Social Value Ideas for Rother District Council

Ruby's Bistro external seating capped

The panel added a bespoke condition limiting the external licensed area at Ruby's Bistro to one standard bistro table and two standard chairs, with staff required to keep that furniture positioned so …

“In recognising the concerns raised about the specific issues under the licencing objectives, the application is granted subject to the following condi…”

Ruby's Bistro licence approved

Ruby's Bistro in Bexhill was granted a premises licence for on-sales only, with alcohol sales limited to the café's trading hours and no late-night venue use. The final decision restricted trading and…

“On balance, the panel accepts the evidence provided in support of the premises licence application together with the letter of objection and has decid…”

Premises licence granted for River Cafe with noise condition

The panel granted a new premises licence for River Cafe in Rye, allowing on- and off-sales of alcohol daily from 1pm to 10pm and the premises to open 9am to 10pm. The panel accepted the applicant's op…

“On balance, the panel accepts the evidence provided in support of the premises licence application, together with the letters of objection, and has de…”

2026 licensing policy adopted

Council approved the refreshed Licensing Policy 2026 after consultation with statutory partners and stakeholders. The policy updates the existing framework to reflect current legislation and guidance …

“I'm pleased to bring forward the new licencing policy for 2026, following consultation with our statutory partners and stakeholders. Firstly, I'd like…”

River Cafe police conditions accepted

Sussex Police did not object to the River Cafe application and agreed a set of conditions with the applicant covering CCTV, staff training, Challenge 25, incident and refusal logs, off-sales controls,…

“Sussex Police did not object and instead agreed a number of conditions with the applicant which would apply should the licence be granted. These condi…”

Hackney carriage fares rise 10%

Cabinet approved a 10% increase in hackney carriage fares after consultation with the trade and public. The increase is intended to reflect higher operating costs, especially diesel, and to support re…

“Members have previously agreed to go out of consultation to increase hand carriage fares by 10 % and that includes the travelling time and the waiting…”

Homelessness target uplift

The committee agreed to raise the homelessness prevention/relief target from 120 to 200 households per year. This reflects significant current demand and successful performance in Q1, where the servic…

“Thank you chair and thank you for the introduction. So the changes to the housing targets, this is a subject that's been discussed by this committee b…”

Housing company delivery spend updated

The committee heard that the housing company's programme remains on track overall, but with earlier spend than previously described rather than higher contracted costs. Peak debt is forecast at £38.6 …

“Key highlights in the public report is whilst the contract programme against the defined programme in the JCT contract is out of sequence there are no…”

Housing targets revised upward

Cabinet agreed to update the first-quarter performance framework by increasing the homelessness prevention/relief target and raising the assumed temporary accommodation cost. This reflects higher dema…

“The performance report for the first quarter went to overviewing scrutiny committee on the 7th of September. You'll note from the minutes that perform…”

Affordable housing deed varied

Members approved a deed of variation removing the affordable housing obligation from the Conkers scheme because officers and an independent consultant accepted that the scheme was unviable even as 100…

“The proposed modification is to remove the requirements for affordable housing provision entirely on viability grounds. If agreed, the modification wo…”

Red KPI and sales risk

Two KPIs were reported as red: funding drawdown efficiency and units delivered against programme. The committee was told that the shortfall was marginal, but the scheme remains financially sensitive a…

“You'll have noted in the public report that there are two of the public KPIs now red rated in their RAG status the first being the funding drawdown ef…”

Establishment of Shareholder Executive Committee

Formal establishment of the Shareholder Executive Committee as a sub-committee of Cabinet to provide governance oversight of Rother District Housing Company. The committee's terms of reference (approv…

“The role has been performed at an officer level before now and I think the establishment of this committee will lead to greater transparency and will …”

Local plan approved for consultation

Cabinet approved the pre-submission local plan for further consultation and eventual examination. The plan sets out major housing, jobs and policy allocations through 2042, including affordable housin…

“As we know the proposed plan provides approximately 8 ,500 new homes, 5 ,100 new jobs up till 2042, but as we know this is significantly below the tar…”

Permanent gypsy pitch approved

The committee approved a permanent change of use for one gypsy and traveller pitch at Oak Stables, moving from a temporary consent to a permanent permission. Officers said the proposal would help addr…

“The proposal is removal and variation of conditions imposed on planning permission RR 2020 1613 P to allow for a permanent change of use of the land f…”

Local plan to consultation

The committee recommended the pre-submission local plan be approved for publication and public consultation under Regulation 19, with minor editorial changes delegated to officers. The plan is intende…

“Purpose of the report, to recommend to cabinet that the rubber pre -submission local plan regulation 19 be approved for publication and public consult…”

Refusal of rural gate

Members refused the Honey Plum Farm application primarily because the metal/electronic gate was judged incongruous with the High Weald National Landscape and inconsistent with the site's Article 4 con…

“I really think this will set a pretty dangerous decision. the incongruity with the high -wheeled. And the high -wheeled unit may not have commented, b…”

Housing target and site pressure

Officers explained that the plan only meets around 58% of the government’s housing need figure, leaving the council exposed to scrutiny and speculative development if the plan is delayed or reduced fu…

“We consider we have strong grounds for not meeting the government figure, given our high national landscape coverage, international habitat sites, and…”