Battle council wants more control of town services

The town council is currently looking into the possibility of taking on the running of Battle's car parks, Tourist Information Centre, public toilets and general amenity areas.

The plans are still in their very early stages and at a meeting on Tuesday, councillors agreed to spend 2,500, to be matched by the district council, to employ a consultant to analyse Rother's accounts and look at the costs and income generated by the services.

Battle Town Council chairman Cllr David Hussey said: "It will tell Rother and us the costs of those things we are seeking in devolvement and in terms of transfer."

Cllr Thelma Farr said: "It is necessary to have that information to form a fuller picture."

Cllr Richard Jessop said: "We have got to have the right information, otherwise we will take the wrong decision which will cause embarrassment to the council and our residents."

If control of services are transferred to Battle from Rother, it could impact on council tax.

Last year, Rother District Council incurred the wrath of the town council after putting up car parking charges in Battle whilst, at the same time, lowering a charge in Bexhill.

If the town council takes on control of the car park, they will have the responsibility of setting the tariffs.

Cllr Hussey said Rother District Council had to meet a Government guideline of increasing car park income by five per cent year on year, whilst the town council was not subject to the same guideline.

The chairman warned if any of the services are devolved, it would mean big changes to the town council.

Cllr Hussey said: "If we succeed, you have to be convinced it's what the residents you represent want, because if we go ahead with this, it will change the face of Battle Town Council."

He added: "The objective is to have the services that directly affect Battle residents in the Battle Town Council area, under the local control of their representatives.

"If the numbers add up and we go for it, it's going to change things a lot."

Cllr Jeremy Eldridge said: "As long as our objectives are clear.

"We are going to benefit the ratepayer of Battle."

Town clerk Peter Mills said the council will have regular progress meetings with Rother.

Battle is not the first council to approach Rother over the devolvement of services.

Taking back the running of local services from Rother Council has been on the agenda of Rye Town Council for some time.

Councillors on the Democracy for Rye group were elected on the agenda of handing back more control to Rye from the Bexhill power-base.

The council has been involved in talks with Rother for a number of years but it has proved difficult to reach an agreement on which services should be devolved and to find a way forward.

The Democracy for Rye group were pushing for planning to be run at Rye but this was described as 'totally unrealistic' by some councillors.