Hastings & St Leonardsindependent · not the councilupdated every 6 hours
Council decisions, planning and public money in Hastings.
In one place,made readable.
the net shops · Jack in the Green
Committee decisions, planning applications,
published grants and open consultations, collected from the councils'
and funders' own websites every six hours. Every entry links back to
the document it came from.
02
consultations open
23
meetings ahead
424
grants logged
16
wards covered
new — Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonard…prior approval approved — The Creative Media Centre, 44-45 Roberts…granted permission — The Flagship School, (Former Ark Helensw…granted permission — 85 Farley Bank, Hastings, TN35 5QAnew — 10 Tower Road West, St Leonards-on-sea…new — 358A Battle Road, St Leonards-on-sea, TN…open — Have your say on health and leisure faci…open — Modified proposals for local government…planning committee — Wed 16 Sep 2026, 6.00pmhealth overview and scrutiny committee — Thu 17 Sep 2026, 10.30amnew — Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonard…prior approval approved — The Creative Media Centre, 44-45 Roberts…granted permission — The Flagship School, (Former Ark Helensw…granted permission — 85 Farley Bank, Hastings, TN35 5QAnew — 10 Tower Road West, St Leonards-on-sea…new — 358A Battle Road, St Leonards-on-sea, TN…open — Have your say on health and leisure faci…open — Modified proposals for local government…planning committee — Wed 16 Sep 2026, 6.00pmhealth overview and scrutiny committee — Thu 17 Sep 2026, 10.30am
the Old Town from the East Hill
All of this is already public. It is just spread across
hundreds of PDFs on a dozen council websites,
filed where nobody looks.
01Everything links to its sourceEvery entry goes back to the council's or funder's own document. We report what public bodies publish. We don't campaign.
02Nothing unchecked is publishedA summary in plain English appears only once it has passed both citation checks, so most of this site is an index that links to the documents themselves.
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Across 424 published grants,
2019–2026. Treat the figure as
a minimum: money filed under East Sussex or nationally is not
counted here, and awarded is not the same as spent.
For decision · This is on an agenda and has not yet been decided.
The Charity Committee is due to meet on 21 September 2026 at Muriel Matters House in Hastings. p1
The agenda includes a Foreshore Trust finance monitoring report for Period 4 of the 2026/27 financial year. p4
Members will also consider recommendations for Round 10 of the Foreshore Trust's Small and Events Grants. p5
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p1Charity Committee — agenda, 21/09/2026 6.00 pm Council Chamber - Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings TN34 3UY. Please enter the building through the Contact Centre entrance via the seafront.
p44. Minutes of Coastal Users Group 5. Foreshore Trust Finance Monitoring Report to Period 4 2026/27 (Louise Hutton, Finance Business Partner) · FST Finance Report to Period 4 with exec summary 2026 · Appendix 1 · Appendix 2 · Appendix 3
p56. Foreshore Trust Small & Events Grants Round 10 recommendations (Chair, Foreshore Trust Grant Advisory Panel (GAP) · FST SAE R11_GAP Report_02_09_26_With Appendix A_All applications
Full Council · Wed 24 Sep 2025 · Hastings Borough Council
Agenda frontsheet
For decision · This is on an agenda and has not yet been decided.
Full Council is due to meet on 24 September 2025 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber at Muriel Matters House, Hastings. p1
Councillor Cannan has put forward a motion asking the council to lobby the government on Local Housing Allowance rates and social housing funding, and to seek assurances from housing associations Orbit and Southern Housing. p11p12p13
Councillors Kay and Rogers have also each put forward a motion, on fly-tipping and waste disposal, and on tackling graffiti, respectively. p16p17
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p1Full Council — agenda, 24/09/2025 6.00 pm Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY. Please enter the building through the Contact Centre entrance via the seafront.
p1136. Motion (Rule 14) Councillor Cannan to propose: Full Council notes: The worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s is coinciding with a national housing crisis. The result of this will be an increasing number of our residents deprived of one of the most fundamental pillars to a healthy and happy life – a secure, stable, and affordable home. There is a Housing emergency in Hastings. We have made improvements (such as the purchase of up to 200 homes) but there aren’t enough affordable homes. Rents are too high. Many homes are in poor condition. Too many people are homeless or living in temporary housing. There are 3000 people on the waiting list for housing and 1000 people in temporary accommodation. The Labour Government has stated they are prioritising house building, aiming for a new-build target in Hastings of a further 282 new homes that will now be required to be built each year, in addition to the 490 existing homes target identified by the previous government. The lack of availability of land within Hastings means this target will be impossible to reach. So, the crisis continues to affect those who are homeless or living in substandard housing, as well as those facing eviction due to inability to afford rent increases. The LHA rate, which determines the amount of housing benefit received for those eligible, fails spectacularly to reflect the increase in rents and house prices in Hastings. The two major Housing Associations in Hastings are Orbit and Southern Housing. Both face constant demand to improve their services in terms of: Repairs and maintenance Play provision Reduce the number of empty properties and stop selling off housing This is evidenced by the extensive caseload of local councillors Both Housing Associations have responsibility for estates requiring regeneration i.e.
