Government plans for the reform of local government across Sussex have been put on hold. Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, told MPs in Parliament on Monday (7 September) that she had launched a review of the reorganisation proposals “to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.” She added: “I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister, and any additional considerations.”

The decision means that the immediate threat of abolition hanging over Hastings Borough Council in 2028 is lifted. It may also mean that Hastings will not hold local elections next May, as those ballots were scheduled for the new East Hastings Unitary Authority.

Council Leader Glenn Haffenden condemned the government’s decision as an “absolute shambles”.

Local Plan Update

Cllr Haffenden was speaking just hours after the government announcement when he chaired the council Cabinet, which was meeting to recommend approval of a new Local Plan that will shape the town’s development over the next 15 years.

The draft plan sets out a vision of how Hastings will grow and change in the period up to 2041. It addresses some of the most significant challenges facing the borough, including the need for more homes, the urgency of tackling climate change, the importance of protecting green spaces and historic character, and the need to strengthen the local economy.

The Cabinet unanimously approved that the draft Local Plan goes before the Full Council  on 23 September for debate and a formal vote before a final stage of public consultation.

Housing crisis

The Cabinet discussion on the Local Plan focussed on the town’s housing crisis. In his foreword to the draft plan consultation in February, Council Leader Glenn Haffenden, said: “Housing remains one of the most pressing issues for our community.” The push for a new plan comes against a backdrop of a severe housing shortage. The government’s nationally calculated housing need for Hastings currently stands at 686 net new homes per year – more than three times the rate planned for under the current 2014 Local Plan, which made provision for just 200 homes annually.

Over the full period of the Plan, this would equate to a need for 12,348 new homes. However, the council’s capacity-led approach has identified land for a little under 3,300 net new homes – just 27% of the identified need. The council insists it has left “no stone unturned” in identifying all suitable, available and deliverable sites across the borough.

The proposed plan adopts an “at least” housing target, which is set 10% lower than the current housing land supply figure. Council officers argue this provides necessary contingency given potential complexities around site delivery, land ownership and the impact of housing renewal schemes.

Extensive consultation

The Local Plan has been developed through two rounds of public consultation under Regulation 18, with the most recent exercise between February and April 2026 generating over 2,300 comments from more than 540 individuals and organisations. Five public drop-in events and six targeted special interest group sessions were held across the town.

Feedback has informed a range of changes to policies and site allocations, including the removal of some sites, the addition of three new sites and revisions to indicative housing yields. The former Convent of the Holy Child Jesus on Magdalen Road is now proposed as a housing-led, mixed-use allocation, while Four Courts on Stonehouse Drive has received its own site allocation policy.

Employment and infrastructure challenges

The plan also grapples with significant shortfalls in employment land. A review has reduced available employment land supply to approximately 15,000 sqm, against a requirement of 70,400 sqm – a shortfall of around 75%. The council’s approach is to promote densification of existing employment areas and resist the loss of existing employment land and premises.

Infrastructure delivery is a key component, with ongoing engagement with East Sussex County Council on transport, flood risk and education, alongside discussions with the NHS and utility providers including Southern Water.

Public Concerns

At Monday evening’s Cabinet meeting, concerns were raised about the draft plan, criticising the housing targets as too modest and the densification assumptions as overly cautious. Unease also centred on the fact that only one part of the densification study had been published beforehand. In response, Cllr Mark Etherington, the Planning, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder, said: “We place no cap on density,” adding that there needs to be an “intelligent look at densification levels.”

It is also worth noting that the recent refusal of planning permission for new homes next to Sandrock Bends – combined with the highly unusual decision being taken by council officers rather than elected members– raised serious questions about planning transparency.

What happens next

Subject to Full Council approval on 23 September, the six-week Regulation 19 consultation will be the final opportunity for the public to comment on the plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. However, representations must relate to legal compliance or soundness – specifically whether the plan is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

A further report will be presented to Full Council in December 2026, summarising issues raised and seeking authority to submit the plan for examination before the government’s 31 December deadline. Council officers warn that failure to progress the Local Plan would leave the authority vulnerable to speculative development, reduce local influence over where growth occurs, and potentially expose the council to government intervention.

Royalty and world leaders may have topped the guest list, but it was the schoolchildren from Hastings who stole the spotlight at last Wednesday’s historic unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. As the King and Queen, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and French President Emmanuel Macron looked on, pupils from Mulberry West St Leonards Primary Academy, the Mulberry Academy Hastings, and Claverham Community College became the true stars as the 1,000-year-old artefact, on loan from France, was unveiled.

Labour MP Helena Dollimore, who led the campaign to secure free priority exhibition tickets for local school groups – along with complimentary train travel from Southeastern Railway for 1,066 students,joined the children at the ceremony.  Her campaign was backed by broadcaster and 1066 Country resident David Dimbleby and historian Dan Snow, who co-signed her letter to British Museum Chairman George Osborne last year calling for the scheme after the exhibition was announced. 

Helena Dollimore told HIP: “Everyone is so excited about the Bayeux Tapestry returning to our shores for the first time in nearly 1,000 years, and it is only right that children from Hastings and 1066 Country are at the heart of this national moment.” She added: “Hastings has often been at the centre of historical events, but we have not always felt the benefits, and we currently rank in the bottom 10 places nationally for social mobility.”

For the pupils of Mulberry West St Leonards Primary Academy, the visit to the British Museum was a history lesson brought vividly to life. Imari marvelled at the intricate craftsmanship of the tapestry, while fellow pupil Lottie was awestruck by its “immaculate preservation”. Thomas said watching the King address the crowd in both French and English helped everyone grasp the event’s significance and made him realise “how lucky we are that the tapestry is still intact”. Polly was full of praise for the museum staff, saying they were “kind and professional and made us all feel very welcome”.

Ms Dollimore said she was “so proud to represent Hastings and to introduce local children to His Majesty the King and Queen, President Macron, and the Prime Minister. It was a very special moment and they did us proud.”

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

The unmistakable stench of raw sewage once again hung over Bulverhythe last Thursday morning (20 August), after Southern Water began discharging untreated wastewater from its Bexhill and Hastings No. 2 combined sewer overflow (CSO) at 9:18am. The outflow pipe releases the sewage roughly two miles out to sea, but the acrid smell quickly drifted back to shore and lingered across the town for much of the day.

Southern Water attributed the discharge to intense rainfall, explaining that the release was necessary to relieve pressure on the sewer network and prevent backups that could have flooded homes, businesses, and roads. The discharge continued for 4 hours and 44 minutes and resulted in pollutants that are harmful to both swimmers and wildlife being pumped into the sea.

The downpour dumped up to 12mm of rain on Hastings, but the recent hot, very dry weather has left the ground hard and parched. Instead of being absorbed, the rainwater ran off rapidly into the drains, overwhelming the combined sewer system and triggering the overflow.

Under current regulations, water companies are permitted to discharge raw sewage via storm overflows during and after heavy rainfall, provided the rate exceeds 10mm per hour. However, according to the Check-For-Flooding service on the gov.uk website, the Hastings Baldslow gauge recorded just 12mm of rainfall between 4am and 10am on Thursday morning – an average rate of only 2mm per hour – and peaked between 6am-7am at 4.6mm, far below the permitted threshold.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said the company “understands the public concern around storm overflows” and is committed to reducing reliance on them. The water company is investing £1.5 billion as part of its Clean Rivers and Seas Plan and says this has already prevented hundreds of storm overflow releases in its first year. They also have plans to spend more than £100m to upgrade water and wastewater networks in Hastings.

Local MP Helena Dollimore said: “It beggars belief that after just 12mm of rain, Southern Water discharged sewage into our sea, after one of the driest summers on record – yet again violating environmental regulations and polluting our coastline. The Labour Government has already taken important steps to ramp up regulation, fines, monitoring and criminal prosecutions. But we must now go further to fix our broken water system. After an era of extraction, with money siphoned off by shareholders instead of spent maintaining vital infrastructure, we need to see water back under public control.”

The Hastings Pride in Place Board has appointed eight new community members to oversee how £21.5m of government funding for the town’s regeneration programme will be spent. Backed by long-term government investment, the initiative places community involvement at its heart, channelling funding into improvements across education, health, employment, and other vital local services.

The new community board members are: Tony Davis; Darryl Telles; Frenchie (Alex Justin-French); Holly Paramor; Isaac Solomon; Lewis Daden; Malaika Scotney and Yasmin Ornsby. 

Kevin Boorman, the Chair of the Hastings Pride in Place Board, said the call for community board members earlier this year had attracted more than 120 applicants and the eight successful candidates were selected after a rigorous recruitment process.

He said: “Throughout this programme, we have been committed to ensuring that local people are at the heart of decision-making. These appointments represent an important step in that journey and will help ensure that the voices of Hastings residents continue to shape how this investment is delivered in our town.”

The appointment of the new community board members is designed to strengthen the community-led approach at the heart of the Pride in Place initiative. They will work alongside existing board members, including local MP Helena Dollimore and Julia Hilton, the Deputy Leader of Hastings Borough Council, and partners to help oversee the delivery of projects, ensuring residents have a direct say in how the additional £21.5m of government funding is spent over the next decade.

The appointees bring a wealth of lived experience and professional expertise directly to the decision-making table and exemplify the community-first ethos that sits at the heart of the Pride in Place programme. They include: 

Tony Davis, a retired Ministry of Justice civil servant, lives in the Alexandra Park area and believes Hastings has enormous potential to be unlocked. He says: “We need to create something lasting, especially for the young people of the town.”

Malaika Scotney works as a Senior Mental Health Practitioner providing mental health and wellbeing support to children aged seven to 17 within Hastings and East Rother schools. She has joined the board as a community member wanting to represent children, young people, families and visitors as people who deserve permanent spaces and experiences that reflect the town’s independence, uniqueness and potential.

Lewis Daden was born and raised in Hastings and grew up in the Clive Vale area and went to primary and secondary school in Ore. He owns Fatboy’s Barbershop on the High Street in the Old Town where he provides specialised services for children with SEN. As a local, as a parent and as a business owner he says he has a good insight as to what people want to see improved in the town.

PAUL McLAUGHLIN

Swimmers and paddleboarders in Hastings have voiced growing concern over the proliferation of jet skis and paragliders along the shoreline during the recent heatwave. There have been several reports of dangerous encounters with jet skis, which have been spotted speeding recklessly close to crowded beaches. Adding to the unease, there are complaints about the intrusive noise and the acrid stench of engine oil, which becomes especially pungent on hotter days.

The danger for swimmers is heightened further by the increased numbers of paragliders. The airborne acrobatics can look spectacular but can also pose a grave threat to public safety. With volatile offshore winds frequently whipping up sudden, unpredictable gusts, pilots can easily lose control of their canopies and endanger unaware swimmers below as they hurtle into the sea.

Hastings Borough Council has advised that there are no specific byelaws banning the use of jet skis along the beaches. A spokesperson for HBC said that “while there is no prohibition on the crafts themselves, launches are restricted to existing authorised sites, such as the East Hastings Sea Angling Association and the Hastings and St Leonards Angling Association, which require user membership.”

Despite the launch restrictions, reports of ‘show-boating’ and high-speed stunts close to the shore have surged during the recent hot spell.

Edwina Hughes, a year-round swimmer at St Leonards Beach, said “the prospect of jet skis zooming up and down from the pier can feel intimidating, as swimmers sit far lower in the water than the skiers – raising the worry that they might not see us.”

HBC confirmed that “jet skis are subject to maritime law and that anyone witnessing the reckless operation of a watercraft particularly where life is at risk should call 999 and ask for the coastguard or police.”

PAUL McLAUGHLIN

The skipper of the stricken sloop, Maranatha, which ran aground off the Sussex coast, is locally born sailor, Justyn. After becoming homeless in Hastings two years ago, he has lived continuously aboard boats. An experienced mariner, Justyn knows the perils of navigating the English Channel, particularly along the Sussex coast.

Recounting the incident, Justyn explained that he had dropped anchor roughly 500 metres from the Goat Ledge restaurant and secured his mooring when the wind suddenly changed direction. He now regrets his decision to re-anchor. The windlass mechanism, which is used to safely raise, lower, and secure the anchor and chain failed, forcing him to manually crank the gear by hand. Despite his efforts, the sloop began to drift, and in desperation, he called HM Coastguard.

The coastguard responded promptly. Justyn initially refused to abandon ship, believing he could rescue her at high tide. However, in the early hours of Wednesday (5 August), the sloop began taking on water, and he was forced to bail out. Coastguard members bravely waded out to the vessel to ensure it posed no danger to other craft or to beachgoers.

The wreck has left Justyn homeless once more. He now sleeps on benches along the Grand Parade’s lower promenade, though he managed to salvage some of his possessions – and even the vessel’s engine – by rowing them ashore in his dinghy, no small feat given its size.

Justyn is philosophical about the loss, having weathered far greater traumas in his life. He is determined to return to sea, where he feels most at home. He plans to rest for a few days before sailing his dinghy to Rye for some recuperation along the Military Canal. 

Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Justyn get back on his feet: gofundme.com/f/needing-a-new-home-due-to-weather

The simmering tensions between the Green-led Hastings Borough Council (HBC) and Reform UK, the main opposition group, burst to the surface at a prickly meeting of the Full Council on 15 July.

The antipathy between the two parties boiled over after a seemingly innocuous motion to “review” the town’s international twinning and friendship links was tabled by Doreena Ross, the Reform UK Group Leader.

The motion called on the council to set out “guiding principles” for its international partnerships, including “public benefit, transparency, community participation, and good governance.” It also requested a Cabinet report detailing HBC’s role in “all recognised international links, its relationship with the Hastings Association of Twin Towns (HATT), and the rationale for each link and whether they remain the most appropriate arrangements for Hastings today.”

Hastings currently maintains formal twinning arrangements with Dordrecht (Netherlands), Schwerte (Germany), Oudenaarde (Belgium), and Béthune (France), alongside friendship links with Hastings in Sierra Leone and Al-Mawasi in Gaza.

