Hastings Borough Council has hosted a conference for housing professionals from across the county.

Councillor Andy Batsford, lead member for housing at the council, explained: “Lack of housing is a problem in many places, but in East Sussex, Hastings has a particular problem. So when housing providers were looking for a place to hold a senior level meeting they asked to hold it here in Hastings.

“The focus of the meeting was to highlight the impact on the services of local authorities around housing provision. Subjects discussed included the delivery of new homes and affordable homes, community led housing initiatives, local housing companies, and the Homeless Reduction Act.”

All authorities in East Sussex contributed towards the event, as well as representatives from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Homes England, the National Housing Federation, Harmony Homes, Action in Rural Sussex, Trowers and Hamlins, the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government and the Optivo Housing Association.