Icklesham Parish Council Winchelsea Magazine Submission March 2025
The last Parish Council meeting was held on 10th March at Winchelsea New Hall. At this meeting, the Parish Council agreed to donate the following grants to local charities and groups:-
- £1,800 to Winchelsea Church towards the maintenance of the Churchyard
- £500 to the Marsham Older Peoples Project towards the ongoing costs of running the Fairlight Friday Lunch Club
- £1,000 to the Rye Harbour Sailing Club towards repairs needed after recent flooding
- £1,725 to Rye Harbour Village Hall towards on going costs and maintenance.
Fairlight Friday Lunch Club
Marsham Older Peoples Project is the charity which runs the Fairlight Friday Lunch Club held weekly in Fairlight Village Hall. Founded in 2008, Marsham Older Peoples’ Project was set up to support elderly people in the Marsham Ward of Rother District Council, and the surrounding area, who may be lonely or isolated.
In its 17th year MOPP, now known as Fairlight Friday Lunch Club (under the banner of Marsham Older Peoples’ Project), continues to provide a friendly, welcoming environment for those over 60 every Friday, where they can enjoy a home cooked, 2 course lunch, entertainment, subsidised transport, access to health services and advice as well as companionship and fun. They currently have three members from Icklesham Parish but would welcome more. Please visit their website for further information https://www.fairlightmopp.co.uk/ or contact Annette Holmes on 07703585329.
Winchelsea and Winchelsea Beach Toilets
Since the last update, the Clerk and the Chair of IPC met with Rother to discuss the outcome of their adverts with Dyer and Hobbis. Rother confirmed that they did receive an offer for Winchelsea which was for an antiques shop, a coffee shop and the toilets. This offer has since been withdrawn and Rother confirmed that they have had no other viable offers for this site.
In relation to Winchelsea Beach, Rother have received an offer from someone who would like to put mobile saunas in the car parking area and use the existing building as toilets and changing facilities. The Parish Council are still waiting for further details from Rother in this regard.
The Parish Council are still of the view that the best way to ensure that these vital facilities remain available for our residents and visitors is for them to be transferred to the Parish Council. The Parish Council have successfully run the toilets and car park in Rye Harbour since 2016 and therefore have the necessary experience. The Parish Council are in the process of trying to arrange a meeting with Lorna Ford, CEO of RDC, Doug Oliver, Leader of RDC, the Chair of IPC and Trevor Leggo in order to try and take this matter forward. We will of course keep residents updated.
 |
|
Devolution
The Government are currently running a consultation for residents in Sussex and Brighton in relation to the proposals for a new Mayoral Combined Authority Across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton. The new Authority would consist of an elected Mayor plus 2 members each from East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove Councils. The new combined authority would have powers for strategic issues including transport, housing, skills and employment, economy, environment and climate change, health and public safety. The combined authority would work with local councils in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, which would continue to operate most day-to-day services. You can find out more about this and take part in the consultation on the Government website. The consultation is open until 13th April.
Local Government Re-Organisation
At the same time, the government wants local government to reorganise. Its aim is for people to be served by just one local council (known as ‘unitary government’). In East Sussex, this could mean moving away from the two-tier model of county council (East Sussex County Council) and borough or district councils (Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden). We are not sure yet what this would mean for the Parish Council however it is likely that the Parish Council will be given the opportunity to take on more responsibilities and services.
Anne Gun Carriage Fundraising
IPC are sad to announce that this project is no longer being managed by IPC. The funds raised so far will be either returned to the donors or donated to the Winchelsea Museum.
Allotments
We currently have an available plot at Winchelsea Cricket Field. If you would be interested in applying for the plot, please complete our Allotment Application Form available on our website www.icklesham-pc.gov.uk or from the Clerk.
Potholes
East Sussex County Council leader Councillor Glazier reiterated at our meeting on 13th January the importance of reporting potholes which can be done online via East Sussex Highways’ website https://live.eastsussexhighways.com/report-problem or via telephone 0345 60 80 193. His message was not to assume that someone else has already reported it as often this is not the case.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Meeting followed by Open Spaces 28th April – 6.15 pm at Winchelsea Court Hall
Please remember IPC are here to represent you and welcome your views on any matter. Please send your views and requests to clerk@icklesham-pc.gov.uk or write to PO Box 148 WINCHELSEA TN31 9FP TEL: 07714 169901