George Street Update

 

All the fuss (blog), and the arson attack on the building, and not to forget wasting the fire brigade's time, risking lives, and resources that are Hastings taxpayers' money, the CCTV unit is still there, but Oasis Developments Hastings Ltd has withdrawn its application to redevelop. Suspicious, or not?!? 

Businesses (& Street) still closed but Cafe/Bar and Butchers open!

Following the significant East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service call outs last month (blog) one end of George Street remains closed, now with a CCTV van in situ (probably due to suspected re-entering of the premises by persons). Also, some shops and businesses, including HMV, remain closed at Priory Meadow (blog) and parking is still restricted in their car park; see Sussex World.

Whereas, a new South American Cafe/Bar has opened up at 44 Marina, St Leonards TN38 0BU, that is Cumbia Kitchen (website). The business having been going for over 4 years selling 'pop-up' street-style food at various festivals and venues around town, eg at the Dolphin Inn, and with a kiosk on Hastings Pier, remember the pier? 😒 

Also, a new butchers is opening at 34 Robertson Street TN34 1HT on Thursday 9th (Sussex World). Beak & Tail is the result of many years of experience working as butchers in East Sussex, London and Kent, of 2 young (compared to me) brothers, one of whom, Tom, I met this morning, Great to have a butchers back in town lads!

Anyway, very good luck to the new businesses👍

Good news and bad news here folks...

Fire Brigade active in George Street Last Night & Today!

After their intervention in Hastings town centre earlier this week (blog), East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were back in action in numbers again when 10 fire crews last night tackled a blaze at the former night club in George Street (BBC) that I mentioned in a blog last year had planning permission approved for a change to the use of numbers 39-41. This morning, George Street and the road at the seafront was blocked off from Iceland to Rock a Nore Road/The Bourne; George Street still is closed (above).

However, the applicants for the new building venture had requested that all the buildings be demolished, but number 41 (HBC) is a grade II listed building that The Georgian Group opposed its demolition (HBC) and, more importantly, despite accepting the suggestion that numbers 39-40 be demolished, Historic Buildings & Places (Ancient Monuments Society) objected to the demolition of number 41 (HBC). They're facts.

The full list of documents concerning this application are at the Hastings Borough Council website, including those linked above.

So, as ever, rumours abound, but all we know for now is that there was a fire last night, and the above links suggest that number 41 is unlikely to be demolished, but nothing is definite, despite those objections. For now, don't believe all you read. 👌

Stay safe folks!

Town Centre, Power Resupply Required!

Following on from yesterday's results of the previous night's deluge, and the most fire engines I've ever seen in one place (blog), now comes the clean up... etc...

The Fire & Rescue Service is still in attendance, notably a fire engine outside the cinema, apparently still pumping out water from Priory Meadow. Now though there are many UK Power Networks' vans (I've never seen so many of these either, not just those in the photograph, but in St Andrews Square too!) in the vicinity to replace the fire tenders, presumably to sort out electricity supplies. Indeed, they have even set up a temporary HQ in the Salvation Army building in St Andrews Square.

And yes, Priory Meadow is still closed, although a few businesses in Queens Road are open now, but not those with entrances in the shopping centre, it appears.

'Twas a Wee Bit Damp in Hastings This Morning...

You'll have unlikely missed it, but if you did, the town centre was a wee bit awash earlier today, after the copious amount of H2O hurled down from the sky overnight. Indeed, so much, that Priory Meadow and numerous other local businesses, all the way down to the seafront, were closed, for at least the day! I took a very short video, short, because you don't really need more than a few seconds to understand the situation (YouTube).

Of course it wasn't just in the town centre, but appears to have begun flowing down from Alexandra Park to the seafront, and has been reported by many media outlets (eg ITV), and even an eel was spotted swimming in the town centre (MSN)!

