Rother District Council Leader: Fountains to flow once more after funding agreement

For a good few summers, families flocked to Bexhill seafront to have fun and cool off in the fountains on the Promenade.

Sadly, the attraction failed back in 2018 and for eight years has been out of operation.

I was delighted that I and my Cabinet colleagues were able to agree the use of funding from the Pride in Place programme budget to replace the fountains and splashpad.

Bexhill Neighbourhood Board, Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council and Rother District Council will now set about identifying a suitable contractor to carry out the work.

Whilst there is some way to go, this is a major and very positive milestone and one that could not have been achieved without the efforts and determination of our partnership.

I can’t wait to see the joy the fountains bring to Bexhill seafront once again when the attraction is back up and running.

Like the majority of councils across the country, we are facing increasing financial pressures and as we work towards next year’s budget, we are having to find ways to cut our spending and increase our income.

The cost of delivering services continues to rise, demand is growing, and next year we face a funding gap of around £1.2 million.

A proposal has been developed which would see changes to some grants, services, fees and charges but before any decisions are made it’s important that we hear from the public.

None of us want to reduce services or charge people more money, but if we have to, we want to do it with as much information as possible to ensure we fully understand the impact of our decision.

The consultation is available here: https://www.rother.gov.uk/consultations/council-budget-2027/  I would ask as many people as possible to take part and gives us the feedback decision to make the best decision for Rother.

Shortly after I wrote my last column, the Government announced it was minded to continue with local government reorganisation (LGR) in East Sussex, which includes making a section of the south west of the county part of Brighton and Hove.

This is despite the Government largely accepted that East Sussex would thrive under our One East Sussex plan, which would see the new unitary authority operating on the same county footprint.

We will continue to work with colleagues from the other district and borough councils, as well as East Sussex County Council, to ensure decisions on LGR are evidence-based and in the best interests of local people.

In the meantime, there will be no immediate changes for our council or the services we provide.