Lewes District Council news

Councillor heralds 'landmark moment' for local biodiversity
A project to create a new wetland habitat in Lewes took a major step forward this week as diggers broke through a riverbank allowing water from the old channel to rush into the new 6.8-hectare wetland area.

New Council Chair puts focus on family for term of office
The new Chair of Lewes District Council, Councillor Ian Alexander, has chosen the theme of 'family' for his year in office.

Council launches consultation on taxi and private hire licensing
People are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to the licensing of taxi and private hire vehicles across Lewes district.

Campaigners celebrate removal of eyesore scaffolding in Seaford
After exhausting every other possible legal avenue in their determination to rid Seaford of the scaffolding, Lewes District Council lodged a public nuisance claim with the High Court. As a consequence, the High Court judge ordered Vision Properties to take down the scaffolding by July 25.

Council declares its support for Clean Air Bill
The move is part of a motion passed unanimously at Full Council last night (July 24) backing the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill - known as Ella's Law - proposed by Councillor Becky Francomb and seconded by Councillor Isobel Sharkey.

Lewes District Council awarded funding to tackle the sticky issue of chewing gum on streets
The council is one of 56 across the country to be awarded funds from the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its second year, to clean chewing gum off pavements and prevent it from being littered again.

Residents and local children are being asked their views on what improvements they would like at four play areas in Lewes district.
Lewes District Council has launched public consultations for Valley Dip Play Area in Seaford, Hillcrest Court in Newhaven, Malling Rec in Lewes and Stanley Turner Ground, also in Lewes. The consultations run until Friday, August 25.

Cabinet councillors have warmly welcomed a report by the Local Government Association (LGA) into the work of Lewes District Council, with the Leader describing it as a 'huge accomplishment'.
The week-long visit by an independent team reported that staff were hard-working, political leaders gave clear direction and leadership, the chief executive and senior management team is well-respected and other local organisations consider the council a trusted partner.

Council moves forward with plans for 16 new Newhaven homes
Cabinet councillors today (July 13) approved the purchase and development of the land, including the existing club house, which is no longer fit for purpose, to provide four new two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom homes.

Cabinet councillors welcome progress 'on all fronts'
A few of the highlights include 1,197 households registered for the summer 2023 Solar Together Scheme - the highest number of registrations in all local authorities participating in the scheme, 64 electric vehicle chargers being installed in 11 car parks across the district, the recruitment of a zero-carbon community worker, 148 new council homes completed or in progress and a council tax reduction scheme implemented for people on the lowest incomes.

Council Leader: 'new chapter in the history of Newhaven is beginning'
Seeing the potential of the building, the council secured £1.3m in grant-funding from the Getting Britain Building Fund with a view to bringing it back into use as a marine, commercial, exhibition and civic space.

New funding streams 'help address the shortage' of specially adapted homes
The new provisions for financial support are included in the council's new Private Sector Housing Financial Assistance Policy, which the councillors unanimously supported.