The Campaign For Action in Rye (CFAiR) was set up a year ago to take over from the Campaign for Democracy in Rye (CDR) but, a year later, questions are being asked about where it is going – and whether it is involving enough people.
One route forward may be to focus primarily on the setting up of a Community Interest Company (CIC) to run the new Tilling Green Community Centre – though plans for that are currently stalled.
CFAiR meets again at the Tilling Green Community Centre next Thursday, March 17, from 7:30-9pm and last month’s meeting was chaired by Heidi Foster who comments: “CFAiR was launched with enthusiasm by people who wanted to make Rye a better place.
“It attracted quite a few people who were interested in several projects to be taken forward, including better facilities for young children and dealing with people’s complaints about hedges around Rye making walking difficult on some paths. Various other issues were also discussed.
“Nearly a year on the number of members has dwindled for different reasons, but mainly that other priorities have taken up their time. At February’s meeting we were six and deliberated where to go from here, taking into account that none of us had much time – and that the Town Steward is doing a good job to make Rye look tidy.
“One lapsed member is working hard on the children’s provision. After some discussion a possible way forward was decided upon – to have one more meeting to work out a transition process.
“Five members have formed a CIC as directors (three of them from Tilling Green) with the aim of running the new Tilling Green Community Centre, once built.
“The CIC directors have been in talks with the Rye Partnership (the current managers of the Community Centre) who are the partners of housing association Amicus Horizon who are developing the estate – and who are also working with us in anticipation of the future”.
Rother District Council’s (RDC) consideration of the planning application for homes and a new community centre on the East Sussex County Council (ESCC) owned former school site in Mason Road have been delayed because of objections, particularly about the risk of flooding on the site. ESCC are currently consulting the public about their plans for managing flood risks, and CFAiR were told RDC may not consider the planning application now before April.
A possible suggestion taken on board at February’s CFAiR meeting, said Heidi, was to inform all members of CFAIR that the committee might disperse and that any interested party could work with the CIC.
She added: “We are planning some events prior to the Community Centre being built – for instance a lunch, and a social outing for people who are isolated and stuck indoors, and anyone else who would like to join in the fun. Anyone interested in helping please email: heidi@heidi15.fsnet.co.uk“.
Other issues discussed at the last CFAiR meeting included how the Boys Club might be supported after James Brill talked to members about his project. CFAiR members have also been looking at the latest version of the Neighbourhood Plan and how sustainable transport and pedestrianisation might be included.
They also heard about the availability of grants from the Rother Environmental Group for sustainable projects and discussed health issues including the dementia campaign and general wellbeing.
[Sources: CFAiR and Heidi Foster]
Photo: Rye News Library
Image Credits: Rye News library .
I was not at all surprised that CFAiR is not faring well. I can sympathise to some extent with the comments made by Heidi Foster in her recent report. It is not easy to maintain people’s interest if there is no “big issue”. The CDR in its hey day had a big plan to bring greater autonomy to Rye by campaigning for the creation of an Area Committee system, such as was in place in many councils in England. The CDR tried very hard but as is well known it was met with fierce resistance from Rother District Council. The Group built up a tide of enthusiasm in the beginning but in the end this initial enthusiasm waned as it was seen it was not getting anywhere, and hence it was dissolved in the hope that others would try something else in a different guise. CFAiR was born. There was initial enthusiasm but there was no “big issue” that would bring in people to support it. The trouble with any new group entering the arena there are so many other competing organisations in Rye. We have the Rye Neighbourhood Plan which has taken centre stage and could , if it is passed, become the next best thing to what one of the tenets of the CDR was trying to do, bring greater power to Rye in planning. Then you have the Town Council and its various off shoots like the Highways Forum. The Rye Partnership continues to strive and there is the Rye Conservation Society keeping a watchful eye on Rye’s heritage. The Town Steward is doing a good job to make Rye a better place which has largely removed one of CFAiR’s aims. Rye is just a bit crowded at the moment with competing organisations which is good in a way but does not leave much room for CFAiR .
I do think CFAiR could have been quicker off the block after it took over from the CDR and should have got in touch immediately with the old CDR membership. There was too much time lost I fear. Any organisation has to have strong leadership from an elected chairperson with support from an elected committee. Such a formal structure was thought by the Group as being unnecessary. However, even then without a “big issue” it would probably have floundered anyway.Perhaps it is better to dissolve.
It is a saying that “there is no failure except by ceasing to try”.