About Rother District Council
We believe the Council is a great place to work, with colleagues regularly commenting on our friendly and supportive culture. One of the most important things about working here is that you will be part of a team that supports residents and businesses every single day, making Rother a better place to live, work and visit.
We are a smaller council, but still have many distinct roles in all shapes and sizes – with colleagues working in Housing, Environmental Health, Revenues and Benefits, Customer Services, Planning, or Digital Services amongst many others.
Whilst our jobs are different, we all work to the same core values, they form our ROOT:
- Respect – Being professional public servants, empowering and valuing others
- Open – Demonstrating trust, listening to people and providing feedback
- Outcomes – Taking responsibility, prioritising effectively and innovating to improve experience
- Together – Focussing on relationships and collaborating with people, ensuring good two-way communication
You can find out about the new senior management structure we are implementing in September 2024 in our Organisational Design presentation.
We want the experience of colleagues to be outstanding, which is why we adopted our new People Strategy in summer 2024 which commits to improving the way that we Recruit, Invest, Support and drive Excellence for colleagues.
We are proud of our work on tackling climate change and supporting diversity
At Rother we are taking big steps to tackle climate change – one of our priorities is to make the district ‘green to the core’ and commit to net zero impact for the council by 2030. We have gained Bronze Level Carbon Literacy status, training colleagues to help us reach our ambitious carbon reduction targets.
We are inclusive and support diversity in our workforce and in our role in helping to bring communities together. Every year we fly the flag and support IDAHOBIT Day (International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia).
We use innovative technologies and promote training and development
We embrace modern technology and seek to harness its capabilities to improve how we deliver services with our Digital and Customer Strategy powering this approach and utilise AI like our Aimee chatbot to support customers. We provide a wide range of training opportunities to allow our staff to progress and grow, supporting a variety of apprenticeships.
We have secured substantial investment into the district
There are nine significant schemes with a combined total budget of £119m. Approximately £20m has been spent in previous years, these schemes are:
- Barnhorn Green GP surgery and industrial development (£12m)
- Blackfriars Spine Road (£21m)
- RDC Housing Company (£20m)
- King Offa Housing and Leisure Centre (£10m) – further funding bids pending
- Long-term Plan for Towns (£15m)
- Housing Temporary Accommodation Phase 2 (£12m)
- De La Warr Pavilion (£23m)
- Sidley Community Hub (£3m)
- Camber Sands Welcome Centre (£3m)
The future – A vision for Rother
Our draft Council plan for 2024-2028 sets out our vision for 2040 –
Rother District will be an attractive and affordable place to live, work and visit. The district will have a Thriving Local Economy with diverse, flexible, well-paid local employment and skills opportunities. People will be enabled to Live Well Locally within safe and fairer communities, where they can access the facilities, services, and housing they need. Rother will be recognised for being Green to the Core, leading the response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies, protecting the historic and natural environment.
Thriving Local Economy: We will continue to make the most of the significant investment in our district, creating the right conditions to grow our economy, boost skills, and deliver well paid jobs. The district will be recognised as a world class visitor destination.
Live Well Locally: We will be recognised as an inclusive and fair district, planning the delivery of affordable homes and working with partners to support the wellbeing of our residents. We will enhance the quality of our residents’ lives by enabling the provision of good quality leisure facilities and access to open spaces.
Green to the Core: By taking bold action to tackle Climate change and protect the environment in all that we do, we will make the district climate-resilient and reduce council emissions to net zero by 2030.
These aspirations will be underpinned by a Council that is Fit for the Future – ensuring we deliver in line with our Target Operating Model Principles –
- Empowering (timely decisions at the right level – by officers and customers)
- Efficient and Value for Money (resources delivering Return on Investment)
- Customer outcome focussed, ensuring effective early intervention (evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation)
- Community leaders (driving delivery, with partners and stakeholders)
