News and events

The achievements of children and young people in care, care leavers and children in kinship care, and the adults that support them across West Sussex have been celebrated at the Exceptional People in Care (EPIC) awards.

Taking on a new format this year, the EPIC Awards, hosted by West Sussex County Council’s Voice and Participation team, will take place across multiple events throughout the year, the first of which took place last Saturday (7 June).

The event was hosted at Felpham Community Hall, Bognor Regis which was transformed to host a stylish afternoon tea and awards ceremony, as well as a host of art, competition and sensory activities for guests. The colours, decorations, activities and prizes were chosen by the Children in Care Council, a group of young people in care, who helped organise the awards and host the ceremony.

Awards and prizes were handed out for categories including Big Hearts, Big Talent, Big Thinker, and Big Strength winners, Best Carer, and Best Supporting Adult.

Winners included a young person who taught themselves to play the violin, another who made huge strides in their education and has been invited to study at a new level for Health and Social Care, and a young person who truly supported their neighbours and has brought such joy and kindness to their community.

Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “This event provided another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of children and young people in care, care leavers and children in kinship care, and I am so proud of them all. The achievements of these children and young people are inspiring, as is the hard work of the adults who support them, whose dedication to putting children first is key to helping them achieve their full potential.”

The next EPIC awards will take place on Saturday 27th September 2025. If you would like to support this event by sponsoring it or donating prizes, please email [email protected]

West Sussex County Council is calling on residents to help shape their new Children and Young People’s Plan. Find out more and share your views here https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/

For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email [email protected]. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415.

Each year on 16 June it’s Sussex Day when we celebrate all that’s great about our county.

View our new Sussex Day webpages where you’ll find some inspiration on how you can make the most of what the county has to offer – whether on Sussex Day or any day of the year!

Information you’ll find includes:

• Details of a free online webinar taking place on Sussex Day combining the wealth of archives at the Record Office with fascinating film footage from Screen Archives South East to explore the experiences of ordinary West Sussex residents on the Home Front in the Second World War.
• A tour of Edes House in Chichester where you can discover its historic past.

• Details of local places to go, things to do, walks, cycle paths and trails, where to eat and drink and much more from Experience Sussex.
• How to make the most of our libraries and Record Office – including learning about the history of your hometown or village or borrowing a book about Sussex.
• A quiz so you can test your local knowledge.

Councillor Pieter Montyn, Chairman of West Sussex County Council, said: “Sussex Day not only serves as a reminder of what a great place West Sussex is, but also comes at an ideal time to discover something new about our county, or revisit somewhere that you haven’t been to for a while.

“There is so much to see and do in the county and so much to be proud of.”

The Sussex flag will be flown at County Hall in Chichester on Sussex Day.

Visit the new Sussex Day webpage here.

For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email [email protected]. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415

events coming soon..

To stay updated on the latest news and events in Cuckfield, you can read our monthly newsletter at: 

https://mailchi.mp/807c162e0518/cpc-june-newsletter-13875804

Mid Sussex District Council has launched a legal challenge against the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government after being advised by the Planning Inspectorate that it is considering failing the area’s District Plan.  

After examination of the Plan in November, the Council has waited five months to hear from the Inspector. 

The Inspector’s findings are that the Council has failed in its Duty to Cooperate with neighbouring Councils, simply because it did not say specifically which neighbouring Councils would benefit from the 1,000 additional houses Mid Sussex will build to help them meet their housing needs. 

The Council considers this to be an extraordinary response to a technical matter that could easily be remedied another way. 

Mid Sussex is the only council in West Sussex to meet its housing targets, whilst also agreeing to build extra houses to help its neighbours, Horsham and Crawley.

The Council has also delivered an unprecedented number of new houses in recent years – over 1,000 per year. 

The effect of the Inspector’s findings could be to leave Mid Sussex unprotected from speculative development. This is because, if the Council followed the Inspector’s findings, it would need to start its plan making from scratch. This would take at least 30 months and over £1m. Mid Sussex is due to be dissolved, under the Government’s plans for reorganisation, in 2028. 

It is for these reasons that the Council feels it must legally challenge the Inspector’s views.  

The Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, Cllr Robert Eggleston (Liberal Democrat) said:  

“Mid Sussex has drawn up its Plan following the advice of very senior planning lawyers and advisors, so we are understandably amazed at the Inspector's rationale.  

“It is extraordinary that the Inspector has ignored the evidence we provided. The same evidence that has previously satisfied other Inspectors.” 

This view is backed by the Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Marsh who said:  

“I have a lot of experience of planning, and this has left me speechless. Our Plan was well supported by our communities, neighbouring councils, and many leading house builders. This is deeply worrying.” 

Mid Sussex District Council started work on updating the area’s District Plan in 2021. It guides the use of land and development across Mid Sussex until 2039. 

