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Coordinates: 50°50′59.24″N 0°28′13.81″E / 50.8497889°N 0.4705028°E / 50.8497889; 0.4705028
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See {{Infobox settlement}} for the full list of available fields -->
<!-- See {{Infobox settlement}} for the full list of available fields -->
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| government_type = Non-metropolitan district council
| government_type = Non-metropolitan district council
| leader_title = Leadership
| leader_title = Leadership
| leader_title1 = [[List of MPs elected in the 2015 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| leader_title1 = [[List of MPs elected in the 2019 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = Ethnicity
| blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
| blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
| blank2_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]
| blank2_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]
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| established_date1 = 1 April 1974
| established_date1 = 1 April 1974
| governing_body = Rother District Council
| governing_body = Rother District Council
| leader_party = {{English district control|GSS=E07000064}}
| leader_name = [[Local Government Act 2000|Leader and Cabinet]]
| leader_name = [[Local Government Act 2000|Leader and Cabinet]]
| leader_name1 = [[Huw Merriman]]<br/>[[Amber Rudd]]
| leader_name1 = [[Kieran Mullan]]<br/>[[Helena Dollimore]]
| area_total_km2 = 511.8
| area_total_km2 = 511.8
| area_rank = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000064}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
| area_rank = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000064}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
Line 54: Line 53:
| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}
| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}
| population_rank = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000064}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
| population_rank = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000064}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| population_blank1 = 98.1% White
| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000064|title=Rother Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 95.6% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
| 1.8% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
| 1.5% [[British Asians|Asian]]
| 0.6% [[Black British people|Black]]
| 0.5% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
}}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 50.9% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
| 40.7% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
| 6.6% not stated
| 0.6% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
| 0.6% [[Religion in England|other]]
| 0.4% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
| 0.2% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
| 0.2% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
| 0.1% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
}}
| blank1_info = 21UG (ONS)<br />E07000064 (GSS)
| blank1_info = 21UG (ONS)<br />E07000064 (GSS)
| blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|TQ7388508555}}
| blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|TQ7388508555}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.rother.gov.uk/}}
}}
}}
'''Rother''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] in [[East Sussex]], [[England]]. The district is named after the [[River Rother (Eastern)|River Rother]] which flows within its boundaries.
'''Rother''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] in [[East Sussex]], England. Its council is based in [[Bexhill-on-Sea]]. The district is named after the [[River Rother, East Sussex|River Rother]] which flows within its boundaries.

The neighbouring districts are [[Wealden District|Wealden]], [[Borough of Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells]], [[Borough of Ashford|Ashford]], [[Folkestone and Hythe District|Folkestone and Hythe]], and [[Hastings]]. Aside from its coast, Hastings is surrounded by Rother.


==History==
==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 (district)|Lewes]] to the west, and [[Wealden District|Wealden]] in the centre. The borough of [[Hastings]] lies surrounded by Rother.
The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. It covered the area of three former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*[[Battle Rural District]] was established in 1934 from a merger of Battle Urban District Council with the rural district councils of Battle, Hastings, Rye and Ticehurst. The council was based at Watch Oak on Chain Lane, Battle.<ref name="MHPA">{{Cite web |title=Municipal History Previous Authorities |url=https://www.rother.gov.uk/byelaws-and-legal-notices/legal-issues/municipal-history-previous-authorities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240724051003/https://www.rother.gov.uk/byelaws-and-legal-notices/legal-issues/municipal-history-previous-authorities/ |archive-date=2024-07-24 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Rother District Council |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*[[Bexhill-on-Sea|Bexhill]] [[Municipal Borough]] was established by Royal Charter in 1902 and was based at [[Bexhill Town Hall]], built for Bexhill Urban District Council in 1895.<ref name="MHPA"/>
*[[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]] Municipal Borough Coucil met at [[Rye Town Hall, East Sussex|Rye Town Hall]].<ref name="MHPA"/>
The new district was named Rother after the River Rother which flows through the district.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>


