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Full Council agenda

Committee agenda · Full Council · Wed 24 Sep 2025 · Hastings Borough Council

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For decision · This went to the meeting on Wed 24 Sep 2025. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

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.

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