“The practical effect of the Inspector's conclusions are that the District will not be able to defend itself against speculative, opportunistic planning applications. This is against everything we believe,” added Cllr Marsh.  

"Plan-led housing growth is the proper way to do things; not like this. The Inspector could have modified our Plan at the next Stage to remedy the technical issue identified. This approach is irrational and disproportionate."                                                                

Mid Sussex District Council has sought independent advice and will be challenging the Inspector's decision, which has taken an exceptional five months to be delivered. 

Cllr Eggleston said: “We are left with no choice. We must protect Mid Sussex from unplanned, speculative development. 

“We have worked diligently for many years to undertake the work thoroughly and in accordance with government guidance and the law. The Inspector's ill-founded conclusions are a slap in the face for proper Plan making and the patient, careful work needed to build consensus amongst communities and with our partners.”  

ENDS  

For further media information contact: [email protected]  

Notes to editors: 

District Plans: District Plans (also known as Local Plans) are used by Councils and developers to guide the long-term use of land and development in a district to ensure growth and development is planned and in line with planning policy. They provide long-term certainty for the community and infrastructure providers on where growth will occur and when.  

Mid Sussex’s District Plan: Mid Sussex’s current District plan was finalised and agreed by Full Council to be used (known as adopted)  in 2018 and guides the use of land and development in the Mid Sussex area from 2014 up until 2031.    

It is a legal requirement to review and update the District Plan every five years. Work commenced in 2021 to review, and where necessary, update the District plan to provide a guide through to 2039.    

 The updated Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State in July 2024, following local consultation, which was held in November/December 2022 and January/ February 2024.   In October 2024, the Inspector started the Examination in Public – a series of hearings held to explore the information within the Plan and to hear views from a range of stakeholders.  Full details of the Council’s District Plan, together with correspondence relating to this matter, can be found at: District Plan Review - Mid Sussex District Council .

The technical issue the Inspector has found with the current draft Plan would normally be rectified through a Modification which the Inspector can direct the Council to make. This is the normal way of dealing with these matters because it doesn’t slow down the process of making the Plan. 

Mid Sussex District Council has an exemplary record of Plan Making and housing delivery. In 2023 another Planning Inspector said: ". … it is clear that Mid Sussex has a history of housing delivery, and it is not an area with a record of persistent under delivery... " and ‘Overall, I find that the Council has taken and continues to take a proactive approach to housing delivery at both plan making and decision making’.   

The information contained in this email may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Unless the information contained in this email is legally exempt from disclosure, we cannot guarantee that we will not provide the whole or part of this email to a third party making a request for information about the subject matter of this email. This email and any attachments may contain confidential information and is intended only to be seen and used by the named addressees. If you are not the named addressee, any use, disclosure, copying, alteration or forwarding of this email and its attachments is unauthorised. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately by email or by calling +44 (0) 1444 458 166 and remove this email and its attachments from your system. The views expressed within this email and any attachments are not necessarily the views or policies of Mid Sussex District Council. We have taken precautions to minimise the risk of transmitting software viruses, but we advise you to carry out your own virus checks before accessing this email and any attachments. Except where required by law, we shall not be responsible for any damage, loss or liability of any kind suffered in connection with this email and any attachments, or which may result from reliance on the contents of this email and any attachments. 

West Sussex County Council is shining a spotlight on the invaluable contributions made by volunteers as part of national Volunteers' Week, which runs from 2 to 8 June.

This annual celebration recognises the incredible impact volunteers make across the UK and provides a chance for the county council to say thank you for the commitment and support shown by volunteers in West Sussex.

Councillor Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire & Rescue, said: "From supporting vulnerable young people and preserving local history, to helping residents reduce waste and nurturing our beautiful countryside, volunteers play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of residents across West Sussex and are the vibrant heartbeat of our communities.

“Volunteers are crucial support for many of our services and community initiatives. Their dedication and selflessness truly make a difference, touching countless lives and enriching our county. During national Volunteers' Week, and indeed all year round, we extend our deepest thanks to every individual who gives their time to support others in West Sussex. Your impact is immeasurable."

The vital work of West Sussex volunteers was recently highlighted at the Mid Sussex Applauds Awards earlier this month when two county council Waste Prevention Advisors received awards. Pauline Mallinson won the prestigious Volunteer of the Year award for her volunteer work with Share Haywards Heath, county council waste prevention, and Scouts, while Colin McFarlin received a Highly Commended award in the Environment and Climate Change Champion category.

A network of Waste Prevention Advisors collectively contributed over 1,600 hours of their time last year, helping residents to reduce, reuse, and recycling their household waste.

The Waste Prevention Advisor volunteers have been instrumental in helping to run seven monthly Community Food Hubs across the county. In the last 12 months, 4,617 residents have saved 48,748kg of food that would have otherwise been wasted.