==Governance==
==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
{{see also|Rother District Council elections}}
| name = Rother District Council
Rother District Council is elected every four years, with currently 38 [[councillor]]s being elected at each election. Since 1983 the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] have had a majority on the council, apart from between 1991 and the [[Rother District Council election, 1999|1999 election]] when no party had a majority. As of the [[Rother District Council election, 2015|last election in 2015]] the council was composed of the following councillors:-<ref name="full">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2015/may/15/local-election-results-2015-in-full|title=Local election results 2015 in full|date=15 May 2015|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=2 August 2015}}</ref>
| coa_pic =
| coa_res = 150
| coa_alt =
| logo_pic = Rother District Council Logo.png
| logo_res = 200
| logo_alt = Rother District Council logo
| house_type = [[Districts of England|District Council]]
| foundation =
| preceded_by =
| leader1_type = [[Chairperson|Chair]]
| leader1 = Richard Thomas
| party1 = <br/>[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]
| election1 = 20 May 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairman 2024/25 |url=https://www.rother.gov.uk/councillors-democracy-and-meetings/chairman/ |website=Rother District Council |access-date=3 July 2024}}</ref>
| leader2_type = [[Leader of the Council|Leader]]
| leader2 = Doug Oliver
| party2 = <br/>RAOIC
| election2 = 22 May 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 22 May 2019 |url=https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g168/Printed%20minutes%2022nd-May-2019%2018.30%20Council.pdf?T=1 |website=Rother District Council |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>
| leader3_type = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3 = Lorna Ford
| party3 = <!-- Non-political role -->
| election3 = May 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Rother appoints new Chief Executive |url=https://www.rother.gov.uk/news/rother-appoints-new-chief-executive/ |website=Rother District Council |access-date=11 May 2024 |date=1 August 2023}}</ref>
| seats = 38 councillors
| structure1 =
| structure1_res = 250px
| structure1_alt =
| political_groups1 =
; Rother Alliance (24)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Rother Association of Independent Councillors}}|border=darkgray}} RAOIC (8)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (8)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (7)}}
: {{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] (3)
; Other parties (12)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (10)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent (politician)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independents]] (2)
| committees1 =
| joint_committees =
| voting_system1 = [[Plurality voting system|First past the post]]
| last_election1 = [[2023 Rother District Council election|4 May 2023]]
| next_election1 = 6 May 2027
| session_room = Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill (2).jpg
| session_res =
| session_alt =
| meeting_place = [[Bexhill Town Hall|Town Hall]], London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39{{nbsp}}3JX
| website = {{URL|www.rother.gov.uk}}
| motto =
}}


Rother District Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[East Sussex County Council]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The whole district is also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since the [[2019 Rother District Council election|2019 election]], being led by a coalition called the 'Rother Alliance' comprising [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], [[Green Party of England and Wales|Greens]] and some of the [[independent politician|independent]] councillors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bexhillobserver.net/news/politics/rother-district-council-s-new-leader-confirmed-as-parties-form-alliance-1-8927155|title=Rother District Council’s new leader confirmed as parties form alliance|website=www.bexhillobserver.net|language=en|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref> The independents in the Rother Alliance formed a local political party in January 2023 called the 'Rother Association of Independent Councillors' (RAOIC).<ref name=RAOIC>{{cite web |title=Rother Association of Independent Councillors |url=https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP14096 |website=The Electoral Commission |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Rother" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name="vote2011">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/council/html/21ug.stm|title=England council elections|date=10 May 2011|work=[[BBC News Online]]|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2|Party in control || Years
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || 1974–1979
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="top" | '''Party'''
| valign="top" | '''Councillors'''<br>
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1979–1983
{{party colour|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| 14
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1983–1991
{{party colour|Independent}}
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| 13
|-
|-
{{Party colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1991–1999
| [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
| 7
|-
|-
{{party colour|Labour Party (UK)}}
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1999–2019
| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| 3
|-
{{party colour|Green Party of England and Wales}}
| [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]]
| 1
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2019–present
|}


===Wards===
===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] since 1999 have been:
Rother District Council offices are based in [[Bexhill-on-Sea]]. Bexhill has nine wards: the remaining councillors represent the other 11 wards.


