Update - 21 February 2022

Welcome to our latest update.  This is a quick run-through of some of the things which have been attracting our attention in recent days.

We're still trying to work out what might happen in the town at the next General Election.  There's been talk in the papers of a "progressive alliance", with Labour holding back in seats where the LibDems have the best chance of unseating an incumbent Tory - and LibDems doing the same where Labour is the main challenger.  The Greens are also involved.

Given the LibDems' dominance in the town's local politics, and their past success in General Elections, it would make sense for Labour and the Greens here to give the LibDems a free run.  Indeed, if you look at the low Labour and Green vote shares in recent elections, it's probable the progressive alliance is already a reality in Eastbourne, and has been for some years.    

On the other hand, we are seeing a surge in Labour support in coastal constituencies with demographics not dissimilar to Eastbourne - Worthing, for example, where Labour is winning Council seats, and Bournemouth, where it's overtaken the LibDems to become the Tories' main challenger.  But it's hard to see this carry across to Eastbourne, certainly in the short-term at any rate.  One to watch though.  

We've also been looking at the performance of the LibDem council.  It's fair to say it's encountering some turbulence.  

First, it's officially the worst performing council in the entire country when it comes to meeting its housing targets.  To be fair to the council, some experts have doubts about the methodology used to project population growth (which drives the targets).  And the council points out it has approved a number of sites, but it's the developers who are dragging their feet and haven't built the houses. The Borough's geography doesn't help much either.

Whatever the case, the consequences are serious for the town.  The council loses some of its planning powers.  There is now a presumption that applications for housing will gain approval, even where there might be significant local concern.  It is not a good position for the council to be in.

Second, it's found itself in trouble with Central Government over the state of its finances.  Like many local authorities, it was badly exposed when the pandemic struck.  Its tourism and conference revenue dried up.  It had to spend more on social services.  The problem for Eastbourne was that it had already raided its reserves to finance capital projects.  So it was one of the few councils compelled to beg for Central Government financial help to keep it going.  

A condition of this help was that independent accountants appointed by Government would review the council's performance and make recommendations.  They've now done this and their report makes tough reading.  They have suggested the council needs to rebuild its reserves while warning against over-reliance on tourism revenue - which won't fill the funding gap.  The council's basically got to sell things it owns, like companies and land.   

We think the council's been unlucky and has done its best over the years to compensate for the cuts in Central Government funding first imposed by the Conservative-LibDem coalition.

One of its more unusual projects is its relationship with a building in Leicester.  This is a tower block housing student accommodation, a Premier Inn and the offices of an insurance company.  The owner of the block has a loan from Canada Life.  Eastbourne Borough Council acts as guarantor - of both the loan and tenants' rents - in return for a fee and an annual payment.  It's an unusual arrangement, designed to bring in some revenue for the town - but it has perplexed the Council's auditors and slightly concerned the Government accountants.  Again, one to watch.

On a lighter note, Magnus, one of the Society's followers, has written in to say how much he enjoyed a recent stay at the Devonshire Park Hotel.  He was intrigued by the surprisingly large concealed green space that lies behind it. We recall a photograph of lawn tennis courts here, back in Edwardian days, but we will investigate further.

Next time, we will look at the Environment Agency's plans to improve the town's sea defences - topical in view of the recent storm and high spring tides; plus the tree planting taking place on the town's downland escarpment, following the decimation by disease of all the Ash trees.

In the meantime, have a good week.