Nusrat Ghani MP says Crowborough was told it does not need a Banking Hub and wants a review. Birth services and the camp also came up in talks with the Mayor.

Sussex Weald MP Nusrat Ghani says Crowborough was told it does not need a Banking Hub, and will keep calling for that decision to be reviewed. The MP raised the issue after a recent meeting with the Mayor of Crowborough, Cllr Natalie Whittle.

Banking was one of four subjects from that meeting in a statement issued on Thursday. The others were the future of the camp, the suspension of birthing services and the good work of local groups. (Nusrat Ghani MP, 5 November 2026)

“The loss of banking services has hit hard”

Ghani set out the complaint plainly:

“The loss of banking services has hit hard. Questions have been asked as to why smaller towns received a Banking Hub, yet Crowborough was told it doesn’t need one. The calls by the Town Council echo the feedback from my own local survey. I will continue to call for a review of the decision.”

The statement does not name the smaller towns, say who told Crowborough it did not need a hub, or give the survey’s results.

Crowborough’s former Santander branch has already been cleared for conversion into two flats.

Birthing services and the hospital

The MP and the Mayor listed the decision to suspend birthing services among the key issues. Ghani said:

“Local healthcare continues to be a worry, especially for pregnant mums. I agreed with Cllr Whittle to continue to help support the Friends of Crowborough Hospital in their campaign to protect healthcare services in the town and will be calling on the Minister to meet with the community.”

The camp and the Government money

The long-term future of the Government’s use of the camp also remains a key issue, the statement says. Ghani also criticised how the funding that comes with it is being handled:

“The management of the community camp also remains a local issue, as does Wealden District Council’s allocation of Government funding. The Town Council and existing local charities are best placed to support the whole community but need the proper funding and support to get on with the job. I have approached Government Ministers to seek clarity on funding support and to meet with the Town Council.”

The funding is the £450,000 grant we have covered since October. Wealden’s Cabinet agreed how to split it on 7 October, with £50,000 going to the Town Council and £110,000 to a new Crowborough Community Investment Fund. A scrutiny committee later voted for no further action when the decision was called in.

Separately, the Home Office is seeking permission to keep using the camp until January 2030.

The good news

The meeting was not only about problems. The two also reflected on the work of local groups and charities such as Clued-Up, and on the news that the Cadets would be able to return to the camp. Wealden District Council set out the cadets’ timetable in October.

“It is so good to be able to talk about the positive work going on in the town,” Ghani said. “Crowborough is such a vibrant place, however, it is a shame that the actions of the Government have had such a negative impact.”

What it means for you

Nothing changes yet. The statement announces no Banking Hub, no review and no date for any meeting with ministers. It does not say which ministers have been approached, or whether any have replied.

The criticism of the Government and of Wealden is the MP’s own view, and the statement carries no response from either. We will report any reply they make. If you have been affected by the loss of banking or birthing services in the town, you can send us your news.