This page contains the following News Archive:
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Please note that our contractor was unable to complete collections in Beauharrow Road on Wednesday due to icy conditions but will be returning today (Thursday 24).
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Any Garden Waste collections that were not collected on Friday should be left out for collection today - Monday 21 December.
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To be held at 11.00am
on Wednesday 11 November
in Queens Square.
Residents, staff and councillors are invited to join this commemoration of all those who have lost their lives in conflicts and tragedies around the world.
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The myplace exhibition charts the progress of Hastings Young People's campaign for a youth facility to be included in the proposed refurbishment of St Mary in the Castle. It will also be a chance to see the proposals for the facility designed by the project architects, Dunn and CTM.
The event provides young people with real life experience of setting up a professional exhibition, including planning, selecting the work, hanging the exhibits and working in partnership with F-ISH Creative Trust.
The public exhibition runs from 05 to 19 November, 7 days a week (Monday to Friday: 11am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday: 12noon to 4pm) and there will be a discussion with the Youth Council at 6pm on Thursday 12 November.
Visit www.hastingstrust.com for futher information.
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The trial of those involved with the death of Mohammed al-Majed in August 2008 has been underway over the last four weeks in Lewes.
After both sides had put their cases, the jury retired, and came back shortly after lunch on Friday 16 October and found George Austin, of Bermondsey, south east London, guilty of manslaughter with a unanimous verdict. About half an hour later they returned a guilty verdict (10v2) for Paul Rockett, of Burwash for racially aggravated common assault and guilty (11v1) for Anthony Quinn of Mountbatten Close, Ore for wounding with intent, which was the more serious charge. They could have just found him guilty of wounding.
The judge then read out all their previous convictions and with the exception of Quinn, they all had previous convictions for violent offences. Quinn had previous drunk and disorderly convictions.
The judge indicated that he wanted pre-sentence reports and that they would reconvene on November 25. He will also read out the victim impact letter from Mohammed's father.
Council Leader Peter Pragnell has issued a statement as follows:
"I welcome this verdict and clearly at this time our thoughts are with Mohammed's family and friends. This death was of course a sad and devastating incident. Hastings is not unique in the problems it faces but the images that have been painted of my town as a place of hatred and intolerance are simply not true.
"Incidents of hate crime have dropped, as the police will be able to confirm and this year I'm delighted to report that more students than even last year are flocking here, where the vast majority will have a fantastic time and go home having felt safe and well-cared for.
"But we are not complacent. We will not settle for violence in our town centres and we will not settle for communities divided by fear and a lack of mutual understanding. Since the death of this young man we have sat down with community leaders, religious leaders and residents from all corners of the borough. We have made significant and important progress in bringing about dialogue and carried out practical steps in bringing people together. We have worked closely with young people, uniting youngsters from many backgrounds at a memorial football match for Mohammed. We have showcased the huge diversity in Hastings and St Leonards through events such as 'Hastings Got Culture' and the incredibly successful St Leonards Festival, which has been tagged as a mini-Notting Hill Carnival by the seaside.
"We support Hastings Voluntary Action and Victim Support in their bid to encourage people to report hate crimes of any description. The list goes on and on and we look toward to the future and solving issues in the long term. Let me say again: Hastings is not a racist town and we will welcome back the thousands of language students who will visit us next year, pouring some £35 million into the town's economy."
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Creative young people aged 13 - 19 will soon be able to unleash their imagination in a series of free workshops run by BBC Blast at the De La Warr Pavilion's Access All Areas Festival. BBC Blast is a unique scheme that helps teenagers who want to start a career in the creative industries, such as music, dance, fashion, film, art or design. Teenagers can use state-of-the-art equipment to produce their own work with advice and support from industry professionals, including BBC production staff.
Watch the BBC Blast advert here to get an idea of what you can do. For more details and to sign up for workshops, visit www.bbc.co.uk or e-mail blast-bexhill@bbc.co.uk.
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St Leonards Festival is today, Saturday 11 July. Visit our sister site for information about all the great events taking place!