{|class="wikitable sortable"
{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
!Ward!!Population (2007)!!Councillors!!Ratio
|-
|-
| Ivor Brampton<ref>{{cite news |title=Ivor elected first leader in Rother's history |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001530%2F19990604&page=4 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Bexhill Observer |date=4 June 1999 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lgcplus.com/death-of-leader-statement-from-rother-dc/1354555.article|title=Death of leader - statement from Rother DC|date=22 January 2001|work=[[Local Government Chronicle]]|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1999 || align=right|17 Jan 2001
|[[Battle, East Sussex|Battle Town]]||4919||2||2460
|-
|-
| Graham Gubby<ref>{{cite news |title=Gubby to stand down |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/gubby-to-stand-down-2434089 |access-date=24 July 2022 |work=Sussex World |date=1 February 2007}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2001 || align=right|May 2007
|Brede Valley||4698||2||2349
|-
|-
| Carl Maynard<ref>{{cite news |title=New leaders of Rother are crowned |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/new-leaders-of-rother-are-crowned-2433160 |access-date=24 July 2022 |work=Sussex World |date=25 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tories toppled in Rother Revolution |url=https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/articles/news/tories-toppled-in-rother-revolution/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Hastings Independent |date=17 May 2019}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2007 || align=right|22 May 2019
|Central (Bexhill)||5106||2||2553
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|Doug Oliver<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 22 May 2019 |url=https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=137&MId=168 |website=Rother District Council |access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref><ref name=RAOIC/> || {{party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=right|22 May 2019 || align=right|31 Jan 2023
|Collington (Bexhill)||4292||2||2146
|-
|-
| {{party name with colour|Rother Association of Independent Councillors}} || align=right|31 Jan 2023 ||
|Crowhurst||2546||1||2546
|-
|Darwell||4901||2||2451
|-
|Eastern Rother [includes Winchelsea and Camber] ||4817||2||2409
|-
|Ewhurst and Sedlescombe||2382||1||2382
|-
|Kewhurst (Bexhill)||4500||2||2250
|-
|Marsham||3736||2||1868
|-
|Old Town (Bexhill)||3780||2||1890
|-
|Rother Levels [includes Northiam and Peasmarsh] ||4627||2||2314
|-
|Rye||4108||2||2054
|-
|Sackville (Bexhill)||4577||2||2289
|-
|St Marks (Bexhill)||4590||2||2295
|-
|St Michaels (Bexhill)||4629||2||2315
|-
|St Stephens (Bexhill)||4366||2||2183
|-
|Salehurst||4430||2||2215
|-
|Sidley (Bexhill)||5333||2||2667
|-
|Ticehurst and Etchingham||4168||2||2084
|-
|-class="sortbottom"
|Total Rother||86505||38||2276
|}
|}


===Parishes===
===Composition===
Following the [[2023 Rother District Council election|2023 election]], the composition of the council was:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>
The lowest level of local government is the [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]]: there are 29 within the Rother District<ref>[http://www.rother.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=612 Parish and Town Councils: map]</ref> which are:

