Your letters - July 16, 2010

Quality Council is good for Rye

Referring to its 2009-10 Annual Report, Bob Stephenson asks what it means for Rye Town Council to be a Quality Town Council and Power of Well Being Council (Letters 9 July).

I will not waste space by addressing the latter because an explanation appears within the Review section of the said Annual Report.

The town council became a Quality Council in 2006.

The scheme enables accredited local councils to provide their parishioners with an assurance that they are properly managed, work closely with local voluntary and community groups, communicate effectively, work in partnership with other local authorities and agencies, and uphold high standards of conduct.

This might sound like 'gobbledegook' but in practical terms it has resulted in the introduction of monthly councillor surgeries, a quarterly newsletter (via 'Rye Fixtures'), a web site, an annual report, an improved Annual Town Meeting format, and greater engagement with the community.

Mrs Goldsworthy states that the Government has decided to freeze the county and District Council Tax demands for 3 years and suggests doing the same to parish councils.

I am not sure a 3-year freeze is being considered and I understand the Chancellor is currently looking at ways to freeze the Council Tax of these principal local authorities in 2011-12 only at this stage.

The detail is expected to be announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, due on October 20.

Unlike the county and district councils, parish/town councils are not subject to capping to limit Council Taxes increases (typically 5%), presumably because their expenditure tends to be tiny in comparison with the multi-million pound budgets of principal local authorities and the Police and Fire Authorities.

It is a distinct possibility that, as the grant funding from central government to the county and district councils is reduced, these bodies may well look to the voluntary/community sector and parish councils to take on some of their services.

Although it is likely that parish councillors in Rother will be sensitive to the prevailing economic and political climate when considering next year's parish Council Tax (precept), especially with parish council elections due on 5 May 2011,

I would hope the response to any such approach will be guided by what is on offer, whether a service can be delivered more efficiently (perhaps in a different way), and just how important retention of the threatened service is to the well being of our local communities, particularly our more vulnerable residents.

Richard Farhall

Rye Town Clerk

Town Hall, Rye,

Thanks to Jempsons Budgens shoppers

I would like to thank all of the generous shoppers at Jempsons Budgens who contributed to our recent charity collection.

We raised 338.52 on the day which is a superb result. We really couldn't run without the excellent support that we receive from the community.

Julie Brett

Community Fundraiser,

St Michael's Hospice

Pay tribute to Rye Scouts founder

As a boy in the 1930's I was always sorry I could not join Rye Scouts as I lived on a farm four miles from Rye.

I have always followed their progress with interest and wish them well in raising the money for a new club house.

In this, their centenary year, it would be seemly to restore the grave of Captain Cory, which is in Playden churchyard, near the footpath gate to the east. I was shown it when we tended the Colman family graves on my mother's side.

A gathering of Captain Cory's Own, as Rye Scouts were once known, to pay their respects at the graveside would be a tribute to their founder, who I understand was a friend of Lord Baden-Powell.

Jim Pilcher

Creek End, East Guldeford.

What Rother has in common with Russia

I am delighted that Bexhill resident Alison Higgins is happy with everything Rother has done in her town and her pride in the De La Warr.

However, living out here on the edge of the Romney Marsh fastness, I do feel that this is a bit like a Moscow resident writing to the Vladivostock local paper, extolling the virtues of Moscow and the wonders of the Kremlin and Gorky Park, even though Siberian residents' taxes pay for these facilities.

I suggest Ms Higgins should head out east and pay through the nose for the Council-run car parking in Rye, before taking a look at the Lion Street adult education centre, built in the 1870s, which Rother decided could be knocked down despite strong local protests.

Reasons for the lack of praise for Rother in the Rye and Battle Observer letters pages might become clearer.

Andrew Stuart

West St, Rye.

Super service from volunteer railway

I am writing an unsolicited letter in praise of the Kent and East Sussex Railways at Tenterden.

On 3 July myself and 50 friends and family spent the evening on the wonderful Pulman, being wined and dined by the staff.

The food, prepared entirely in the tiniest galley by chef, Meg, was exquisite, hot and beautifully served in silver service style by waiters and waitresses in a highly professional manner.

This is no mean feat as the train is constantly moving. What makes the evening even more special is that the staff, from train driver to 14 year old waiter are entirely voluntary. No personal tips are kept, they are put back into the KESR to keep this magnificent steam train going.

I consider myself privileged to have been on the train and would urge anyone who has not had the experience to give it a try. I promise you, you will go back.

We are already looking forward to going on one of their fish and chip suppers in the near future.

Kate Mylrea

Windmill Lane, Icklesham.

Big thank-you to lifeboat collectors

Through your pages I would very much like to thank most sincerely the many collectors who withstood the wonderful sunshine last Saturday and collected a terrific sum of money for the RNLI.

