Is Common Sense Enough?

A few weeks ago, I found myself engaging in a slightly uncomfortable conversation with a highly individualised and free-spirited younger friend of mine, for whom I have enormous respect. He expressed the view that it was not the role of government to dictate to people how they should keep themselves safe. This, he said, was a matter of individual choice. Now in his forties, he did not remember the similar arguments which ensued in the 60s and 70s before the wearing of seatbelts and crash helmets was made compulsory, two safety measures which we now largely accept. He did however inspire me to ask questions of myself. As someone now aged in my mid-sixties, and married to someone slightly older with Type 1 Diabetes, did I have the right to expect younger people who are generally less vulnerable than I am to curtail their freedoms and put their careers in jeopardy to lessen my risk of catching COVID 19?

On reflection, I don’t think I do have that right as an individual, but as part of a community, I believe we have a responsibility to try to protect both the young and the vulnerable of all ages. It is the mark of a civilised society. The moral dilemma arises out of conflicting priorities. As we have seen, if too much protection against COVID 19 is imposed, it does impact negatively on the economy and on our general well-being including our mental health. On the other hand, if we were to simply let this virus run riot, our hospitals would be over-run, and the health of the nation would suffer well beyond the COVID crisis.

For the first time in many of our lives, we are faced with a massive real-life predicament, and the consequences of our choices could be life threatening. I don’t necessarily agree with all the actions taken so far by our government, but I doubt I could have done any better. We are fighting an unknown enemy.

Many people have expressed the view that we should rely on the ‘common sense’ of the population. In an ideal world this would make immense sense, but we can all cite examples of late-night partying, intergenerational hugging or simply lack of distance which bring the offenders’ common sense into question. I for one was very relieved when much of the guidance finally became statutory. Instead of appearing over-cautious, I could now truthfully state that I was not prepared to break the law. I’m inclined to think that all the guidance should be statutory. We are in the midst of a major health crisis, and I am more than happy to be told, in no uncertain terms, what I can and can’t do.

I am enormously grateful to those younger people whose jobs have sadly been put at risk, in order to protect the health service and the more vulnerable. I have never expected or demanded that they make sacrifices for me. I am however proud to live in a society which tries to look after each and every member of our community.                

Christmas Lights in Bexhill 2014-2020

 

Throughout human history, ‘Light’ has played an important role in ceremonies and special events, especially during the winter months when we need an escape from the darker evenings. Light is a symbol of joy and of life-giving power. Displays of lights lift our spirits in difficult times.

And so it was that in 2014 the actions of two local young women triggered a ‘Christmas Lights’ campaign in Bexhill, when the pitiful state of our tree lights had reached an all-time low. The then District Council had funded Christmas tree lights in Devonshire Square which resembled a rather jaded giant tea cosy, and the residents revolted.

Through publicity in social media and the local press, these two young women persuaded the council to allow them to redecorate the tree, and the contractors were called back to rearrange the lights. With such a short time scale the improvements were necessarily limited, but it was the start of something much bigger. In 2015 three Bexhill residents subsequently formed a not for profit company called ‘Shining Lights’. They organised fundraising events and sought sponsorship and donations. With the help of a council grant, they created a beautiful display of Christmas lights, together with a  market and entertainment in Bexhill town centre for the next three years.

 

  

However, the thorny problem of funding remained. Good public displays of Christmas lights, properly and safely installed, are enormously expensive, and the struggle to raise money continued. In 2019 a new Community Interest Company ‘Light Up Bexhill’ was formed by a different group of residents. They took over the task from Shining Lights and organised a lovely display of lights in Bexhill town centre, as well as an illuminated procession and small Christmas market.

Nevertheless, the problem of funding continues. Friends of Bexhill Events (of whom I am the Chair) has helped each year to raise funds for both Shining Lights and Light Up Bexhill and, whilst appreciating the generosity of some donors, I have witnessed first-hand, continuing difficulties to raise sufficient funds for a decent display of Christmas lights in Bexhill. This is something that the new Town Council for Bexhill might choose to investigate once established in 2021.     

In the meantime, the residents of Bexhill have an extra problem this year if they want to see a good display of lights in Central Bexhill in 2020. The Covd-19 pandemic has prevented the organisation of many fundraising events, and with a number of businesses in Bexhill struggling to survive, opportunities for sponsorship are very limited.     

Despite tough times, I suspect that most residents would agree that having a good display of lights in Bexhill town centre this Christmas will lift our spirits at the end of an unexpectedly difficult year when both our morale and our mental health have been massively challenged.