The friendship link with Al-Mawasi has proved to be particularly contentious. It was passed in July 2025 when the then minority-led Green-controlled council voted to twin Hastings with the Gaza town in a move described as showing “solidarity” with Palestine.

Although Reform UK had no councillors at the time, during the recent local election campaign the party issued “Pot Holes not Palestine” leaflets, arguing that HBC should prioritise local matters rather than give a platform to such a divisive foreign policy issue.

The Reform motion stopped short of calling for the link with Al-Mawasi to be severed, instead emphasising “transparency and clarity of purpose” to “help support public awareness, engagement and confidence.”

The motion riled Council Leader Glenn Haffenden. He responded saying “it was clear why we don’t want Reform UK running the council or even the government, because they have a one item agenda which has clearly been shown this evening.”

He went on to say that the “council does not spend any money on the twinning arrangements, nor does it waste council officer resources.” In stark contrast, he said Cllr Ross’ motion “would waste money and vital council resources” ahead of the local government reorganisation when “our officers are going to be so overworked to be able to try and get the best position for Hastings.”

The Reform UK Group Leader was clearly irritated by the comments saying she “found it extraordinary that there was so much defensiveness” from Cllr Haffenden, adding “he was playing politics” with the motion. She insisted that she was “raising the concerns of 8000 people who voted for Reform UK in the recent elections. We had many doorstep conversations, and we continued to have those. I did not bring a party line to this motion, and I take exception to that.”

The meeting agreed to refer the motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) for consideration of its inclusion in its 2026/27 Work Programme.

At last Monday’s meeting of the OSC (20 July), it was agreed to set up a sub-committee, chaired by Cllr Ross, and for her to take forward evidence gathering and report back to OSC prior to reporting to Full Council in January.

The government has confirmed it will proceed with plans to abolish Hastings Borough Council (HBC), four other neighbouring district and borough councils, and East Sussex County Council, replacing them with a single unitary authority for East Sussex from April 2028.

The move is designed to simplify local government. Currently, services are split between two tiers: the county council handles strategic responsibilities such as education and social care, while district and borough councils manage more local matters like planning applications, housing, parks, and leisure centres. Under the new unitary model, all these services will be delivered by a new East Sussex Unitary Authority.

The government believes the reforms will “create stronger, more efficient councils that lay the foundations for real devolution and the economic growth that will bring new jobs and opportunities to communities right across England.”

The plans are broadly in line with the government’s original Local Government Reform proposals, published just before Christmas 2024. The only modification involves moving around 26,000 residents of East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe from the Lewes district into Brighton & Hove.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Leader of HBC, said he and his colleagues would continue to “work for the best for Hastings’ residents” throughout the reorganisation, ensuring their needs are prioritised when the new unitary council is formed. He insisted that existing councils would continue to deliver services, with continuity prioritised during the transition, and pledged close cooperation with partners to protect local services and secure the best possible outcome for East Sussex.

An unintended potential pitfall of the reform is Hastings losing its prized status as one of the Cinque Ports – a fate that befell nearby Seaford in 1974. As part of the last major reorganisation fifty years ago, Seaford lost its independent Urban District Council when it was absorbed into Lewes District Council. Consequently, Seaford – which had been granted “corporate limb” status under the Confederation as a subordinate to Hastings – formally ceased to be an active Cinque Port member. There is a very real fear that Hastings could face the same fate.

Hastings was one of the original five members of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports when it was formed in the 11th century by the Saxon kings. Henry III formalised the arrangement with a Royal Charter in 1260, offering Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich lucrative inducements to supply ships and men to defend the coast. The town remained a key member of the club even after the devastating storm of 1287 destroyed its physical harbour.

Today, the Confederation of the Cinque Ports is a largely symbolic, civic, and charitable organisation. It brings a valuable tourist boost to each of the five towns – as was evident last year, when Cllr Becca Horn was invested as Speaker of the Cinque Ports at a historic ceremony in Hastings.

Once Hastings Borough Council is abolished in 2028, the town will lack both a council and a Mayor and, like Seaford half a century ago, risks losing its Cinque Port status unless it can secure formal civic recognition before then.

The council says it is aware of the problem. A council spokesperson said: “As we understand it, to remain a Cinque Port, Hastings needs to retain a formal civic status once local government reorganisation is complete. This could potentially be done by way of a town or parish council, or through the adoption of Charter Trustees, which are used to preserve civic and ceremonial rights that cannot otherwise be continued by a new unitary authority.

“Our Head of Community and Regulatory Services and Leader of the Council have met with the Confederation of Cinque Ports to understand how they can assist us as we move forward.

“The process to form a town or parish council is a Community Governance Review, which can take around a year. The general advice from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has been not to undertake such a review once the local government reorganisation process begins. Full Council agreed on 14 January not to go ahead with a Community Governance Review at that stage, but to pursue the adoption of Charter Trustees.

“We will be asking the government to clarify the issue of Cinque Ports status and how civic and ceremonial functions will be treated through local government reorganisation. Further information received this week expands on ceremonial and civic historical legacy, but some elements need further clarification.

“Retaining Hastings’ Cinque Ports status is a priority for the council.

“Once the shadow unitary authority is in place following elections in May 2027, it will be for the shadow authority / new authority to consider whether to undertake a Community Governance Review process.”

Long-serving Labour Councillor Trevor Webb, the Father of the House, says he is “aghast” at the “gross negligence” of the Green-led HBC and its “failure to understand the consequences of what the abolition of the council and Mayor in 2028 actually means.” He says the only way Hastings can save its Cinque Port status is by establishing a Charter Trust or a Town Council but believes the latter option has already been left too late by HBC. “We cannot allow 1,000 years of our history to sink without a trace because of negligence and incompetence.”

The Source Park, one of the world’s largest underground skateparks, has been forced to close its doors with immediate effect due to urgent health and safety concerns. The shock announcement was made last Friday evening (24 July) at the start of the peak summer holiday season. The closure only affects the skatepark, which will remain shut until at least 2027. The hospitality businesses in the Courtyard will remain open as usual.

The Foreshore Trust, which owns the land on which the Source Park sits on behalf of Hastings Borough Council, has allocated £1.5m for emergency repair work to prevent water ingress and work to the concrete structures around the Source Park and Courtyard and the promenade in the immediate area. The tender process to find a contractor will start later this summer, and it is envisaged that the first phase of work should be completed in 2027, with further work taking over two to three years to complete in a phased approach. 

The closure, which came without warning, has drawn sharp criticism from former Hastings Borough Councillor Judy Rogers, who questioned why action was not taken sooner. She said: “It has been known for some time that this work was needed, so I would question why it has been left till the point when a forced closure is necessary at a point in the year when we have the most visitors in town and it’s school summer holidays.”

The Source Park was opened in 2016, on the site of what was once a Turkish baths complex built in the 1870s. It sits below sea-level and has always had maintenance problems with dampness and water ingress. 

In March, as part of the perpetual battle against the elements, the Foreshore Trust agreed to allocate £50,000 to prepare a tender pack to identify the scale of the works needed to address water ingress from the promenade and concrete repair works, including the “removal of loose or potentially dangerous areas within the main skate park” and to prepare tender documentation for future works.

At a meeting of Hastings Borough Council’s Charity Committee on 22 June, Kate Darbyshire, the Foreshore Trust Manager, presented councillors with a report setting out plans to allocate up to £1.5m over three years to undertake the repair in phased stages. They were told that a “phased approach would minimise disruption to tenants while allowing the effectiveness of the initial remedial works to be assessed before progressing to further internal repairs.”

The phased approach to the repair works was abandoned, however, following the discovery of “falling concrete and crumbling fire exits” as reported by the Source Park owners on Facebook, which prompted the Foreshore Trust to close the skatepark immediately. A spokesperson for the Trust said: “Safeguarding this key asset is a priority, and it is unfortunate that the required work means the park must close for a period of time. We apologise that the closure has come at such short notice; this is due to health and safety concerns at the park that made it necessary to close immediately.”

The closure of the skatepark has also forced the postponement of the popular Battle of Hastings BMX event, originally scheduled for September. The event organisers say the competition will now take place in 2027, with a new date to be confirmed once the repair schedule has been finalised.

Responding to concerns about pre-paid memberships of the skatepark, Source Park posted on Facebook that they “will contact everyone with memberships in due course.”

The double blow will fall hardest on those already struggling to make ends meet. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting and school canteens firmly shut, the removal of automatic holiday food support will leave many parents scrambling to put meals on the table. 

At the heart of the food voucher controversy is a decision by the Reform UK-led ESCC to stop automatically issuing supermarket vouchers to struggling families over the holidays. The council believes they can “provide better, more targeted support to those families facing the greatest challenges” through other initiatives. However, the timing of the announcement meant many parents only discovered they would not receive vouchers over the holidays in the final week of the summer term.

The sudden shutdown of the Source Park has drawn sharp criticism of the Foreshore Trust, the charitable body that controls and administers seafront land on behalf of Hastings Borough Council from Bulverhythe to Ecclesbourne Glen. Only last month, the Foreshore Trust set out plans for a “phased approach” to essential repair works at Source Park “to minimise disruption.” Those plans have now been abandoned, amid accusations of poor communication and mismanagement – a common complaint about council management of places like Azur and St Mary in the Castle.

Reform UK-led East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has scrapped the automatic allocation of supermarket food vouchers for struggling families over the summer holidays. The decision has provoked outrage from parents and drawn sharp criticism from local Labour MP Helena Dollimore, who described the decision as “disgraceful” and demanded it be “urgently reversed”.

The county council decided to stop issuing food vouchers to eligible families after the central government funding programme, the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, officially closed on 31 March. The scheme was replaced on 1 April with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), with additional Government funding of over £1 billion a year, compared with £742 million provided under the HSF.

ESCC continued providing holiday vouchers over Easter and May half-term, but Council Leader Cllr Andy Woolley confirmed they will not be extended to the summer break.

Under the new arrangements, councils are no longer mandated to automatically distribute vouchers. Instead, they have local discretion over how to allocate support. Rather than issuing vouchers, the County Council Leader believes ESCC can “provide better, more targeted support, with a stronger emphasis on tackling the causes of hardship, building resilience, and supporting families facing the greatest challenges over the longer term.”

Cllr Woolley insisted “the change would not mean support has disappeared” and stressed “help remains available for families in crisis, alongside a range of other support programmes.” Acknowledging why people may be concerned about the end of food vouchers, “particularly in communities where many families are already struggling,” he added: “No one wants to see a child go hungry during the school holidays.”

The Council Leader conceded no “single scheme can meet every family’s needs” and defended the council’s shift towards supporting those “families facing the most significant difficulties”. He emphasised that “families eligible for free school meals can access free activities and meals through the Holiday Food and Fun sessions running across East Sussex during the summer holidays.” These are also paid for by the government.

The Labour MP for Hastings, Rye and the villages, Helena Dollimore, called on Reform UK “to be honest with the public about their political decision to take away school holiday meal vouchers from children who need them the most.”

The MP also accused ESCC of failing to give families adequate notice of their plans, noting that many parents only discovered in the final week of the summer term that they would not receive the vouchers over the holidays, despite record government funding of £7.3m to ESCC back in April to help transition to the new scheme. She described the late communication as “totally unacceptable” and warned “the decision puts hundreds of children across East Sussex at risk.”

In response to the county council’s decision not to issue summer holiday food vouchers, Barry Ashley, from the Grumpy Cook in Hastings, has launched his own campaign to fight food poverty without stigma. The Help Feed a Child This Summer initiative aims to provide free lunches to those who need them most to ensure that no child goes hungry during the school holidays.

The initiative has quickly galvanised local support with nearby cafes and grocers offering surplus ingredients, and an online crowdfunder has raised more than £3,000 within its first week. Community centres and church halls across Hastings have also offered their spaces as collection points, turning the campaign into a town-wide effort that many residents see as a powerful expression of local solidarity.

The Prince of Wales paid a whirlwind visit to Hastings on 9 July, spending the day meeting local fishermen, playing crazy golf and being inducted into the Winkle Club as an honorary member . The visit was designed to highlight the vital work of local youth organisations and community-driven groups.

The royal visit began with Prince William descending from the East Hill funicular railway where he was greeted by a crowd of well-wishers. His first official stop was with local fishermen where he climbed aboard the Senlac Jack and chatted with crew members about the struggles of the town’s historic beach-launched boats. He listened attentively as skipper Roland Kelly told him about the problems of overfishing by large EU trawlers, the complexities of fishing quotas, and the impact of warming sea temperatures on the fishing industry. He later toured the iconic wooden net shops.

On a lighter note, the Prince was inducted into the Winkle Club as an honorary member. The local charitable organisation was founded by fishermen in 1900 to support families in need, and past members include his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, Sir Winston Churchill, and Field Marshal Lord Montgomery.

Prince William was given a silver winkle as a token of his lifetime membership and was told that members of the club, known as ‘Winklers’ must carry their shell at all times and that failure to present it on demand when challenged to “Winkle Up” would result in a fine. He accepted the responsibility with a smile and promised to “take good care of my winkle”.

The next stop was a visit to Eagle House, where the Prince chatted with young people and volunteers who use the space as a youth club and gathering place. The building is owned by Hastings Commons which aims to transform some of the town’s historic and neglected buildings by turning them into shared homes, workspaces and hubs of social support that are owned and run by the community.

Later in the day, William headed to the Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf, meeting  young people supported by the local youth charity XTrax and enjoyed a round of crazy golf. At almost exactly the same time Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex – William’s estranged brother and his family – were meeting their father, the King, 160 miles away at Highgrove

The Pett Level Rescue Boat team, usually tasked with helping distressed swimmers and vessels, found themselves in uncharted waters on Saturday 4 July when they responded to an alert regarding an unusual casualty: a live octopus, marooned in the sand by the receding tide. Steve Hill, the Chair of the Launch Authority, told HIP that his members carefully recovered the creature before safely returning it to the sea. Another successful, albeit unusual mission, for the team of valued community volunteers.

