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 to swimming times at the Sovereign Centre, to public toilets and rises in parking charges. 

The council disclosed today here that it must find savings of £2.7 million this year, on top of £3 million in cuts last year because of the strain homelessness puts on finances. 

Cabinet councillors will consider immediate spending cuts and operational changes to achieve extensive savings.

Campaign for support 

The authority has repeatedly warned that the costs of homelessness and temporary accommodation are putting an unprecedented strain on council finances. 

Council leader Stephen Holt has led a national campaign calling for government support. The town’s Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde repeated this call for help in the House of Commons earlier this week here. 

Savings will come from “discretionary” services, areas the council is not required to provide, as opposed to statutory services the council must provide by law, such as housing.

A statement from the council said: “On September 18, councillors will consider a significant reduction in grant funding for the Towner, an immediate closure of the heritage centre on Beachy Head, the transfer of operation of conferencing and catering at Devonshire Quarter, changes to the operation of the theatres, sales of assets and further efficiencies in events and seafront services.  

 “Following further assessments, and in consultation with employees and stakeholder groups, a second round of savings will be on the Cabinet agenda on November 13. 

“This will include proposed changes to swimming provision at the Sovereign Centre, alternative arrangements for public conveniences, changes to rent support grants and council grants to voluntary and community organisations and increases in car parking charges. A full public consultation will be carried out over these proposals.” 

‘Every public service at risk’

Councillor Holt said in a statement: “I am saddened and frustrated that we are forced to make such painful savings. The savings proposed have been or are being repeated in other authorities across the UK, all reflecting the lack of support given to councils by the previous government. 

 “When I made it clear that unavoidable savings were needed, the new government issued a statement acknowledging the financial challenges that homelessness is causing many local authorities, including Eastbourne, and said it would take action to tackle these issues. 

“I was encouraged by the government’s response and hope that we will see the action it is talking about soon, otherwise these unsustainable costs put every public service we deliver at great risk.” 

Ahead of the November 13 Cabinet meeting, council officers and partners at Wave Active are looking at alternative operating models at the Sovereign Centre (above) to reduce costs. 

The council is also investigating how access to public toilets can be provided via a community toilet scheme. The impacts of removing rent support and council grants are also being assessed and consulted upon. 

Councillor Holt added: “Almost every week there is news of yet another council having to make cuts to services due to factors beyond its control.  

“So many district and borough authorities, of all political colours, are in the same boat because the system of funding local government is broken and very sadly, it’s vulnerable people in communities who are suffering most. 

“My promise to them is that I will continue to lobby government to tackle the homelessness crisis and provide a fairer deal for councils, so that we can continue to provide the services that all our residents rightly expect and deserve.” 

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