As I'm sure most of your readers know the RNLI is totally funded by voluntary contributions, and more importantly the rescue vessels are wholly manned by volunteer crews.

At Rye Harbour we have just taken on a new inshore vessel which allows a 6 man crew instead of the previous 5, and she will be formally dedicated later in the year.

Whilst we all hope that we shall never need their help at sea, it is reassuring to know that the RNLI is always there to help "Those in peril on the Sea".

Penny Mitchell-Innes

RNLI box secretary

Icklesham Fete was great success

A good crowd in glorious sunshine was present to see and listen to the very amusing well known comedienne Jo Brand open Icklesham's Annual Summer Fete on Saturday.

Head boy, Jamie Flood and Head Girl Amelia Waters of Icklesham C of E Primary School presented Jo with a bouquet.

This year, as well as our fun dog show, stalls and side shows, children and adults took part in various field events, including sack races, egg & spoon races and a tug of war. Great fun was had by all.

The Icklesham Trusts Committee would like to say thank you to everyone who played a part in making the afternoon a great success.

We would particularly like to thank Rye Dance and Alfie and the Alcoholics for entertaining us; our two local pubs, the Queens Head and the Robin Hood who very generously ran the bar and sponsored the barbecue; to St Michaels Hospice for the teas and refreshments; Rye Lions and the Pett Level Rescue Boat and all the local clubs and organisations who ran the stalls.

Thanks also to children of Icklesham School who exhibited their paintings in the Memorial Hall and to the generous sponsors of the Fete Programme, and last but not least to Phil Williams for his brilliant compering in keeping the afternoon running smoothly.

The fete raised over 2,000 which was shared with the local village organisations and clubs, St Michaels Hospice, Pett Level Rescue Boat, the Rye Lions and Icklesham Trusts.

Thank you again to all who supported the Icklesham Annual Fete. We look forward to seeing you next year when we hope the Icklesham Trusts will be combining with the Horticultural Club to run a Flower Show, Fete and Sports day in August.

Corinne Merricks

by Email

Fresh look at an age old problem

WHAT a terrific letter Laurence Keeley writes (Observer 9/7/10).

He brings together several subjects of local concern - and argues them from a community viewpoint.

Very refreshing! Seldom do our 'rulers' give us an 'holistic' plan for anything, based on the obvious premise that we all, young and old, rich and poor, have to live together on this crowded island.

Housing? Yes, cut through the unearned profits gained by selling your few acres for 'building' land, get individual craftsmen to then construct a lot of well-designed 'green' houses at everyday prices - but, essentially, these must have 'cost restrictions' on them, as Laurence says.

Empty and 'second homes' need to be radically dealt with, too, and should be added to our housing stock, bearing in mind the need to preserve as much food-growing land as possible.

The proposed Link Road also needs the sort of overview that Laurence gives it. Short-sightedness is what prevails at present.

We desperately need the community standpoint as well as the green one, not the self-interested one.

He points out the "cost of housing benefit, care homes, care in the community and the pension shortfall" all of which are growing problems, especially in our cash-strapped situation.

He tackles the transport situation well. Charges for individual cars (whether on fuel or road space) are essential.

But these 'sticks' need to be balanced by subsidising free or reduced fares on public transport, as well as facilitating buses (and light rail? What a hope!) by giving them priority.

These 'carrots' need to be publicised, and the whole sum taken by negative taxation should go towards positive subsidies, the 'admin' required for this being taken from income tax.

This 'balancing act' for the Common Good is clearly the only feasible way forward; we have no magic pot of gold to help us out.

I have long suggested the need for a 'Tesco Tax' (TT) (and on all similar types of stores). I propose a five per cent tax at checkout on all customers' bills (NB, this is not a charge upon the store itself).

These same people return to their villages/high streets and expect to find thriving shops and Post Offices there.

Now this would be possible since the TT would subsidise all such essential stores.

And their aged relatives would have a few more years independence with their shopping and also their social lives.

Plus it reduces the need for travel, it also helps tourists who do not wish to see 'dead' communities, it helps the battle against crime and against poverty.

As above, the admin for this should come from Income Tax - and the huge benefits would be felt by everyone, in every pound spent,

Putting our community first is not a left-wing notion, nor is it a right-wing one. It is simply a realistic position in today's world.

Our PM and his deputy support it. But it takes courage to implement.

David Colquhoun

Marley Gardens, Battle

Rye's hanging baskets are beautiful

I am not sure who is responsible for the lovely hanging baskets in the Station Approach Rye, but they are gorgeous, and someone is remembering to water them too!!

Thank you for this lovely addition to the town.

Mary East

Old Brickyard, Rye