The Democratic Deficit

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Rother District Council has managed to roll a barrel of dynamite under that particular instruction, and with it any hope for increased democracy in our affairs. The recommendation of their Devolution Working Group eliminated further consideration of Area Committees for Rye, Battle and Bexhill, or the devolving of budgets in any meaningful way.

They also turned down the possibility of a separate Bexhill Town Council. So Rye, Battle and Ticehurst will continue to be governed by what is, in its absence, the alternative town council of Bexhill.

The Campaign for a Democratic Rye supports Councillor Lee in his minority report from the Working Group, which recommends an Area Committee as the most effective way ‘to eliminate the democratic deficit’.

John Howlett, Chairman of the CDR 13 Love Lane, Rye