Thankfully there are fewer East Sussex Fire & Rescue vehicles in town now.👍

Reminder: Fire & Rescue Consultation until 19th June 2020

This is a reminder, further to my blog written at the end of April, that the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is undertaking a public consultation of its policy document Planning for a Safer Future (website). The survey will stay open until the end of next week, Friday the 19th of June 2020. The subsequent findings will be considered at a Fire Authority meeting in September 2020; the detailed 62 page document, and a link to the survey, can be found at the website.

The recent fire at the Filsham Reedbed wildlife sanctuary (blog) reminds me of how important these plans will be...

A petition has been set up which rejects cuts that "will negatively impact public safety as well as firefighter safety and will also impede firefighter's ability to rescue and assist members of the public." 

The petition also highlights specific cuts to Hastings, which include downgrading "The Ridge fire station from 24hr immediate response to only daytime immediate response" and cutting "dedicated crews for aerial appliances in Hastings." 

I have read through the 62 pages of the consultation document, and the plans also appear to have a positive side for Hastings, again, please remember that I am not an expert in this area, so you need to come to your own opinion, considering those who have devised the plans, and those who oppose those plans, for advice. What it does include is an additional fire engine at the Bohemia Road fire station. The paper argues that "Bohemia Road has a significantly higher risk profile than The Ridge" and "Bohemia Road responds to some of our most deprived areas and our analysis shows there is a strong correlation with deprivation and the number of fires that occur."

There is further analysis concerning types of incidents that each station attends, and regarding aerial appliances, and, as I said above, there is substantial detail provided, but I am not an expert; should you want to find out more, go to the Service website. Paper copies of the consultation document can be requested by writing to: 

Planning for a Safer Future 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service HQ 

Church Lane 

Lewes BN7 2DZ 

Filsham Reedbed Fire: People Need to be Vigilant!

There was a fire at Filsham Reedbed yesterday evening, which was attended by East Sussex Fire & Rescue, extinguished, and classed as "accidental" (Sussex Wildlife Trust website, from which the above image is copied too, many thanks). Sadly, 10,000 square metres of open reedbed was burnt to the ground. 

Regular readers will know my fondness of this wonderful Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserve, which I last visited towards the beginning of the Coronavirus Crisis lockdown (blog), when I, as ever, took delight in the beauty, peace and tranquility...

But there was no "peace and tranquility" yesterday evening when, not only was significant damage caused to the reedbed, undoubtedly much wildlife, birds and animals, would have suffered and died in the fire too... caused by perhaps what may seem as insignificant an incident as someone throwing away a cigarette. This is a reminder, just a small thoughtless act may cause death and destruction after the long dry period we have experienced.

As Sussex Wildlife Trust add "Vegetation everywhere is tinder dry, so it is vital that people visiting nature reserves and the wider countryside do not have barbecues, drop cigarette butts or leave any litter behind, as glass bottles and other reflective material can easily start a fire. Please be vigilant and if you see an unattended fire, phone 999 to report it immediately" (website).

Please please be careful, and vigilant, people, we don't want to hear of anymore incidents where suffering, death and destruction has been caused by thoughtless acts. Because of the pandemic, and the dry weather over the last couple of months, we need to be extra careful, let's look after each other and nature, many thanks...

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Public Consultation

The East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is currently undertaking a public consultation of its policy document Planning for a Safer Future (website). The survey will be open until the 19th of June 2020, and the subsequent findings considered at a Fire Authority meeting in September 2020. The detailed 62 page document, and a link to the survey, can be found at the website.

A petition has been set up which reject cuts that "will negatively impact public safety as well as firefighter safety and will also impede firefighter's ability to rescue and assist members of the public." 

The petition also highlights specific cuts to Hastings, which include downgrading "The Ridge fire station from 24hr immediate response to only daytime immediate response" and cutting "dedicated crews for aerial appliances in Hastings." 

Looking through the 62 pages of the consultation document, though, and the plans also appear to have a positive plan for Hastings, remember please, I am not an expert in this area, so you would need to come to your own opinion, dependent on those who have devised the plans, and those who oppose those plans, for advice. What it does include is plans for an additional fire engine at the Bohemia Road fire station. The paper argues that "Bohemia Road has a significantly higher risk profile than The Ridge" and "Bohemia Road responds to some of our most deprived areas and our analysis shows there is a strong correlation with deprivation and the number of fires that occur."

