No vote
This year’s East Sussex County Council elections have been cancelled after Sussex was added to the government’s fast track devolution plans.
The current two tier council arrangement in East Sussex will be replaced by a new unitary authority. The news has been welcomed by leaders at East Sussex County Council, less so at Rother District Council. Leader Doug Oliver said: “Our focus will always be on what is best for the district and its residents and as the situation unfolds, we will keep a close eye on developments and make sure we are at the forefront of discussions.”
Elections for the new unitary authority – if approved – will take place in May 2026 when there will also be a vote for a Sussex mayor.
Elections at Kent County Council will go ahead as planned in May this year.
Confirmed dates
With Rye’s Scallop Festival beginning next week on Saturday February 22, the dates for three of the town’s biggest events have been confirmed.
Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival will take place from Thursday August 21 until Monday August 25. The Rye Arts Festival runs a month later between September 13-28.
2025 is a big year for Rye Bonfire Society as the event marks its 30th anniversary since restarting. This year the parade, bonfire and fireworks take place on Saturday November 15.
Sealing the sewers
People in Fairlight had an update on how Southern Water is improving drainage locally at a drop-in event at the village hall on Thursday February 6. Work has been taking place since July 2023 including sealing 2km of sewers at Lower Waites Lane, Chanel Way, Rockmead Road, Bramble Way and Shepherds Way. 341 water butts have also been installed at homes and businesses in the village.
Task Force project manager for Fairlight, James Latter, said the work had started make a difference. “We’re seeing less surface and groundwater able to work its way into our sewers but we still have more to do.”
To find out more about what’s happening in Fairlight visit Pathfinder: Fairlight, East Sussex – Southern Water
New leaders
Two of the area’s health authorities have new leaders. Jayne Black has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and Michael Whitehouse is taking over at the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Jayne Black is currently the Chief Executive at Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham, Kent and is a former nurse. Michael Whitehouse’s new role is just for 12 month whilst the ambulance trust explores closer working with the trust in Hampshire and Thames Valley.
Through to the final
Congratulations to Rye Rugby Club who are through to the cup final. On Saturday February 8, Shoreham had to drop out of the weekend’s cup semi-final game putting Rye straight through. This weekend they travel to take on Dartfordians on February 15.
Meanwhile there’s a free event for 11-15 year olds at the rugby ground next week. The club will play host to a non contact rugby & multisports camp for boys and girls on Friday February 21 10am-2pm. Funded by Dallaglio Rugbyworks, any young people interested should bring water bottles, packed lunch and warm clothes. Drinks and snacks provided.
In football, Rye Town FC lost 2-1 away to Sedlescombe Rangers on Saturday but still remain in second place in the East Sussex Football League Premier Division.
Environmental Action
Love Our Rother 2025 takes place this Saturday February 15 from 11am – 3am at the Tilling Green Community Centre with a chance for people in Rye to discover more about the local environment. This year the theme is Water with experts on hand to answer questions and provide information. People are also being asked to bring water samples to get tested to measure the health of local rivers.
More details here
There’s more planting in Rye’s community orchards next week. Volunteers will plant 30 fruit trees in Mill Salts, bordering the Tillingham river behind Tillingham Avenue. The following week on February 25 and 26 more trees will be planted on the Rye Town Salts at the old pitch and putt field. Everyone in town is invited to help us.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images – http://alphastockimages.com/Nick Youngson http://www.nyphotographic.com/ https://www.thebluediamondgallery.com/typewriter/e/election.html Creative commons BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, Southern Water , James Stewart .
One has to ask now Rye town council has taken over the Salts area,who has given permission to plant fruit trees,on this open space of the old town Salts, and what plans does the council have on the rest of this area,that became an overgrown eyesore,under Rother District Council
Am pleased to hear that Jayne Black comes from a medical background. I do believe that those who are appointed in managerial roles within the Health Service will have a better understanding about how this complex but vital service works. Hopefully more of these appointments will be made in the future.