While the sighting of this eight-armed cephalopod may still feel like a novelty for beachgoers, its presence is likely to signal the onset of a serious ecological upheaval in local waters. For the fishermen of Hastings, however, it represents a potential threat to their livelihoods.

The sightings of octopuses are becoming more common along the South Coast, particularly off Cornwall. Marine biologists explain that the sudden surge in sightings – a phenomenon known as a ‘bloom’  – is driven by environmental factors, such as a mild winter followed by a warm breeding season, supercharged by the long-term warming of our seas due to global warming.

The warm-water creatures make their way here from much hotter southern waters as sea temperatures rise. This migration is driven not only by the current marine heatwave, but also by longer-term climatic trends that are pushing sea surface temperatures 4–5°C above average in parts of the English Channel. So-called ‘heat domes’ exacerbate the problem by trapping the hot air to drive record-breaking air temperatures.

In the short term, some of us may bask in the tropical conditions and enjoy lazy afternoons on the beach. Yet it is becoming increasingly clear that the ecological shift scientists have long warned about is no longer a distant forecast but a present-day reality.

The rising sea temperatures along the Kent and Sussex coastline are already impacting traditional marine habitats, the very staples of the historic, shore-launched Hastings fishing fleet. The numbers of cod, Dover sole, plaice, herring, mackerel and skate fished locally are declining, as these species move further north to find colder waters. Seagrasses and kelp forests are also disappearing rapidly from around the English Channel.

The rise in octopus numbers is now beginning to have an impact on shellfish stocks, too. Octopuses are voracious predators of crustaceans, and as their population is set to explode, stocks of crab and lobsters are likely to be decimated. This will impact shellfish potters who use specialised baited traps (known as ‘pots’) to catch their quarry which are highly prized.

The octopus threat is only the latest blow to an already battered fishing fleet, which has seen the number of active beach-launched boats that make up the historic fleet in Hastings reduced to almost single figures.

Roland Kelly, skipper of the Senlac Jack, has witnessed first-hand the dramatic decline in Hastings’ fishing fleet over his 40-year career. When he first put to sea in 1986, he says the waters off the Sussex coast were teeming with cod, Dover sole and plaice, but those abundant hauls are “now a fading memory”. He blames the steady encroachment of large EU trawlers, “even within the post-Brexit six-mile limit,” of over-fishing and of stripping the inshore grounds of mature fish. As a result, “catches today barely cover costs” he says.

Add to that the bureaucratic nature of fishing quotas, whose rigid inflexibility makes them virtually impossible to meet, along with the prospect of extended Marine Protection Zones – a conservation initiative he supports for safeguarding critical habitats, yet whose expansion he fears will impose even greater constraints.

Mr Kelly believes fishing is a passion but “a passion too few young people seem to share today”. The restrictions have simply become too onerous and he asks is it any wonder “given the difficult working conditions, the financial uncertainty, and the bureaucracy why any young person would want to work the boats anymore.”

He acknowledges an ecological shift is under way in the English Channel with sea temperatures rising and traditional fish stocks depleting. He also believes the threat posed by the rise in octopus numbers, whilst real, is not the most immediate concern of local fishermen.

The longer-term shift in marine life will inevitably present opportunities, as new species arrive in local waters. Increasing numbers of octopus and blue fin tuna could, in time, he says, provide lucrative markets. But, he adds, there is no certainty that the octopus will stay if their supply of crustaceans disappears. New equipment will also be needed along with new skills, and new supply chains – all at considerable cost, and it remains to be seen whether these gains will outweigh the losses already being felt across the local fleet.

The rescue of the octopus in Pett Level was undoubtedly an act of kindness, but it also serves as a stark warning. Increasing numbers of octopus are a visible sign that global warming is real and that an increase in sea temperatures will have a massive impact on our town and on the very future of our historic fishing fleet.

The Old Town Boating Lake has been a popular feature of Hastings seafront for almost a hundred years. Opened in 1933 to plans drawn up by Borough Engineer Sidney Little – a figure widely credited with almost single-handedly reshaping the town in the aftermath of the First World War – the lake was part of a broader transformation that also included the Carlisle Parade Underground Car Park, Bottle Alley, and the iconic bus shelters dotted along the seafront.

Originally almost twice its current size, the lake featured a small children’s paddling pool, which closed in 1952. The lake itself was reduced in the 1980s to its present-day dimensions of approximately 220ft by 230ft.

After years of neglect, it could be about to get a dramatic makeover. Flamingo Amusements, sub-lessees of Novomatic Luxury Leisure, who in turn lease the site from the Foreshore Trust, have taken the first step in the restoration by appointing family-run chartered surveyors Hawkins & Hawkins to lead the renovation design.

Hawkins & Hawkins have published their plans to turn the site into a “thriving community hub” and gave a presentation at a meeting last week on improving the seafront, organised by local MP Helena Dollimore at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association and Social Club. They told residents that they had spent the past year working closely with Flamingo to develop detailed master plans to transform the site, which, they acknowledged, was in desperate need of rejuvenation. Their plans seek to “build upon the distinctive character and charm of Hastings Old Town.”

The plans include a new “Dino-themed” splash park and landscaped public spaces, seating areas, an outdoor entertainment and events venue, and food and drink outlets.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

These plans have now reached what the surveyors describe as a “crucial moment”, with the launch of a public consultation inviting residents to “review the draft proposals, offer feedback, and suggest alternatives”. Hawkins & Hawkins stress that local input will “help ensure we deliver a community space that truly reflects local aspirations.”

The online consultation webpage contains a series of AI-generated glossy images depicting how the boating lake might look. Unfortunately, there are very few details about the plans on the web page, which includes typos that detract from the overall message.

Residents at the meeting were left frustrated by the lack of detail, especially over when the work would start and how it would be funded. The complex leasing relationship between Flamingo and Novomatic also drew murmurs of discontent. Some traders also expressed concerns that the plans showed a lack of imagination and understanding of the Old Town’s needs, and could lead to an over-concentration of food and drink outlets which would directly compete with established businesses.

Helena Dollimore clarified that the proposals were not linked to the £21.5m Pride in Place fund, which will be spent on improving Hastings over the next ten years.

The lack of clarity also appeared to undermine the cautious welcome given to the plans by John Bownas, manager of Love Hastings Ltd (the business group for town-centre traders). He noted that there seemed to be broad agreement that the scheme would mark “a vast improvement” on what currently exists there; however, without a clear financial roadmap, the scheme risked losing the trust of the very community it was meant to benefit.

He acknowledged that the plans are still at an early stage and are likely to evolve. As such, he called on everyone to feed their ideas into the consultation to ensure nothing gets missed. He stressed, however, that whatever the outcome, any redevelopment of the lake needs to be fully integrated into the wider regeneration of Hastings seafront.

The online consultation can be viewed at hawkins-hawkins.co.uk/the-boating-lake. The deadline for responses is 27 July.

Hospitality businesses across Hastings and St Leonards are feeling an acute squeeze. With their heavy reliance on part-time and seasonal staff, local restaurants, pubs and cafes are struggling with higher costs related to the increases in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage. Add in the sharp rise in energy bills and food inflation because of the war in Iran and it is unsurprising that many small businesses are not just struggling but now fighting for their very survival.

In the face of the extremely tough trading conditions, several local pub owners report they are considering reducing midweek opening hours. Many independent cafés and restaurants already do not open midweek, and those that do often close early when business is particularly slow. As a result, the Old Town and the seafront can often resemble a ghost town between Monday and Thursday with shuttered shop fronts and few pedestrians.

Bill Stacey, who runs the Donut Man at the historic Pelham Arcade, blames the cost-of-living crisis for sharply altering how day tourists to Hastings spend their money. Where once visitors would buy up to six doughnuts each, he says they now pick up just one or two, or skip the purchase entirely. “People simply have less money to spend on simple seaside treats,” he notes. Stacey would like the local council and the Foreshore Trust to cut the cost of seafront parking, so as to encourage day visitors to stay longer in the town and spend a little more on traditional treats like doughnuts, ice cream, and fish and chips.

Kim Duke, the owner of the Tonka Restaurant on Marine Parade, agrees that seafront parking charges are “much too high” and believes they discourage families from lingering beyond a few hours. But what angers her even more is the controversial decision of Hastings Borough Council (HBC) to withdraw from the 1066 Country Marketing partnership in early 2023. The council pulled its £50,000 annual contribution, citing the need to make budgetary savings amid wider financial pressures. The move provoked significant local backlash, particularly as no alternative marketing arrangements were put in place to fill the void.

Kim believes HBC’s failure to actively promote Hastings leaves potential day visitors unaware of what the town has to offer. “People don’t know we’re here beyond the pier and the ruins,” she says. In her view, the absence of targeted campaigns means that Hastings loses out to neighbouring towns like Eastbourne or Rye, which continue to market themselves effectively. For independent businesses already squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis, she argues, the lack of promotion is an added blow that makes every quiet midweek feel even emptier.

The government has acknowledged challenges facing local hospitality businesses and unveiled support measures, such as targeted business rates relief for pubs and live music venues, and lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000.

HBC has announced a new programme of investment designed to strengthen and grow the town’s tourism economy. There are also ambitious plans to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Normans and the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years. In addition, the council is funding a new Strategic Tourism Lead role as part of a shared services agreement with Eastbourne and Lewes; and a new Visit Hastings website will be launched in the coming months, giving visitors an easy way to discover events and activities happening across the town.

The recent Jack-in-the-Green celebrations gave a much-needed boost to local trade, but a single busy weekend cannot mask the reality – that without further help and support, some of our most cherished pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops will simply not survive.

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

A landmark new law strengthening renters’ rights, which promises to transform the lives of tenants living in the 12,500 private rental homes across Hastings and St Leonards came into force last Friday (1 May).

The Renters’ Rights Act changes the law to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure. At its heart is a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – a change that campaigners say will directly tackle one of the leading causes of homelessness in the town.

The need for reform is especially acute in Hastings. According to homelessness charity Shelter, one child in every classroom in the town is growing up homeless – the highest rate anywhere in England outside of London.

The Act introduces several other key protections. Rent increases will be limited to once per year, banning the practice of frequent hikes. Bidding wars for properties will also be illegal, as will excessive upfront payments. These will be capped at one month’s rent. 

In addition, landlords will be required to consider requests from tenants who wish to keep pets and renters can end tenancies with just two months’ notice.

There will be stronger protections, too against discrimination, particularly for families with children or those in receipt of benefits – groups that have often faced unfair barriers when trying to secure a home.

A new national database will help tenants check landlord compliance and councils target enforcement, a landlord ombudsman will provide fast binding dispute resolution, and councils gain powers to fine up to £7,000 for initial breaches.

Unsurprisingly, some landlords have expressed concerns about the new regulations. They warn the additional administrative burdens will drive many owners out of the market, reducing the number of available properties and ultimately driving up rents.

The Government insists, however, that the Act strikes a fair balance between protecting renters and supporting responsible property owners.

Local Labour MP Helena Dollimore said the Renters’ Rights Act represented the “biggest overhaul of our broken rental system in a generation and will balance the playing field between tenants and landlords. Families here have been living with the constant fear of losing their home through no fault of their own, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives. The reforms will finally give renters the security they deserve.”

Hastings Greens, whilst welcoming the government’s “positive” approach to ending no-fault Section 21 evictions and restrictions on rental bidding wars, argue that the Act does not go far enough to solve the town’s rental crisis. Their primary criticism is the absence of rent controls, without which, they believe, tenants remain vulnerable to being priced out of their homes. They also want to see an increase in the Local Housing Allowance and a firm commitment to expanding council housing.

People walking along the Hastings seafront in recent weeks will have noticed the massive buildup of shingle gathered up by the Harbour Arm in front of the RNLI lifeboat station. A team of engineers has been digging up hundreds of tonnes of beach shingle from along the shore as part of an ongoing plan to protect potentially vulnerable areas of the town from renewed flooding.

Each day, up to 800 tonnes of the surplus shingle, which has drifted down the coast from Eastbourne, is being collected up. This is then driven back down to Pevensey Bay to bolster beach levels and reduce the risk of flooding along that stretch of coastline.

The work to remove the surplus shingle in Hastings is part of a joint initiative by the Environment Agency, Southern Water, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council. The aim is to reduce the impact of wave action and shingle drift along the shoreline.

The buildup of shingle along the beach is proving to be a constant problem for Southern Water. The shingle was identified as one of the major causes of the blockage of an outfall pipe at Denmark Place, a short distance away, which was responsible for the town’s flooding in November 2023. This outfall pipe requires constant attention to keep it clear.

The excess shingle also creates problems for the RNLI. When the buildup becomes too great, the lifeboat station is often forced to clear a path along the beach just to launch. Any delay in getting a boat to sea can have dramatic consequences.

The Environment Agency anticipates collecting up to 15,000 tonnes of shingle from Hastings and transferring it to Pevensey in what it describes as a massive logistic operation. The works are expected to be completed in early May.

Environment Agency engineers will monitor the effectiveness of the operation, but they are under no illusion that the problem can be solved entirely. Coastal erosion can only be managed, not eradicated. With approximately 12km of coastline, Hastings will require long-term action and sustained funding to reduce the risk of flooding and major landslips, while also accounting for climate change and the predicted rise in sea levels.

Three local schools are celebrating after being nominated for prestigious national teaching awards recognising the exceptional quality of their teaching and support staff as well as the transformative work taking place in classrooms.

The three shortlisted schools—Mulberry Academy Hastings, Ark Alexandra Academy and Ark Castledown Primary Academy – have all been recognised for their outstanding commitment to pupils’ life chances, fostering inclusion, supporting student wellbeing and strengthening community ties. Their achievements have placed Hastings firmly in the national spotlight.