{|class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Parish!!Type!!Area (sq mi)!!Population (2007)!!Pop Density /sq mi
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|10
|[[Ashburnham and Penhurst]]||Parish Council ||22.4||370||43
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Rother Association of Independent Councillors|full=yes}} || align=center|8
|[[Battle, East Sussex|Battle]]||Town Council ||31.8||6171||503
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|8
|[[Beckley, East Sussex|Beckley]]||Parish Council ||22.8||1012||115
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|7
|[[Bexhill-on-Sea]]||None||32.3||41173||3300
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|3
|[[Bodiam]]||Parish Council ||6.5||391||156
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|2
|[[Brede, East Sussex|Brede]]||Parish Council ||17.6||1715||252
|-
|-
! colspan=2|Total !! align=center|38
|[[Brightling]]||Parish Council ||19.8||366||48
|-
|[[Burwash, East Sussex|Burwash]]||Parish Council ||30.1||2511||216
|-
|[[Camber, East Sussex|Camber]]||Parish Council ||14.1||1229||227
|-
|[[Catsfield]]||Parish Council ||12.2||805||171
|-
|[[Crowhurst, East Sussex|Crowhurst]]||Parish Council ||10.1||859||219
|-
|[[Dallington, East Sussex|Dallington]]||Parish Council ||7.9||310||102
|-
|[[Etchingham]]||Parish Council ||13.4||747||145
|-
|[[Ewhurst, East Sussex|Ewhurst]]||Parish Council ||23.6||1052||115
|-
|[[Fairlight, East Sussex|Fairlight]]||Parish Council ||6.1||1682||711
|-
|[[Guestling]]||Parish Council ||15.9||1273||207
|-
|[[Hurst Green, East Sussex|Hurst Green]]||Parish Council ||10.4||1451||362
|-
|[[Icklesham]]||Parish Council ||23.5||2804||309
|-
|[[Iden, East Sussex|Iden]]||Parish Council ||12.0||457||98
|-
|[[Mountfield, East Sussex|Mountfield]]||Parish Council ||15.3||573||97
|-
|[[Northiam]]||Parish Council ||14.5||2094||374
|-
|[[Peasmarsh]]||Parish Council ||15.8||1167||191
|-
|[[Pett]]||Parish Council ||6.5||781||311
|-
|[[Playden]] & [[East Guldeford]]||See note ||16.6||327||51
|-
|[[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]]||Town Council ||4.2||4108||2564
|-
|[[Rye Foreign]]||Parish Council ||3.9||354||238
|-
|[[Salehurst and Robertsbridge]]||Parish Council ||18.2||2588||369
|-
|[[Sedlescombe]]||Parish Council ||12.6||1330||273
|-
|[[Ticehurst]]||Parish Council ||32.5||3421||272
|-
|[[Udimore]]||Parish Council ||11.7||365||81
|-
|[[Westfield, East Sussex|Westfield]]||Parish Council ||19.1||2618||355
|-
|[[Whatlington]]||Parish Council ||6.0||401||172
|-class="sortbottom"
|Total Rother|| ||509.4||86505||440
|}
|}
The next election is due in 2027.

===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.

==Elections==
{{also|Rother District Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 38 [[councillor]]s representing 21 [[wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Rother (Electoral Changes) Order 2016|year=2016|number=1236|access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>


==Parishes==
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.
{{also|List of civil parishes in East Sussex}}
The lowest level of local government is the [[civil parish]]; there are 34 within Rother. The parish councils for the three parishes of Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea and Rye take the style "town council". The two parishes of Ashburnham and Penhurst share a grouped parish council. The parish of East Guldeford has a [[parish meeting]] rather than a parish council due to its small population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Parish council contact details |url=https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?bcr=1 |website=Rother District Council |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Ashburnham, East Sussex|Ashburnham]]
*[[Battle, East Sussex|Battle]] (town)
*[[Beckley, East Sussex|Beckley]]
*[[Bexhill-on-Sea]] (town)
*[[Bodiam]]
*[[Brede, East Sussex|Brede]]
*[[Brightling]]
*[[Burwash, East Sussex|Burwash]]
*[[Camber, East Sussex|Camber]]
*[[Catsfield]]
*[[Crowhurst, East Sussex|Crowhurst]]
*[[Dallington, East Sussex|Dallington]]
*[[East Guldeford]]
*[[Etchingham]]
*[[Ewhurst, East Sussex|Ewhurst]]
*[[Fairlight, East Sussex|Fairlight]]
*[[Guestling]]
*[[Hurst Green, East Sussex|Hurst Green]]
*[[Icklesham]] (includes [[Winchelsea]] and [[Rye Harbour]])
*[[Iden, East Sussex|Iden]]
*[[Mountfield, East Sussex|Mountfield]]
*[[Northiam]]
*[[Peasmarsh]]
*[[Penhurst]]
*[[Pett]]
*[[Playden]]
*[[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]] (town)
*[[Rye Foreign]]
*[[Salehurst and Robertsbridge]]
*[[Sedlescombe]]
*[[Ticehurst]]
*[[Udimore]]
*[[Westfield, East Sussex|Westfield]]
*[[Whatlington]]
{{div col end}}


==Geography==
==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, [[River Tillingham|Tillingham]] and [[River Brede|Brede]].
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, East Sussex|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, [[River Tillingham|Tillingham]] and [[River Brede|Brede]].


