Rother District Council s9

BEXHILL TOWN FORUM 24 November 2009

Minutes of a meeting of the Bexhill Town Forum held at Bexhill College, Penland Road, Bexhill on Tuesday 24 November 2009 at 6.30pm.

Present:

Mr Paul Plim (Chairman) Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union Mr Sean O’Brien (Vice-Chairman) Bexhill Youth Council

District Councillors: J.J. Carroll, M.D. Ensor (& ESCC), Mrs B.A. George, Mrs J.M. Hughes (& ESCC), B. Kentfield, P.G. Lendon, D.W.E. Russell and Mrs G.P. Wheeler ESCC Councillor: B. Gadd Mr Ian Coleman Rother Voluntary Action Mr Nick Wates Rother Voluntary Action Mr Richard Spencer Brockhurst Gate (Bexhill) Management Ltd Mr Glyne Chave 1066 Roads Improvement Group Mr Roger Gillett 1066 Roads Improvement Group Mrs Margaret Jones Bexhill Youth Council Adult Support Group Mr Basil Streat Bexhill Club of Past Rotarians Mrs Sandra Melvin Bexhill Visitors Information Point & Bexhill in Bloom Mr Roger Sweetman Hastings & Rother Gay & Lesbian Social Group Mr Paul Broadhurst Hastings & Rother Gay & Lesbian Social Group Mr Ken Beckett Bexhill Wheelers Mr John Betts Society of Bexhill Museums Mr Nick Hollington Bexhill against Landfill Incineration (BALI) Mr C.R. Lancaster Bexhill & District Gardens & Allotments Society Mr D. Scott Rother District Taxi Association PCSO Smith Sussex Police (Bexhill) Mr Michael Gebbie Rother Seniors Mr B.P. Ogonovsky Churches Together in Bexhill Mr Don Butler Beulah Baptist Church Mr A.L. Bishop Save our Seafront Mrs Jean Bishop Save our Seafront Mr C.A. Wickens Little Common Community Centre Mr John L. Wilson Bexhill Rotary Club Mr Hugh Sharp Bexhill Rail Action Group

Mr J.C.B. Black Technical Support Mr Jack Doherty Fairtrade Bexhill Mrs Jenny Private Homecall Visiting Scheme for the Blind Mr Ken Hutchinson Churches Together in Bexhill Mr John Lee Bexhill Alliance Mr Neil Masterton St. Mary’s Wrestwood Children’s Trust Mr Maurice A. Elwood Hastings & Rother Multiple Sclerosis Society Mr Frank Strickland OBE Bexhill Club of Past Rotarians Mr Brian Storkey Bexhill Tourism Association Mr Ron Storkey Save Our Seafront Mr R. Flynch 1066 Roads Group Ms. Melanie Clark British Sign Language Interpreter Mr Ben Higgins Bexhill Observer Mr Peter Field Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Mr Charles Everett Chairman of NHS Hastings & Rother Mr Derek Stevens Chief Executive (RDC) Mr Tony Leonard Director of Services (RDC) Mr Malcolm Johnston Director of Resources (RDC) Mr Richard Parker-Harding Head of Environmental Health (RDC) Miss Suzanne Grisbrook Head of Corporate Services (RDC) Miss Brenda Mason Head of Policy & Performance (RDC) Mrs Carolyn Turner Democratic Services Officer (RDC) and 14 members of the public

The Chairman, Mr Paul Plim, welcomed everyone to Bexhill College, especially those attending the Forum for the first time. He thanked Bexhill College for the use of their premises, Rother District Council staff for serving the refreshments and John Black for providing technological assistance.

Members of the Forum were notified of vacancies on the Executive Committee and the Chairman urged representatives of Member organisations to apply as the Committee was keen to build on its membership. Further information could be obtained from the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or the Democratic Services Officer.

A short feedback form had been distributed for Members to complete prior to the meeting. Members were encouraged to return these to the Democratic Services Officer. The Chairman anticipated that this would be a useful exercise in helping to shape Bexhill Town Forum in the future.

Members were advised that for the first time a British Sign Language Interpreter would be signing for the first part of the meeting and a hearing loop had been provided to assist anyone with hearing difficulties.