Mulberry Academy Hastings

The Mulberry Academy Hastings has been shortlisted in five categories at the prestigious TES Schools Awards UK. The success of the school is also reflected in two staff members being named as finalists in the ‘Subject Lead of the Year’ category.

TES, formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement, has run the national accolades since 2009, with the aim of highlighting and celebrating the efforts and achievements of the teaching profession and the wider school sector.

The national recognition is in stark contrast to just two years ago when the school in Rye Road, Ore, was riven by division. Then, under the auspices of the University of Brighton Academies Trust (UBAT), staff and teachers engaged in a bitter dispute over funding and financial management. There were parental concerns, too, about the use of exclusions as a means of controlling disruptive pupils and a lack of support for the most vulnerable.

Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye, raised her concerns about the school in Parliament and called on the Department for Education (DfE) to review UBAT’s general management of schools across the town. The criticism and subsequent investigation by the DfE into UBAT’s management practices prompted the trust to announce last year that it would cease running eight schools in Hastings and St Leonards and transfer the control of them to other academy trusts.

The Hastings Academy is now part of the Mulberry Schools Trust [as are the former St Leonards Academy and Bexhill Academy, now respectively re-named Mulberry Academy St Leonards and Mulberry Academy Bexhill]. School Principal Simon Addison has overseen significant changes since his appointment in September 2022 and particularly over the last year.

Pupil attendance figures have increased from 83%, when he took over, to 93% today. This makes the school one of the most improved in the country. School exclusions have also fallen by 50% over the last year, albeit from a high starting point. The Mulberry Trust say they are also investing in alternative provision to support children and young people, prevent exclusion and help them remain within a mainstream setting whenever possible.

The school is awaiting the results of its latest Ofsted inspection carried out in January. Mr Addison says he is confident it will show the school has made “significant improvement”, with an “improved culture and a reshaped, academically rigorous curriculum.”

The success of the school is reflected in strong staff retention. Mr Addison says the loyalty and support of the teaching staff was one of the factors behind the recent decision to admit an additional class of students in the next academic year to meet local demand. From September the school will offer 210 places instead of the usual 180 to meet the strength of preferences it received from parents on National Offer Day.

The five categories the school has been named a finalist in the TES Schools Awards are: Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year; Teacher Development Initiative of the Year; Staff Wellbeing School of the Year; Excellence in Pupil Enrichment; and Inclusive School of the Year.

The two teachers named as finalists in the ‘Subject Lead of the Year’ category are Hannah Rome and Ed Money. Mr Addison said their nominations were “so well deserved”, adding “both are phenomenal teachers”. He noted that Hannah Rome, the head of English, had overseen a marked improvement in results, and these are now in line with national averages. Ed Money, the head of art, is credited with introducing a new, aspirational curriculum that has delivered results above the national average.

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 19 June.

ARK ALEXANDRA ACADEMY 

The Ark Alexandra Academy has been nominated in the Outstanding Progress (Secondary) category at the Education Business Awards 2026.

Ark Alexandra was shortlisted following independent research by Education Business, with judges highlighting the school’s strong academic achievements, positive community impact, and contribution to the wider education sector.

The last Ofsted inspection in February 2024 gave an overall rating for the academy as “requiring improvement” – as did previous reports in 2015, 2017 and 2021.

Performance data shown on Ark’s own website shows it having scored below both local authority and England average in overall attainment levels, in maths and English GCSE results, and in stay-in-education/follow-up employment/apprenticeship rates. Its ‘progress score’ (assessed for 2023/24) was rated as ‘well below average’.

But the school has reported a substantial improvement in outcomes last summer, with the proportion of students achieving passes in both English and mathematics GCSE increasing by 13% across the board. Disadvantaged students and those with SEND saw even greater improvements of 16% and 17%, respectively.

Ark Alexandra achieved a 65.2% pass rate in English and Maths GCSE, outperforming both the local authority average (63.3%) and the national average (64.8%). The school now boasts the strongest Key Stage 4 results in Hastings, sitting above the national averages.

ARK CASTLEDOWN PRIMARY ACADEMY 

The Ark Castledown Primary Academy in Priory Road is the third local school to celebrate national recognition, picking up two nominations in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

The school is a finalist for Making a Difference – Primary School of the Year, and Hannah Franklin-Paines is nominated for the Teacher of the Year in a Primary School category. Two other staff members also received accolades with Caitlynn Deeprose being Highly Commended for Outstanding New Teacher, and Claire Blower earning a Bronze Award for Unsung Hero.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards recognised the school’s exceptional impact on pupils’ lives, wellbeing, and inclusion, including its active involvement in community events such as the Old Town Carnival. Hannah Franklin-Paines was honoured for her inspirational classroom practice and dedication to pupils’ wellbeing and life chances.

 The award nominations for the Ark Castledown Primary Academy follows the recent Ofsted inspection report which rated the school ‘exceptional’ for inclusion.

Battlelines drawn for local elections

Paul McLaughlin

Voters across Hastings and St Leonards will go to the polls on 7 May for what are likely to be the final local elections for Hastings Borough Council (HBC) and East Sussex County Council (ESCC). Both authorities are set to be abolished in 2028 and replaced with a new unitary council, the boundaries of which have yet to be determined.

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL 

The elections to HBC will be hotly contested. The Greens, Labour, Reform UK and the Conservatives are fielding candidates in each of the 16 local wards. They will be joined by a number of independent community candidates, members of the former Hastings Independent group and five Liberal Democrats.

A JL Partners opinion poll carried out on 15 April put Reform UK on course to win most votes in Hastings with 26%, followed by Labour on 24%, the Conservatives on 19%, the Greens on 18%, and the Liberal Democrats on 9%.

Local opinion polls are notoriously unreliable, however, and it is the Greens who appear confident and upbeat where it matters – on doorsteps across Hastings and St Leonards. The party needs a net gain of just five seats to take overall control of HBC – a council they have been running as a minority administration since May 2024. 

Standing in the way will be Reform UK. Aidan Fisher’s victory in the Ashdown and Conquest County Council by-election last November – the first success for the party in Sussex – suggests it will make a breakthrough at this year’s local elections. However, opinion polls suggest a faltering of its surge in recent months, and local voters may well be turned off by the racist, violent and misogynistic messages posted on social media by Ricky Hodges, the party’s candidate in Tressell ward. The posts were highlighted last week by the BBC, forcing leader Nigel Farage to promise to review the candidature. But, whatever the outcome, Hodges will still be on the ballot paper as a Reform UK candidate when voters go to the polls.

These elections are likely to be very difficult for both Labour, as the party of government, and the Conservatives. Both traditional parties have been outflanked by insurgents to their left and right, respectfully. They are both likely to lose votes and long-held seats. 

The remnants of the Hastings Independent group are likely to struggle as well. Former council leader Paul Barnett is stepping down, alongside Simon Willis. As for the remaining four—John Cannan, Nigel Sinden, Mike Turner, and Andy Batsford—they will have little more than their own personal reputations to lean on. Without the shield of a strong party machine or the momentum of recent victories, each will have to hope that a deep reservoir of local loyalty carries them over the line.

A welcome addition to the voting line up is the number of independent community candidates including Andrea Cowhig, of the Hastings Area Southern Housing Tenants Association, standing in Hollington, and Vicky Wilson in Ore. They are campaigning for tenants’ rights, stronger local health services, better education and tougher environmental protections.

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

The county council elections will be just as competitively fought. ESCC is currently controlled by the Conservatives, although with only 22 seats they have had to rely on the support of independents to run the 50-member council.

The snapshot of public opinion carried out by JL Partners, however, suggests a new party will take control after 7 May. Its East Sussex poll has the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK tied on 30%, with the Conservatives in third place with just 15%, 3 points ahead of the Greens and 6 points ahead of Labour.

The Liberal Democrats are bullish about their chances of taking control of ESCC. They currently have 11 seats and, as a sign of their intent, they are contesting all 50 county council seats, unlike in the Hastings Borough Council elections where they are contesting just five of the 16 available.

The party enjoys strong support across East Sussex outside of Hastings, where the Greens have a firm foothold. If they can unite the progressive vote, as the Greens are trying to in Hastings, they could well wrest control from the Conservatives.

It is likely Labour will struggle to hold on to the county council seats held by Trevor Webb (Central St Leonards and Gensing), Phil Scott (Hollington and Wishing Tree) and Godfrey Daniel (Braybrooke and Castle). They are all standing down after 73 years of continual public service between them.

TACTICAL VOTING 

Last November’s by-election in Ashdown and Conquest saw the Greens and Labour compete to convince voters that they were the ones best placed to stop the advance of Reform UK. Each team of canvassers encouraged the public to vote tactically, pushing the message that a vote for the other party would be wasted. 

While strong doorstep recognition for local MP Helena Dollimore could offset voter disappointment with the government and help Labour retain some key wards, across much of the town and county the scene may be set for the Greens and Liberal Democrats to take on the mantle of defeating Reform UK.

No one can be sure of the outcome.

There is mounting frustration from local traders and residents over the developers’ failure to transform the site of a burnt-out nightclub at the entrance to George Street. In response, Hastings Borough Council now appears poised to take action to address the state of this eyesore.

Oasis Developments Hastings Ltd were granted planning permission to build 14 apartments, six holiday lets and four shops on the 39-41 George Street site last year. However, despite repeated assurances, construction work has still not started.

At an informal meeting before Christmas, the council made it clear to the developer that the prolonged delay in progressing the planning permission and associated legal agreement was “unacceptable”. The leader of the council, senior officers, and the borough solicitor secured a commitment to improve the appearance of the site immediately, including the removal of vegetation and graffiti, and to upgrade the hoardings with visualisations of the proposed development.

No such work has been undertaken, however, and the entrance to George Street remains an eyesore.

The lack of progress on the site has united the council leadership, local traders, and residents in their frustration over the developer’s failure to deliver on its commitments. The Council Leader, Cllr Glenn Haffenden, said residents and businesses are “right to be frustrated by how long this has dragged on”. This view was echoed by Cllr Julia Hilton, the Deputy Leader of the Council and ward councillor for Old Hastings.

The frustration has now boiled over, and the council is preparing to take a much harder line with the developer to require that the improvements are made. Unlike in December, when the council wrote to the owner requesting that necessary works be carried out voluntarily, the council has now begun the formal planning enforcement process by issuing a Section 215 notice requiring the owner to address the condition of the site.

Under the terms of the formal notice issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the owner has ten working days to respond and a minimum of 28 days to clean up the site. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution and fines.

Cllr Julia Hilton acknowledged that the lack of visible progress is “understandably disappointing” for residents. However, she stressed that the council must follow the correct legal processes.

A spate of break-ins along George Street and High Street in recent weeks has caused distress to local traders and prompted calls for an increased police presence in the Old Town at night. There have been several burglaries recorded since the start of February, with all the break-ins taking place in the early morning.

One trader told HIP that they arrived at their shop to find the front door glass shattered and the till drawer, containing mostly loose change, ransacked on the floor. “It’s not just about the money; it’s the violation. We have worked so hard to build our business, and someone can just destroy it in a minute. It’s just not fair.”

Police Investigation

Sussex Police have stated that five people have been arrested in connection with the break-ins. This followed increased patrols across Hastings Old Town and a review of evidence gathered by scene of crime officers and security camera footage from the affected businesses and surrounding areas.

In addition to the increased visibility, the police have stepped-up proactive engagement with partners, business owners, and residents and are working closely with the community to support those affected.

Economic and emotional Anxieties

The break-ins have cast a shadow over the Old Town in what is traditionally a quiet trading period after Christmas. The small independent shops and restaurants are already grappling with rising rents, business rates and energy bills and now must factor in the added expense of costly repairs and security upgrades. 

One trader told HIP he had been charged over £1,000 for a temporary replacement door and would have to find a further £3,500 for a permanent exact match. Another said he has been forced to install a new alarm system. “I can’t really afford it,” he said, before adding, “but I can’t afford not to.”

A shop owner on the High Street spoke of the emotional impact the burglary has had on staff, and the trauma they have experienced since the break-in.

In response to the increased costs some traders are facing, Hastings Borough Council is actively exploring potential funding streams to help them with security audits.

Local Concerns

The recent spate of burglaries comes six months after residents and business owners packed the Stables Theatre for an urgent public meeting to address a sharp rise in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. The meeting last August highlighted growing concerns over open drug dealing, burglaries and aggressive begging, which left many feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhood.

Despite the arrest of five people, the investigation into the break-ins is ongoing and Sussex Police continue to appeal for people in the area to contact them via the non-emergency 101 hotline if they have information or security camera footage from any of the recent break-ins.

Defiance

More than 50 local traders packed into a meeting organised by Rose Ratcliffe of Butlers Emporium on George Street, coming together in a show of solidarity to discuss the challenges. The gathering, focused on community and brainstorming solutions, underscored the traders’ determination to support one another. “We want to send a message that the Old Town is resilient, and we are watching out for one another,” Ratcliffe said.

Schools in Hastings and 1066 Country will receive priority booking for free tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry when it goes on display at the British Museum later this year. The announcement follows months of campaigning by local MP Helena Dollimore.

The historic 70-metre medieval masterpiece, depicting the Norman Conquest of 1066, is returning to England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years. It will be exhibited in London from September 2026 to July 2027.

Ms Dollimore began campaigning for priority exhibition access for local children shortly after the loan of the tapestry to Britain was announced by the Prime Minister last July. Her campaign won the support of broadcaster David Dimbleby, a 1066 Country resident, and historian Dan Snow, who co-signed her letter to British Museum Chairman and former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

Speaking in Parliament, the MP said: “1066 is etched into our national consciousness, and the Battle of Hastings was a defining moment in British history that continues to shape who we are today. A millennium later, the clash between the Saxons and the Normans still resonates across our land. In fact, Hastings and the surrounding area is known as ‘1066 Country’, so inseparable is our identity from the events immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry.”

