Rother District

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Rother District
Rother UK locator map.svg
Rother shown within East Sussex
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region South East England
Non-metropolitan county East Sussex
Status Non-metropolitan district
Admin HQ Bexhill-on-Sea
Incorporated1 April 1974
Government
  TypeNon-metropolitan district council
  BodyRother District Council
  Leadership Leader and Cabinet (Rother Alliance)
   MPs Huw Merriman
Sally-Ann Hart
Area
  Total197.6 sq mi (511.8 km2)
  Rank90th (of 309)
Population
 (2021)
  Total93,108
  Rank261st (of 309)
  Density470/sq mi (180/km2)
  Ethnicity
98.1% White
Time zone UTC0 (GMT)
  Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
ONS code 21UG (ONS)
E07000064 (GSS)
OS grid reference TQ7388508555
Website www.rother.gov.uk

Rother is a local government district in East Sussex, England. Its council is based in Bexhill-on-Sea. The district is named after the River Rother which flows within its boundaries.

Contents

History

The District of Rother was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Bexhill, the Municipal Borough of Rye and Battle Rural District. It is one of three districts within the county without borough status and is the easternmost one: the other two being Lewes to the west, and Wealden in the centre. The borough of Hastings lies surrounded by Rother.

Governance

Rother District Council
Rother District Council Logo.png
Type
Type
Leadership
Doug Oliver,
Independent
since 22 May 2019 [1]
Deputy Leader
Sue Prochak,
Liberal Democrats
since 22 May 2019
Structure
Seats38 councillors
Rother District Council 2019.svg
Political groups
Rother Alliance (24)
  Independents (13)
  Liberal Democrat (7)
  Labour (3)
  Green (1)
Opposition (14)
  Conservative (14)
Elections
First past the post
Last election
2 May 2019
Next election
May 2023
Meeting place
Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill (2).jpg Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JX
Website
www.rother.gov.uk

Rother District Council is elected every four years, with currently 38 councillors being elected at each election. From 1983 until 2019, the Conservatives have had a majority on the council, apart from between 1991 and the 1999 election when no party had a majority.

Since 2019, the 'Rother Alliance' has controlled the council, formed of a mixture of Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green Party councillors. [2] [3]

The council is often criticised by its residents.

PartyCouncillors
Conservative Party 14
Independent 13
Liberal Democrats 7
Labour Party 3
Green Party 1

Premises

The council is based at Bexhill Town Hall on London Road in Bexhill, which was built in 1895 for the Bexhill Urban District Council, which became Bexhill Borough Council in 1902. The building continued to serve as the seat of local government following the reorganisation in 1974 which created Rother District.

Wards

Bexhill has nine wards: the remaining councillors represent the other 11 wards.

WardPopulation (2007)CouncillorsRatio
Battle Town 491922460
Brede Valley469822349
Central (Bexhill)510622553
Collington (Bexhill)429222146
Crowhurst254612546
Darwell490122451
Eastern Rother [includes Winchelsea and Camber]481722409
Ewhurst and Sedlescombe238212382
Kewhurst (Bexhill)450022250
Marsham373621868
Old Town (Bexhill)378021890
Rother Levels [includes Northiam and Peasmarsh]462722314
Rye410822054
Sackville (Bexhill)457722289
St Marks (Bexhill)459022295
St Michaels (Bexhill)462922315
St Stephens (Bexhill)436622183
Salehurst443022215
Sidley (Bexhill)533322667
Ticehurst and Etchingham416822084
Total Rother86505382276

Parishes

The lowest level of local government is the civil parish: there are 29 within the Rother District [4] which are:

ParishTypeArea (sq mi)Population (2007)Pop Density /sq mi
Ashburnham and Penhurst Parish Council22.437043
Battle Town Council31.86171503
Beckley Parish Council22.81012115
Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council32.3411733300
Bodiam Parish Council6.5391156
Brede Parish Council17.61715252
Brightling Parish Council19.836648
Burwash Parish Council30.12511216
Camber Parish Council14.11229227
Catsfield Parish Council12.2805171
Crowhurst Parish Council10.1859219
Dallington Parish Council7.9310102
Etchingham Parish Council13.4747145
Ewhurst Parish Council23.61052115
Fairlight Parish Council6.11682711
Guestling Parish Council15.91273207
Hurst Green Parish Council10.41451362
Icklesham [includes Winchelsea and Rye Harbour]Parish Council23.52804309
Iden Parish Council12.045798
Mountfield Parish Council15.357397
Northiam Parish Council14.52094374
Peasmarsh Parish Council15.81167191
Pett Parish Council6.5781311
Playden & East Guldeford See note16.632751
Rye Town Council4.241082564
Rye Foreign Parish Council3.9354238
Salehurst and Robertsbridge Parish Council18.22588369
Sedlescombe Parish Council12.61330273
Ticehurst Parish Council32.53421272
Udimore Parish Council11.736581
Westfield Parish Council19.12618355
Whatlington Parish Council6.0401172
Total Rother509.486505440