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


===Climate===
===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 "[[Köppen climate classification#GROUP C: Mild Temperate/mesothermal climates|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate/[[Oceanic climate]]).<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591234&cityname=Rother%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units= Climate Summary for Rother, UK]</ref>
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 "[[Köppen climate classification#Group C: Temperate/mesothermal climates|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate/[[Oceanic climate]]).<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591234&cityname=Rother%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units= Climate Summary for Rother, UK]</ref>
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Rother, UK
|location = Rother, UK
Line 281: Line 317:
|Dec precipitation days = 21
|Dec precipitation days = 21
|year precipitation days = 232
|year precipitation days = 232
|source 1 = Weatherbase <ref name=Weatherbase>
|source 1 = Weatherbase<ref name=Weatherbase>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591234&cityname=Rother-England
|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591234&cityname=Rother-England
Line 294: Line 330:


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
Rother has one of the oldest populations (with a median age of 52 years)<ref>ONS - Median age for local authorities, mid 2015</ref> and the lowest per capita income<ref>ONS https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2018 and data tables</ref> in the UK.
Rother has one of the oldest populations (with a median age of 52 years)<ref>ONS - Median age for local authorities, mid 2015</ref> and the lowest per capita income<ref>ONS https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2018 and data tables</ref> in the UK. A study using 2011 census data found that 47% of the resident population lived in urban areas, 23% in rural towns and their fringes, and 29% in rural villages or dispersed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rother district area profile |url=https://www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk/area-profiles/rother-district-area-profile/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>


==Transport==
==Transport==
There are several main roads crossing the district. The major trunk road is the [[A21 road (England)|A21]], London to Hastings road; it is joined by the [[A28 road|A28]] road from Ashford road near Hastings; which in turn is crossed by the [[A268 road|A268]] [[Hawkhurst]] to Rye road. There is also the [[A259 road|A259]] coastal route
There are several main roads crossing the district. The major trunk road is the [[A21 road (England)|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 road|A268]] [[Hawkhurst]] to Rye road. There is also the [[A259 road|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.
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.
Line 317: Line 353:
[[Category:Rother District| ]]
[[Category:Rother District| ]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of East Sussex]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of East Sussex]]
[[Category:Local government districts of South East England]]

Latest revision as of 17:43, 31 December 2024

Rother District
Non-metropolitan district
Rother shown within East Sussex
Rother shown within East Sussex
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionSouth East England
Non-metropolitan countyEast Sussex
StatusNon-metropolitan district
Admin HQBexhill-on-Sea
Incorporated1 April 1974
Government
 • TypeNon-metropolitan district council
 • BodyRother District Council
 • LeadershipLeader and Cabinet
 • MPsKieran Mullan
Helena Dollimore
Area
 • Total
197.6 sq mi (511.8 km2)
 • Rank77th (of 296)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
94,162
 • Rank256th (of 296)
 • Density480/sq mi (180/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
 • Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
 • Religion
List
Time zoneUTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
ONS code21UG (ONS)
E07000064 (GSS)
OS grid referenceTQ7388508555

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.

The neighbouring districts are Wealden, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, and Hastings. Aside from its coast, Hastings is surrounded by Rother.

History

[edit]

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It covered the area of three former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:[2]

  • Battle Rural District was established in 1934 from a merger of Battle Urban District Council with the rural district councils of Battle, Hastings, Rye and Ticehurst. The council was based at Watch Oak on Chain Lane, Battle.[3]
  • Bexhill Municipal Borough was established by Royal Charter in 1902 and was based at Bexhill Town Hall, built for Bexhill Urban District Council in 1895.[3]
  • Rye Municipal Borough Coucil met at Rye Town Hall.[3]

The new district was named Rother after the River Rother which flows through the district.[4]

