The Chairman made the following announcements:

·      The Chairman attended a reception held by Cllr Peter Pragnell, East Sussex County Council Chairman for East Sussex Mayors, Chairs and County Council Lead Members at Hendall Manor to mark the retirement of The Lord Lieutenant Sir Peter Field. The evening provided an opportunity to socialise with some of our surrounding authorities; it was noted that Cllr Pragnell was currently unwell, although improving, and Members wished him a speedy recovery.

·      In July, the Chairman visited the charity Rye Harbour Sailability (RHS).  A group of 25 volunteers who provided sailing lessons on the Rother in Rye Harbour to people with differing abilities.  During his visit he met some of the volunteers, sampled a delicious bacon sandwich and spoke to some of the users.  RHS was actively looking for new volunteers / users and had launched an appeal to raise £13,000 to purchase new equipment by organising fundraising events.  The Chairman attended one of these events namely Opera for Late Summer at Winchelsea New Hall, where he met Cllr David Page, the Mayor of Winchelsea.

·      In August, the Chairman officially opened and closed the 82nd Bexhill Open Bowls Tournament.

·      On 22 August 2021, the Chairman welcomed Simon Corrello, Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex to a Bexhill Day (established in 1907) event organised by Bexhill Town Council.

·      On 1 September 2021, the Chairman welcomed Andrew Blackman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex and Myles Jenner, High Sheriff of East Sussex to a ceremony held by the former Bexhill Charter Trustees at the Town Hall.  The two past Mayors presented certificates / awards to individuals and organisations to highlight contributions made to the town that the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented them from doing within their terms of office.

·      On Wednesday 8 September 2021, the Chairman was invited to celebrate the launch of a new free App called ‘A Rye Good Time’ at the Mermaid Inn, Rye.  By scanning the code on the coaster (beer mat), customers were able to find out what was happening in Rye.  Arabella Ansar project led on the user-friendly App and development was supported by Visit 1066 Country and Rother District Council.  The Chairman highly recommended the App and hoped that it would be replicated across the whole of the district.

·      On 17 September 2021, the Chairman attended the official opening of the revamped 1066 Walk (31-miles from Pevensey Castle to Rye).  The project was delivered by a number of individuals / organisations, led by Donna Hall, the Council’s Cultural Development Officer and had received EU funding.  The scenic and mediaeval landscape route was also enhanced by 10 of Keith Petit’s amazing wooden sculptures based on scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry and from ‘Landings’ at Pevensey Castle to ‘Beech Tree’ in Rye.

·      The Chairman highlighted the Council’s event ‘How to Age Well in the 21st Century held at the De La Warr Pavilion on 14 September 2021.  Attendees had the opportunity to hear about things to do, how to take care as you get older and participated in taster exercise sessions all of which were well received.  He thanked all those involved and attended for making it a successful event.  It was hoped that a road show version could be developed to spread the message across the whole of the district.

·      Members were reminded that following a successful referendum held last week for the Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2028, the extraordinary meeting of full Council scheduled to take place on Monday 18 October at 5.30pm would go ahead.

·      The Chairman had exercised his discretion in favour of varying the order of business so that Agenda Item 9 was taken as the next item.