Playden and East Guldeford are merged in the statistical analysis although they are both civil parishes in their own right. Playden has a Parish Council whilst East Guldeford holds a Parish Meeting. Ashburnham and Penhurst are also separate parishes.

Geography

Rother District covers two areas of relief: to the south, a section of the High Weald; and to the north the lower land, named the Rother Levels, across which flow the River Rother, which rises on the Weald and flows easterly towards Rye Bay, and its tributaries. For much of the course of the main river it constitutes the boundary between East Sussex and Kent, and is given the alternative title of the ’’Kent Ditch’’. Tributaries of the river include the Rivers Dudwell, Tillingham and Brede.

The district reaches the coast in the vicinity of Bexhill, and on the shores of Rye Bay.

Climate

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate). [5]

Climate data for Rother, UK
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Average high °C (°F)8
(46)
8
(46)
11
(52)
13
(55)
17
(63)
19
(66)
23
(73)
22
(72)
18
(64)
14
(57)
10
(50)
7
(45)
14
(57)
Average low °C (°F)1
(34)
1
(34)
3
(37)
4
(39)
6
(43)
9
(48)
12
(54)
11
(52)
9
(48)
6
(43)
3
(37)
1
(34)
6
(43)
Average precipitation mm (inches)43
(1.7)
30
(1.2)
28
(1.1)
43
(1.7)
28
(1.1)
41
(1.6)
89
(3.5)
38
(1.5)
61
(2.4)
48
(1.9)
43
(1.7)
66
(2.6)
550
(21.8)
Average precipitation days211922201619161619222121232
Source: Weatherbase [6]

Demographics

Rother has one of the oldest populations (with a median age of 52 years) [7] and the lowest per capita income [8] in the UK.

Transport

There are several main roads crossing the district. The major trunk road is the A21, London to Hastings road; it is joined by the A28 road from Ashford road near Hastings; which in turn is crossed by the A268 Hawkhurst to Rye road. There is also the A259 coastal route

The Hastings Line, East Coastway Line and the Marshlink Line are the three railway lines in the District; The Kent and East Sussex Railway tourist line terminates at Bodiam.

Long-distance footpaths include the Sussex Border Path; and the Saxon Shore Way, which links with the 1066 Country Walk.

Landmarks

Major landmarks include Bodiam and Camber Castles; and Battle Abbey.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hastings</span> Town and borough in England

Hastings is a large seaside town and borough in East Sussex on the south coast of England, 24 mi (39 km) east to the county town of Lewes and 53 mi (85 km) south east of London. The town gives its name to the Battle of Hastings, which took place 8 mi (13 km) to the north-west at Senlac Hill in 1066. It later became one of the medieval Cinque Ports. In the 19th century, it was a popular seaside resort, as the railway allowed tourists and visitors to reach the town. Today, Hastings is a fishing port with the UK's largest beach-based fishing fleet. It has an estimated population of 92,855 as of 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Sussex</span> County of England

East Sussex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England on the English Channel coast. It is bordered by Kent to the north and east, West Sussex to the west, and Surrey to the north-west. The largest settlement in East Sussex is the city of Brighton and Hove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Rother, East Sussex</span> River in East Sussex and Kent, England

The River Rother flows for 35 miles (56 km) through the English counties of East Sussex and Kent. Its source is near Rotherfield in East Sussex, and its mouth is on Rye Bay, part of the English Channel. Prior to 1287, its mouth was further to the east at New Romney, but it changed its course after a great storm blocked its exit to the sea. It was known as the Limen until the sixteenth century. For the final 14 miles (23 km), the river bed is below the high tide level, and Scots Float sluice is used to control levels. It prevents salt water entering the river system at high tides, and retains water in the river during the summer months to ensure the health of the surrounding marsh habitat. Below the sluice, the river is tidal for 3.7 miles (6.0 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent and East Sussex Railway</span> Railway in south east England

The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both a historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rye, East Sussex</span> Town in East Sussex, England

