The Cabinet has agreed to consult staff, the public, and affected organisations on proposals for the 2027/28 budget. With general reserves at £2.72m, the council plans to increase discretionary fees and charges, raise council tax, and implement savings to achieve a balanced budget. Cllr Doug Oliver, Rother District Council Leader, stated the importance of extending consultation to outside bodies to ensure informed decision-making, taking into account the views of communities across Rother. The consultation period will run throughout November and December.
Two sites in Bexhill, the Manor Barn Gardens public toilets and Galley Hill Bottom car park with adjoining land, have been added to the Community Asset Transfer process. Cllr Christine Bayliss, portfolio holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, supported the transfers, highlighting their role in enabling Parish and Town Councils to manage services based on local needs, improve asset care, and create partnership opportunities. The transfers are seen as crucial given the financial pressures on local government.
A public consultation on dog controls in the district has also been approved. The current Public Space Protection Order for dog control, which covers exemptions, dog fouling, and lead requirements in certain areas, expires in January 2027. Councillors recommended extending the existing order for three years and adding a requirement for dog owners to carry poo bags.
Rother District Council is seeking a company to provide an 'invaluable' support service to assist residents in applying for disabled facilities grants and arranging home adaptations. Cllr Susan Prochak, Deputy Leader, emphasised the scheme's importance for people wishing to remain in their homes, noting Rother's high proportion of older residents. The new contract, which will cover all East Sussex authorities, will be procured through the East Sussex Procurement Hub.
The Cabinet praised partnership working as they agreed to use funding from the Pride in Place programme to replace the Bexhill seafront fountain and splashpad. This project, a collaboration between Bexhill Neighbourhood Board, Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council, and Rother District Council, aims to restore a valued community asset. Cllr Hazel Timpe, portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, highlighted the fountain's importance to the town's identity and its benefit for residents and visitors. The restoration follows the failure of the original fountains in 2018.