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EDF Energy is carrying out a consultation on possible sitings for new nuclear power stations in the UK. One of the proposed sites is Dungeness. The consultation papers are currently held at the Hastings Information Centre and anyone interested in viewing the documents and taking part in the consultation can ask to see a copy.
Further information about the proposals can also be found on the Government's Department of Energy and Climate Change website.
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Swine influenza is normally found in pigs but human cases can and do happen. This strain of swine influenza contains a combination of genetic material typical to avian, swine and human flu viruses. Transmission of this new swine influenza virus is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs are available which can effectively prevent and treat the infection, most reported cases of this infection outside of Mexico have recovered fully without the need for medical attention or antivirals.
The Health Protection Agency website has produced information about swine influenza, including commonly asked questions and answers, the symptoms to look out for, and how you can protect yourself and your family against infection.
Visit www.direct.gov.uk for the latest information and to download the Government's swine flu advice leaflet.
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Sir Michael Caine with our Enviro Officers!
The Michael Caine film 'Is Anybody There?' which was shot in Hastings in late 2007 goes on general release this month. Also starring acclaimed young actor Bill Milner ("Son of Rambow") and Anne-Marie Duff ("Shameless"), the film used several locations including the seafront, the lower prom and, for a key dialogue scene, the West Hill (where Council Officers had to get the street lights turned off as filming overran!). For more information, visit the film's official website: isanybodytheremovie.com.
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ITV's BAFTA-winning wartime drama series is set and shot in Hastings and will be back filming this spring! Visit our special Foyle's War pages on our sister site for exclusive interviews with the show's creator Anthony Horowitz, behind-the-scenes slideshows and a detailed guide to the various locations that feature in every episode.
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With the likelihood of more rain and the possibility of more flooding, the following link to the Environment Agency's flooding advice pages may prove helpful: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
If your house is flooded, contact your building and contents insurance company as soon as possible. If you need emergency housing, contact our team on: 01424 451100. If you need to contact us outside office hours, call our out-of-hours emergency line: 01424 781999
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Please note that Refuse and Recycling collections will take place as usual on 10 April (Good Friday) and 13 April (Easter Monday). Visit our Refuse and Recycling area for more information and to check which week your rubbish and recycling are collected if you are on the Twin Bin Scheme.
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Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March - Fashion at Priory Meadow.
Hastings major fashion stores have got together to bring you an exciting, uplifting catwalk show, featuring all the latest Spring fashion for men, women, teenagers and children.
The show takes place in Priory Meadow so come along, enjoy the show and see what you should be wearing this Spring!
(Subject to slight time changes)
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Are you interested in the history of the Old Town of Hastings?
Are you confident talking to groups of people?
Are you fit and healthy?
Do you have some free time?
Why not come and be a volunteer guide for the Stade?
If you're interested in finding out more come along to the Stade Volunteer Guides Open Day at the Lifeboat station in Hastings Old Town on Saturday 21 March 2009 at 11am.
Come and meet other people, have a cup of tea, a chat and find out more about what it means to be a volunteer guide. The open day will be from 11am until 1pm and will include a chance to meet staff from the Fishermen's Museum, the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre and the Fishermen's Protection Society, refreshments and a free guided tour of The Stade. To make sure we have enough cakes and spaces on the tour, please book your place by calling the Stade Education Officer on 07989259574.
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Please note that due to a vehicle breakdown, the following streets did not have their garden waste collected today:
Our contractors will be back tomorrow (Thursday 05 March) to collect the garden waste and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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We are planning to potentially reduce charges at Crystal Square car park down to 50p per hour. The last day to comment about this is Friday 6 March, so please do get in touch via our website.
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A special exhibition on the plans for the Stade is to be held from:
The exhibition will also include the separate proposals by the Council for the Stade on the existing coach and lorry park and adjoining areas. This will be the subject of a separate and later planning application, although we expect that both applications will be heard at the same Planning Committee meeting.
HAT Projects, the architects working on the Jerwood Gallery, and Tim Ronalds Associates, who are working on our plans for the high quality open space, community education facilities, and café, will be present throughout.
