Dominic Manning
East Sussex County Council Election

We invited each candidate to supply a statement and photograph. We have published their submissions verbatim, no editorial changes have been made. Any errors are those of the candidate.

Party description: Green Party candidate

I’ve lived in Winchelsea, then Rye, since 1997. I care deeply for the people and communities in and around our town. We are incredibly fortunate to live in such a beautiful place but should never take it for granted.

As an architect I’ve been involved in many community projects, including the Rye Scout Hut and the Memorial Halls in Icklesham and Peasmarsh. In a voluntary capacity, I’ve contributed to preparing the maps for the Rye Neighbourhood Plan.

In March 2020, I was part of the Rye Mutual Aid core team, assisting with obtaining and distributing PPE, leaflets and other items to the communities throughout Rye and Eastern Rother.

I’m a trustee of Strandliners which takes action to make our seas and rivers cleaner and provides information on marine pollution, especially plastics.  I have been the chair of the Rother Environmental Group since 2008.

I’m one of the founders of the Rye Food and Wildlife Community Garden, which continues to thrive. I’ve campaigned for the Rye Greenway, connecting Valley Park and Tilling Green to the schools and sports centre, for many years. I’m an avid supporter of the Swap Shop which I help to run.

I wasn’t always interested in party politics, but I’ve become increasingly worried that Conservative policies are damaging our society, our economy and our environment. I’m ready to step up and put my energy into being your county councillor. ‘Business as usual’ won’t work. We need a new approach and new energy.

Electing a Green councillor will provide much-needed balance to the Conservative dominated East Sussex county council.  I will work together with residents, organisations and other councillors to get things done. I’m grateful to the Liberal Democrats for not standing a candidate against me, as it gives me a better chance of being elected.

If I’m elected, I will work for:

• Young people: I will help to get learning and lives back on track after Covid-19. I want to see free bus travel for all pupils living more than 2 miles from school and closer ties between schools and the communities they are within.
• Older citizens: I will press for better care and support services, and more flexible, frequent and reliable bus services.
• Local businesses: I will use my own experience of running a business to help local businesses recover from the effects of Covid-19 and Brexit and will help businesses become environmentally sustainable.
• A better balance between the needs of tourism and the needs of local residents.
• I want to see neglected pavements, footpaths, cycle path and roads mended.  And I want wildflower verges created; they are easier and cheaper to maintain than mown verges.
• More action on climate change (zero carbon by 2030), divestment from fossil fuel investments, more recycling.
• I’ll support any initiatives that bring our community and people of all ages together such as high-speed broadband, IT access for all, a library of things, day support and play, further education classes, social prescribing and better mental health support.
• After the 2017 elections, Keith Glazier, the council leader, voted to give himself a 37% pay rise. I believe all councillor pay rises should be no more than inflation, and this money would surely have been better spent on improving services.

Vote for me, Dominic Manning, for real change, for our community and for our precious environment.

Image Credits: Dominic Manning .