Parents reassured over family centre

The worry began with the news that a 270,000 government grant for the nursery and family learning facility was in danger of being withdrawn unless work started on site before the end of March.

But a delay in agreeing the terms of lease on the land between Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council has held-up building work.

Parents say the facility is absolutely essential and handed a 333 signature petition to Rother leader Graham Gubby before Monday's cabinet meeting, at which the issue was discussed behind closed doors.

It followed a meeting on Friday when parents pressed the importance of the scheme to Cllr Gubby and MP Greg Barker and underlined the need to get things moving quickly.

Sure Start project coordinator Richard Watson said on Tuesday: "I have been informed that the terms of lease have now been agreed. I understand now there are a few legal and contractual issues to be addressed but we have been told that should happen in the next five days and we can have builders on site just in time.

"It's been tight but hopefully the situation will now be resolved."

Parent John Falla, who helped organise the petition, added: "The meeting we had was very successful.

"The MP was very helpful and took our concerns on board and agreed to contact the relevant people to push the point.

"We were given an assurance that the councils would agree the lease and work would start on time. It's a good example of parent power."

A county council spokesman said: "Everyone is aware of the very tight deadline and we are doing our utmost to try and get these negotiations completed as quickly as possible to allow building work to start."