TF544. MINUTES

A point of order was raised in respect of item TF534 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2009/10. Mr Ogonovsky considered that as he had formally proposed the second option offered, that the Chairman and Vice Chairman hold office for 2 years, and this had been formally seconded, that this should have been recorded in the minutes.

The Chairman acknowledged Mr Ogonovsky’s point of order and advised that this would be recorded in the Minutes of this meeting. Mr Hutchinson had raised

this matter several times and his concerns had been acknowledged in correspondence.

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting of the Bexhill Town Forum held on 22 September 2009, as drafted, as a correct record of the proceedings.

TF545. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor J.S. Wood, John Fowler (St. Peter’s Church), Richard Tyler (Bexhill Rail Action Group), Miss Dorothy Jull (Bexhill Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society), Tony Dunn (Friends of Bexhill Library), Mr Dave Dickens-Smith, (Bexhill 100 Motoring Club), Chief Inspector Heather Keating and Inspector J. Scott, (Sussex Police).

TF546. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

Mr Sean O’ Brien, gave an update on the Executive Committee’s last two meetings. A discussion had taken place at the first meeting on the removal of benches from the seafront by Rother. It was noted that the benches would be placed elsewhere within the district. The following advice was received from the Next Wave Project manager after the meeting;

Bench donors were being offered three options:

1. The bench and plaques could be removed by the donor (and became their property and responsibility). 2. The possibility of the bench and plaque be investigated for relocation to another Rother site: East Promenade / Marina / Galley Hill / Egerton Park / Old Town / Rural locations. The number of locations available was limited and subject to further considerations such as highways regulations. 3. The bench be removed (and subject to condition will be reutilised by Rother District Council at a later date elsewhere) and a new plaque that fits into the overall Next Wave design scheme would be placed on a new bench west of the kiosk only. On condition of these, the plaque would be in place for the next 10 years.

Mr Ron Storkey had been invited to attend the second meeting to facilitate discussion and agreement on procedural matters including new voting arrangements and formulating a new Terms of Reference. Mr Storkey had been co-opted onto the Committee for this purpose and it was anticipated that suggested actions should be completed by May 2010.

The Chairman had taken part in a fruitful meeting with the Chief Executive of Rother District Council after the September Forum Meeting. Points were raised in respect of future meetings and the Chief Executive was supportive of 4 meetings of the Executive Committee being held between Forum meetings to allow for discussion on the previous meeting, to ensure that any follow-up actions were carried out and to look forward and plan for the following meeting. The Chief Executive agreed to explore the idea of ancillary events running

alongside the Forum and agreed to contact Hastings Direct in respect of possible sponsorship, with a view to possibly holding the Forum on a permanent basis at the De La Warr Pavilion. Enquiries would be made of Mr Alan Haydon, Director of the DLWP to explore this matter further.

Due to personal circumstances, the Minute Secretary of the Executive Committee, Mrs Viv Reddick, had resigned from her post. The Chairman had written to Viv thanking her, on behalf of the Forum, for the support she had given the Executive Committee over the past year.

The Chairman was looking to the Forum to be more inclusive and meet the needs of the diverse community of Bexhill. To this end he had advertised for a signer, through the Bexhill Observer, to encourage those who were deaf or who had hearing difficulties to participate in the meetings. It was pleasing to note that Melanie Clark was able to attend the Forum to undertake this task.

Finally, the Vice-Chairman reiterated the request of the Chairman for new members to come forward, to seek to improve Bexhill Town Forum for the future.

TF547. PRESENTATIONS

1) The Work of the Lieutenacy Mr Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex received a very warm welcome from the Chairman of the Bexhill Town Forum.

Mr Field had been appointed as Lord Lieutenant by Her Majesty,The Queen to act on her behalf in East Sussex in August 2008 and would stand in this post until his seventy-fifth birthday in 2021. He had previously served as Vice-Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex since the year 2000.

Mr Field briefed the Forum on the history of his role and made comparisons between himself and the office of High Sherriff, with whom he was often mistaken. The main difference between the roles was that the High Sheriff’s appointment was for one year only. The title originated in the reign of Henry VIII and at that time was designated as a military function. As there was no full-time army, the Lord Lieutenant was charged with calling men of the county to arms when the need arose. The Lord Lieutenant also held the post of Keeper of the Rolls for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice. This post dated back to the 15th century. The Lord Lieutenant had the splendid uniform of a major general and carried a special sword on official duties.

