the problem of homelessness in the town are set to be sold at auction at a knock-down price - costing the…
Asylum Hotel Sold to Private School
The Chatsworth Hotel in Carlisle Parade, which has been closed since February, has been sold to the Buckswood School in Guestling. Jason Ellis The hotel enjoys a prime sea-facing location…
Politics Returns with End of Summer Truce
PAUL McLAUGHLIN The relationship between council leaders and the local MP can often be a tricky one, even when they are from the same political party. When there is harmony…
O’Callaghan Unveils her Shadow Cabinet Team
Margi O’Callaghan, the Labour Group Leader on Hastings BC, has announced her Shadow Cabinet team following May’s local elections. The Braybrooke Councillor took over the leadership of the Labour group…
BMX Battle of Hastings Was a Banger
The sold-out 2024 BMX Battle of Hastings at Source Park was a banger, delighting the audience and bringing a lot of people to the town. Photo: Jason Ellis Photo: Jason…
Finally, a Road to Somewhere
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN Work to complete the Queensway Gateway link road is set to begin after a £ million investment from the Government. The infamous “road-to-nowhere” was supposed to have been…
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter Hastings Housing Company Dear HIP, I write in response to the letter ‘Housing Company Needed’ from 13 August. Hastings Housing Company Ltd was incorporated on 1 September 2017 and…
Falling through the Cracks in St Leonards
A personal view by Dr Ralitsa Hiteva Photos: Dr Ralitsa Hiteva In February, HIP reported on the landslip at the Old Roar Ghyll, which had a devastating impact on the…
Pier Licence At Risk Over Safety Concerns
HUGH SULLIVAN The future of mass gathering events at Hastings Pier could be under threat when a licensing sub-committee of Hastings Borough Council (HBC) meets on Monday 2 September to…
Transformation Boost
Council Unveils Partner for Castle Project and West Hill Café Ambitious plans to transform Hastings Castle and the West Hill Café are set to get a major boost next week…
Fat Tuesday Youth Band Gets Permanent Home
The Hastings Fat Tuesday Youth Second Line Band, a Mardi Gras-style ensemble first launched in November 2022 for young wind and percussion players, has found a permanent home and support…
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter Housing Company Needed Dear HIP I am dismayed to learn that the Green-led Hastings Borough Council (HBC) is proposing to liquidate Hastings Housing Company (HHC) and sell its housing…
Council Offers Landslide Toolkit
PAUL McLAUGHLIN Hastings Borough Council has prepared a ‘toolkit’ leaflet for residents concerned about landslides in the wake of those that impacted, separately, the neighbourhoods of Old Roar Gill and…
Disabled Facilities Grant Increases
Hastings Borough Council has announced receipt of increased funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) that may enable residents to stay in their own homes rather than needing to move to…
Housing Targets ‘Ridiculous and Unrealistic’
Green-led council at odds with Labour MP over government plans PAUL McLAUGHLIN Government plans to tackle the housing crisis by overhauling the planning system and introducing mandatory targets for all…
Hastings Rejects Racism
Hastings rose to the nationwide challenge of violent anti-immigrant protest last week with three anti-racist gatherings. Dave Young In the week beginning 5 August a message was circulated on the…
Social Housing Protest
Housing campaigners have occupied a four-bedroom house in Hastings in an attempt to prevent it being sold at auction by social housing landlord, Southern Housing. Housing Rebellion said that the…
Pier Licence Under Review
KENT BARKER The Entertainment licence for the Hastings Pier is under review following safety concerns raised by the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb). Kent Barker The…
Paws for Shores
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN Hastings Borough Council is to review the controversial ban of dogs on public beaches which came into force in March. The decision follows a concerted campaign by dog…
New Bid to Save St Mary
CHRISTOPHER CORMACK A new initiative has been launched to try to save St Mary in the Castle, Hastings’ iconic concert and meetings venue. A panel of local activists convened a…
COMMENTARY: Embracing Change
KEN DAVIS Hastings stands at a turning point, change is in the air. We must now be bold and innovative. We all know ours is a seaside town: however, this…
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter PLAY FAIR Dear HIP My name is Juniper. I am 9 years old, and I live in Hastings. I am writing to you about the playgrounds in our town.…
Massive Council Losses
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN reports that ‘bewildering’ housing decisions by the former council will cost Hastings residents dear. Dave Young22 Wellington Square Hastings Borough Council is facing losses of hundreds of thousands…
Town Plan Stalled
PAUL McLAUGHLIN Ambitious plans for the regeneration of the town centre in Hastings have been put on hold. Hastings BC and the Hastings Board were only notified last Friday (19…
£55 million Funding Gap in County Council Finances
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN East Sussex County Councillors were presented with a bleak financial report for the year ahead at a meeting of the full council last Tuesday (9 July). The annual…
Councillor John Rankin Defects to Labour
John Rankin has joined the Labour Party and will take the Labour Whip when he next sits in the Hastings Borough Council chamber. The Conquest ward councilor was first elected…
A Vote for Change
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN Helena Dollimore is the new Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye. The Labour and Co-operative Party candidate topped the poll in the General Election with 19,134 votes…
County Council Hires Fresh Contractors to Complete Link Road
HUGH SULLIVAN The Queensway Gateway link road is set to be completed by fresh contractors. It was originally to have been opened for traffic in 2016 but an unfinished section…
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter Future of St Mary Dear HIP Christopher Cormack is right (Letter in HIP 255): St Mary-in-the-Castle is a gem, which is being allowed to fall into disrepair whilst available…