SPOTLIGHT: Why does Eastbourne have £194 million of debt?
A controversial plan to close most public toilets and the heritage service is part of the council’s attempts to balance the books: if a local authority’s spending exceeds its income, it must effectively declare itself bankrupt and only run essential services. We look at Eastbourne’s financial position to find out how the council reached this […]
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SPOTLIGHT: ‘When the town swells with numbers of visitors, it will not be able to cope’
By Rebecca Maer “I’ve never lost my temper in public like that before!” Sarah Farrow said as she walked down the steps of the Town Hall. Senior Liberal Democrat members of Eastbourne Borough Council had just agreed spending cuts of £2.7 million for this year, including the possible closure of most of the town’s public […]
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SPOTLIGHT: The value of arts and culture to Eastbourne
By Rebecca Maer Amid a raft of proposed council spending cuts, we examine the figures being quoted for running arts and heritage in Eastbourne High above Eastbourne, surrounded by sky and downland, is the flint-faced barn housing the Beachy Head Story. Through a wide window at the back, there are far-reaching views across the swooping […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Planned spending cuts target leisure, parks and public toilets
By Rebecca Maer More details have emerged of drastic spending cuts planned in Eastbourne to save £2.2 million to cover the costs of homelessness. The cuts will affect many aspects of life ranging from finding an outside operator for the town’s theatres and rationalising swimming pools to increasing parking charges and not weeding pavements. Savings […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Extensive cuts to culture and leisure likely in bid to save £2.7 million
By Rebecca Maer Drastic cuts are set to be made to cultural life and leisure in Eastbourne. Eastbourne Borough Council is considering cutting funding for the Towner gallery (above), closing the Beachy Head heritage centre, changing how the theatres operate and selling assets. A second round of cuts later this year may also see changes […]
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SPOTLIGHT: The Channel swimmer who battled to reach the French coast
Craig Kircher, a 49-year-old electrician, successfully swam across the English Channel to France in 14 hours, overcoming a migraine and challenging currents. His intense training and mental resilience enabled him to achieve what fewer than 2,000 people worldwide have done, raising £4,500 for charity.
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SPOTLIGHT: Solar panels on Eastbourne Levels given go ahead
By Rebecca Maer Solar panels will be installed across an agricultural flood plain either side of the railway track into Eastbourne after councillors approved the scheme. They voted narrowly in favour – with three for, two against and one absention – after the scheme was discussed at last night’s Eastbourne Borough Council planning meeting. The […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Sovereign Harbour flats scheme still too big, say councillors
By Rebecca Maer A controversial retirement scheme planned for Sovereign Harbour was last night deferred for the second time as councillors dug their heels in over the scale of the design, rejecting a recommendation to approve it. The original plan for three blocks at Martinique Way at the edge of a shingle beach has already […]
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SPOTLIGHT: When is Fort Fun re-opening?
Prominent seafront site Fort Fun is on the verge of partially re-opening with the revamped indoor play area. The company developing the site is about to finally sign a five-year lease with Eastbourne Borough Council. The refurbishment has been dogged by legal delays and repeated anti-social behaviour at the former fun park. Vandals have […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Controversial flats plan reduced by just one storey
A controversial seven-storey “oversized” coastal retirement scheme will be lowered by just one floor, according to a revised planning application. The new plan for the plot on the western edge of Sovereign Harbour also reduces the number of apartments by eight to 128 and changes the appearance of the building. But the residents’ association would […]
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