Beachy Head centre could close due to council cuts

Eastbourne Borough Council is due to make almost £6 million in “unavoidable” savings due to an “unprecedented strain on council finances”.

On September 18, it will consider a range of options to make budget savings.

These include the immediate closure of Beachy Head’s heritage centre, The Beachy Head Story, where visitors can learn about the history of the South Downs.

The centre has been described as “a wonderful space” with “a real touch of magic”, with a range of “beautifully displayed exhibits”.

Also on the list of considerations is a “significant” reduction in funding for the Towner, an art gallery in Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.

The Towner, an art gallery in Eastbourne, could lose funding (Image: Google)

Other options include “the transfer of operation of conferencing and catering at Devonshire Quarter, changes to the operation of the theatres, sales of assets and further efficiencies in events and seafront services”.

A second round of savings will then be reviewed on November 13, including changes to the swimming provision at the Sovereign Centre, alternative arrangements for public convenience, changes to rent support and council grants to voluntary and community organisations, as well as increases in car parking charges.

Impact assessments are being carried out on the removal of grants and rent support.

The council has said the financial strain is down to the costs of homelessness and temporary accommodation placements and is calling on the government to do more to help local authorities.

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It included over £3 million in savings in the 2024/25 budget, however a further £2.7 million are having to be made.

Councillor Stephen Holt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “I am saddened and frustrated that we are forced to make such painful savings. The savings proposed have been, or are being repeated in other authorities across the UK, all reflecting the lack of support given to councils by the previous government.

“When I made it clear that unavoidable savings were needed, the new government issued a statement acknowledging the financial challenges that homelessness is causing many local authorities, including Eastbourne, and said it would take action to tackle these issues.

“I was encouraged by the government’s response and hope that we will see the action it is talking about soon, otherwise these unsustainable costs put every public service we deliver at great risk.

“Almost every week there is news of yet another council having to make cuts to services due to factors beyond its control.

“So many district and borough authorities, of all political colours, are in the same boat because the system of funding local government is broken and very sadly, it’s vulnerable people in communities who are suffering most.

“My promise to them is that I will continue to lobby government to tackle the homelessness crisis and provide a fairer deal for councils, so that we can continue to provide the services that all our residents rightly expect and deserve.”