Duties of the Lord Lieutenant included; representing Her Majesty, The Queen within East Sussex; arranging visits and escorting members of the royal family on official visits to the county; participating in civic and social activities, including direct and indirect support to a wide range of groups, benevolent organisations, industry and local businesses; liaising with local armed forces units; and he had the pleasure of presenting medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty, The Queen.

The Chairman requested that the Lord Lieutenant expand on his involvement with the Foyer movement. Mr Field advised he had been interested for more than forty years in the problems of single homeless

people and he was very concerned with the welfare of the community. He had helped build a number of portfolios of affordable accommodation with several housing associations in East Sussex. One house in Brighton had been running for 10 years and another in Eastbourne was linked to the YMCA. The idea had originated in France where the government had set up a trust to find a solution for those people who had got into the circle of no home, no job and no chance of being able to get a job because they had no home and were found sleeping rough in the cities as a result. The word “Foyer” meant “heart” and the Foyer movement for young people was brought to the UK in 1992 to help support those who needed to get out of such a situation. Young people were given a chance to get back into education and employment and helped to find a place to live independently.

When asked how the Lord Lieutenant’s post was funded, Mr Field advised that his office was non political, independent and unpaid. Some support was given through ESCC and Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority, but other than that there was little financial support. Over the last 20 years the post had moved away from a military role to be more in keeping with the community.

The Lord Lieutenant was supported by 48 deputies, of which 35 were actively working on his behalf and he was commissioned with promoting a spirit of good action to help local organisations.

Mr Field welcomed requests from members for a Royal visit to raise the profile of their organisation. He was able to approach Royal Households to arrange visits and his office would be willing to assist with applications for honours, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and others. The Queen’s Award was something quite special, serving locally, nationally and internationally and raised the profile of an organisation. He was keen in particular to promote voluntary services in the local community and urged members to get in touch with him.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

2) Dogs on Leads Mr Richard Parker-Harding, Head of Environmental Health at Rother District Council advised on the possibility of the Council making a Dog Control Order (DCO), requiring dogs to be on leads in certain locations. At present the views of the parish councils were being requested prior to a recommendation to Cabinet in March when a decision would be made whether to advertise proposed Dog Control Orders for public consultation.

2 DCOs had been made by the Council two years ago requiring dog owners to clean up after their dogs in most areas of open public land and excluding dogs from specified areas, such as enclosed children’s play areas. These orders had worked well and it had recently been agreed with the police to trial authorising PCSOs to enforce the orders, by issuing fixed penalty notices.

Following discussions with local Park Rangers and the Parks Development Officer, it appeared there was a need for dogs to be kept on leads in Egerton Park and Manor Gardens. Rangers in Egerton Park had frequently reported

owners inadvertently allowing their dogs to foul, pleading ignorance of the offence. The Council’s plans for Egerton Park included refurbishment of the Children’s play area with intent to double the size, but this would not be fenced off. In the interests of safety for children using the park, it would be necessary for all dogs to be kept on leads. Manor Gardens was a formal ornamental compartmentalised garden with no large areas for dogs to run around in and owners would not be able to keep control of their dogs if they were not on leads as they would not be able to see them.

Should a new DCO be made then the existing byelaw, which required dogs to be on leads on the promenade between 1 May and 30 September, would be incorporated in the DCO and the plan was to extend this to include the Metropole lawns which were to be improved as part of the Next Wave Project. RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

3) Primary Care Trust in Bexhill Mr Charles Everett, Chairman of NHS Hastings and Rother gave a report on the work of the Primary Care Trust (PCT), now known as ‘NHS Hastings and Rother’ which incorporated a vision of “better health, better care, closer to home”.

80% of the NHS budget for this area was received from the government. NHS Hastings and Rother’s task was to use this money to make appropriate hospital and community services available to the local population. There was a budget of £320million for 2009/10 to cover a diverse population of approximately 176,000 people across Hastings and rural Rother. This considerable sum of money covered health services from GPs, hospitals and others as well as providing community services. The budget covered the cost of health services when people were ill as well as prevention services for people to stay healthy. National standards and targets were part of the requirement of the NHS and locally based PCTs gave local direction and local accountability for delivering heath services that reflected the health needs of local people.

