Observer column 22 November 2024

It’s been an eventful few days.

By mutual agreement, Jane Hartnell has stepped down from her post as the Council's Chief Executive. On behalf of all councillors, both current and former, I want to thank Jane for her long service to Hastings. She has worked tirelessly for the town and all our residents. We wish her well for the future.

Jane’s interim replacement as Chief Executive is Rob Cottrill, chief executive at Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough councils. He has 35 years’ experience in the public sector. I am grateful to the other councils for the agreement that he can come and work with us.  The appointment is for an initial six-month period. Rob will continue as the chief executive for Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council, dividing his time between each authority. He was appointed Chief Executive at Eastbourne in 2009 and subsequently to the joint role with Lewes District Council in 2016. He also has experience in a number of board roles, in both the private and public sector. Rob is a long-time resident of Sussex, and lives in Hastings.

The whole Council staff gathered this week at the White Rock Theatre, to meet the (relatively new) cabinet and to hear something of their vision for the Council. I talked about the need to create a Hastings where residents are proud of their town and feel safe, valued and heard; where housing is available, affordable and energy efficient; and where people can live healthy fulfilling lives. Tackling the huge health inequalities in our town has to be at the heart of everything we do. These ambitions go hand in hand with tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis, since human and planetary health go together.

We can’t deliver all of that as a small over-stretched borough council, but by working imaginatively with partners we can bring together the necessary skills and talents.

I went on to outline four key priorities: A credible and transparent five-year budget, with a long-term plan for financial stability; Tackling our housing and homelessness crisis; Becoming a sustainable town and acting on the climate emergency; Regeneration and renewal with an emphasis on increasing pride in our town.

Hastings has so much about which to feel proud. Just this week our Museum & Art Gallery won a national award for its social impact. Our Head of Housing, Chris Hancock, was also asked to appear at the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee talking about children in temporary accommodation. He was raising our concerns - which other councils share - about not wanting to use temporary accommodation to house children. With limited resources available we are often unable to avoid doing so.

Other news: We have opened the latest round of Household Support Funding this week. Already we have had more than 400 applications, so if you want to apply please do so quickly as the funding will be spent on a first come, first served basis.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden took part in his first Facebook Live this week with Tracy and Mike from Citizens Advice 1066 where they shared advice and tips on staying warm this winter, particularly important as the weather has turned cold.