The Culture Minister, Ian Murray, congratulated Ms Dollimore on her “tenacious campaigning”. He confirmed that the British Museum had agreed to free priority tickets for local schools, “reflecting the salience of the area to the events of 1066, and the huge local interest”.

Ms Dollimore welcomed the “fantastic news”. She said she had been “lucky to go to local state schools and then study history at university. Who knows who we could inspire by allowing schoolchildren to see the exhibition? The Bayeux Tapestry quite literally wove Hastings into our national history. I am looking forward to children from 1066 Country being able to see it and feel pride in knowing that the story it tells began in the place they call home.”

Not content with securing priority booking for free tickets, the MP has launched a new campaign calling on the British Museum to reserve 1,066 tickets exclusively for local residents, and to support the travel costs of those children going to the exhibition to ensure access is not determined by how well-off local schools are. “My challenge to the British Museum is for it to live up to its name and to truly be the museum of Britain and ensure that young people from Hastings and 1066 Country get to visit the exhibition.”

Tickets for the exhibition go on sale from 1 July.

The turmoil gripping Iran is being closely followed by the Kurdish Iranian community in Hastings. Omid Ibrahim, the owner of the popular Kings Barbers on Queens Road, says the impact of the events 2,500 miles away is “deeply personal” and that “every phone call with family now starts with a fearful ‘Are you safe?’”

Omid is from the Kurdish border region in the mountainous north of Iran close to the Iraqi border. He came to Hastings in 2008 and trained to be a barber at Hastings College. He quickly settled into the local community and says people have made him feel at home. He is married to Danielle, a nurse, and has two children at local schools.

Whilst Hastings is now home to him and his family, the recent protests and subsequent crackdown in Iran followed by the US and Israeli military assault have cast a long shadow over their daily lives. “There is no escape from the emotional and psychological toll,” he says.

Omid’s father still lives in the family home, and his brother recently suffered a gunshot wound during a demonstration. “News alerts and social media make it hard to escape the unfolding crisis,” he says.

While he supports efforts to topple the theocratic regime in Tehran, Omid remains deeply sceptical of American attempts to foment revolt in Kurdish areas. This distrust stems from a long history of broken promises. In 1991 the Americans encouraged the Kurds to rebel against Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime during the Gulf War, only for their priorities to shift; this precipitated a vicious crackdown by the Iraqi army and a massive humanitarian crisis. He warns: “The only certainty is that there will be more bloodshed, and no one can be sure what will happen.”

The images of his homeland in turmoil make Omid thankful for the coastal calm of Hastings. He is grateful, too, for the support that the people of Hastings and St Leonards have shown to him and others of the Kurdish Iranian diaspora. “Their kindness will never be forgotten,” he says.

The future of The Bridge Community Centre in Hastings has been secured after current owners, the Parchment Trust, announced they have found a new buyer for the building on Priory Road. The centre, which has been closed for over seven years, had been listed for sale by the Trust for an eye-watering £650,000, despite having been gifted to charity to provide personalised, community-based day services and support for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and autism. 

The Parchment Trust confirmed it had reached an agreement with a “fantastic new owner” for The Bridge following discussions that began in December. While the identity of the new owner remains unknown “due to commercial sensitivities”, the Trust revealed that two “incredible charities” are involved in the takeover, both of which are said to be fully committed to upholding the existing covenants requiring The Bridge to be used for community benefit.

The announcement follows a period of uncertainty for the much-loved community asset. The Parchment Trust took on The Bridge in 2018 as part of a vision to expand its services to “create the UKs first community centre run by disabled people for the benefit of the whole community”. The aim was to “provide valuable work experience for disabled people, and a wonderful resource for everyone to connect, learn and benefit from time together”.

However, these plans were never realised, and the building remained closed for several years. The charity secured full ownership of the community centre in March 2024, following what it described as “an extremely lengthy and complicated transfer process involving several parties”.

Upon taking full ownership, the Trust again set out ambitious plans and promised to invest significant funds to renovate the centre with the aim of opening to the public by summer 2025. These plans similarly came to nothing.

Late last year the Parchment Trust announced it “could not continue with the renovation and operation of The Bridge without jeopardising its core services” and barely a year after being gifted ownership of the building listed it for sale for £650,000.

The decision provoked outrage, uniting the local Labour MP, the Conservative-led East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and the Green-led Hastings Borough Council – all of whom vehemently opposed the sale. The county council even went as far as to threaten legal action to block any sale because of a Deed of Covenant on the building which obliges the Parchment Trust to use and manage the property for the benefit of the community within the Ore Valley area in Hastings and to ensure that the property is open to the public for at least 20 hours during a week. ESCC insisted that the deed would cover any subsequent purchaser, who would be required to enter into a deed on similar terms.

The Parchment Trust defended its actions stating that the sale process had been “guided by a Charities Act Valuation”. The organisation said they had rejected approaches from unsuitable parties, including from property developers, who were not seen as capable of or committed to fulfilling the community covenants.

The legal process is expected to be completed within the next three months, with all parties “fully committed” and “working at speed” to finalise the transfer, but with no mention of the price paid for the building.

Cllr Julia Hilton, the Deputy Leader of Hastings Borough Council and Lead Councillor for Shaping Place said it was “really good news that this great building that was built with public money will be back in use for the community as soon as possible”.

Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye said she was “delighted that a great local charity will be taking over the Bridge and ensuring this space remains open for community use”. The MP said she had raised the issue in Parliament, and had had “helpful discussions with local charities, with the Charity Commission and local councils to help ensure the future of the Bridge is secured”.

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

Hastings Borough Council’s Cabinet has approved draft budget plans, including a 2.99% council tax increase for residents from April. This is the maximum rise allowed by the government without triggering a local referendum. The increase will bring the total annual bill for an average Band D property in Hastings to over £2,600.

Chief Finance Officer Kit Wheeler presented the Revenue Budget 2026/27, and Capital Programme 2026/27 to 2028/29 to senior councillors last Monday (2 February). He reported that the council’s financial position had “improved significantly” when compared to recent years. He praised the efforts of staff and councillors who had worked hard and made real sacrifices to cut costs and put staff vacancies on hold to make savings. 

He acknowledged that austerity measures, imposed on the council three years ago by the previous government to avoid a Section 114 notice to prevent bankruptcy, had affected the delivery of local services. However, he insisted this was a “necessary part of our process to achieve our goal of financial sustainability.” The council’s reserves are expected to increase from just £4m – the minimum level considered necessary to withstand significant financial shocks – to “hover currently at about the £7m mark.” 

The council’s budgetary pressures stem primarily from spiralling costs in the housing budget. Cabinet members were warned just last month of a predicted overspend of around £700,000 in the next financial year due to providing temporary accommodation (TA). This month, however, Chris Hancock, the Head of Housing, told Cabinet that more recent figures indicated a much-improved position, with 28 households moving out of private temporary accommodation into their own homes because of the council’s property acquisition policy. He added that he hoped to see sustained progress over the coming year, with a target of up to eight households a month leaving private temporary accommodation and moving into a permanent home.

Mr Hancock also highlighted the council’s work on homelessness prevention. He told the Cabinet that they were on track to spend around £193,000 less than it had budgeted for by the end of the current financial year.

Cllr Darren Mackenzie, the Finance, Risk and ICT Portfolio Holder, welcomed the improved budgetary position and thanked officers for their “incredible efforts”. Cllr Glenn Haffenden, the Council Leader, echoed the sentiments before adding that the budget proposals would “likely” see further changes before being signed off at a meeting of Full Council on 11 February.

East Sussex County Council will meet to set its 2026/27 budget on 10 February, where councillors are expected to confirm a council tax rise of 4.99%. This is made up of 2.99% on council tax and 2% on the Adult Social Care Precept.

Of your council tax income, over 73% goes to East Sussex County Council, around 13% to Hastings Borough Council, and 11% to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.

A local mother’s campaign for tougher road safety laws following the death of her son has won the backing of the Government and led to the introduction of new safety standards.

Maria Dennis began campaigning after her 11-year-old son, Harry, was killed in December 2022. Harry died when an unsecured scaffolding board fell from a flatbed truck and struck the car he was travelling in with his father in Hooe, East Sussex.

Maria set up a petition calling for better safety standards in the scaffolding industry and the stricter enforcement of unsecured load regulations, better driver education and improved industry maintenance standards. She collected over 2,000 signatures and, with the help of local MP Helena Dollimore, she presented her petition to Parliament in January.

The Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, met Maria and praised her “bravery” and the “sustained focus” of her campaign. She also confirmed that the Government had implemented major new safety standards “in direct response” to her campaign. These include the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) trialling a programme to enforce offences and defects relating to insecure loads. Since the start of the operation, DVSA has identified over 4,000 vehicle defects and offences, including 307 related to load security.

Helena Dollimore said she too has been “greatly inspired by Maria’s bravery” and that her “determination will raise awareness so other families do not have to endure this agony.”

The political whirlwind engulfing the government swept through Hastings last Thursday morning (5 February) as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived at a wet and windy Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards. He was there to deliver a speech ostensibly launching the new Pride in Place initiative, but the assembled premier league press pack were there to report on a very different story.

The Prime Minister was introduced by Kevin Boorman in his role as Chair of the Hastings Neighbourhood Board, the body that will decide how the £20m allocated to Hastings will be spent under the Pride of Place initiative.

Mr Boorman retired as a Council officer in 2023 after more than a quarter of a century of service to the town, and he recounted how his Great Uncle George Moon was cox of the Hastings lifeboat Cyril and Lilian Bishop, which was used to evacuate troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.

In opening his speech, the Prime Minister thanked Kevin, “or I should address you as Mr Hastings” for giving his “heart and soul” to the service of the town. He also went on to praise Bernard Stonestreet for his “24 years of distinguished service in the Royal Marines” and for his “tireless works for Sussex and for Hastings”, including opening the East Sussex Veterans’ Hub on Robertson Street and helping homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times.

The Prime Minister went on to confront head-on the contentious appointment of Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador – the issue now threatening to derail his premiership. He repeated his claim that the former ambassador deceived him regarding the Epstein connection and insisted he had “no reason to disbelieve him” initially.

Sir Keir Starmer apologised directly to the Epstein victims who, he said, “have lived with the trauma that most of us can barely comprehend, and they have had to relive it again and again.” He went on to say that he was “sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you’re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.”

He added: “I also want to say this: in this country, we will not look away, we will not shrug our shoulders, and we will not allow the powerful to treat justice as optional. We will pursue the truth. We will uphold the integrity of public life, and we will do everything within our power and in the interests of justice to ensure accountability is delivered. That is what the public expects. That is what the victims deserve, and it is what I will do.”

Turning to the reason for his visit to Hastings, the launch of the new Pride in Place initiative, the Prime Minister said the programme would “help disadvantaged areas across the country empower local communities to revitalise their high streets, manage derelict assets, and boost local pride.”

The Prime Minister concluded his speech referencing all local heroes, who make a “huge difference, and change how we feel about our town, our future, and even our country. Through their examples, each of us can look out of the window and see that people care. Wouldn’t politics be better if we truly backed that kind of pride?”

Under the Pride in Place plans, residents can apply to join the independent board that will help decide how to spend £20m in funding for the town over the next decade. The board’s chair, Kevin Boorman, is currently looking to recruit “passionate, community-minded individuals” to review and approve local projects which “genuinely reflect our communities” and “help shape a Hastings for everyone.”

Local MP Helena Dollimore described the government’s Pride in Place fund as a “once in a generation opportunity to change our town for the better”, sentiments echoed by Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader of Hastings BC and lead councillor for shaping places and local government reorganisation. She said she wanted the neighbourhood board to “reflect the full diversity and experience of our town.” She added that she was “particularly keen to hear from people from minority ethnic backgrounds and from residents with lived experience of the challenges many in Hastings face every day.” 

Residents interested in joining the Board need to complete a short application form and submit it by Thursday 19 February 2026. For more information and to apply:

hastings.gov.uk/regeneration/pride-in-place/new-board-members

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

Emergency services evacuated residents from the Queens Apartments in Robertson Terrace, Hastings on 2 December after detecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in first-floor flats. The incident, traced to the Grand Pera Restaurant on the ground floor, led to sixteen people requiring medical attention and the declaration of a major incident.

The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was alerted by the Southern Gas Network and responded to the restaurant just before 6.45pm. To facilitate the response, police closed the A259 seafront road.

Fire crews searched and evacuated sixteen flats on one side of the complex. Some required forced entry to confirm they were empty. Fourteen occupants were triaged by the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), which recommended hospital checks for all. Eight refused and remained on scene, while six were taken to Conquest Hospital for treatment. Due to the number of casualties and the impact on hospital resources, SECAmb declared a major incident at around 9pm.

The source was quickly identified as a diesel generator being used by the Grand Pera Restaurant. The generator was isolated, the property ventilated and the building was declared safe for residents to return by 10pm.

It was later revealed the restaurant had installed the generator in Harold Place to power refrigerators after its electricity supply was disconnected by E.on. The disconnection was due to the failure to pay an outstanding bill of over £66,000. The generator is understood to have been running continuously for three to five days prior to the incident.

Hastings Borough Council on-call officers assisted with the evacuation. With support from the Local Authority Emergency Planning Officer, rehousing plans were prepared but ultimately not required. The building’s managing agents secured the property and arranged to contact any absent residents who had been exposed, advising them to seek medical checks. Emergency services left the scene around midnight.

Sue Mitchell, owner of the nearby Pebble Beach Spa, was among those evacuated after being called to re-open her premises for the response effort. She was only allowed to return once CO levels normalised.

The Council’s environmental health team has announced an investigation. This comes after local residents claimed they had made numerous complaints to the department over the past six months regarding suspicious smells and other concerns since Grand Pera took over the tenancy, alleging they never received a response.

