Here’s a roundup of some of the other stories making the news in Rye this week.
Rye Town Council budget discussions
It's the first meeting of Rye Town Council of the year on Monday January 29, including a debate on the council’s budget for 2024/25. Plans for Rye to take on responsibility for the town’s open spaces, allotments, public conveniences and Rye Leisure Centre from Rother District Council are still taking place, making budget planning difficult. As well as fixing the roof at Rye Heritage Centre and mending the brickwork and windows at the town hall, the reports for Monday’s meeting also include proposals to spend money on the skatepark, new gowns for Rye’s councillors and replacing the town crier’s uniform. If Monday’s meeting is not able to agree the budget, and the Rye precept for the council tax, an additional council meeting could be held on Monday February 5.
As well as the budget, there will be a discussion about Rye’s allotments and the council will also consider making grants to the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat Association and Rye Football Club.
You can read the full agenda here, and the minutes from the last meeting which included a well-attended discussion on who should be mayor next here.
Council increases licensing fees
Taxi drivers, tattoo artists and kennel owners are among the local businesses in Rye that will see their licensing fees rise later in the year, writes Huw Oxburgh, Local Democracy Reporter. On Monday, January 15 Rother District Council’s licensing and general purposes committee agreed to move ahead with an inflationary increase in several of its licensing fees from April 1.
For the most part, the fees are set to increase in line with the consumer price index, but some will increase at a higher rate. For example, the cost of registering a new tattoo parlour – like the new Rope Walk Tattoo Lounge in Rye - will increase from £240 to £308. Some of the fees will not increase. Costs associated with Hackney Carriage or private hire car licences will remain at their 2023 rates. The cost of a dual licence will increase, however.
Other fees, such as those for an alcohol premises licence, are set nationally and will not be affected by the price increase. Councils can only set fees at a level where it recovers its administrative and compliance costs. They cannot aim to recover more than the costs incurred.
Harbour Roadworks
You thought the traffic lights on the Harbour Road meant work to fix the potholes had begun right? Wrong! They are in place just whilst work takes place on the Brede Sluice.
Repairs to the road to the harbour were cancelled in November. At the time East Sussex Highways said the original plan, which would have closed the road for a number of nights, was postponed because “larger scale work was required".
The roadworks are now scheduled for March 25 to April 12.
Police recruitment
Sussex police have started a search for more special constables. They are looking for people who can volunteer at least 16 hours a month and say recruits will have the same uniform and powers as regular officers. A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Our 'Specials', come from all walks of life. Specials are men and women of all races and faiths. They’re teachers, taxi drivers, chefs, accountants and secretaries.”
More details here
Get in touch
If you see anything happening in and around Rye our email is info@ryenews.org.uk.
Catch up with breaking Rye News on Instagram & Threads @newsrye and on Facebook follow Rye News.