For more information on the proposals, please visit to our Jerwood pages.
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We need to carry out some essential maintenance work to the ride surface of the Skate Park.
Work will start on Monday 23 February 2009 and should last about a week. This will only affect about one third of the ride area closest to Falaise Road. The area will be fenced off whilst the work is in progress.
We apologise for any inconvenience to you whilst this essential maintenance work is carried out.
If you have any questions, or want to report any problems, please contact us.
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Late last week Officers mail dropped over 5,500 households to tell residents that we will be returning for their rubbish Friday afternoon or Saturday. We are pleased to report that our contractors completed this work.
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The new HBC logo
Despite the economic downturn, progress on the Jerwood Gallery, new developments at University Centre Hastings, the Lacuna Place business complex and all our work in St Leonards should offer some hope in what promises to be a difficult 2009.
After more than a decade and at no cost, we're launching a new Council logo to show how our town's strengths and its future are grounded in its outstanding maritime heritage.
The logo will be rolled out as and when things need to be replaced and is making its debut here on www.hastings.gov.uk. We hope you like it!
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From Monday 5 January 2009 the Council Tax and Benefits office will be relocated from Wellington Square to Aquila House (entrance on the seafront, next to Iceland).
Telephone: Benefits - 01424 451080
Council Tax/Business Rates - 01424 451081
Fax - 01424 451541
Our Customer Services staff look forward to welcoming you in the new year in our new location!
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Despite early complications, our recent Communal Bins mailout looks set to be one of the most successful consultations the Council has ever undertaken, with over 1,000 responses from householders. We'd like to give everyone who's received a pack the opportunity to respond, so we've extended the deadline for replying to 12 January 2009.
It's clear that residents take issues about rubbish and recycling seriously and since introducing the Twin Bin scheme our recycling rates have rocketed and we believe that the communal bins will help us build upon this success.
The Facts and Figures speak for themselves - whilst Hastings is now ranked fifth in East Sussex and Brighton for overall recycling which includes compost (our rural neighbours produce more compost and it weighs more). If you remove compost from the equation, Hastings residents top the league in East Sussex and Brighton for recycling glass, paper, card, plastics and tins - the materials that really matter.
So a big 'Thank You' to every who's doing their bit to help us achieve these figures and to those who've responded to our plans to help the whole town get recycling.
Please read our frequently asked questions for more information and a guide to what you can and can't put in the bins.
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It's been reported in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer and AD News that the Planning Application relating to the proposed Asda supermarket in Silverhill will be considered on Wednesday 3 December 2008.
That information is incorrect and the Application is not on the Agenda for the Planning Committee meeting due to be held on that day.
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Yours views are invited on the proposed road improvements for the junction of the A259 and Rock-a-Nore Road at the Stade.
The issues considered in developing the proposals include:
The proposed improvements will be set out at a series of exhibitions to be held at the following times and places:
Staff from East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council will be on hand at the exhibitions to answer questions and receive comments and views.
Further details of the exhibitions will be available from 6 November at: www.eastsussex.gov.uk
Details of the proposed Jerwood Gallery are available at: www.hastings.gov.uk/jerwood
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The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) is seeking public views on providing places to live for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the South East.
In response to new Government requirements, SEERA is updating the South East Plan - its 20 year planning framework for the region - to identify how many caravan pitches should be provided in each council area. The main issues on which views are sought are:
More information can be found at five local drop in exhibitions held at venues across East Sussex over the next few weeks:
All exhibitions are open from 2.30pm to 7.30pm.
Further information can also be found on SEERA's web site, including downloadable technical reports, background material and an online response questionnaire. Copies of all documents can also be viewed at reference libraries and council offices across East Sussex.
All responses should be sent to SEERA by Friday 21 November at 5.00 pm using either the online response questionnaire; by e-mail to secretariat@southeast-ra.gov.uk; or by post to GTTS Consultation, SEERA, Berkeley House, Cross Lanes, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1UN.
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We can confirm that Hastings Borough Council does not have any funds invested in these banks.