When approached by HIP, Hastings Borough Council stated it was “limited in what we can say because there’s an investigation on-going,” declining to comment on the number of complaints or prior inaction.

Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings, Rye and the villages, thanked the emergency services and said her thoughts were with affected residents. She welcomed the council’s investigation, stating any lessons must be learned, and urged everyone to ensure they have a working carbon monoxide alarm. “This invisible gas can be a silent killer without one,” she said.

The Grand Pera reopened last Friday (12 December) after an Environmental Health inspection. The electricity had been reinstated and the generator removed. The investigation into the carbon monoxide leak is ongoing.

The government’s plans for the most radical shake-up of local government structures in a generation appear to be descending into chaos after last week’s announcement that the upcoming mayoral elections will be delayed for two years. The first mayoral election across East & West Sussex and Brighton will now be held in May 2028 instead of next May.

Ministers justified the delay by stating that local government reorganisation in Sussex (and also in Hampshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk) must be completed before a new mayor assumes office. This extra preparatory time, they argue, will allow the new mayors to build capacity and “hit the ground running” when they take up their roles in 2028.

The government launched its ambitious local government reform plans just before Christmas last year with seemingly no preparation or prior consultation with those who were to be directly impacted. Ministers set deadlines which many council observers always regarded as being impossibly tight. They have been proved right.

The delay to the mayoral elections is an acknowledgement that local government reorganisation is a complex and time-consuming process. Creating new unitary authorities and combined authorities while continuing to provide decent public services in the face of financial pressures was always going to be a challenge, particularly for councils which have been starved of resources for over a decade.

Glenn Haffenden, the Leader of Hastings Borough Council, said he and his colleagues were given “no prior warning” of the cancellation of the elections and “have been left in the dark” about how this will impact other parts of the government’s devolution and local government reform plans. For example, he said the post of Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), which was to be abolished next year with functions absorbed into a new Mayoral Combined County Authority, was not referenced in the government statement. This will “inevitably cause confusion” about who will set an annual budget for Sussex Police, appoint its chief constables and produce a policing plan.

The council leader was scathing in his criticism of the government saying “councillors and officers of East Sussex CC and Hastings BC have worked tirelessly to prepare for the changes. They diverted resources and met every deadline presented to them only to find that their efforts were in vain.” Such is the confusion that he now even doubts whether local government reform will proceed.

Local Conservatives accused Labour of “running scared” and of “denying democracy” in postponing the mayoral elections. Richard Tice, Reform UK’s deputy leader, said his party was considering legal action as the decision, he said, was “designed to prevent Reform from winning.”

The decision to cancel the mayoral elections coincided with the launch of the government’s latest consultation on plans to establish new unitary authorities across Sussex. Residents, businesses and stakeholders are being encouraged to give their feedback on two plans. The first option is for three new councils across the county along the current footprints of East Sussex CC, West Sussex CC and Brighton and Hove. The second option is for five unitary councils with Hastings included in a new coastal authority. The consultation closes on 11 January 2026.

Click here to respond to the consultation:  consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/east-sussex-brighton-and-hove-west-sussex

Plans to wind down the Hastings Housing Company (HHC) Ltd and transfer its assets back to the council moved a step closer last week, following a decision by Hastings Borough Council’s (HBC) Cabinet after a year-long review.

HHC Ltd is wholly owned by the council. It was set up in 2017 to buy properties and to manage them on the council’s behalf. The company was funded with capital loans at preferential rates from the Public Works and Loans Board to HBC. These included mixed residential and retail units and houses in multiple occupation. In addition, the council extended revenue loans to the company to enable it to establish itself and pay running costs while the business got up and running. In total, HBC allocated over £5m to the company.

Despite a rise in the value of the property portfolio, the company failed to generate the expected income stream for the council and has remained a financial drain. In 2024, the company had outstanding loans with the council of £5.48m and overdue interest costs and recharges of £563,439.

The arrears were attributed to the failure of its former letting agent, Lets2share, to forward rent revenue collected from tenants. HBC’s Legal Department was forced to intervene to pursue the debt owed and the contract with the letting agent was terminated. The failure to pass on rent revenues not only increased the HHC Ltd debt burden but also impacted its ability to undertake essential property maintenance.

The closure plan was detailed in a report presented by Chief Finance Officer Kit Wheeler and Head of Housing Chris Hancock to HBC’s Cabinet on 1 December. If approved by Full Council at its next meeting on 14 January 2026, HHC Ltd will transfer all assets and liabilities to the council by 31 March 2026 and cease trading on 1 April 2026, at which point all outstanding council loans and interest will be terminated. One of the advantages of such a transfer would be the ability to recover VAT, thereby reducing operational costs.

Chris Hancock said bringing the HHC Ltd portfolio under direct council oversight would help HBC to reduce its temporary accommodation budget. HHC Ltd has 62 properties including a small number of commercial premises. An evaluation by the council’s Capital Assurance Board (CAB), will determine which properties will be retained or sold. CAB was established by the Green-led council to oversee major capital projects, ensuring funds are spent wisely and that projects deliver strong value for money.

There are legal restrictions the council will have to navigate, however. The tenancies granted by HHC Ltd are mostly assured shorthold, a type which can entitle residents to apply for the Right to Buy – a scheme HBC itself no longer offers as it transferred the ownership of its former housing stock. Therefore, HBC will need to work through partner landlords, such as housing associations.

Mr Hancock stressed that his primary focus was to protect tenants and ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of housing in Hastings. He indicated that tenants of properties currently managed under HHC Ltd will be contacted in due course with further information about the transition and that they will be assured of no change to their tenancy terms or management contact points during the interim period.

The threat of landslides in Hastings and St Leonards is real and persistent (see page 5), with 24 recorded events in recent years. The most recent landslides at Old Roar Ghyll and between the Bo Peep pub and Marina Church destroyed homes and infrastructure, leaving deep financial and emotional scars on the community.

The scale of landslide damage along the south coast is immense, demanding a coordinated response from national government, local councils and insurers. Yet affected communities often feel abandoned, left alone to piece together their shattered lives.

This looks as if it is about to change, however. On Monday 8 December, a group of Hastings residents and other interested parties gathered on The Green opposite 76-84 West Hill Road, St Leonards for their first physical intervention in tackling the problems of landslides in the town. This was the first step in a bold plan by newly formed Community Interest Company HASTE (Hydraulic Activity Stabilisation Training Enterprise) to install a network of sensors to monitor the cliff system.

It was the culmination of two years of behind-the-scenes work putting together the necessary expertise, getting the local community on board working to ensure that there would be the political will to support this bold community vision.

“This is what community resilience looks like in practice,” says Ben Ramsden, HASTE Coordinator. “We’ve spent two years analysing historical data, building partnerships and planning carefully. Now we’re putting sensors in the ground that will act as an early warning system – helping us to understand where the risks are and figure out how to bring back stability to our cliff.”

The event on Monday was a testament to those partnerships. Bexhill College was represented by 23 students from the Geology Department, Hastings Borough Council by Glenn Haffenden (Leader of the council) along with Land Stability Project Manager, Sarah Tye and Mark Stanley of local firm Thingitude, a consultancy and training company that helps the public sector understand the potential of ‘smart city’ technology. Installation of the sensors was carried out by local company In Situ Site Investigation Ltd.

The monitoring installation is being provided free to the community through the partnership with In Situ and Thingitude and with funding from Sussex Resilience Forum. HASTE is hoping to demonstrate the benefits of collaboration between professional specialists and local residents who understand that protecting their homes requires collective action.

Darren Ward, CEO of In Situ Site Investigation, explains his involvement: “This is about giving back to the community I grew up in. We have the specialist equipment and expertise to help understand what’s happening beneath these cliffs, and if that knowledge can help protect people’s homes, then we want to be part of it.”

Cllr Haffenden agrees that from the council perspective, this is a great example of what can be achieved when the council and community work together. “HASTE has shown real initiative in tackling a challenge that affects hundreds of local homes, and we’re proud to support their innovative approach,” he says.

And it’s not just Hastings Borough Council who are interested in this initiative. Following the first stages of sensor installation on West Hill, Ben Ramsden was off to Westminster to join local MP Helena Dolimore to meet representatives from 56 councils at the Local Government Association’s Coastal Special Interest Group and present HASTE’s community-led approach as a potential template for other at-risk areas. On Monday 15 December a second visit was an opportunity to discuss HASTE’s plans with the Under-Secretary of State for Water, Emma Hardy.

The next project phase involves partnering with an engineering firm to design a stabilisation plan for the entire mile-long cliff. Following this, the work will focus on training local workers and securing the necessary funding to execute the repairs. This is the action plan which will be presented to the water minister.

Anyone with skills or resources who would like to support the project should contact makehaste2025@gmail.com. To read a BBC article about the project visit bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrj0ll2x1ro. To watch watch a BBC South report visit WhatsApp Video 2025-12-11 at 16.27.06.mp4 – Google Drive

The Technical Picture

HASTE is deploying a multi-sensor network combining piezometers (which measure groundwater pressure – a critical precursor to slope failure), accelerometers and tilt sensors (detecting movement at sub-centimetre precision) and weather stations (correlating rainfall with ground conditions).

The team will also survey existing boreholes along the cliff system to identify which remain in suitable condition for additional sensor deployment. This ‘intelligent reuse’ of existing infrastructure dramatically reduces costs while accelerating coverage. 

The goal is to install monitoring points strategically across the entire cliff area to understand how weather events affect different zones – and to identify any areas showing warning signs and develop solutions before they become dangerous.

Traditional engineering consultancy approaches to monitoring this scale of risk would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. HASTE’s community-led model, with professional engineering oversight, delivers the same capability at a fraction of the cost – and builds local expertise in the process.

Hastings Borough Council has launched its first housing strategy since 2019. The 2025-2030 plan makes confronting the town’s “severe and worsening affordability crisis” its top priority.

Council Leader Glenn Haffenden said the “ambitious” strategy was “achievable with a considerable push”, with its main goals being to dramatically boost affordable housing supply and improve the safety and security of existing homes. He emphasised the need for a concerted effort from all housing partners and, crucially, support from central government.

The strategy directly links the town’s acute housing pressures – including high deprivation, low incomes, and a critical shortage of affordable rents – to the parallel statutory Local Plan. An upcoming consultation on the Plan in early 2026 provides a pivotal opportunity – and a challenge – to align new home locations with the strategy’s social objectives.

Homelessness Pressure

The strategy is informed by a detailed independent homelessness review, revealing a system under immense strain. While annual homeless applications have remained stable at around 1,100, the number of households in privately procured temporary accommodation (TA) has doubled since 2021. As of late October, 535 households were in such placements, with an additional 124 in council-owned properties.

The most recent rough sleeper count across Hastings and St Leonards identified 29 individuals, with the council aware of eight more regular rough sleepers.

Public Consultation

The council undertook a near 12-month public consultation to develop the strategy with a series of events and meetings held across the town. This was led by a steering group with a wide range of housing expertise, including private developers, landlords, social housing providers, property managers and housing and homelessness campaigners, as well as social housing and private rental tenants.

The extensive public consultation led to several key amendments to the draft strategy. These included residents demanding a clearer definition of ‘affordable housing’, stronger action on short-term lets, and explicit links to the Local Plan. There was also strong support for community-led housing, increasing accessible homes, tackling empty properties, and ending rough sleeping.

The council also used this period of consultation to address what it termed the “misconceptions about the role of immigration” on housing pressures, highlighting instead structural issues like the Local Housing Allowance, which has not been increased by the government since 2011 and is often 40% lower than average local rents.

A Five-Pillar Action Plan

The strategy has five core priorities:

Building the Homes We Need:

The strategy sets a major expansion of social rented housing as its top priority. Achieving this, however, is contingent on the council successfully lobbying for government capital funding. In parallel, the council plans to activate a long-delayed empty homes strategy to repurpose vacant properties.

End Rough Sleeping and Homelessness:

A central aim is to drastically reduce the numbers of rough sleepers in the town and cut the use of TA in half by 2030. TA cost the council £7.8 million in 2024-25, almost a third of its entire budget. The council will continue to push the government to increase the Local Housing Allowance rate, arguing that an increase in the LHA rate could inject an estimated £1.4 million into local coffers.

Key actions include delivering the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), which will provide 25 new homes with support within the borough to prevent rough sleeping. A new homelessness forum is planned to unite partners to shape future services, while volunteer recruitment will be expanded to offer personalised support for those moving out of homelessness. The council also vows to continue lobbying for essential multi-year government funding.

Fixing the Rented Sector:

With over 30% of homes in some wards being private rentals and a high concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), Hastings faces an acute challenge. The borough has one of the Southeast’s highest rates of ‘non-decent’ homes, often older properties with poor energy efficiency.

The incoming Renters Reform Act is expected to have a “big impact”, offering greater tenant stability by ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, limiting rent increases to once a year, and strengthening anti-discrimination rules. The council will actively monitor local letting agency practices and act against breaches and create a new “local housing association compact” to act as a “critical friend,” challenging associations to improve tenant satisfaction, meet decent home standards, and resolve issues like damp and mould faster.

Housing for Health and Independence:

The strategy recognises housing as being “at the heart of almost every form of inequality.” It commits to ensuring a range of housing that allows people to receive support at home, rather than having to move. In a stark admission, the council notes there is currently no refuge provision in Hastings for victims of domestic abuse, a gap it pledges to fill. The council also highlights its effective use of Disability Facility Grants, which funded 240 adaptations last year at a cost of £1.95 million.

Greener, Climate-Resilient Homes:

With Hastings highly vulnerable to coastal flooding, the strategy recognises the need to build climate resilience into the planning system. The goal is for everyone to live in a well-insulated, affordably heated home. The council will support the development of a forthcoming East Sussex-wide retrofit strategy and promote greater access to warm home checks for residents.