There is further analysis concerning types of incidents that each station attends, and regarding aerial appliances, but, as I said above, there is substantial detail provided, and I am not an expert, anyway, should you want to find out more, go to the Service website. Paper copies of the consultation document can be requested by writing to: 

Planning for a Safer Future 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service HQ 

Church Lane 

Lewes BN7 2DZ 

Arson just off St Andrews Square

On Thursday 9th January there was a fire just off St Andrews Square, at the basement door of a 3 floor residential property that has been empty for at least 10 years. The East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called and extinguished the fire, many thanks to the crew, which apparently was set because people were trying to gain entrance (by burning down the door!), and was very likely to be connected to drugs...

Fire in Queens Road.

Smoke alerted me to a fire in a flat in Queens Road 30-40 minutes ago, 4 or 5 fire appliances turned up very quickly, police, ambulance and paramedics too. 

I spoke to one of the fire officers present, who assured me people were safe, no worries, all was in order; and the emergency vehicles are gradually departing now. 

Thank goodness for our emergency services, I'll be thinking of them on the 8th June, when I put my cross on the ballot paper, indeed!

Conflict and the Fire Service!

Leading Conservative politicians have clashed over the future of fire service services in Sussex. the leader of West Sussex County Council, Louise Goldsmith has hit out at proposals by the recently re-elected Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Katy Bourne, to take over the responsibility for the entire region’s fire services. The Chichester West councillor marked out her opposition during a council meeting last week after receiving a letter from Ms Bourne. 

Councillor Louise Goldsmith

Ms Goldsmith has called on the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to visit the county to see the good work of firefighters in West Sussex. Whilst Ms Bourne has written to relevant bodies asking for their co-operation on the potential change.

Prime Minister David Cameron outlined plans allowing PCCs to take over fire services in a money-saving move last year, and legislation for the proposals is currently going through Parliament, whilst the Home Secretary, speaking of the “continued need for reform” in a speech last week, outlined plans to invite PCCs to prepare bids to take on responsibility for fire and rescue services.  

Ms Goldsmith has asserted that she is “firmly of the view that we have an excellent model, one that I am extremely proud of and one that I would not want to see put at risk. I believe we deliver all of those things already and that we have achieved considerably more benefits in terms of integration with our other preventative, community safety and safeguarding services.” 

PCC Katy Bourne

Meanwhile, Ms Bourne has said “In the new Police and Crime Bill there will be a duty to collaborate between emergency services and a key part is for PCCs to consider whether to take on responsibility for fire and rescue where a local case is made.

“The Home Secretary has publicly encouraged fire and rescue services, local authorities and Police and Crime Commissioners to examine these opportunities and this is why I have written to interested parties seeking their co-operation in exploring all the options available to us.”

Conflict between senior Conservative figures in Sussex appears to be hotting up! See the BBC website for further information.

Council Tax Questions?

I presume that you, like me, have received your council tax bill with its heralding a 3.56% increase, a new charge for Adult Social Care, and no telling what cuts to ensue... 

Well, if you do have questions you would like to ask, Hastings Borough Council has a link from their website where you may find suitable answers.

Fire at St Michael's Hospice this morning...

Statement from St Michael's Hospice - 

In the early hours of Saturday (11th July 2015) morning a fire broke out on the ground floor at St Michael’s Hospice, St Leonards on Sea. 

All patients were successfully evacuated to neighbouring nursing homes and the Conquest Hospital accompanied by members of nursing staff. All families of patients are in the process of being contacted. Two patients have been admitted to the Conquest Hospital with smoke inhalation. The Hospice is extremely grateful to the nursing homes and the hospital for their support. 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fire was successfully extinguished. Police and Fire Services are currently carrying out an investigation, there will be no further comment from the Hospice at this time. 

For any clinical enquiries call the Head of Clinical Services on 07827 912570 for any other urgent enquires call the Head of Marketing on 07827 912621.