Rye is a small town and civil parish in the Rother district, in East Sussex, England, two miles from the sea at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede. In medieval times, as an important member of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, and almost entirely surrounded by the sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wealden District</span> District in East Sussex, England

Wealden is a local government district in East Sussex, England. Its council is based in Hailsham. The district's name comes from the Weald, the remnant forest which was once unbroken and occupies much of the centre and north of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenterden</span> Human settlement in England

Tenterden is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. It stands on the edge of the remnant forest the Weald, overlooking the valley of the River Rother. It was a member of the Cinque Ports Confederation. Its riverside today is not navigable to large vessels and its status as a wool manufacturing centre has been lost. Tenterden has several voluntary organisations, some of which are listed below, a large conservation area and seven large or very old public houses within its area. It has long distance walking and cycling routes within its boundaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burwash</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Burwash, archaically known as Burghersh, is a rural village and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. Situated in the High Weald of Sussex some 15 miles (24 km) inland from the port of Hastings, it is located five miles (8 km) south-west of Hurst Green, on the A265 road, and on the River Dudwell, a tributary of the River Rother. In an area steeped in history, some nine miles (14 km) to the south-east lies Battle Abbey and eight miles (13 km) to the east is Bodiam Castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodiam</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Bodiam is a small village and civil parish in the Rother District of East Sussex, England. It lies in the valley of the River Rother, near to the villages of Sandhurst and Ewhurst Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hastings and Rye (UK Parliament constituency)</span>

Hastings and Rye is a constituency in East Sussex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Sally-Ann Hart of the Conservative Party. From 2010 until 2019, it was represented by Amber Rudd, who served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Minister for Women and Equalities, Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under the governments of David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowhurst, East Sussex</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Crowhurst is an isolated village situated five miles (8 km) north-west of Hastings in East Sussex. It has a parish council and is located within the Rother District Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Guldeford</span> Village in East Sussex, England

East Guldeford is a village and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. The village is located one mile (1.6 km) east of Rye on the A259 road. The parish is controlled by a parish meeting. It is in the civil parish of Playden. The parish church is dedicated to St Mary. It was consecrated in 1505.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ewhurst, East Sussex</span> Parish in East Sussex, England

Ewhurst is a civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. The parish is on the southern ridge of the River Rother valley, and much of the northern boundary of the parish follows the river. The centre of the parish is 24 miles (40 km) east-northeast from the county town of Lewes, and 9 miles (14 km) north from the coastal town of Hastings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northiam</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Northiam is a village and civil parish in the Rother district, in East Sussex, England, 13 miles (21 km) north of Hastings in the valley of the River Rother. The A28 road to Canterbury and Hastings passes through it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Playden</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Playden is a village and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. The village is located one mile (1.6 km) north-west of Rye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Sussex</span> Overview of the geography of Sussex

Sussex is a historic county and cultural region in the south of England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, north-east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West Sussex and East Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove. The city of Brighton & Hove was created a unitary authority in 1997, and was granted City status in 2000. Until then Chichester had been Sussex's only city. By convention, Chichester is Sussex's capital city and Lewes is Sussex's county town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rye railway station (Rye and Camber Tramway)</span> Former railway station in England

Rye railway station was a terminal station on the Rye and Camber Tramway in East Sussex, connecting Rye to Camber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staplecross</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Staplecross is a village in the civil parish of Ewhurst and the Rother district of East Sussex, England. Staplecross is the largest settlement in Ewhurst parish, and is on a southern ridge of the valley of the River Rother which flows through Bodiam at the north of Staplecross. The village is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In 2011 it had a population of 760.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cripps Corner</span> Village in East Sussex, England

Cripps Corner is a village in the civil parish of Ewhurst and the Rother district of East Sussex, England. It is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and on a southern ridge of the valley of the River Rother which flows through Bodiam, 2.5 miles (4 km) to the north of Cripps Corner.

References

  1. "Council minutes, 22 May 2019" (PDF). Rother District Council. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. "Rother District Council's new leader confirmed as parties form alliance". www.bexhillobserver.net. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  3. "Local election results 2015 in full". The Guardian . 15 May 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  4. Parish and Town Councils: map
  5. Climate Summary for Rother, UK
  6. "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on July 9, 2013.
  7. ONS - Median age for local authorities, mid 2015
  8. ONS https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2018 and data tables

Coordinates: 50°50′59.24″N0°28′13.81″E / 50.8497889°N 0.4705028°E / 50.8497889; 0.4705028