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Appx 1 - Call in request

Committee report · Place Scrutiny Committee · Thu 27 Nov 2025 · East Sussex County Council · agenda item 24

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The call-in request said no equality impact assessment was presented at the meeting, and raised concerns about moving the office to a second floor reached by 64 steps and a lift with a history of breaking down. p2

It said 407 letters had been sent to the Lead Member protesting the decision and the lack of public consultation, raising concerns including reduced parking, harder access for older and disabled people, and impact on town centre businesses. p2

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  • p2No equalities impact assessment was presented at the meeting. The office is proposed to be moved from a ground floor level location to a second floor up 64 steps with a lift that has a record of breaking down. Also the impact on residents of removing these more affordable venues for wedding ceremonies. Mention was made of 34 other venues but many of these are likely to be hotels and private venues which will be more expensive. While HBC could of course continue to promote the use of the town hall as a wedding venue, there is currently no capacity to do so and therefore no guarantee that this can be continued. At the meeting on Monday the reason given for the lack of public consultation was that the office was moving less than 500 meters. Where is the public information that consultation is only needed for relocations greater than 500 meters? 407 letters as of this morning have been sent to the lead member protesting this decision and the lack of any public consultation. The main issues raised were much more restricted parking access, harder access for older and disabled people, loss of civic pride, impact on town centre businesses and the lack of a fair and open decision making process. The current venue is adjacent to Priory Meadow with plentiful parking. The library has limited on street parking. No mention was made of where citizenship ceremonies will be held. These can be for up to 50 people. No mention made that people registering deaths need a dedicated, quiet and reflective space not a busy library to come into at a difficult moment in their lives. No assessment has been made to reflect the future impact of LGR. The registry office provides an income to sustain the town hall as a civic building. Removing this income will affect the long term sustainability of this historic building. While cllr Daniel referred to a future potential use by a town council, that town council (if one is agreed) would also need a sustainable income stream to maintain this building.

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