Huw Merriman MP for Bexhill and Battle and Sally-Ann Hart MP for Hastings and Rye, were delighted to organise the second Rother Rural Roundtable for local rural businesses at Ewhurst and Staplecross Village Hall. The event brought together Rother District Council officers, councillors and rural businesses to discuss rural development and economic opportunities.
The event opened with presentations by Ben Hook, Director of Place and Climate Change at Rother District Council, who gave an update on actions taken since the last meeting in June 2022 followed by Melanie Powell, Regeneration Manager at Rother District Council who spoke about the recent Local Government Association report into the Rother rural economy.
Sally-Ann gave a presentation about recent reports into coastal communities, and this was followed by Brett Pearson of Locate, East Sussex which play a vital role in helping local businesses to develop and grow.
Finally, Gavin Jones of Hastoe Housing Association spoke about their small sustainable affordable housing developments in rural villages.
Throughout the Roundtable questions were taken and lively discussions held.
After the meeting Sally-Ann Hart MP said:
“This is a wonderful opportunity for local rural businesses to raise their concerns and issues with local authority officers and to develop a more personal dialogue with them. I am a fan of Hastoe and was delighted that Gavin was able to attend and provide details of their small housing developments in rural areas. We need more sympathetic and affordable homes in our rural communities so that local people can stay close to their families and friends.”
Huw Merriman MP said:
“I was very pleased to arrange a further Rother Rural Roundtable which helps to connect our rural businesses and farmers with local planning and regeneration teams. We also heard from organisations which help support diversity and sustainable development in the rural economy. It was good to hear about the positive progress which has been made in building productive relationships between Rother District Council and our local rural businesses.”