The PCT, as part of the NHS, was required to regularly meet national standards and targets, balanced with local direction and accountability to deliver local services. The PCT:  engaged with local people and worked in partnership with local authorities to reduce health inequalities and contributed to sustainable community development;  commissioned a comprehensive range of services in primary care (GPs, dentists, pharmacists and opticians), hospitals and mental health services; and  delivers a wide range of community health services in people’s homes, clinics, health centres, community hospitals and schools.

Reviews of the health needs of both adults and children in this area had been carried out over the last two years and it had been found, firstly, that there was an increasingly elderly population in this area, and secondly, there

6 was a huge gap between the most and the least healthy groups.

Within East Sussex, elderly people made up a significant percentage of the population, with 1 in 4 people over pensionable age. In Bexhill and Rother 28% were over pensionable age. East Sussex had the highest proportion of 75, 85 and 90 year olds in England, which had a significant impact on the level of health care required. Keeping the elderly population healthy and active was a major priority.

NHS Hastings and Rother had set itself five key objectives:

 to reduce health inequalities and improve life expectancy;  to improve chronic disease detection, management and treatment;  to improve health overall, for example by reducing smoking, promoting vaccinations and improving diet and exercise;  to increase our focus on older people’s services; and  to improve mental health and well being. The PCT had actually achieved the following:  reduced waiting times in line with the government target of 18 weeks;  improved response times for ambulances;  improved access to stroke services;  increased patient access through extended GP surgery hours in 73% of practices in Hastings and Rother;  introduced GPs at the front end of A&E at both the Conquest and Eastbourne District General hospitals; and  developed new healthcare strategies and commenced implementation to improve patient care. The Irvine Unit and Bexhill Hospital were valued by the local community. The services at the Irvine Unit had been improved and redesigned. It was pleasing that this progress had been recognised by the Irvine Unit team being awarded the Leadership for Improvement Award at the South East Coast Health & Social Care Awards 2009. The League of Friends were a constant source of support to the unit and they had made generous contributions which enabled the building to be significantly extended and improved. In recent years the NHS budget had grown in real terms, although the NHS was not immune from the pressures which were affecting the economy as a whole. A reduction in funding was to be expected and the PCT would have to find new ways of working to deliver as good or better services within a limited budget. A question was asked of Mr Everett by the Chairman whether Bexhill Hospital and the Irvine Unit would be more valuable as real estate. Mr Everett replied that they were valued for the service they provided and there were no plans to close them. Councillor Mrs Bridget George made reference to the new surgery opening at Sidley and was delighted with the refurbishment of the Irvine Unit. She

asked if there were any other projects in the pipeline. Mr Everett indicated no further projects were proposed at present, but he was very supportive of improvements being made. Mr Everett was asked by a member of the Forum whether the PCT were meeting their targets of people being seen within 18 weeks and he confirmed that in the main this appeared to be the case with just a few occasions when targets had been missed. He personally believed that overall the speed with which people were being seen and receiving treatment was much better than it had been in the past.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

TF548. ISSUES RELATING TO BEXHILL CONSIDERED BY ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL SINCE LAST FORUM MEETING.

Consideration was given to the Head of Corporate Services’ Report on the issues relating to Bexhill that had been considered by the Council between 7 September and 2 November 2009. The report detailed a summary of decisions made by the Council in relation to issues affecting Bexhill.

In respect of Item 1 Next Wave Project, Re-Development of the Colonnade, Mr Ken Hutchinson requested clarification on whether the central part of the Colonnade would be available next year.

Tony Leonard, Director of Services, advised that the Next Wave Project was going out to tender for the Colonnade and the Seafront. The programme of work would depend on the tenders received, albeit work was envisaged to commence from June / July 2010 onwards and it was anticipated there would be an 8 to 12 month period of construction. It was intended to keep the parade open as much as possible during the works, but there would be restricted access at times.

A question was raised in regard to item 4. Public Conveniences Refurbishment as to whether the Council was considering installing modern metal stand alone toilets.

