COUNTY COUNCIL – 02 December 2025
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
1) Sarah Green – Nutley, East Sussex.
I am a spokesperson for stand up to racism Crowborough. We represent a large and growing community of local residents who are very concerned about the protests in Crowborough and the rise in racism and hostility.
On behalf of our community, I would like to ask ESCC:
1. What plans do they have in place to address the public disorder caused by the large gatherings at the protests, and to prevent racist hate speeches and the protests being hijacked by far-right groups like UKIP and Advance UK?
We are concerned that public information confirms the protests, and our council meetings have been attended by extremists from outside the local area in large numbers. Inflaming local tensions and hostility.
We are concerned to see our local authority figures attending and engaging in encouraging hostilities and hate crimes.
We would like our council to reassure the community that asylum seekers do not pose a safety risk to people living here. Crime statistics show that asylum seekers are not the majority perpetrators.
Response by the Leader
I fully appreciate that the Home Office’s considerations, in respect of the use of Crowborough Training Camp (CTC) to accommodate asylum seekers, have generated a significant strength of feeling from a range of individuals and groups who hold different perspectives and views on the matter. The views and concerns are amplified by the absence of meaningful and comprehensive information and facts from the Home Office, as well as the presence of much misinformation, disinformation and rumour.
It is important to again place on record the fact that I, and this council, categorically condemns any form of discrimination, violence, harassment and intimidation.
Any issues and experiences of public order and hate crimes (including unlawful speeches and protests) should be directed to Sussex Police as they are the agency with responsibility for law enforcement.
More generally, we have produced a Community Sentiment Monitoring Framework, supported by the council’s Safer Communities Team, Sussex Police, the District & Borough councils and the Fire & Rescue Service. This enables community safety partners to proactively address grievances, promote inclusivity, and disrupt extremist networks and narratives.
Our Safer Communities Team, through its quarterly newsletter and more focused initiatives such as the Recent Hate Crime Awareness Week, encourages residents to report any examples of hate speech, stickering, leafleting, graffiti or any other intelligence around community tensions to Sussex Police. Any identified mal/mis/dis-information is reported to the Home Office via a template for local authorities.
To date, the County Council has not directly experienced CTC related protests or extremist attendance at public Council meetings but will respond appropriately if it occurs.
I am not aware of any ‘local authority figures attending and engaging in encouraging hostilities and hate crimes’ but we, like every other Council, has a Constitution that includes Part 5 - Section 1 - Members Code of Conduct (including their duties under the Equalities Act 2010 and ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life’), which clearly sets out the expectations of all County Councillors.
If you have concerns about the conduct of a specific County Councillor, acting in an official capacity, you can make a complaint using the following link How to complain about a councillor | East Sussex County Council
2) Denise Harwood – Eastbourne, East Sussex
Are you aware of the impact that the proposed BSIP scheme would have and the congestion it would cause in Station Parade, the Avenue and Upperton Road, along with the impact this would have on the local economy and the retail sector?
Response by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment
The introduction of the A259 Upperton Road/Station Parade bus priority scheme will build on the existing bus priority measures in Eastbourne town centre on Terminus Road from the station to Bankers Corner, as well as in Gildredge Road, and supports a clear policy direction that is consistent with our Local Transport Plan.
Traffic surveys were undertaken in August and September 2024, to understand congestion levels and driver behaviour in the area. A simulation model was then developed by digitally replicating the traffic patterns of all road users, which measured the impact of the proposed changes.
The modelling centred on the areas around Upperton Road and Station Roundabout, using data from traffic surveys. Findings showed that the proposed bus priority measures are expected to reduce journey times for both buses and general traffic during peak hours.
The scheme has also been carefully considered to minimise disruption to businesses and keep the area accessible for deliveries. For example, while it is proposed that loading restrictions may be introduced on the north side of Station Parade to keep the bus lane running smoothly, the existing loading bays on St Leonard’s Road and Southfields Road offer a suitable alternative for businesses receiving deliveries.
The proposals are based on thorough technical studies and road safety audits. The aim is to strike a fair balance between the needs of all road users, including businesses, shoppers, and public transport users, while supporting the wider objectives of the East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan, Local Transport Plan 4 and Eastbourne Borough Councill’s Local Plan and Town Centre Action Plan. We are committed to working closely with the local community and businesses to ensure the scheme delivers benefits for everyone and that any concerns are reviewed as the project progresses.