Cllr. Robert Smart

Borough Councillor for Meads
Eastbourne Opposition Leader

As a relatively new resident of Meads I greatly appreciate its attractions and amenities. I am committed to preserving the best of Meads and Eastbourne, and ensuring sensitive development and value-for-money expenditure by the Council on behalf of residents.

I have enjoyed an extensive career as an international businessman and professional accountant. This has included significant involvement in the tourism industry and its financing, and for instance the role of executive chairman of a UK-wide hotel group. 

I have supported the Conservative party over the past 30 years, both locally in East Surrey and more widely.

Recently I contributed in East Sussex as a non-executive director and audit chairman of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Since my resignation I have acted as an informal adviser to the Save the DGH Group.

I am married with four adult children and nine grandchildren, one of whom attends school in Meads.
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Meads Conservatives

Meads ward stretches from Birling Gap, in the west, along the seafront to almost the pier at its eastern edge and includes the famous Beachy Head cliffs as well as the old fishing hamlet of Holywell. We now talk of Upper Meads and Lower Meads to distinguish between the higher part of the ward,

News

National Heritage Body Objects to Eastbourne Bandstand Demolition Plan

Eastbourne Borough Council is facing a major challenge over its plans to demolish key parts of the town’s iconic seafront Bandstand, after the Twentieth Century Society, a statutory consultee on heritage matters, lodged a formal objection.The Council has described its plans as “improvement and safet

Conservatives Expose Damning Report on Eastbourne Council's Finances

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Conservative Opposition has responded to the latest independent report into the Council’s finances, warning that it confirms what many residents already feel — that services are being stripped back, standards are falling, and the town is paying the price for years of poo

Wilmington Square Residents Reject New Cycle Lane Plan

Residents living around Wilmington Square have strongly rejected proposals to build a new cycle lane through the area, following a recent site visit with council contractors.Local Meads councillor Robert Smart arranged for residents from the newly formed Friends of Wilmington Square group, led by Ca

HERITAGE CENTRE TO CLOSE AFTER EASTER

The Eastbourne Heritage Centre will close following Easter after receiving notice from Eastbourne Borough Council of an unaffordable increase in the sites rent.The Centre closure was revealed at the February Eastbourne Society meeting, where members learned of the Council’s decision.

Memorial unveiled in Meads to long-serving Conservative councillor Barry Taylor

The service of an Eastbourne Conservative councillor, who died in the summer, has been marked this week by his family, friends and colleagues who paid tribute to his life’s work for the town. Barry Taylor’s daughter, Lynn Whitington, led the tributes as a commemorative plaque was unveiled in Meads

Residents overwhelmingly support Meads Street Parish Hall

At Eastbourne Borough Council's recent meeting the result of consultation responses on polling places in Meads was endorsed unanimously. A change of polling place from the current Parish Hall to Jubilee Hall had been proposed, but was rejected overwhelmingly by residents. Meads Conservative Counci

Conservative councillors in Eastbourne support selective 20 mph speed limits

Eastbourne’s Conservative councillors Robert Smart and Nigel Goodyear attended last week's Sustainable Transport and Active Travel Summit organised by the Eastbourne Eco Action Network. Councillor Smart says that “probably the most frequent and tangible actions discussed were 20mph speed limits”.