The Hastings Housing Strategy represents a comprehensive attempt to tackle deep-rooted housing problems. Whilst no one can doubt the commitment of all those who have contributed to the process, its success will depend on two critical factors: securing increased, sustained funding from central government and a consensus by local politicians as to both the number and, most contentiously, the location of new homes. The Housing Strategy is expected to be approved by Full Council at its next meeting on 14 January 2026.

Reform UK won the East Sussex County Council (ESCC) by-election held in Ashdown and Conquest last Thursday (20 November).

Aidan Fisher topped the poll with 797 votes to become the first Reform UK councillor to be elected to ESCC. Paula Warne of the Greens came second with 607 votes, whilst the Conservatives (494), who had previously held the seat, were pushed in to third place. Labour (395) came fourth and the Liberal Democrats (129) fifth.

Ricky Hodges, who had tried to secure the Reform UK nomination for himself, stood as an Independent. The 55 votes he picked up were not enough to threaten Mr Fisher’s majority of 190 and meant he trailed in last. The voter turnout was 30.88%.

The new county councillor lives in Winchelsea. His background is in the financial services industry, and he describes himself as an expert in “sustainable investing”. He said it was an honour to be elected to ESCC as Reform’s first councillor, and he vowed to represent everyone in Ashdown and Conquest.

Mr Fisher said he would use his financial services experience to make local services more efficient, eliminate waste, and save taxpayers money. His priorities also include improving roads, fixing potholes, and protecting green spaces by focusing any new development on brownfield sites. It is worth noting that recently elected Reform UK councillors in neighbouring Kent made similar promises, though they are now considering a 5% increase in council tax.

TORY COLLAPSE?

The by-election followed the death in September of Cllr Peter Pragnell, who won the seat for the Tories in 2021 with almost 60% of the vote. His successor, Caroline Kerswell, secured just 20%.

This dramatic collapse in support, alongside poor local results nationally, suggests a party in terminal decline, potentially being replaced by Reform UK as the right’s new leading force. However, there were local factors in play – not only the loss of popular local incumbent Peter Pragnell but also significant public anger over the mismanaged and extensively delayed A21 roadworks. These have been under the watch of the Tory-run county council, and caused major disruption through the ward.

The experience of the last Tory government is also fresh in the minds of voters. The negative perception of neglect of the NHS, with long waiting times at the local Conquest Hospital, and the pollution of the coastline still resonate. Some Conservatives will be pleased that they still managed to secure almost 500 votes.

Overall, the combined right-wing vote (Conservative and Reform UK) topped that of the left, though to a lesser extent than in 2021.

BY-ELECTION TENSIONS

As to the left, the by-election campaign brought to the surface simmering tensions between Labour and the Greens, which are rooted in the cold, hard logic of electoral mathematics. The two parties, along with the Hastings Independent Group – who backed the Green Party in the by-election – are rivals for the same pool of voters.

This dynamic has created a precarious, potentially zero-sum game which carries with it the obvious threat of splitting the progressive vote. This is exactly what happened last week, when Reform UK swept past both to win with just 32% of the overall poll.

The core appeals of both parties are starkly different. Labour presents itself as a serious, pragmatic party of government, a role it says requires fiscal caution. The Greens, in contrast, free from the shackles of national government, push a much “purer” progressive agenda.

This tension between principle and pragmatism is the central dilemma of the electoral mathematics currently being played out. It is exacerbated by the first-past-the-post electoral system, which creates a powerful incentive for tactical voting.

Previously, progressive voters who may have sympathised with the Greens would stick with Labour believing they were the only viable option to defeat the Conservatives – and now Reform UK. However, last year’s breakthrough by the Greens in defeating Labour in the local elections to Hastings Borough Council showed that the Greens can win – and move from being a party of protest to a party running the local council.

TACTICAL VOTING

In last week’s by-election the Greens and Labour each campaigned to convince voters that they were the ones best placed to stop the advance of Reform UK. Teams of canvassers from both parties criss-crossed Ashdown and Conquest, encouraging tactical voting in their favour and relentlessly pushing the message that a vote for the other party would be wasted.

The Labour campaign seized on early projections from a political forecasting website showing them neck-and-neck with Reform UK to push the message that they were the ones best placed to win the seat. They continued to maintain this line despite feedback on the grounds of a decline in Labour support.

The Greens responded with a leaflet from its candidate Paula Warne, with a graph which included Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats among the parties she had defeated when winning in the completely different ward of Gensing in last year’s borough council elections. The message was clear: she had beaten Reform UK once before and could do so again. The only problem was that neither Reform UK nor the Liberal Democrats had fielded a candidate in that election.

For many voters, such practices in the heat of an election are simply the stuff of politics – an expected, if cynical, part of the campaign game. The intent of these distortions, whether through truncated axes on a graph or cherry-picked data, is not to inform, but to win. It is a numbers game where the objective is to shape a favourable narrative by any means necessary, leveraging mathematical deception to sway just enough voters to top the poll.

If the election is won, the misleading graphs can soon be forgotten. When the election is lost, however, the recriminations can reverberate.

This was an election which saw both Labour and the Greens lose. It can be argued that the true cost, however, will be borne by progressive voters in Ashdown and Conquest. Should the parties fail to learn the lessons, the same could soon be true for left-of-centre voters across the rest of Hastings and St Leonards.

A by-election for the East Sussex County Council seat of Ashdown and Conquest will be held on 20 November, following the sudden death of Conservative Councillor Peter Pragnell. With the cancellation of this year’s county council elections, this vote is the first chance for residents to deliver a verdict on the minority Conservative-led administration’s performance. The emergence of Reform UK, which is aiming to win its first seat in the county, has further elevated the contest from a routine local affair into a high-stakes referendum for all parties involved.

Traditionally a safe Tory seat, Ashdown and Conquest is now considered highly marginal. While Peter Pragnell secured 60% of the vote in 2021, the “Party-Gate” scandal under Boris Johnson and the tumultuous premiership of Liz Truss caused a sharp decline in Conservative fortunes.

The party, which is braced for a further slide in support in November, have chosen Caroline Kerswell, a Solicitor Advocate and former barrister as their candidate. In her professional career she has advised major financial institutions, fintech innovators and global regulators. Now living in St Leonards, she says she wants to “bring integrity, professionalism and problem-solving back into local government”.

Reform UK’s candidate, Aidan Fisher, is a former Territorial Army Officer with a background in financial services. He states that he “understands the importance of discipline, accountability, and sensible spending,” adding that he is “deeply concerned” about the state of council finances and local services.

Labour’s candidate Amanda Pollard is a healthcare campaigner who has spent much of her career working in the NHS and the Sussex Ambulance Service. She vows to “hold the Council to account for the Queensway Gateway fiasco, stand up for NHS workers and patients in our community, push for better playgrounds for our children and work to improve standards in education.”

The Green Party candidate is Paula Warne, the Hastings Borough Councillor for Gensing. Before her election, she worked as an inspector for East Sussex Highways and now works in adult mental health support. As Hastings’ Mental Health Champion, she campaigns to improve services and reduce stigma. She has the backing of the Hastings Independents Group (HIGs), which is not fielding its own candidate. The group endorsed Warne as the best candidate to defeat Reform UK, stating that supporting her is essential to protect the area’s “tolerant tradition”.

The Liberal Democrats have again selected semi-retired business advisor Martin Griffiths. He contested the seat in 2021 taking just 8.7% of the vote. Despite this, he believes his party is best placed to defeat Reform UK and expose their “false promises.”

HIP’s data analyst James Prentice writes:

The Ashdown and Conquest by-election is likely to be a very tight contest. Based on national figures compiled by the election prediction specialists, Electoral Calculus, Reform UK is a narrow favourite to win with a 42.2% chance of winning, just ahead of Labour at 41.8%. It calculates this through machine learning, something that uses a statistical algorithm to make projections. This specific methodology uses national polling trends to infer localised results, with it being possible to predict local council ward results. Crucially, this carries the caveat that local election results can vary using this method, and it can’t take into account local factors, such as a popular local candidate.

Since 2021, Labour has been the main beneficiary of the sharp decline in Tory support, but its own experience in government is now taking a toll. Unlike in 2024, the party cannot rely on a split of the right-of-centre coalition to pave the way to victory. Labour may need progressive voters, such as Greens and Lib-Dems, to ensure its vote share will be high enough to beat Reform.

In contrast, Reform UK is now riding high. They are gathering not just disaffected Conservatives but disgruntled Labour supporters, too. The Greens, with the backing of the HIGs, are also making in-roads into Labour’s core vote, particularly since Zack Polanski’s election as Leader.

The election in Ashdown and Conquest will be a volatile race, with it being possible for a candidate to win on as little as 30% of the vote on what will likely be a small turnout. The winner will likely be determined not by their own popularity, but by where disaffected voters place their support.

The Parchment Trust has confirmed plans to sell The Bridge Community Centre at 361 Priory Road in Hastings. The building, which has been closed for over seven years, has been listed for sale for £650,000.

HIP reported in July that the Trust was closing the centre for good, citing the government’s increase in National Insurance contributions and minimum wage levels introduced in last year’s Budget, combined with a lack of financial support for charities and other state-funded adult social care providers, meant they were unable to continue with the plans to renovate the centre.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, the Leader of Hastings Borough Council, said he was “shocked” that the building, which was “funded by public money and gifted to the Parchment Trust, is now being sold for £650,000”. He noted several community organisations had been interested in the building for temporary use and that the council had approached the Trust earlier this summer to request community access to the top floor, which would have finally reopened the building. None of these organisations would be able to raise this amount of money, he said.

The Council Leader added: “It is hard to understand how the Parchment Trust have reached this decision without reaching out to either Hastings Borough Council or East Sussex County Council at an early stage when they realised it was becoming difficult to find a way to open the building.” 

Cllr Julia Hilton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Shaping Place, said the council would “ensure the covenants on the building are properly enforced, that should guarantee this building has a community use.” The Parchment Trust,” she added, “are already in breach of this covenant as the building has remained closed since finally transferring to their ownership.” 

The Parchment Trust has been one of the key providers of services to disabled adults in Hastings for over 30 years. Its work includes the Friary Gardeners horticultural nursery at Ore Place and a daycare co-operative at Theaklen Drive.

The decision to take on The Bridge in 2018 was part of a vision to expand the Trust’s services to “create the UKs first community centre run by disabled people for the benefit of the whole community.” The aim was to “provide valuable work experience for disabled people, and a wonderful resource for everyone to connect, learn and benefit from time together.”

The charity only gained full ownership of the community centre in March 2024, following what it says was “an extremely lengthy and complicated transfer process involving several parties.” Upon taking ownership, the Trust said it developed a plan, in consultation with the local community, to invest significant funds in essential repairs, and began raising money to renovate the top floor, with the aim of opening to the public by summer 2025.

However, following the “significant” Budget increase in National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage which came into force in April, the Trust claimed, it “could not continue with the renovation and operation of The Bridge without jeopardising its core services. The financial pressure was the final straw after years of squeezed funding from central government for adult social care.”

The charity’s annual report shows an increase in annual turnover from £3.4m in July 2023 to £4.3m the following year and a corresponding increase in expenditure from £2.87m to £3.66m leaving a surplus of £790k. In addition, comments on social media reference the removal of kitchen fittings since the Trust acquired the building.

A spokesperson for East Sussex CC said “the building is subject to a Deed of Covenant between the county council and Parchment Trust. This deed obliges Parchment Trust to use and manage the property for the benefit of the community within the Ore Valley area in Hastings and to ensure that the property is open to the public for at least 20 hours during a week. Any subsequent purchaser will be required to enter into a deed on similar terms.”

Cllr Hilton revealed to BBC Radio Sussex that the county council was taking legal advice to establish the precise nature of the legal covenants covering the building. She suggested that the two covenants: one with East Sussex CC; and the other with Homes England could be appealed by the Trust if they do not achieve a sale within six months.

HIP contacted Sara Whalley, the CEO of the Parchment Trust, for a comment on the sale and was informed that the “Trust had published a statement on its website and would not be making any further comments.”

The website statement defended the decision to sell the property. It said the Trust as a charity was “bound by strict legal obligations”, with trustees “legally required to act in the charity’s best interests to secure the best possible terms when disposing of a property.” As a result, the Trust “could not simply give the property away.”

It added, the trustees “sought legal advice and professional guidance when deciding how to dispose of The Bridge.” This confirmed that due to the fact the Trust “has invested a lot of money in The Bridge, it is in the charity’s “best interests” to try to recover these losses through a sale. This was the strong advice we received in line with our legal obligations.”

With regards to determining the £650,000 sale price, the website statement said the Trust “followed the guidance from the Charities Commission to have an independent valuation done, which took into account the covenants for community use”.

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

The arcades in Pelham Crescent at the front of St Mary in the Castle sustained significant damage on Saturday (27 September) after sections of the original roof lantern structure collapsed. The breach left the underlying wooden structural beams fully exposed. The damage occurred to units 9, 10, and 11, the former premises of the Ocean Catch Fish and Chip Restaurant.

Local Castle Ward Councillor Becca Horn was alerted to what had happened by local resident Penny Beale, on Sunday morning. She immediately called the emergency services to alert them to the incident.

A Fire Service Silver Command Officer warned the hazard presented a clear danger to public safety and ordered the area to be sealed off with heras fencing. Hastings BC’s Building Control Service provided by Wealden Council was also notified.

The arcade units were bought by Ankit Rana in 2019. In March 2025, his plans to transform the premises into a food hall, with eateries offering a diverse range of menus and cuisines from around the world, were approved by the council. Shortly afterwards, the contractors, Sidhu Construction Ltd., began the renovations with the aim of opening the new venture by summer 2026.

Mr Rana explained to HIP that his contractors had been working on the premises when the condition of the roof became “unstable because of extensive damp”. He denied that the roof had collapsed and insisted that parts of the old structure needed to be replaced for safety reasons.

