Annual Town Meeting and Council Services Postponed

Hailsham Town Council has decided to postpone the Annual Town Electors’ Meeting scheduled for Wednesday 1^st April. The decision, which was not made lightly, has come as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, and the most recent “delay phase” measures and advice given by the government.

Due to the developing situation with Covid-19, Council and Committee meetings will be postponed until further notice, and new dates will be publicised via our social media and website in due course.

Some Hailsham residents may still receive copies of the ‘Our Hailsham’ Town Council newsletter in the coming days. Please be aware that this was printed before the decision to postpone was made, and still contains the 1^st April date for the Annual Town Elector’s Meeting, as well as details of Council meetings, Committee meetings and community events that have since been cancelled or postponed.

The Town Council has also decided to close the James West Community Centre to help restrict the spread of the Coronavirus and will not accept hall bookings until further notice. Furthermore, some of the Council’s youth services have been temporarily reduced, with both the Friday Night Project and Monday Youth Club sessions cancelled for the time being.

“As the concerns have increased over the last week with respect to the novel Coronavirus Covid-19, the town of Hailsham has been watching closely,” said Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook.

“It is our duty as a parish council to look after the health, safety and wellbeing of members, staff and visitors to our office building and community halls, as well as to our public events.”

“The Council has made a decision to postpone the Annual Town Electors’ Meeting and any other meeting where a decision is not needed or can be delayed.”

Town Clerk John Harrison commented: “We are monitoring developments concerning the Coronavirus very closely, in line with guidance from the Government.”

“This is a very challenging time for us all, and we are trying to balance the public’s access to required services and properties with the need to promote public safety by reducing social interaction, which can spread the Coronavirus.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their understanding of these necessary precautions as we take every step possible to ensure their wellbeing and safety – and that of our members and staff.”

The Local Government Assocation (LGA) is liaising with Public Health England, the Department for Health & Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding the evolving situation with the outbreak of the Coronavirus, and Hailsham Town Council will continue to post any updates with further changes as early as possible.