One might have thought that Rye Partnership chairman, Keith Glazier, had a train to catch on Wednesday evening, judging by the speed with which the AGM was conducted - the main part, including Chairman's report, approval of accounts (unaudited) and re-election of directors and auditors being concluded in just over 11 minutes.
In his report, Glazier stated that the Partnership remained committed to regeneration and job creation in Rye. Their properties were all now let and they had recently been in conversation with the Chapman organisation who wished to continue to expand their activities and investment in the town. He confirmed that the Amicus housing scheme for Tilling Green was, at least for the time being, dead and that they were looking at the lease on the Tilling Green Community Centre and whether to renew it in its current form or whether to make changes with a view to looking ahead three to five years. There would be further meetings, he said, with the residents' association as well as the new Community Interest Company, after the forthcoming County Council elections. Currently, however, the Community Centre was a loss-making venture with high costs and too little use.
The accounts for the period ended March 2016 (and therefore now a year out of date) showed a pre-tax profit of £7,894 against a loss the previous year of £1,579. No indication of the financial results for the current 12-month period was given, although the Chairman said that they could now start to look forward instead of continually firefighting. The formal part of the AGM was then closed and the meeting thrown open to questions from the floor.
The majority of questions revolved around the future of the Community Centre, which is of particular concern to local residents.
Dominic Manning pointed out that the building used to operate at a profit but that general uncertainty over its future had driven a number of users away and only a lease of five years or more would stand any chance of getting some of them back. As the site was now of negligible value as a development prospect, how about a lease of at least 10 years to enable grants for much needed refurbishment, to be obtained.
East Sussex County Council, came the answer, would be unlikely to agree anything longer than five years and a minimum of 25 years would be required if any application for major grants was to have a chance of success.
John Howlett suggested that as it had always been a public building, it would be possible for ESCC to gift it back to the community. Glazier agreed that was possible but commented that Rye Town Council does not have a great track record in being brave about taking on this sort of commitment. Howlett then remarked that as ESCC had been responsible for the lack of maintenance resulting in the building's present condition, they should pay to have it refurbished. The reply to this was that even if it had been poorly maintained and even if that was the responsibility of ESCC, it would not be putting any money into the Centre.
After just a few more comments, the final question was, could the County Council at least assist in a general tidy up (which, by inference, included small repairs) for the forthcoming Mayor-Making ceremony. The answer was that he, Glazier, would see what he could do but there was virtually no money available. So, in other words, the real answer was probably no.
The meeting was then closed.
Photo: John Minter