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The Town Hall Council Chamber is where all the big decisions are made
Saturday 13 September 2008
12pm until 3pm
Council Chamber
Hastings Town Hall
Hastings' young people are turning the town hall into a virtual youth centre for the day so if you're aged between 13 and 21 please come along and:
- See top local youth bands like “To the Moon Alice”, “Killing the Senses”, “Neon”, ”Inseminate”, “Some People” and “Respond”!
- Find out about the planned £5 million world-class, state-of-the-art youth centre for Hastings!
- Appear in our film of the day with your ideas and feelings!
- Get some free food and drink!
- Grill local decision-makers!
Town Hall Takeover is all about giving the town's young people to chance to:
- Say what they think of the plans for the future of Hastings & St Leonards
- Find out more about what is already going on in the town
- See what goes on behind the walls of power!
- Find out what your local Youth Council gets up to
- Put questions directly to those in power and get answers!
- Have a chance to directly influence decisions
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Against the backdrop of a grey sky and despite the light drizzle, Hastings stood united to mark the death of a teenage language student and to show the world that racism and violence would not be tolerated.
Mohammed Al-Majed, a 16-year-old student from Qatar, died over the August Bank Holiday following an incident police believe may have been racially motivated.
A week almost to the day that Mohammed died and hundreds of shoppers and well-wishers, civic dignitaries and political leaders, together with the al-Majed family, gathered outside the Town Hall in Priory Meadow shopping centre to remember the teenager with a two-minute silence. Many clutched black balloons and white flowers and stood with heads bowed as the town crier signalled the start of the silence.
Afterwards the balloons were released into the air as Mohammed's family, who had flown in especially, watched on.
At the spot near where Mohammed fell, his emotional father and uncle laid flowers and received a book of condolence from Mohammed's fellow students.
The family, along with the London-based Qatari ambassador to Great Britain, then made their way to the Town Hall to meet police officers working on the case, the Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell, leaders of the main political groups, senior council officers, representatives of the EF language school Mohammed attended and the press.
During an emotional speech Mohammed's uncle, Abdul Karim Mohsin, thanked the people of Hastings for their warmth and their shared grief. He emphasised the family's belief that Hastings was by and large a safe place to come and how much he valued the relationship between Qatar and the UK.
He said:
"Really, I was amazed. I did not expect Hastings' feelings to be so high,"
"I don't believe British society is full of hatred. For many generations, and centuries, many ethnic groups regardless of race and colour have lived here in harmony."
Cllr Pragnell paid his condolences to the family and said:
"Mohammed's family has acted with nothing but dignity and courage at this sad, sad time. We stood shoulder to shoulder with them and with the rest of the town on September 1, united against violence and united against racism. Despite what the mass hysteria, knee jerk reactions and downright inaccurate reporting from some sections of the media might suggest, we are not a violent town. We welcome thousands of students every year and as Mr Mohsin said, Hastings & St Leonards is a good place to visit. Our thoughts remain with the family and we will continue to work closely with the police to establish exactly what happened."
Following the press conference Mr Mohsin paid tribute to his nephew, who he described as an honest and straightforward young man, who never argued with anyone.
In response to the tragic death of Mohammed on Friday the Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell made the following statement:
I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident over the weekend. Racism and violence have no place in Hastings and we are committed to working with the police and the Safer Hastings Partnership to make our beautiful town a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit. We take our responsibilities to community cohesion very seriously and have a dedicated team of officers working hard to bring communities together. Unfortunately, we seem to be have an epidemic of violence at a national level at present and it only takes a few mindless, anti-social individuals to tar the reputation of a whole town. My deepest sympathies go to Mohammed's family and my thoughts are with them.
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We commissioned this report to assess the current condition of Hastings Pier and the likely costs of making it safe. The report was considered at the Cabinet Meeting on 3 December 2007.
The report can be downloaded using the links below. The report has been split into smaller files suitable for download.
Please Note: We apologise for the fact that these documents are non-accessible.
A copy of the report on DVD is also available on request. Please contact our Projects section on 01424 451672 for further information.
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This page last updated: 26/11/2009