Tony Leonard, Director of Services confirmed that the cost of such toilets was immensely expensive and the Council had no plans to install these. All 32 public convenience facilities around the district were currently under review and a recommendation would be made to Cabinet on the sites for demolition, re- building or refurbishment following completion of the cost benefit analysis currently being undertaken.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

TF549. PUBLIC FORUM

Kiosks and Shelters on West Parade Mr John Lee, speaking as a resident, taxpayer of Bexhill and Chairman of the new Bexhill Alliance Group, wished to advise the Forum that the aim of their group was primarily to protect the heritage of Bexhill and to develop and sustain a sense of pride in the town.

Mr Lee referred the Forum to the Next Wave Seafront plan and in particular to the Next Wave Exhibition held last October. A grant had been received from CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) for the Next Wave project with a condition that the design for the kiosk and shelters were subject to a separate design competition.

Mr Lee outlined his concerns with the costs involved with the 149 entries which he felt would be borne by local taxpayers for 4 seafront shelters and a kiosk.

The interim results of the competition, a shortlist of 10 entries, had been released to the general public. From comments received from people in the town and those made in the local press, Mr Lee had personally concluded that not one of the shortlisted designs was considered appropriate or fit for purpose.

Concern was expressed with the non-representative jury panel, comprising of 3 Councillors, 3 employees of the Council, one architect, and the Director of the De La Warr Pavilion, who would meet to decide which of the architects had submitted the winning design.

The terms of the contract entered into with CABE for this competition did not require the Council to commission and implement the winning design and they were under no obligation to do so. Given the strength of public opinion on all the designs and the selection process, Mr Lee urged Cabinet to use that option.

Mr Lee requested support of the Forum in the form of a vote to the following;

“The Forum rejects all the shortlisted designs for a new kiosk and shelters on West Parade as being aesthetically inappropriate for their setting and in respect of the shelters, totally unfit for purpose. The Forum recommends to Cabinet that no shortlisted design be commissioned and that new designs be prepared based on the refurbishment of the existing shelters or comparable replacements, which meet 2 criteria: that they are fit for purpose, and that they are acceptable to residents and taxpayers”.

A show of hands was requested and the Forum voted unanimously in favour of this proposal. The Chairman advised that the result of this informal vote would be put to the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive reassured the Forum that the concerns of local people were being considered and a shelter would not be commissioned unless it was fit for purpose in keeping people dry and provided shelter from the wind. The Council did not have to commission any of the winning designs and could look at the existing shelters to refurbish them. Cabinet would meet on 7 December when a recommendation would be put before them.

RESOLVED: That Mr Lee’s motion be brought to the attention of the Council.

Bexhill Wheelers Mr Ken Beckett, speaking as a Member of the Bexhill Wheelers, advised the Forum that the Council had recently set up a Working Group to consider byelaws. Part of their remit was to review the promenade byelaws to get permission to legalise cycling on the promenade, either segregated or non- segregated. Members were reminded that a presentation had been given by Sustrans at the March Forum meeting this year and since then a petition had

9 been produced, which Mr Beckett encouraged all members to sign to promote responsible cycling on the promenade.

Fairtrade Mr Jack Doherty, on behalf of Bexhill Fairtrade, advised the Forum that Bexhill had had been awarded Fairtrade status for the last 3 years and it was due to be renewed in 6 months’ time. Rother District Council had agreed to display a new banner on the front of the offices in Town Hall Square to promote Bexhill being a Fairtrade town.

Fairtrade had really made a difference to ensuring that farmers and workers in the developing world received a fair price for their goods, which promoted sustainability and better working conditions. Goods carrying the Fairtrade mark had been certified against international Fairtrade standards. Fairtrade guarded against the exploitation of child workers. To be eligible for Fairtrade status the Town had proved that Fairtrade goods were available through retailers, local workplaces, schools, churches and community groups committed to the scheme.

Mr Doherty promoted Fairtrade Fortnight which was scheduled for the last week of February / first week of March next year and he urged members of the Forum to look at swapping ordinary grocery items for Fairtrade marked items to make a positive difference to the lives of those people in the developing world.

Memorial Benches and Personalised Plaques Dr Nick Webb was concerned with the way that personalised plaques were being removed from memorial benches and how the new plaques would fit into the Next Wave Scheme. It was his understanding that CABE intended to work around the plaques, but he was unclear as to what was being proposed and felt that plans were contrary to the aesthetic sense of the style of Bexhill.

