Budget measures announced by the Chancellor are set to put powers and money in the hands of communities most in need in East Sussex.
Rother and Hastings were announced as amongst the 20 new partnership areas and will now now be invited to form partnerships.
The purpose of the Levelling Up funding is to help grow the economy and level up across the UK. These measures will help to deliver more jobs, better services and more opportunities for local people. This is a ground breaking devolution package and funding for community projects will help further the ambitions to spread opportunity more equally.
The rolling out of Levelling Up Partnerships will provide bespoke place-based regeneration over 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Hastings Conservative MP, Sally-Ann Hart, said: “I have been campaigning for cross government support for coastal communities, especially for my constituency of Hastings and Rye, and for government departments to work in partnership with our local authorities and other local stakeholders including those in the health, housing, and education sectors.
Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill & Battle, said: "Working in partnership with local stakeholders, including business, this new Levelling Up Partnership will be transformational for local people by delivering opportunities and growth. I am keen to hear from local businesses and community stakeholders as to how we can better invest in Bexhill and Rother as a whole.”
This funding is in addition to the £19m already awarded to Rother District Council by central Government in January this year, to help transform the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and create new community facilities in Sidley.
Bexhill County Councillor Nuala Geary joined local Conservatives in welcoming the announcement. She said: “This a great boost for this part of East Sussex to invest in Bexhill and Rother as a whole, and an opportunity to support local businesses and community stakeholders.”
Hastings County Councillor Matt Beaver echoed the local MP, saying: “This support is really welcome news. It demonstrates that central government has listened to local concerns. It will help to us unlock the barriers to growth and to support and create opportunities for local businesses.”
This latest good news for our county comes on top of £7.95 million of levelling up funding secured by East Sussex County Council in 2021 to help with the financing of the new two lane Exceat Bridge on the A259 between Seaford and East Dean.