p12Clifton Court and Earl Street (Orbit); The Four Courts (Southern Housing) Southern Housing have refused to recognise the tenants association which has been set up by the tenants themselves – Hastings Area Southern Housing Tenants’ Association (HASHTA), and refuse to engage with them. Full Council believes that: The LHA rate is in urgent need of review to ensure housing benefit is sufficient to support those on benefits into housing and prevent homelessness. Housing Associations need to reassure the residents of Hastings that they have solid plans in place to guarantee replenishment of their housing stock. Southern Housing should formally recognise HASHTA . The Government needs to create a fund to enable 100% social housing development where needed and the local plan needs to prioritise social housing. Full Council resolves: Write to the new minister for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government asking them to As a matter of urgency, review the process determining LHA rates with particular examples of the disparities in Hastings which mean benefit claimants simply cannot afford to pay the rent on a suitable home. Commit to a funding mechanism that enables Local Authorities and housing developers to build 100% social housing where needed. Legislate a no winter evictions guarantee to protect private tenants from homelessness through the most challenging period of the cost-of-living crisis Prioritise the passing of the Renters’ Reform Bill that seeks to improve standards and regulations across the private rented sector to better protect tenants. In particular rent reforms and a rent cap. The Leader of the Council will write to Orbit and Southern Housing seeking assurances that: They each provide a detailed investment plan for Hastings including, but not exclusive to, regeneration of the Four Courts and Clifton Court. To include detailed financial and operational commitments and how they will be achieved and to what timescale.
p13Any tenant(s) asked by them to relocate, who are holding a permanent tenancy agreement, will be guaranteed this is transferred to their new home. Southern Housing recognise HASHTA. In order to address the housing emergency described above this Council will commit to all future housing developments in Hastings providing 100% social housing, and for this to be a commitment in both the Housing Strategy and the new Local Plan.
p1638. Motion (Rule 14) Councillor Kay to propose: This motion calls on the Council to give the issue of flytipping and waste disposal the leadership that it needs to improve the environment of all of our communities. Hastings is a unique and vibrant town with both established and creative new businesses, developing alongside the more traditional economies based within marine based activities, fishing and tourism. Across the town, we have great parks and green spaces, that are accessible to many residents even in our more deprived areas. Our communities and residents’ daily lives are blighted however by the scourge of littered streets and fly tipping. Despite the vital work of community groups and council services cleaning our streets, we are failing to deal adequately with the problem, so now is the time to step up the fight to clean our streets. From litter thoughtlessly dropped, to individuals, landlords and businesses repeatedly leaving and dumping their rubbish on council land, land owned by local housing associations, private land and on our streets. This includes the issue of repeat fly-tipping, particularly in hot spot areas, and the separate but linked issue of effective waste disposal, particularly in respect of those areas that are not easily accessible. We call on the Council to put in place and make it their priority to: Clean up our streets and community spaces and direct resources to those communities most blighted by rubbish; Run a public awareness campaign to get all residents to play their part in respect our streets and community spaces by not dropping litter or fly-tipping; Increase the capacity of the team that handles investigations and issues fines; Expand CCTV for the worst offending areas and look at how technology can be used to achieve better enforcement in these hotspot areas; Develop a fly-tipping hotspot programme.
p1739. Motion (Rule 14) Councillor Rogers to propose: This council acknowledges the growing concern over graffiti in Hastings & St. Leonard’s and recognises its impact on the local community, businesses, and public spaces. While graffiti can be a form of artistic expression, unauthorised and indiscriminate tagging has led to increased vandalism, maintenance costs, and a decline in the town’s aesthetic appeal. To address this issue effectively, I call on the leadership of the council to resolve to develop a comprehensive strategy that: 1. Prevention: Establishes educational initiatives and community outreach programmes to raise awareness about the negative effects of vandalism while promoting legal and constructive avenues for artistic expression. 2. Enforcement: Strengthens efforts to deter illegal graffiti by improving surveillance, increasing enforcement of existing regulations, and working closely with local police and enforcement officers. 3. Rapid Removal: Implements a swift response system for removing unwanted graffiti, ensuring that affected areas are promptly cleaned and restored to discourage further tagging. 4. Community Engagement: Explores the possibility of designated mural spaces and collaborative public art projects to provide opportunities for artists while maintaining the town’s visual appeal. 5. Partnerships: Works with local businesses, schools, and community groups to develop sustainable solutions that prevent graffiti and promote civic responsibility. By taking a proactive approach, this council needs to commit to preserving the character and integrity of Hastings and St. Leonard’s while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors. We urge the council to approve this motion and take immediate steps toward its implementation.
Full Council · Wed 24 Sep 2025 · Hastings Borough Council
Printed minutes
Decided · A decision has been taken.
