Latest News from Eastbourne Borough Council | Thursday 6 February 2025
£9,000 council support for ramp access at Leaf Hall
 A raft of local community projects have secured 'essential support' after Cabinet councillors agreed a £66,000 funding package.
The latest venue to receive support is Leaf Hall Community Centre in Seaside, which will soon have ramp access after a £9,000 award.
The £66,000 funding is the result of the community infrastructure levy (CIL), a charge that the council puts on new development in Eastbourne to fund certain projects and improvements.
Other venues to benefit from CIL include Meads Community Hall with £20,000 for refurbishments, over £5,000 for the installation of a boiler at St Anthony's Centre, the Fisherman's Green public toilets will be renovated thanks to £3,750 of CIL funding, Eastbourne Pier public toilets will be transformed and have CCTV installed as part of £8,000 of improvements and £20,000.00 towards changing room, toilet and café refurbishments at Set 2 Win Tennis in Old Town Rec.
Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said:
"Leaf Hall was built as a community resource over 160 years ago and has played an important role in the town ever since.
"I'm delighted that this essential support will provide improved access to Leaf Hall and hope it encourages even more people to make use of its fantastic facilities."
Leaf Hall has become a community arts centre and community café and hosts a wide range of activities, including music events and workshops, dance classes, meetings rooms and a weekly (Friday) community kitchen where residents can go along and cook for themselves and others.
For more information about Leaf Hall visit www.leafhall.co.uk
Details about the community infrastructure levy and how to apply for funding are available at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community-infrastructure-levy-cil
Council cracks down on 'eyesore' van
 The owner of a dilapidated van that was used to store waste has been fined £1,500.
Shaun Manser, 60, from Eastbourne was given a Community Protection Notice (CPN) by Eastbourne Borough Council because the van's condition was deteriorating and attracting fly-tipping, and it was having a detrimental effect on local residents. It had been parked in Seabeach Lane, Eastbourne, for a number of years.
The council prosecuted Mr Manser for his failure to comply with the CPN to remove the van.
At Hastings Magistrates' Court on January 16, Mr Manser admitted breaching the CPN and he was fined along with being ordered to pay the full prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £600. Additionally, the court made a Remedial Order, mandating the removal of the vehicle within 28 days.
Councillor Colin Swansborough, Cabinet Member for Community Spaces, said: "This successful prosecution sends a strong message that we will not tolerate environmental neglect.
"I commend our Neighbourhood First team for their diligence in pursuing this case and I look forward to the permanent removal of this eyesore van for the benefit of neighbours and the wider local community."
Statement from the Leaders of East Sussex Local Authorities
We are deeply disappointed that the government has agreed to cancel the elections.
We have made clear that we do not oppose devolution, but that this must be done with the consent of residents, businesses and partners. The government has ignored this.
Whilst we object to this decision, we will - as always - put the best interests of residents ahead of everything.
The services that the districts and borough councils provide are multiple and vary greatly even within East Sussex. We will work together to protect them.
We will do everything in our power to promote the vital importance of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, and Wealden, ensuring that the services that matter most to our residents are not downgraded as part of any reorganisation.
At this time, most future governance arrangements and how we will arrive at them remain unclear. These important details will be confirmed over the coming months, and we will keep our residents up to date and fully informed.
Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council
Councillor Julia Hilton, Leader of Hastings Borough Council
Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council
Councillor Rachel Millward, Leader of Wealden District Council
Mayor invites people to Covid remembrance service
 The Mayor will be leading events in Eastbourne to mark an annual day of reflection to remember those who lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK-wide Day of Reflection on Sunday, March 9, is an opportunity for communities to come together in commemoration of those who died and for everyone impacted by the Covid-19.
In Eastbourne, people are invited to join the Mayor, Councillor Candy Vaughan, and her Chaplain, Reverend Danny Pegg, for an Act of Remembrance at St Mary's Church, Decoy Drive (BN22 9PP). All those attending are asked to arrive by 10.20am for an 10.30am start.
Following the service, refreshments will be served in the Church Hall.
At 12.30pm, the Mayor will walk from the Church Hall, through Hampden Park, to Eastbourne's Covid Memorial, which is in Elm Grove Park (at the rear of Park Practice, Broadwater Way). People are welcome to join her for this 5-10minute walk.
At the memorial, the Mayor will lead a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives and were impacted by the pandemic.
Councillor Vaughan said: "The pandemic was devastating for many people in Eastbourne and five years later, it is important that we take time to remember all those who lost their lives. The Day of Reflection is also an opportunity for us to come together and show our support for all those who have been affected by Covid."
More information on the national COVID-19 Day of Reflection 2025 can be found at www.gov.uk/dayofreflection
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