All change for town steering group

Former member Christopher Starnes did not seek re-election to Rother District Council, by whom he was appointed to the group, and James Kimber, president of the Chamber of Commerce, has tendered his resignation. Chamber rules meant Mr Kimber could not sign a confidentiality agreement binding on council members and so he chose to stand down. The group decided that rather than have a permanent business representative, it would invite input from local business groups as and when necessary.

On Monday, Rother’s Cabinet agreed to delete the president of the Chamber of Commerce from the group’s membership. It also confirmed the council’s nominations to the group.

New councillors Stuart Earl (Ind) and Maurice Watson (Lab) are now members, together with former Sackville ward councillor Richard Carroll (Con) who is now one of two Bexhill Central representatives. The other, fellow Tory Joy Hughes, remains on the group, as do Liberal Democrat Frances Winterborn and Conservatives Paul Lendon and Brian Kentfield, the group’s chairman. Council leader Carl Maynard is also a group member, but in his capacity as an East Sussex county councillor.

The steering group’s meetings are not open to the public but are minuted by Rother’s secretariat.