It also renewed the appointment of two Independent Persons to assist with the council's Standards process, for a further term to 31 March 2028. p14
Full Council resolved to write to the government seeking an urgent review of Local Housing Allowance rates and a funding mechanism for social housing, and asked the Leader to seek assurances from Orbit and Southern Housing about tenants, in a motion passed with 12 votes in favour and 17 abstentions. p18p19p20
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p1432. Appointment of Independent Persons Councillor Barnett proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Edwards. RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. To renew the appointment of John Baker and Amanda McIntyre as Independent Persons for a further term from 1st November 2025 to 31st March 2028. Reasons: 1. The Localism Act 2011 requires the Council to appoint at least one Independent Person to assist with the Standards process. 2. Legislation requires an Independent Person to be involved in any disciplinary action against any of the three statutory officers, those being the Head of Paid Service, the Chief Finance Officer and the Monitoring Officer. 3. Both Independent Persons are experienced in their roles and familiar with the Council’s Standards procedures. Reappointing both Independent Persons ensures the Council has consistency and experience up until the conclusion of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process.
p1836. Motion (Rule 14) Councillor Cannan proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Batsford. Councillor Haffenden proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Smith, as follows: Amend point d) to read: Prioritise the passing of the Renters’ Rights Bill that seeks to improve standards and regulations across the private rented sector to better protect tenants. Amend paragraph 3 to read : In order to address the housing emergency described above this Council will commit that we will work with Housing Associations and others to deliver a pipeline of new affordable homes, and bring back into use empty homes, prioritising social rent and genuinely affordable tenures that meet our local need . Councillor Cannan rejected the amendment. The Mayor proposed suspending Rule 16.6b, seconded by Councillor Smith. RESOLVED : that Full Council suspends Rule 16.6b of the Constitution to permit the original motion and any proposed amendments to be on the table and open for discussion at the same time. Councillor Beaver proposed under Rule 16.10 that the question be now put, as the Cabinet were due to meet shortly. The Mayor replied that the Council will continue with the debate on the motion. The amendment was agreed by 17 votes in favour, to 6 against, with 6 abstentions. The Mayor called a vote on the motion as amended. RESOLVED (by 12 votes in favour with 17 abstentions): Full Council notes: The worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s is coinciding with a national housing crisis. The result of this will be an increasing number of our residents deprived of one of the most fundamental pillars to a healthy and happy life – a secure, stable, and affordable home. There is a Housing emergency in Hastings. We have made improvements (such as the purchase of up to 200 homes) but there aren’t enough affordable homes. Rents are too high. Many homes are in poor condition. Too many people are homeless or living in temporary housing.
p19There are 3000 people on the waiting list for housing and 1000 people in temporary accommodation. The Labour Government has stated they are prioritising house building, aiming for a new-build target in Hastings of a further 282 new homes that will now be required to be built each year, in addition to the 490 existing homes target identified by the previous government. The lack of availability of land within Hastings means this target will be impossible to reach. So, the crisis continues to affect those who are homeless or living in substandard housing, as well as those facing eviction due to inability to afford rent increases. The LHA rate, which determines the amount of housing benefit received for those eligible, fails spectacularly to reflect the increase in rents and house prices in Hastings. The two major Housing Associations in Hastings are Orbit and Southern Housing. Both face constant demand to improve their services in terms of: Repairs and maintenance Play provision Reduce the number of empty properties and stop selling off housing This is evidenced by the extensive caseload of local councillors Both Housing Associations have responsibility for estates requiring regeneration i.e. Clifton Court and Earl Street (Orbit); The Four Courts (Southern Housing) Southern Housing have refused to recognise the tenants association which has been set up by the tenants themselves – Hastings Area Southern Housing Tenants’ Association (HASHTA), and refuse to engage with them. Full Council believes that: The LHA rate is in urgent need of review to ensure housing benefit is sufficient to support those on benefits into housing and prevent homelessness. Housing Associations need to reassure the residents of Hastings that they have solid plans in place to guarantee replenishment of their housing stock. Southern Housing should formally recognise HASHTA .
p20The Government needs to create a fund to enable 100% social housing development where needed and the local plan needs to prioritise social housing. Full Council resolves 1. Write to the new minister for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government asking them to a. As a matter of urgency, review the process determining LHA rates with particular examples of the disparities in Hastings which mean benefit claimants simply cannot afford to pay the rent on a suitable home. b. Commit to a funding mechanism that enables Local Authorities and housing developers to build 100% social housing where needed. c. Legislate a no winter evictions guarantee to protect private tenants from homelessness through the most challenging period of the cost-of-living crisis d. Prioritise the passing of the Renters’ Rights Bill that seeks to improve standards and regulations across the private rented sector to better protect tenants. e. Lobby for rent controls and a review of the local housing allowance in Hastings. 2. The Leader of the Council will write to Orbit and Southern Housing seeking assurances that: a. Any tenant(s) asked by them to relocate, who are holding a permanent tenancy agreement, will be guaranteed this is transferred to their new home. b. Southern Housing recognise HASHTA. 3. In order to address the housing emergency described above this Council will commit that we will work with Housing Associations and others to deliver a pipeline of new affordable homes, and bring back into use empty homes, prioritising social rent and genuinely affordable tenures that meet our local need
