Jonathan Jennings has made East Sussex his home for 23 years. He served in the Armed Forces and now manages engineering projects delivering real energy savings for NHS hospitals and schools. Having worked inside county government, Jonathan understands how decisions are made – and where the system fails the communities it is supposed to serve. For nearly ten years he led Scout groups and ran a Scout activity centre. He knows Northern Rother’s paths and reserves – from Bewl Water to Bedgebury – having walked them for over two decades.
He is standing because East Sussex County Council has run up £211 million in debt, raised council tax to its legal maximum, and still cannot fix the roads – while the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Planning proposed 150-250 new homes in Robertsbridge without adequate infrastructure. Northern Rother deserves better. On 7th May, give Jonathan Jennings the opportunity to bring 23 years of local knowledge and practical expertise to East Sussex County Council.
Fix the Council’s Finances
- East Sussex County Council plans to borrow £70 million just to cover day-to-day costs – not to improve services – adding around £3 million a year in interest, with total debt at £211 million, despite maximum council tax rises.
- Rural communities in Northern Rother pay the same council tax as Bexhill, but receive a fraction of the road repairs, drainage, and infrastructure investment. That imbalance has been allowed to grow for fourteen years.
Cut Waste – Spend What Remains Wisely
- Millions are spent on consultants, administration, and management. Reform will review all discretionary spending within 90 days and redirect funds to rural roads, flood drainage, and the services Northern Rother residents actually need.
- Residents deserve full transparency over every pound spent, with decisions led by accountable councillors working alongside council officers.
Fix Our Roads – Including the Country Lanes
- East Sussex pays out hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation each year because temporary fixes replace proper repairs – leaving our roads and country lanes in poor condition year after year.
- We will review the highways contract and its repair specifications, push for more durable county-wide repairs, and consider all contract options to deliver better value.
Protect Our Villages from Overdevelopment
- The draft Rother Local Plan proposes over 150-250 new homes in Robertsbridge. This plan has been driven by Teresa Killean, Rother District Council’s Cabinet Member for planning and key Liberal Democrat architect of the plan.
- East Sussex County Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications. As your county councillor, Jonathan will formally object to any development lacking adequate roads, drainage, and school capacity.
Why Reform UK
Last year, your current county councillors voted to cancel this election, denying Northern Rother residents a voice. Reform UK challenged this in the High Court and restored your vote.
Liberal Democrats claim to stand up for democracy, yet when the key vote was held to cancel your county council elections, three of their councillors were absent – the vote passed by just two. Their actions do not match their words. The Liberal Democrats, whose candidate now asks for your trust, had three councillors absent when votes were held to cancel your elections. On 7th May, residents can deliver their verdict.
Reform UK’s candidates are a fresh team of capable people who have seen council failures first-hand – and are standing to bring practical experience, challenge poor decisions, and push for better outcomes for residents.
Reform UK is committed to:
- Keeping the NHS free and reducing waiting lists.
- Protecting pensions, including protecting the triple lock for pensioners.
- Supporting children with SEND.
- Protecting the environment.
- Cutting energy bills, reducing wasteful government spending, and helping households keep more of what they earn.
