Rye Town Council ::: Faq

Rye Town Council . . .

• continues a Mayoral tradition dating back to at least 1289

• has 16 elected Members

• controls assets of just over £1m

• as one of its two Antient Towns, plays a full and active role in the Confederation of the Cinque Ports

• holds over 50 Council or Committee meetings a year, all of which are open to the public

• employs/retains a Town Clerk, Personal Secretary/Assistant to the Town Clerk, Town Hall Keeper, Town Sergeant, Town Crier, Second Mace Bearer, Seamstress, and 4 Heritage Centre/TIC Sales/Counter Clerks

• is the custodian of the Rye Town Model and the world famous Rye Gibbet Cage – containing the remains of John Breads, a local butcher who, in 1742, mistakenly murdered the Deputy Mayor (his intended victim was the Mayor!)

• owns and maintains a town hall, heritage centre, skate park, playing field and cottage

• is one of a diminishing number of councils in the UK still to require its councillors and staff to wear robes and regalia at council meetings

• publishes, within Rye Fixtures, a quarterly newsletter

• nominates representatives to serve on over 20 local voluntary, public and community organisations

• holds monthly Councillor surgeries

• hosts around 30 wedding and civil partnership ceremonies every year

• comments on over 100 planning applications per annum