Local Democracy Reporting Service

These reports are from the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service. The Eastbourne Reporter is eligible to receive them as a regulated website with high journalistic standards.

New Eastbourne parking restrictions agreed

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter New parking restrictions are to come into force in Eastbourne despite objections from residents. Among the measures are new double yellow lines, more blue badge parking and more spaces to allow motorbike delivery riders to park safely. The updates are part of East Sussex County Council’s annual review […]

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Families win further scrutiny of controversial plan to close day centre

Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Service Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter Major adult social care cuts are to be debated further after councillors agreed to call in decisions taken by county council leaders last month. On Monday (March 17), East Sussex County Council’s People Scrutiny Committee considered two call-in requests. One was for the proposed […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Councillors delay decision on Exceat Bridge scheme

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Plans to replace Exceat Bridge remain uncertain, after county council leaders deferred a decision on whether to scale back the scheme in the face of rising costs. East Sussex County Council’s cabinet had been due to decide today (March 4) whether to discontinue plans to replace the single-lane […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Controversial closure of vital day centre confirmed

Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter A centre for people with learning disabilities in Eastbourne is to be closed to save money to the dismay of families. East Sussex County Council’s ruling Conservative cabinet has today controversially decided to close Linden Court on the Birch Road Industrial Estate, near Lottbridge Drove.  […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Booking system for tip approved despite huge opposition

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals to introduce a booking system at East Sussex rubbish tips have been approved by a senior county councillor. The proposals were agreed by Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, on Monday (February 24). The decision is despite huge resistance from […]

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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: Councillors approve shared house with eight bedrooms   

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Eastbourne councillors have approved plans for shared housing in Meads.  On Tuesday (December 10), the borough council’s planning committee approved proposals to create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street.  While the scheme had been recommended for approval, neighbours argued it would harm the Meads […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on shared housing in Meads conservation area

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals for shared housing in Meads are to go before councillors next week. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider plans (Tuesday, December 10) to officially create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. The scheme has been recommended for approval by planning […]

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Entrance to the Sovereign Centre leisure centre in Eastbourne

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 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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