Southern Water Bulverhythe update
At the Full Council meeting on 19 July, Cllr Paul Barnett, leader of the council, read out a letter he was sending to Southern Water seeking a far more co-operative and open approach to the issues Southern Water are dealing with in Hastings.
We have agreed with Southern Water to share important and relevant information with residents through this newsletter on a regular basis, to help make sure that you are kept up-to-date with work they are doing and other updates. We are reliant on Southern Water sharing relevant data with us and will continue to press them for timely updates.
The latest update is below:
Southern Water (SW) are continuing their work to resolve the ongoing problems with the main sewer from Bulverhythe Tower to Cinque Ports Way.
The next steps are:
Arnside Road - During the week starting 18 September 2023, they will be be excavating a 15 metre long x 5 metre wide pit in Arnside Road at the junction with Cliftonville Road. They expect to be finished in this area by the middle of October 2023.
Cliftonville Way - To keep everyone safe, Cliftonville Road will be closed from the junction with Cliftonville Way and where it meets Arnside Road. This work is expected to be finished in this area by the end of October 2023.
Cinque Ports Way (Bultherhythe beach) - SW are starting the repair work in this area from late September, access will be restricted for vehicles along Cinque Ports Way to the Scout Hut. The bollards will be temporarily removed between Huts 111E and 111C to allow you to drive to the back row of huts. When SW are finished, they will replace the bollards and make good any damage to the ground. They expect to be finished in this area by December 2023.
Bridge Way - SW are installing a temporary overland pipe that will take the sewage to the treatment works, whilst they repair the main sewer pipes underground. The overland pipe will be removed and the area will be reinstated at the end of the work. The main working area will be by the bridge, on Bridge Way, but you may notice extra construction traffic in and around the local area. They expect to be finished in this area by the end of Summer 2024.
Bulverhythe Car Park, Bexhill Road - SW have fenced off a section of the car park so they can safely access a manhole to connect the temporary overland pipe back into the sewage network. They expect to be finished in this area by the end of Summer 2024.
When will the work be finished? - SW anticipate all the work on the new sewer and any final reinstatement work will be completed by Summer 2024.
Southern Water are also holding an Open Day on Thursday 12 October for any customers to drop-in and ask questions or find out more.
You can drop-in between 11am and 7pm at Stade Hall. Staff from SW will be available to talk about how money is being spent in Hastings, financial support if you're struggling to pay your bills, misconnections work and the work that's being done to prevent flooding and further sewage bursts in the area.
Cabinet to discuss Southern Water report
Councillors are due to discuss a report updating on the council’s relationship with Southern Water at the Cabinet meeting on Monday 2 October.
The report covers several incidents involving Southern Water (SW) in the last two years, including the burst main at Bulverhythe in summer 2021, the town centre flooding in January 2023 and the Old Roar Ghyll incidents this summer.
The council has been in contact with senior staff at SW on many occasions over the last two years in connection with the incidents mentioned, including with the current and past Chief Executive Officer. This has included an open letter from the Leader of the Council to the CEO and a motion that was passed at Full Council in July 2022 for the council to hold SW to account.
Council property for sale
 The council has properties for sale - 12-13 York Buildings and two plots of land off Crowhurst Road.
12-13 York Buildings is a freehold Grade 2 Listed Building in Hastings town centre including a ground floor shop and basement with six recently refurbished, vacant, one bedroomed flats above. As the building is Grade 2 listed it is unsuitable to be used as social housing. The shop is currently let on a ten year lease from 2019.
The land off Crowhurst Road is two blocks of pasture, woodland and rewilded scrubland in an elevated position, with access off the main Crowhurst Road. Both lots are ideally suited to a range of uses (subject to any necessary consents) including private recreational, grazing, smallholding and equestrian pursuits. These plots are within Rother and are not listed as eligible for housing.
The sale of these properties was agreed by the council's Cabinet in August and the proceeds will be used to help the council's financial position.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects to begin
 Hastings has received £1million from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund is aimed at overcoming geographical inequalities that have held areas back in the past. Three projects which are being funded through this programme are due to begin in the Broomgrove area of Hastings.
The Community Arts Engagement Project is due to begin in September. The Business Support & Skills Development Activity and the Greener Broomgrove Project are being finalised and will begin in the coming weeks.
*photo shows children at Hastings Adventure Playground enjoying their newly resurfaced playground with manmade puddles
Ground-breaking exhibition uncovers the history of disabled people hidden within the archives of Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
 Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is hosting 'Stored Out of Sight: Hidden History of Disabled People’. This is the first exhibition by Curating for Change Fellow Jack Guy.
Curating for Change is a National Lottery Heritage Fund programme designed to launch the curatorial careers of d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent museum professionals.
Disabled people have always been part of history, but their stories have often been in the background. Jack Guy and seven other Hastings residents who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent went through the museum’s collections and store rooms. Here they found a wide range of objects and stories about people which show hidden disability histories from Hastings and St Leonards.
The exhibition runs until 16 December.
Cabinet to discuss Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve grant
 Hastings Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to discuss the new Countryside Stewardship grant for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve (HCPNR) at its meeting on Monday 2 October.
Countryside Stewardship grants are developed by Natural England, the government’s advisors on nature conservation. The purpose of countryside stewardship grants is to pay land managers to manage their land to conserve and restore wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
The latest Countryside Stewardship grant for HCPNR is due to start on 1 January 2024 and run for ten years. It is estimated to be worth £700,000 over the grant period.
September is preparedness month
 Hastings Borough Council is part of the Sussex Resilience Forum (which links different organisations to prepare and respond to, and recover from, emergencies). We are sharing messages during September for Preparedness month.
******
Household Preparedness is being planned so you're ahead of and equipped for any emergency with no need to panic buy. Ideally, aim for 72-hour self-sufficiency or more, depending on your needs.
******
Part of being prepared for emergencies is having the mental strength to deal with them. The NHS Every Mind Campaign has lots of advice and tips to improve your mental health.
******
You can find out more on the 30 Days 30 Ways website, including taking part in daily quizzes and watching weekly discussions over the month.
COVID winter booster announced
 The annual flu and COVID vaccine programme has now begun.
The NHS has said that residents of older adult care homes and those most at risk will receive their COVID vaccine first.
Carers, pregnant women, and health and social care staff will all be among the groups to be offered a COVID jab this winter, as well as adults aged 65 and over.
The national booking system is now open for people to book their vaccines. You can also book through your healthcare provider when you are contacted.
The NHS Sussex Health and Care website has more information about who is eligible and how to book.
|
