Town one more step closer to control

Rother District Council (RDC), which is responsible for a range of services including car parks and public toilets, is currently looking at handing over responsibility for certain services to town and parish councils across the district.

RDC’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee says it would like to hand responsibility for the town’s Market Square public toilets over to the town council, but maintain control of the public conveniences in Mount Street.

Public toilets in Burwash, Robertsbridge and Sedlescombe are also in the frame for devolution to the relevant local councils.

Meanwhile discussions are continuing over a number of other areas Battle Town Council wants to take responsibility for, including Kingsmead Open Space, land north of Coronation Gardens, open space off Marley Lane, land south of Marley Lane (Blackfriars) and Netherfield open space/play area.

But following lengthy discussions with Rother, Battle Town Council will not take on responsibility for the town’s car parks in the near future.

According to the agenda papers for Monday’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, it was decided that the financial cost to Battle Town Council to purchase the Mount Street and Market car parks and compensate RDC for the loss of income was ‘not possible’. The meeting will take place at Bexhill Town Hall on Monday from 5.30pm.

The final decision will be made by Rother’s cabinet committee at a later date.