Venue: Manor Barn 14.00 to 16.00 

Secretariat/Governance 
Anne Rathbone – Bexhill Neighbourhood Board and Partnerships Manager (RDC) (AR) 
Ellie Foster – Bexhill Neighbourhood Board Project Officer (EF) 

Observers/guests: 
Frances McKenna (FM), Office Manager for Dr Kieran Mullan MP 

Apologies: 
Anna Evett – Head of Service – Corporate and Strategic Service (RDC) (AE) – Apologies sent

Bexhill Town Clerk – Apologies sent

Katy Bourne, OBE – Police and Crimes Commissioner

Simon Yates (SY) on behalf of Katy Bourne, OBE (KB)
Simon Whitehead (SW), Police Inspector, Rother

Item 1: Chair’s welcome and purpose of meeting; minutes of last meeting 

The Chair then reiterated the purpose of the meeting as follows:

• To receive updates on the progress of our submission to Central Government and initial preparation for projects.

• To receive update regarding the Interest Policy, Equalities Impact Assessment, project updates and discussions regarding representation.

• Following this, the Chair shared her excitement for a collaborative discussion with Eastbourne and Hastings Neighbourhood Boards.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved and are uploaded on the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board website.  

Item 2: Declarations of Interest for Members and Officers 

The Chair read out the statement on Declaration of Interests as follows:

In doing Neighbourhood Board business, it is essential that we follow strict procedures in declaring our interests. Members are reminded of the need to declare any financial or non-financial interests immediately prior to the commencement of the agenda item in question. Please could you bear this in mind as we go through the agenda today. Please also remember you are abiding by the Nolan Principles which I intend to ensure the Board stand by in all its business.

See item 4 below regarding updates to Interest Policy.

Item 3: Action Log 

AR gave a verbal update regarding the action log. The action log does not reflect the full capacity of work that is taking place behind the scenes for the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board.

The actions from the last meetings are all completed or in progress where longer time is needed.

Item 4: Interest Policy Update 

EF gave an update regarding the Interest Policy.

All documentation was sent out to Board members with the papers for this meeting. Bexhill Neighbourhood Board Project Officer collecting updated information from all members. If there have been no changes since last submission, please state this in an email to the Project Officer.

Action: Anne to check whether interest declarations need to go on the RDC website.

Action: All Board members to reply to EF with declarations of interest by Friday 27 March 2026.

Item 5: MHCLG feedback

AR gave update on communications with MHCLG. MHCLG have confirmed that our submission has passed through the first stage of assessment and is now in Moderation phase.

Action: AR/EF to update the Board with any news of progress through the system.

Item 6: Equalities Impact Assessment 

EF provided an update regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment. This impact assessment looks at positive, negative and neutral effects on groups with protected characteristics under within section 7 of the Equalities Act 2010, amended 2024.

EF explained that the focus of this assessment was based on the overarching first 4-year plan, and that additional assessments will be conducted for each of the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board projects.

KM noted that there are likely to be positive impacts on multiple groups from the planned community grants programme.

Item 7: Project Updates

AN asked PW to give an update regarding the Bexhill water feature. This is an ongoing process following closure of the Preliminary Market Testing. The working group is having really interesting discussions regarding the water feature. PW mentioned that there is a growing percentage of individuals in Bexhill who are not aware of the water feature; communication may be needed to share information about the water feature and its importance to the local community.

DO and AN complemented EF on the extensive research being done in the background to inform the working group.

AR provided a verbal update regarding station exits. AN, AR, IH and SD attended a rail stakeholder event on 27 February 2026 and had the opportunity to speak with high level rail executives. This is an ongoing discussion, and more information will be provided to the Neighbourhood Board as it becomes available.

AR followed with an update regarding the proposed community grants scheme for 26/27. There is a need to collect three quotes for the provision of the grants scheme, with an independent body to manage the grants. BNB is looking to set up a working group around the grants, that avoids conflicts of interest. Volunteers for working group included NW.

The Board agreed that the working group should be 3-4 individuals. It was also noted that the programme would require sufficient staffing costs to make the grants scheme effective.

KR noted that group or individuals from other areas may be able to help without presenting conflict of interest.

DO mentioned that the RDC Community Grants Scheme, administered this year by Sussex Community Foundation (SCF) worked really well. The management by SCF has taken away from individuals that have a vested interest.

Item 8: Resident Representation

AN, KR, and AR had already discussed and introduced this item.

The Board is fully committed to having meaningful resident involvement. This does not necessarily mean having one “Resident Representative” on the Board. The experience of some of the other Boards has been that they have had overwhelming application numbers making it impossible to choose just one person. We would like to find ways to involve more residents in helping the Board to shape its plans and projects. This could usefully be done through wider reference groups, resident involvement in working groups, etc.

KR noted there are many ways to involve residents (EDI forum, groups working around youth consultation). Importantly, the Board needs residents who can question, but also input in a solution focused way and act as ambassadors and champions.

MC also noted that there are reference groups that go round in Brighton to consult in culture and events. These are well attended. Likes the idea of special interest groups/working groups. Board members have been selected due to the groups they are working with. Boards should reflect communities that that are working for.

Action: AR to take forward and develop a proposal.

Action: AR/EF to ensure that each project has its own community engagement plan relevant to the work being undertaken.

Break and Networking 

Item 9: Project Officer capacity proposal

AR and AN presented the case to increase the Project Officer time to 5 days per week, from 4 days. This is due to the Project Officer taking on additional responsibilities for communications and stakeholder engagement.

The Board unanimously agreed to this proposal, noting the excellent work and progress of the Project Officer since she came into post and the savings that this arrangement would represent as contracting out comms work and project specific research could be minimized, allowing for more spend on projects for the community.

The Board thanked EF for all her hard work to date.

Action: AR to implement full time Project Officer hours from 1 April 2026.

Item 10: Engagement update

AN provided an engagement update of what has taken place since the last Board meeting.

Engagement events included:

• Bexhill Men’s Shed

• Conversations with individuals about Bexhill Neighbourhood Board

• AR met with Collington Neighbourhood Group

• Meeting with Bexhill on Sea Town Council

• De La Warr Pavilion Development Manager

• Heart of Sidley

• Monthly meetings with Bexhill Chamber of Commerce have also been instigated.

AN, EF and AR attended a Pride in Place conference in London on 12 February 2026.

PW shared that a new Town Clerk has been appointed to Bexhill on Sea Town Council. The Bexhill Neighbourhood Board looks forward to welcoming them.

Item 11: Any other business 

High Street Vacant Units

AR is looking at models that other towns are using. A paper will be presented for the next Board meeting in June on options for a holistic approach to reducing vacant properties in the town. RDC has been successful in receiving funding from MHCLG to commission an audit of all vacant units within a highlighted areas of Bexhill. More information will be shared at the next Board meeting.

Town of Culture update

This is all progressing in line with the requirements of Town of Culture. The first stage is a brief expression of interest, which is being developed by a core group from Bexhill Cultural Network, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Museum, and RDC.

Action: AR to update all Board members by email.

The Chair thanked everyone especially the guest attendees.

Next meeting of Bexhill Neighbourhood Board: 19 June 14:00 to 17:00 Bexhill Town Hall.