Two good things have happened for Rye in the last month: firstly, the town hosted the 70th National Town Criers Championship and secondly, we are keeping our railway station ticket office.
Rye’s own town crier, Paul Goring, with the invaluable support of Rye Town Council and local sponsors, stepped into the breach left by Hastings Borough Council and ensured that the National Town Crier Championship remained in 1066 country.
As many are aware, Hastings Borough Council (HBC) has been facing financial difficulties for some time. A politically impartial Local Government Association Finance Peer Challenge reported on the financial situation of HBC (in March 2023). The report states that the council is facing bankruptcy due to rising costs and a lack of savings, and may have to issue a Section 114 notice, effectively declaring itself bankrupt if costs continue to grow and savings are not made. The report also mentioned that the Peer Review Team not only expressed concern about the council’s financial sustainability, it also expressed concern about the lack of scrutiny before decision-making, a lack of strategic planning, the low level of unallocated revenue reserves, the record on achievements of savings, and overspend in housing.
The Peer Challenge recommended that the [Labour] political decision-making needs to be “streamlined and focused on reducing costs, controlling spending, achieving savings, and rebuilding the revenue reserves” and that “aspirational projects need to be temporarily put on hold whilst focus is given to tackling the revenue budget problems and putting the council on a sustainable financial footing”. A number of the previous recommendations made in 2022 to help the council tackle its homelessness problem and reduce costs were also highlighted as not being addressed. Damning indeed.
These financial difficulties have led HBC to make some rather odd decisions, such as cutting all the funding (£50,000) to destination management organisation, 1066 Country, and of course, the reported £2,000 to host the National Town Criers Championship. I have received a number of complaints from Rye-based tourism and hospitality businesses about this decision and contacted HBC on their behalf. 1066 Country has a 25-year built-up reputation taking charge of advertising our region and supporting our businesses. HBC decided that it ‘wants to go alone’ – an unfortunate decision as destination management organisations like 1066 Country are key to growing our local tourism and hospitality economy, which is estimated to bring £385 million to the Hastings area each year and provides around 7,000 jobs. HBC’s decision to cut this funding to 1066 Country could have a negative impact on the local industry and put it at risk. It not only impacts on Hastings but on Rye and the surrounding area. A decision which shows a total lack of strategic thinking.
However, good old Rye came to the rescue, and whilst the town crier competition is very much in keeping with Hastings cultural heritage – it is said that town criers came to the fore with William of Normandy’s invasion in 1066 – it is also in keeping with Rye’s cultural heritage and will also play a role in Rye’s socio-economic development. It goes to show that whilst it is important for local councils to prioritise their spending and make tough decisions regarding expenditure, it is equally important to consider the impact of these decisions on the community and its socio-economic development.
On Tuesday morning I received a telephone call from the Department of Transport informing me that the government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals for reform of the ticket offices. They wanted to let me know directly, as I had been a strong advocate on behalf of residents for our local ticket offices. I had also actively lobbied the powers that be that should the proposed reforms go ahead, Rye must be treated in the same way as Hastings, as a travel hub, with all the existing services and opening times. There will be further work on railway reform with the expansion of contactless Pay As You Go ticketing and making stations more accessible through the Access for All programme. I want to thank all those people who contacted me about this issue – it certainly made my argument stronger.
These are two positive news stories for Rye, driven by local residents (I include myself as local!). This local action benefits our community, in the same way that people pulled together to save Rye pool. These ‘wins’ help boost our morale and community spirit, as well as instilling a sense of pride. It shows that we care.
Sally-Ann Hart MP will be holding a Surgery in Rye on Friday, November 17 between 2pm and 3:30pm. This is by appointment only. If you have an issue that you would like to discuss with Sally-Ann please telephone 01424 716756 or email her at sallyann.hart.mp@parliament.uk to arrange an appointment.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
Mrs Hart will know, of course, that the Peer Review team also highlighted one of the main reasons that there was over-spending by HBC… After 13 years of Conservative government, and a five fold increase in homelessness in Hastings, the Council’s bill for temporary accommodation has vastly increased. Mrs Hart will also know that a number of other local authorities are struggling due to swingeing central government cuts since 2010. Additional issues are the falling value of commercial property investments, high inflation, rising interest rates and ballooning demand for social care services… And whom might one pin those ills upon? Lastly, let’s not forget that whilst Labour run Birmingham, Slough and Croydon have gone bust, the Conservatives were equally capable of crashing the finances of Woking and Thurrock – and, indeed, the entire UK…
Talking of town cryers, isn’t it time to ring the changes…?
Guy Harris, Excellent comment. Of course, Sally – Ann Fart would undoubtedly echo the government line, as so well put by the Home ( sic) Secretarty, that poverty and homelessness are a lifestyle choice and are not the responsibility of the inflated expense accounts of government.
Guy Harris is right to point out the Conservative government’s culpability in creating the perilous financial positions for local councils, Sally-Ann Hart is also right to apportion some blame on HBC for poor decision making. It’s the same old story of claiming credit for the good news but never taking ownership of the bad. Something else not mentioned here is any credit to Rother and Wealden councils for ensuring that 1066 Country can continue to provide excellent service to the rest of the area
Although I grew up in the Guestling Green and went to school at Thomas Peacocke during the 1960’s, I now live in Hastings Old Town and love keeping up with Rye news and developments. Residents and business owners here are suffering from HBC’s decision to make public parking both difficult and costly by raising charges. This affects visitors enormously too, making our Old Town no longer viable for those who wish to explore and enjoy what it has to offer.
I would like to thank Sally Ann for her comment about the importance of 1066 Country to our tourism. Yes, it is sad that Hastings have decided to withdraw, but good news – Rother District Council have taken over the responsibility to guarantee the future. I would like to assure all current Hastings (and future) members it is business as usual. We have employed Jane and Sarah for continuity so the transition is seamless. In Rye we are grateful for the positive and highly supportive Chamber of Commerce too. I would encourage all hospitality and destination venues to look upon this new chapter as one in which your voices matter and will be heard.
Cllr Hazel Timpe
Cabinet member for Tourism
Rother District Council