Council on lookout for youthful ideas

It has produced a draft youth strategy - which can be viewed in detail at www.rother.gov.uk/youthstrategy - aiming to highlight problems and possible solutions so that people can offer their own ideas.

Brenda Mason, Rother's head of policy and performance, said the district had significantly fewer people aged 20 to 55 living there than other parts of the UK, and the country's highest population of people aged 85 plus.

She said it was vital to achieve a better balance, and this meant making it more attractive for young people to stay in Rother once they reached adulthood.

She said: "Surveys have told us that young people want improved job prospects, better sports and play facilities and more arts and music venues."

Also needed are more homes to rent or buy at reasonable prices - Rother is among the top 30 "least affordable" districts in Britain; improvements to transport and access and better communication of social, leisure and recreational opportunities.

Nearly one in five children up to the age of 16 live in poverty in Rother, and its teenage pregnancy rates are increasing. This means attention also needs to be given to relieving deprivation in the district.

By publishing a consultation document, the district council is now hoping people will come forward with their own views and ideas on how best to deliver improvements.

Brenda Mason can be contacted at Bexhill Town Hall on 01424 787000 or via e-mail, [email protected]