However, in granting planning consent, Hastings BC stipulated that the proposed works “should not harm the designated heritage asset”. In a structural report prepared by Sheppard Structural Engineers, it was noted that there were “significant concerns regarding the condition and stability of the original existing roof lantern”. The report went on to say: “Whilst works to the roof lantern do not form part of this consent, the owner is encouraged to heed the advice of the consultant structural engineer and to put in place such temporary supports as are recommended by the engineer to stabilise the roof, at the earliest opportunity.”

No temporary supports were put in place and the roof subsequently collapsed.

Mr. Rana insisted that Sidhu Construction Ltd. had “worked closely” with Hastings BC Building Control Unit and had followed their advice “at all times”. He blamed the problem on the rapid deterioration in the condition of the roof because of damp and water penetration.

A spokesperson for Hastings BC said the council “is aware of the situation with a section of the roof at Pelham Arcade in Pelham Crescent. This is not part of a council-owned building, but, due to the public safety concerns, a council officer attended the site on Sunday. As a result, the council installed temporary fencing to ensure public safety. It has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and as a dangerous structure to Building Control, who will ensure that the owners fulfil their responsibilities and make the site safe.”

Mr Rana said his company would undertake emergency remedial works to fix the problems and replace parts of the old structure to ensure it meets safety standards.

The political map of Sussex is set to be radically redrawn in the coming months, but the road ahead is becoming ever more fractious and fiercely disputed. With the critical 26 September deadline fast approaching, when councils across the county must submit to the government their preferred options for new local government structures, it is becoming apparent that there is still no consensus as to the best way forward.

When the Labour government unveiled its proposals to reform local government just before Christmas last year, ministers expressed confidence that the plans to abolish the existing county, district and borough councils across Sussex, and replace them with three new unitary councils responsible for delivering all local services, would streamline council operations and lead to improved local services. They even hoped to make up to £5 billion through efficiency savings.

Just nine months later, however, the whole local government reform process has become mired in chaos and confusion. The recent sacking of the Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon, who launched with such optimism the radical shake-up of council structures has added to the uncertainty, linked to the replacement of Angela Rayner as Secretary of State by Steve Reed.

Unlike devolution and the establishment of new county-wide mayors, local government reform did not feature in Labour’s general election manifesto, and there were no fully costed plans in place for council upheaval. Mr McMahon took the view, however, that full devolution could not happen without a wider local government reform and the standardisation of council structures to which power could be devolved.

Plans were quickly put together to create three new authorities to cover East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove to match the footprints of the two existing county councils and the borough of Brighton and Hove.

If the government expected local politicians simply to roll over and go along with the changes they were mistaken. Opposition to their plans was particularly strident from Hastings, where councillors have voiced strong objections to the democratic deficit inherent in the new super-unitary councils and the potential erosion of the town’s unique identity.

These local concerns resulted in Hastings BC agreeing to consult on three options. The first, supported by the Greens and the Conservatives, echoed the government’s plans for a new East Sussex unitary council, which has been renamed “One East Sussex.” The second, favoured by Labour, was for a smaller coastal unitary covering Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne. The third pushed by the Hastings Independents proposed abolishing the county council and devolving powers to the existing districts of Hastings, Rother, Wealden, Lewes, and Eastbourne, who would jointly manage key services through a shared board in a federated model.

Hastings BC ran a consultation over the summer to gauge public support for each of the three options. In truth, there was little interest in what is the biggest shake up of local government in over half a century with only 810 responses, representing less than 2% of Hastings residents. The most popular option, however, supported by 301 responders favoured the federated model promoted by the Independent Group.

Given the low number of respondents, there was little expectation that the consultation would alter the government’s preferred option for a new East Sussex unitary council.

However, things took a dramatic turn last week. Wealden DC, which had been collaborating with other councils on a county-wide merger business case for the proposed One East Sussex unitary council model, announced it had “paused its commitment” to support the plans amid concerns about new data analysis. This revealed that the new unitary authority would begin with a projected £49m deficit in 2028. This figure is projected to grow to £61m within five years.

Cllr James Partridge, the Liberal Democrat Leader of Wealden Council, said the “goal of reorganisation should be savings and improved services, neither of which the current proposal appears to deliver.” He went on to express fears that the new council would be “so vast” that local services, particularly in rural areas, “are bound to suffer.”

This was followed days later by the decision of Brighton and Hove to support “a new vision for local government in Sussex” by calling for the creation of five new unitary authorities across the county, rather than three. It also proposed expanding its current boundaries into Lewes DC, prompting the deputy leader of that council, Christine Robinson, to accuse Brighton and Hove of a “brazen land grab. It is quite extraordinary that Brighton is behaving in this way,” she said.

Hastings BC will formally confirm the three options at a full council meeting on 24 September. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will then assess all the options from councils across Sussex and is expected to launch its own consultation from November on any valid proposals for local government reorganisation

A final decision on future council structures will be taken, probably by next Spring. Elections to the new ‘shadow’ councils will take place in May 2027, with these new unitary councils formally taking over control of all local services from 2028.

There is also uncertainty as to whether the elections to Hastings BC will take place next May. Whilst the government insists that the elections will take place as usual, there is intense speculation that they will in fact be cancelled. 

Whilst the council reforms plans are mired in uncertainty, the devolution plans for Sussex are well advanced. The election of a new county-wide Mayor is set to take place next May, and the Conservatives have already selected Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, as their candidate. None of the other parties have selected their candidates at this stage.

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

Relations between the Green-led Hastings Borough Council and the local Labour MP are becoming more fractious. Tensions flared up recently when Helena Dollimore accused the Council of being “heavy-handed” in its approach to the Selkie, a seafood bar located on Bottle Alley. The bar was refused permission to use beach seating by the Foreshore Trust, the charitable organisation that manages the Hastings and St Leonards foreshore on behalf of the Council – a decision ridiculed by the MP.

The latest rumpus between the two sides is over alleged Government plans to sell off allotment plots. Local Greens saw red—or perhaps an eco-friendly muted, earthy tone – at the recent disclosure that Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, had given permission for eight local councils across the country to sell off allotments they hold when this “offers value for money”. One of those sold was the Ravenscroft Allotments in West Sussex, where a developer has plans to build new homes on the site.

The Green Party launched a Facebook campaign accusing Labour of betraying communities and vowing “never to sell off our town’s allotments.” Jo Walker, the lead Councillor for Environment and Neighbourhood Wellbeing, vowed to “look at options to provide more allotments, not less, and encourage community growing projects across the town to give as many people as possible land-based experiences, as well as increase our biodiversity.”

Council Leader Glenn Haffenden waded in, calling on Labour to “fund our councils, not strip us of our vital assets to plug their funding gaps. Hastings deserves better and we will keep standing up for what our town needs.”

Labour dismissed the claims as being deliberately “misleading” and designed to stir up anger and outrage among allotment holders. Councils have been able to sell assets since 2016 but should only do so where “it is clearly necessary and offers value for money.”

The Government has not made any changes to the legal status of allotments, which are covered by the 1908 Smallholding and Allotment Act section 32 with money raised having to go into new or improved allotments. If Councils do want to dispose of sites, they must go through a statutory process where there is a presumption against a sale if there are local objections.

The National Allotments Society has reported that there were no objections to the sale of any of the eight allotments, adding that some of the sites were given better allotment land to replace them, with one increasing from 40 to 60+ plots when it was relocated, whilst the other was for a single allotment that was not in use.

The rumpus between Labour and the Greens is becoming thornier than an overgrown bramble with the rows getting hotter than a summer compost heap.

Hastings Old Town residents and business owners packed the Stables Theatre on Thursday evening (7 August) for an urgent public meeting called by local Labour MP Helena Dollimore to address a sharp rise in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. The meeting highlighted growing concerns over open drug dealing, burglaries and aggressive begging, which have left many feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhood.

The theatre was filled to capacity as frustrated locals shared accounts of the impact recent crimes have had on them. High Street shop owners reported on the financial losses they have incurred and the mental stress they have endured in having to deal with the persistent and brazen shop-lifting by well-known repeat offenders.

Residents described feeling increasingly anxious due to persistent antisocial behaviour in and around St Clements Churchyard, Swan Memorial Gardens, Oak Passage and along Croft Road. 

One shopkeeper from the High Street spoke of the impact a recent burglary has had on her staff, and the trauma some of them have experienced since the break-in. Others said they no longer felt safe in the evening, citing the brazen attitude of some drug dealers who openly ply their trade in full view of everyone in the street. “Everybody knows who they are and what they are doing but the police do nothing to stop them” lamented one angry and frustrated resident.

Ms Dollimore, who chaired the meeting alongside Sussex Police District Commander Simon Yates, stressed the need for immediate action. “It is vital that we see robust police intervention to protect residents, businesses, and visitors in Hastings Old Town, especially during this busy summer season and beyond,” she said.

The MP acknowledged the strain on police resources but emphasised that community collaboration was key to tackling the issue. She urged local people to remain vigilant and stressed the need to report crimes using the 101 police non-emergency hotline number, “no matter how minor they may seem.”

In terms of resources, Ms Dollimore pointed to the recent £1 billion increase in police funding by the Government which she said, will put 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers and community support officers in post within the next year. At the end of the meeting, letters were distributed giving the email contact details of Sergeant Lee Torbet and PCSO Danielle Lucas who cover the Old Town, to foster trust within the local community.

A recurring theme at the meeting was frustration with the perceived lack of police presence and slow response times when crimes are reported. Many attendees claimed that reporting incidents via the non-emergency 101 hotline was futile, with no obvious follow-up or visible action from the police.

Commander Yates, a Hastings native, sympathised with these concerns but defended the system, explaining that accurate crime reporting was essential for allocating resources. “Every logged incident helps us build a case for more officers in the area,” he said. “If crimes go unreported, we cannot justify additional support.” He also emphasised the importance of setting up a network of local Neighbourhood Watch Groups which he said were shown to reduce crime, deter burglaries and antisocial behaviour, whilst strengthening community bonds.

He also announced that Sussex Police would hold a follow-up community safety session on Sunday, 31 August, at the Stade (11am-12pm), giving locals another opportunity to voice their concerns directly to officers.

The meeting also heard from the two local ward councillors. Julia Hilton, the Green Party borough and county councillor, said in response to complaints about the constant noise of speeding cars and motorbikes, which has become unbearable for many, that she had made repeated approaches to East Sussex Highways to impose a 20mph speed limit across the Old Town. She vowed to continue her efforts to tackle the deafening racket.

Labour’s James Bacon highlighted the importance of increased CCTV coverage, better street lighting, and stronger partnerships with support services to address underlying issues such as addiction and homelessness.

The strong turnout at the Stables Theatre demonstrated the Old Town’s determination to come together to tackle the rise in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. By the end of the meeting, there was a clear consensus that the police, council officials, businesses, and residents all needed to work together. 

Ms Dollimore pledged to compile a detailed report from the meeting and submit it to the District Commander, ensuring all concerns were formally documented. She also promised to keep the community updated on progress, saying, “this is just the beginning.”

Hastings Borough Council has unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at tackling the housing and homelessness crisis engulfing the town. Council Leader Glenn Haffenden was in the Priory Meadow shopping centre last Friday (25 July) to present the Draft Housing Strategy 2025-2030 to residents, and to hear the views and experiences of those directly impacted by what he said was “our broken housing system.”

Hastings BC has been driven to the brink of bankruptcy in recent years, in large part by the spiralling costs of providing temporary accommodation. The record numbers of families trapped in expensive, short-term lets, with many more housed in poor living conditions, paying rents they can barely afford, is evidence of the scale of what is becoming a housing emergency. The number of rough sleepers around the town is also a visible sign of a deepening crisis.

The new Housing Strategy was developed by a Council-led steering group, which included residents, private landlords, and representatives from local community groups, public sector agencies, and voluntary organisations. The group was tasked with setting the vision and priorities for the strategy and to focus on the needs of the whole borough, with an inclusive concern for all residents, especially those facing the most barriers to securing a decent home.

The draft Housing Strategy they have developed sets out a “long-term vision for housing” with clear “objectives, targets, and policies for how to manage and deliver our housing responsibilities.” The strategy provides “the overarching aims and ambitions through which the Council and our partners will seek to make Hastings a place where everyone has a safe, settled, and affordable home.”

Five Key Priorities are outlined:

• Increasing the supply of affordable housing. The Council aims to take advantage of significant new funding announced by the Government to build new affordable homes with housing associations and private developers. The Council also plans to acquire and manage more than 200 homes by 2026-27 to provide temporary accommodation, and will also support community-led housing and empty home conversion schemes.
• Prevention of homelessness and an end rough sleeping. The Council aims to reduce its reliance on costly private temporary accommodation, by expanding the Housing First approach to rough sleeping. This gives people who have experienced homelessness and chronic health and social care needs a stable home from which to rebuild their lives, with access to support services to help them stay off the streets.
• Improvement of the private rented sector, by cracking down on sub-standard housing through stricter enforcement, creating a Private Landlords Charter to raise standards, and campaigning for urgent implementation of the Renters Rights Bill.
• Expansion of Disabled Facilities Grants and development of specialist accommodation for vulnerable residents.
• Reduction of carbon emissions by retrofitting homes to boost energy efficiency and combat fuel poverty.
• Cllr Haffenden said the draft Strategy represents a “blueprint for change” and, along with other Council initiatives, such as the Local Plan, Climate Change Strategy, and Health and Wellbeing priorities, sets out a roadmap to deliver safer, more affordable homes and foster a stronger, more inclusive community. “By working with partners and residents, we aim to ensure everyone in Hastings has a safe, secure, and affordable home.”

Public consultation on the document will be open until 31 August, with the final Housing Strategy expected to be put to full Council in November. 

To comment on the Housing Strategy: forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VvjjDz8urE-VCHmBFUlxo1QuzWlb4pFMlujlImT_HrxUMFJXQTE0QTBYRlRaS1FPRkRJQ1dTMFU5VC4u