SPOTLIGHT: East Sussex to discuss local government overhaul
CORRECTION NOTE FROM THE BBC-FUNDED LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTING SERVICE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) was intended to see “combined authorties” set up in time for “the next round of local elections in May”. This is inaccurate. The DPP is linked to the new “strategic” authorities, which […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Motcombe Pool clinches £520,000 in funding
By Rebecca Maer Community campaigners are celebrating the news they have been awarded more than £520,000 funding towards refurbishing Motcombe Pool. The vital injection of money will help realise the vision of creating a wellbeing centre at the 120-year-old buildings in Motcombe Lane in Old Town. The Government grant is for £475,000 capital funding and […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Pressure mounts over Sovereign Centre contract
By Rebecca Maer [Updated 18.12.2024 with council statement at end] Pressure is mounting on Eastbourne Borough Council to talk to more than one leisure operator about running the Sovereign Centre as it emerged that others are interested. Another company has confirmed to the Eastbourne Reporter that it approached the council about the centre, where two […]
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SPOTLIGHT: New operator announced for Eastbourne’s theatres
A theatre operator with sites in London and Sydney has signed a deal to run entertainment venues in Eastbourne. The partnership deal with Eastbourne Borough Council will involve the Congress Theatre, pictured above (1,689 seats), Devonshire Park Theatre (873 seats), Winter Garden (1000+ Seats) as well as conferencing and exhibition facilities. Trafalgar Theatres – the venues […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Protesters urge reprieve for swimming pools
By Rebecca Maer Dozens of protesters braved the cold and rain last night as councillors met to scrutinise the controversial decision to close two Eastbourne swimming pools. Furious residents chanted ‘Save Our Pool’ and waved placards on the steps of the town hall in Grove Road (above). The fun pool and the smaller training […]
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SPOTLIGHT: The case for and against assisted dying
By Rebecca Maer Emotional stories of Eastbourne people’s experience of seeing loved ones at the end of their lives unfolded last night in an online discussion about assisted dying. One woman who was in favour of allowing it said: “I would not want anybody to have to go through what my husband went through and […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Eastbourne and Lewes councils chief to also head Hastings council
By Rebecca Maer The chief executive of Eastbourne and Lewes Councils is to also head up Hastings Borough Council for six months, it has been confirmed tonight. Robert Cottrill, whose salary at Eastbourne and Lewes is around £145,000 a year, is to replace Jane Hartnell in Hastings, who left three weeks ago “by mutual consent”. […]
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SPOTLIGHT: The woman behind Friends of Eastbourne Seafront
By Rebecca Maer For a woman who has been an aid worker, forklift driver, foster carer, business owner and town mayor, Gaynor Sedgwick is modest and unassuming. Sipping her mid-morning coffee in a seafront hotel, she could pass for a retired person enjoying her leisure time. But Gaynor, 69, feels in some ways she’s only […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Eastbourne council cuts confirmed
By Rebecca Maer Controversial changes to the way Eastbourne public toilets operate and the closure of two pools at the Sovereign Centre to save money were confirmed last night. Senior ruling Liberal Democrat members of Eastbourne Borough Council’s Cabinet went ahead with the cutbacks. Four of the seven Cabinet members were present. A furious outburst […]
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SPOTLIGHT: A look inside Eastbourne Mosque
By Rebecca Maer The carpet is deeply plush, the tables are laden with home-made food and the welcome is the warmest you will find in Eastbourne. The town’s mosque opened its doors at the weekend for the first time to invite the town to meet the community and see at first hand prayers taking place. […]
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