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: Council committee to explore ‘further options’ for Sovereign Centre
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The leader of Eastbourne Borough Council has committed to making no “irreversible changes” to swimming pools at a leisure centre ahead of further investigations into its future. The commitment was made at a full council meeting last night (November 20), in response to a motion submitted by Conservative […]
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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 bus lanes approved
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Controversial proposals for new bus lanes in Eastbourne will go ahead, a senior county councillor has decided. Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, agreed with plans to install new bus lanes along the A259, Seaside (main image / Google) and St […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Plans for civic space scaled back due to costs
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Regeneration plans for a car-free public space in Eastbourne town centre are being scaled back as a result of rising costs. East Sussex County Council councillors agreed at a meeting today to reduce the scope of plans to create a new civic space in Terminus Road. Nearly £2.5 […]
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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: “The more we get rid of cars, the safer the town centre will be”
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The assumption that properties require a parking space, even in the town centre, was challenged last night by the Mayor of Eastbourne. Cllr Candy Vaughan (Lib Dem) was speaking as a member of the town’s planning committee as it approved plans to redevelop the site of the former […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on apartment plans
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals to build a five-storey apartment complex in Eastbourne town centre go in front of councillors next week. On Tuesday (November 12), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee will consider proposals to demolish the disused multi-storey car park in Junction Road, near the station, and build 101 apartments. The […]
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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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