The Vice-Chairman indicated advice had been received from the Next Wave Project Manager on options available to donors. (Reference item TF546 above).

Bexhill Visitor Information Point (BVIP) Mrs Sandra Melvin, advised members of the Forum that the BVIP, which ran its business from within the Colonnade Coffee Shop, offering facilities to visitors to Bexhill, would be forced to close in the near future due to the impending works on the seafront.

Mrs Melvin appealed to members of the Forum for suggestions in relocating the BVIP on a temporary or permanent basis in the town. The Bexhill Tourist Centre was closed 4 years ago and since that time Mrs Melvin had set up the BVIP herself, run entirely by volunteers, with no direct funding. The BVIP’s usual opening days were Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays which they would wish to continue.

Anyone able to help with this request was urged to make contact with Mrs Sandra Melvin on 01424 844641.

Ashdown Brickworks – Turkey Road Mr Nick Hollington, Chairman of Bexhill Against Landfill Incineration (BALI), updated Forum members on proposals for the future use of the Ashdown Brickworks site at Turkey Road, which was the preferred choice for landfill in the

10 recent Waste and Mineral Planning Policy document, as outlined at the previous Forum meeting.

A public meeting attended by 370 people had recently been held at Bexhill High School, though 100 more were turned away. Questionnaires were issued and returned by many of the attendees. The main points outlined at the meeting were:

1. Identification of the site was premature and should be excluded due to difficulties with access, environmental issues and operational difficulties for its proposed use;

2. East Sussex County Council’s own criteria for landfill sites stated that it should not have an unacceptable impact on the environment and must be more than 500m away from a site of special scientific interest;

3. ESCC had to demonstrate that there would be no impact on local amenities, which would include the High School (1600 pupils), the cemetery and Highwoods Golf Club;

4. ESCC must demonstrate good transport access. It was felt that there had been no specific consideration of traffic volumes or routes and that the surrounding roads were unsuitable for the waste trucks that would be visiting the site. There were plans for a link road, but no acceptable roads existed at present;

5. The availability of Ashdown Brickworks for waste disposal by landfill had not been confirmed.

Mr Hollington urged members of the Forum to keep informed by reading the local newspaper, writing to the Council quoting the relevant sections and also writing to their local Councillor. He expressed concern with the apparent lack of Councillors supporting their cause. He urged Forum members to lobby ESCC and local Councillors.

Rother District Council’s Chief Executive explained that many Councillors sat on the Planning Committee and had to be wary of prejudicing their position by predetermination, but that he was shortly to issue guidance to Councillors which would in the main allow them to speak unfettered. Councillors Ensor, Hughes and Kenward, as ESCC Councillors, had initially been advised not to speak on the matter of landfill. Councillor Ensor confirmed the Chief Executive’s comments and thanked people for the many communications he had received on the matter. He would write to the Observer to set out his position and added that he would not wish to express an opinion prior to the vote at County, which could result in him being excluded from a vote.

Anyone wishing to support the cause was encouraged to do so by contacting Mr Hollington by telephone on 01424 843046 or by emailing him at [email protected].

Bexhill to Hastings Link Road

Mr Glyn Chave, Chairman of the 1066 Roads Improvement Group (RIG) was concerned with the opposition raised at the previous Forum to the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road Scheme.

10 years ago a survey had been conducted by 1066 RIG to test reaction to the previously proposed Bexhill to Hastings Bypass Scheme. At that time there was well over 90% support for the bypass and within days over 10,000 signatures had been collected. The project had been expected to proceed quickly as part of the Folkestone to Honiton Trunk Road Scheme and a considerable sum of public money had been spent on route selection, environmental surveys, consultation, public enquiries, land acquisition and ground load bearing tests. A vociferous minority had called for the scheme to be scrapped on environmental grounds and indeed it was scrapped at that time.

The Bexhill to Hastings Link road had been proposed once more and again a minority, anti lobby was calling for the scheme to be scrapped. The public enquiry currently underway at the White Rock concerning compulsory purchase orders was expected to cost £1.6million. In addition, tens of millions had already been allocated for additional works to meet objections.