Governance

[edit]
Rother District Council
Rother District Council logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Richard Thomas,
Liberal Democrat
since 20 May 2024[5]
Doug Oliver,
RAOIC
since 22 May 2019[6]
Lorna Ford
since May 2023[7]
Structure
Seats38 councillors
Political groups
Rother Alliance (24)
  RAOIC (8)
  Labour (8)
  Liberal Democrat (7)
  Green (3)
Other parties (12)
  Conservative (10)
  Independents (2)
Elections
First past the post
Last election
4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JX
Website
www.rother.gov.uk

Rother District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by East Sussex County Council.[8] The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.[9]

Political control

[edit]

The council has been under no overall control since the 2019 election, being led by a coalition called the 'Rother Alliance' comprising Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens and some of the independent councillors.[10] The independents in the Rother Alliance formed a local political party in January 2023 called the 'Rother Association of Independent Councillors' (RAOIC).[11]

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[12][13]

Party in control Years
Independent 1974–1979
No overall control 1979–1983
Conservative 1983–1991
No overall control 1991–1999
Conservative 1999–2019
No overall control 2019–present

Leadership

[edit]

The leaders of the council since 1999 have been:

Councillor Party From To
Ivor Brampton[14][15] Conservative 1999 17 Jan 2001
Graham Gubby[16] Conservative 2001 May 2007
Carl Maynard[17][18] Conservative 23 May 2007 22 May 2019
Doug Oliver[19][11] Independent 22 May 2019 31 Jan 2023
RAOIC 31 Jan 2023

Composition

[edit]

Following the 2023 election, the composition of the council was:[20]

Party Councillors
Conservative 10
Rother Association of Independent Councillors 8
Labour 8
Liberal Democrats 7
Green 3
Independent 2
Total 38

The next election is due in 2027.

Premises

[edit]

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.

Elections

[edit]
See also: Rother District Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 38 councillors representing 21 wards, with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years.[21]

Parishes

[edit]
See also: List of civil parishes in East Sussex

The lowest level of local government is the civil parish; there are 34 within Rother. The parish councils for the three parishes of Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea and Rye take the style "town council". The two parishes of Ashburnham and Penhurst share a grouped parish council. The parish of East Guldeford has a parish meeting rather than a parish council due to its small population.[22][23]

Geography

[edit]

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

[edit]

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).[24]

Climate data for Rother, UK
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °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)
Mean daily minimum °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 days 21 19 22 20 16 19 16 16 19 22 21 21 232
Source: Weatherbase[25]

Demographics

[edit]

Rother has one of the oldest populations (with a median age of 52 years)[26] and the lowest per capita income[27] in the UK. A study using 2011 census data found that 47% of the resident population lived in urban areas, 23% in rural towns and their fringes, and 29% in rural villages or dispersed.[28]

Transport

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Rother Local Authority (E07000064)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
  3. ^ a b c "Municipal History Previous Authorities". Rother District Council. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  4. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  5. ^ "Chairman 2024/25". Rother District Council. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Council minutes, 22 May 2019" (PDF). Rother District Council. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Rother appoints new Chief Executive". Rother District Council. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  9. ^ "Election maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Rother District Council's new leader confirmed as parties form alliance". www.bexhillobserver.net. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Rother Association of Independent Councillors". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 26 November 2024. (Put "Rother" in search box to see specific results.)
  13. ^ "England council elections". BBC News Online. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Ivor elected first leader in Rother's history". Bexhill Observer. 4 June 1999. p. 4. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Death of leader - statement from Rother DC". Local Government Chronicle. 22 January 2001. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Gubby to stand down". Sussex World. 1 February 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  17. ^ "New leaders of Rother are crowned". Sussex World. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Tories toppled in Rother Revolution". Hastings Independent. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Council minutes, 22 May 2019". Rother District Council. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  21. ^ "The Rother (Electoral Changes) Order 2016", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2016/1236, retrieved 25 June 2023
  22. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Parish council contact details". Rother District Council. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  24. ^ Climate Summary for Rother, UK
  25. ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on July 9, 2013.
  26. ^ ONS - Median age for local authorities, mid 2015
  27. ^ ONS https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2018 and data tables
  28. ^ "Rother district area profile". www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2024.

50°50′59.24″N 0°28′13.81″E / 50.8497889°N 0.4705028°E / 50.8497889; 0.4705028

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