Friends of Bexhill Events are doing our best to help raise some money for the lights in 2020. We have a virtual quiz planned, as well as a raffle, street collections, collecting boxes in shops, and a just giving page. We know times are hard, but if every adult in Bexhill donated a few pounds each, we would have enough money to support the creation of a display of lights which would bring joy to children and adults alike and hopefully encourage local shopping. Bexhill has a strong community tradition. Let’s hope we can make this a Christmas to remember.

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This blog is the personal view of Claire Baldry and is not written on behalf of any other group or individual.

Why I support a Town Council for Bexhill (Be careful what you wish for)

You may be wondering why, a Town Council supporter such as myself, has chosen to use the phrase ‘Be careful what you wish for' as part of the title for my latest blog. This phrase has been quoted more than once by the anti-town council, Conservative  ex leader of the RDC and more recently in the anonymously authored centre page spread of ‘The Bexhill Voice’ booklet.     
The reason for my choice of phrase is simple…it is good advice. When it comes to changing the way our lovely town is governed, we need to reflect very carefully on whether Bexhill would really benefit. 
 

Let’s have a quick look at the history…..

In 1902 King Edward VII awarded Bexhill a royal charter to become Bexhill Borough Council, but, for some reason, the council was lost in 1974. Bexhill, Battle and Rye were merged along with the 29 parish councils to become the mostly rural Rother District Council. Rye kept its own town council, Battle kept its own council, but Bexhill was simply subsumed into Rother and lost its individual voice. The result was that the majority of councillors elected to Rother (whatever their politics) did not represent Bexhill wards.

In 2017, following a massive campaign by a group called Democracy 4 Bexhill, a petition forced the then Rother Council to hold a consultation about creating a town council for Bexhill. Bearing in mind that most local consultations attract at most a few hundred replies, the response was massive. Over 9000 residents participated, and 93% of respondents expressed their desire for a Town Council for Bexhill. In a stunning act of ignoring residents’ views, the then ruling Conservative group on Rother Council ignored the people and rejected the result. Unsurprisingly, the residents of Bexhill felt disenfranchised. This decision lost the Conservatives their council majority in the next local election.  

So we now have a different council with sufficient Councillors who listen to the residents and can initiate a change of governance for Bexhill. We are being given a second chance... a second consultation, a final opportunity to give us democratic parity with Battle and Rye. Bexhill could soon have a greater say in its own future.
But beware, the anti-town council group are still active and protesting loudly. They will try to scaremonger residents into rejecting change. Do not allow yourselves to be frightened into saying 'no'. Be careful what you wish for. If we don’t achieve a town council this time, another consultation is unlikely to happen again soon. In four years’ time we could find ourselves back in the bad old days when the council ruled, but didn’t listen. If we select 'no' to a Town Council for Bexhill, then we will continue to find ourselves in the hands of some Councillors who do not fully understand our town’s needs, because they were elected to represent one or more of the many out lying villages in Rother….delightful, but not Bexhill.  

I find it difficult to understand the reasoning of those in the current local Tory group, who seem to be so against a town council for Bexhill, especially as the national Tory party is in favour of localism. I can’t help but wonder why someone elected to Brede or, say Sedlescombe, would want involvement in every last decision about the development of Bexhill. It seems to be connected to power and budgets, but it still feels slightly mysterious.

So let’s look at one of the worries which continue to be inflated by the no campaign, which is of course the cost.

We don’t know yet for what a Town Council would ultimately be responsible, but we do know that if they get ‘above’ themselves and put up our tax to an unaffordable rate or do not visibly and significantly enhance our town and deliver much needed extra services, we will vote them out. They will soon be replaced. And our initial votes are likely to be cast in favour of candidates who state that keeping costs down are a priority. These councillors will be local people who we will meet in town regularly. There will be no hiding away. We really can hold them to account.
The illustrative initial costs in the RDC leaflet are given as aprox £22-00 per year for a band D property. According to my research, this will reduce to £17-11 for band B and £14-67 for a band A, If you are entitled to further reductions then this will drop further, so a band A council tax payer could be paying as little extra as £2.93 per annum. Some Councillors are saying with careful budgeting, it could be even lower. And with the prospect of potential initiatives such as more trees and planted areas in our streets, better seating, toilets and communal family areas, community fridges, greater access to grants and investment and increased tourism bringing more employment and prosperity to the whole of Bexhill, the advantages are obvious. By demonstrating a listening approach, Bexhill-centred enthusiasm and a good dollop of creativity and vision, a Town Council could transform all areas of our town.

The latest consultation is a ‘last chance’ lifeline for Bexhill. Please don’t ignore this vital and historic opportunity. Be careful what you wish for. I urge you to say yes to a Town Council for Bexhill.  

This blog post is the personal view of Bexhill resident, Claire Baldry. It is not linked to any political party or campaign group.