For the coastal towns to prosper, the link road scheme was essential. Bexhill residents required an improved road link access to the Conquest Hospital, which the proposed new road would facilitiate.

TF550. YOUTH ISSUES

Bexhill Youth Council Report Mr Sean O’Brien, Chairman of Bexhill Youth Council (BYC) advised members that the Youth Council had completed their current campaign for safer pavements. Progress had also been made on the street lighting campaign where the Youth Council had been measuring distances between lamp posts with a trundle wheel to establish whether more lampposts were needed in darker areas. It was hoped to have this campaign completed by February 2010.

Ian Coleman of the Rother Voluntary Action Group had approached the Youth Council for assistance in creating a ‘youth friendly version' of his action plan questionnaire. Mr Coleman had attended a recent meeting of the Youth Council and the group had been actively encouraged to ask questions. The Youth Council were appreciative of being included in the planning process.

TF551. LOCAL ACTION PLANS

Ian Coleman, on behalf of Rother Voluntary Action (RVA), gave an update on the Local Action Plan being created for Bexhill to improve the town.

The consultation phase was continuing and a number of “Have your Say” drop-in events had been held since September 2009. These events had been very well received by those who had taken time to express their views on a host of issues. Questionnaires had been circulated via community groups seeking the views of interested parties to create a Local Action Plan for Bexhill, alongside the respective ward LAPs.

Two remaining “Have Your Say” drop-in events were scheduled for Saturday 28

November at St Barnabus Church, Sea Road in Sackville (09.30 -12.30 & 14.00 -15.30) and Thursday 3 December at the Manor Barn, Old Town (09.30 -12.30 & 14.00 -16.30).

The Local Action Plan team had held a number of information gathering sessions with community groups at local venues where they had been canvassing opinions, including Bexhill Youth Council who had created a one-sided questionnaire specifically for completion by teenagers which would go out via the secondary schools to ensure the voice of young people in the town was included in the Plan.

An analysis of all the responses was scheduled for January 2010. Rother Voluntary Action planned to hold a “count event” on Saturday 16 January 2010 and local people were requested to make contact with him direct if they wished to be involved.

Following the analysis, the Local Action Plan would be drafted, identifying priorities and this would then be implemented. Discussions in this respect were currently ongoing with the Local Strategic Partnership, the Bexhill Town Forum and Local Action Plan Groups.

Questionnaires could be obtained from Ian, the Programme co-ordinator, throughout December for any groups or interested parties and he was available, on request, to drop in to local meetings or a place of work to answer questions about Local Action Planning. Ian urged those present at the Forum, who represented groups and organisations, to take questionnaires away with them to distribute amongst their members.

Anyone wishing to receive details of questionnaires, request a visit or help with the counting should contact Ian Coleman at Rother Voluntary Action on 01424 217259 / 07816 413496 or e-mail [email protected].

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

TF552. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Forum noted the details of the following events planned for Bexhill during the forthcoming months:

 Rother Race Action Forum – Saturday 5 December from 12 Noon – 3 pm at Bexhill Youth Centre, 10 Station Road. An event for black, asian and minority ethnic communities to access local services.  Bexhill Choral Society Evening – Saturday 12 December 2009 at 7.30 pm at St. Augustine’s Church.  Chamber of Commerce Late Night Shopping in Bexhill – Friday 4 December  Time Walk around Bexhill visiting 12 clocks on 28 December, 11 am meeting at the Clock Tower.  Homecall to hold a 3rd annual Quiz Evening at 7pm for 7.30pm at Christchurch Methodist Church Hall, Bexhill on Friday 22nd January 2010.  Bexhill in Bloom to hold a Festive Coffee morning at St. Stephen’s Church

Hall on Saturday 28 November from 10.30 am to 12 Noon.

TF553. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING It was noted that the next meeting would be held at Bexhill High School, Gunters Lane on Tuesday 16 March 2010 at 6.30 pm. Arrangements had been made for the following meeting to be held at St. Peter’s Community Centre, Bexhill Old Town on Tuesday 8 June, 2010.

Members of the Forum were asked to contact the Democratic Services Officer, Mrs Carolyn Turner, with details of any items they wished to be considered at the next meeting.

CHAIRMAN The meeting closed at 9.04pm BTF091124cmt