Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 1d

...fun events for the whole family to enjoy, including the Unofficial Town Crier Competition, a series of walks and talks, a classic car show, guy making competition and Hastings Bonfire.

Find out more on the Hastings Week website - www.hastingsweek.co.uk/programme-2025

Programme 2025 | HastingsWeek

www.hastingsweek.co.uk

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 1d

The Hastings Week Opening Ceremony takes place at 10.30am this Saturday, 11 October, on Winkle Island in Hastings Old Town.

Throughout the week there will be lots of...

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 2d

East Sussex College (next to Hastings train station) at any time between 11am and 4pm. Under-16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hastings-s...

Hastings Science Fair

*FREE entry* If Planetarium shows are sold out, you can still drop in anytime between 11am-4pm for all the other free activities!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 2d

and we are excited to announce the day of activities, hands-on science and demonstrations for all the family. You will be able to see how science contributes to everyday life with scientists and community groups from Hastings and Sussex.

The event is free, and you can drop-in to the atrium of

Hastings Science Fair

*FREE entry* If Planetarium shows are sold out, you can still drop in anytime between 11am-4pm for all the other free activities!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 2d

Next Saturday you can enjoy activities, hands-on science and demonstrations for all the family at the Hastings Science Fair.

Hastings Borough Council is working with Science Projects (the charity behind The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux), East Sussex College and the University of Sussex,

Hastings Science Fair

*FREE entry* If Planetarium shows are sold out, you can still drop in anytime between 11am-4pm for all the other free activities!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 3d

We have now closed applications to the Household Support Fund as we have received enough to spend the remaining funding.

The team will be working through the applications we received but were unable to pay in the summer and the new applications over the coming days.

pale blue sky with white clouds in the background. a red house stands on two piles of pound coins

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 4d

when we have enough applications to spend the funding we have.

Find out more and apply online at www.hastings.gov.uk/benefits/hsf...

Household Support Fund | Hastings Borough Council

The council has now been paid the rest of the funding from East Sussex County Council and has re-opened applications to the fund.

www.hastings.gov.uk

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 4d

We have now received more funding for the Household Support Fund Round 7. We will be processing applications that were made in the summer but not paid out, and are now accepting new applications.

Please note that funding is limited and we will have to close applications

Pale blue sky background with white cloud. A red house shape is standing on two piles of pound coins

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 11d

More information is available on the Hastings Half Marathon website – www.hastings-half.co.uk

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 11d

Hastings Half Marathon is happening on Sunday, 5 October with road closures around the course.

The race starts at 10.30am from Sea Road and there will be rolling road closures along the route to keep the runners safe. Roads will be closed until 1pm.

1 1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

The final business cases that have been submitted to government along with the covering letter to the minister will be available to read online shortly. 7/7

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

The four group leaders at Hastings Borough Council (Green, Labour, Conservative and Hastings Independents Group) have also all signed a letter to the Secretary of State officially requesting that the borough elections scheduled for May 2026 are postponed. 6/7

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader and lead councillor for shaping place, said: “It is really important to note that none of these models solves the problem of local government finance being under funded and without financial reform they will all run into problems.” 5/7

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

residents giving their views on these options over the summer.

“Because we had such different opinions on the best way forward, we have sent all three options to the government and wait to hear their feedback and further consultation which we are expecting over the winter.” 4/7

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

with the cross-party work we have been able to do on this in Hastings, I'd like to thank councillors and officers who have been part of the working group for all the time and effort that has gone into preparing all three of these business cases. We’ve also heard from hundreds of 3/7

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

proposals for a coastal unitary model and the district and borough federated model were all sent to the government as part of their plans to reorganise local councils across Sussex and Brighton into one tier.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: “I’m really pleased 2/7

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 14d

Following Full Council and Special Cabinet meetings on Wednesday 24 September, Hastings Borough Council has formally sent three options for local government reorganisation (LGR) to the government.

The council’s Cabinet endorsed the one East Sussex unitary model, but business cases and 1/7

Black and white image of a circle broken into six pieces that are not quite interlocking

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 16d

During next week, the old islands will be de-watered, broken down and disposed of, and three new islands will be installed and planted up. Where possible, material will be recycled and some of the plants will be reused, if they are suitable. Find out more at www.hastings.gov.uk/news/latest/...

Alexandra Park boating lake floating islands to be renewed

Have you got a question about press and media?

www.hastings.gov.uk

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 16d

Work is due to begin on renewing the floating islands in the boating lake at Alexandra Park. To allow this work to take place, the area of the lower south end of the pond will be fenced off (the end closest to the town centre) tomorrow, Friday 26 September.

View of the floating islands on the boating lake in Alexandra Park, looking towards the playground away from the town centre

1 1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

I truly believe that this type of project is a great example of what can be achieved when we come together as a community and work together to support local issues.”

To find out more about the Citadel project in Hastings or how to get involved, visit housingjustice.org.uk/citadel

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

“I'm delighted that the project will be continuing and have been blown away by the support from the Council and partners, the local community and our amazing volunteers.

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

Initiatives like this show the real impact of grassroots, people-first support, and we’re delighted to see the project continue into 2026.”

Nichola d’Urso, Citadel Co-ordinator, added:

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

We are proud to support the Citadel project and other local organisations that continue to help us tackle homelessness here in Hastings. We want to thank the Citadel team, whose focus is on relationships and community, not just the crisis response.

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, lead for Housing at Hastings Borough Council, said:

“Hastings Borough Council is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe and secure home, and we recognise the value of community-led approaches in tackling homelessness.

1

Hastings Borough Council @hastingsbc.bsky.social · 17d

As one person told them recently: "It’s the kind of stuff I really need in my life right now - and it’s nice to feel part of a group. Something I haven’t felt in a long time."

1