The positive effects of volunteers are felt across a wide range of county council services. For young people, the support of volunteers can be life changing.

The parent of a young carer who receives transport to local groups by a volunteer driver shared: “It's brilliant and helps me so much, they get to go somewhere without me and their little brother and do things for themselves and have fun. It's also given me peace of mind knowing the kids are safe and with someone we all trust.”

The mother of a young carer who has benefitted from a volunteer mentor added: “It's been good for him to have an impartial person to speak to and having time for just him. He's been able to just be a child and not worry!”

Opportunities to Get Involved

If you’ve been inspired by the incredible work of our volunteers and would like to contribute to your local community, we have a variety of volunteering opportunities available. Your time and skills, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.

We are currently seeking:

• Library volunteers: Support your local library and help bring the joy of reading and learning to others. Library volunteer - West Sussex County Council

• Waste prevention volunteer: Help encourage the residents of West Sussex to think more widely about reducing, reusing, and recycling waste! You’ll engage with a diverse range of people and demonstrate a genuine commitment to waste prevention and protecting the environment. Waste prevention volunteer - West Sussex County Council
• Independent Visitor volunteers: Visit a child living in care once a month to offer support and advice and spend time doing fun activities such as going to the cinema, playing sports, or visiting new places. We will be holding recruitment events on 28 July 12.30pm to 1.30pm and 29 July 7pm to 8pm for training courses which start in September. Find out more and book your place by visiting our website. Independent Visitor Scheme - West Sussex County Council
• Young carer volunteers: We are looking for volunteers to help our staff run groups for young carers aged 11-16 one evening a month during term time. Groups run in Bognor Regis on Thursday and Mid-Sussex on Tuesday from 6pm-8pm. Full training and supervision is provided, and travel expenses will be reimbursed. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or visiting our website. Young carers - West Sussex County Council

To explore these and many other volunteering opportunities with West Sussex County Council, please visit Volunteering - West Sussex County Council

Visit the Volunteers' Week website to find out more about the national scheme.

For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email [email protected]. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415. 

A leading equine charity has partnered with the West Sussex Youth Justice Service (YJS) to offer children who are currently working with YJS a unique opportunity for rehabilitation through hands-on work with horses.

Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre in Slinfold will host weekly sessions for young people – mostly aged 13 to 18 – providing a calm, structured environment where they can learn new skills, build confidence, and contribute positively to the community.

The charity, known for its work in rehabilitating and reschooling horses of all breeds, will welcome participants to its centre which is currently home to over 25 horses. They will participate in a variety of activities to help maintain the centre. In addition, those who feel comfortable with horses can enjoy supervised time with a Moorcroft horse and learn all about equine health and wellbeing.

Mary Frances, Chief Executive of the charity, says: “We’re proud to be able to support these young people who, for one reason or another, have found themselves in a difficult situation. If spending time with our horses helps them find a new direction, that will be a wonderful achievement.”

The initiative is part of the YJS’s community reparation programme, which aims to help young children make amends while developing life skills and self-worth.

Those attending will learn about the daily care and attention horses require. They’ll also gain insight into common equine health issues and experience first-hand the charity’s dedicated team as they support horses on their journey back to full health.

Sally Pescott, Restorative Justice and Communities Team Manager says: “Many of the young people we work with face complex challenges, such as trauma and disrupted education. They can also have a myriad of speech, language and communication needs. Being around animals can break down barriers and help them open up in ways traditional settings cannot.

Rian James, Youth Justice Support Officer who has already accompanied a number of children to access this facility says “Moorcroft’s team has been incredibly welcoming. Their willingness to share their space and expertise is hugely appreciated. We need more organisations like this to help young people reconnect with their potential.”

Participants typically attend two to three sessions, volunteering for two hours each time. The programme not only supports rehabilitation but also introduces young people to the responsibilities and rewards of animal care, while also giving back to the community.

Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre can provide schooling and rehabilitation, for any length of time, for all breeds of horses, whether as a result of lameness, time-off, or following surgery. The charity also runs educational courses for both horse owners and professionals in the equine industry, including long reining courses and equine massage. It is dedicated to helping horses thrive.

To find out more about Moorcroft, please visit: www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk or call 07929 666408.

For more press information or to arrange a media interview, please contact Tracey Thompson: [email protected] / 07547 100504.

About Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre:

Moorcroft is a registered charity and our mission is to re-school and rehabilitate all breeds of horses, including former racehorses. We are passionate about achieving a sound, comfortable and pain-free horse to ride and enjoy. Everything we do is about enhancing the confidence and understanding of both rider and horse in order to achieve that goal. For more information, please visit: www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk

For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email [email protected]. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415

Join the Cuckfield Bat Walk!
Thursday, 19th June
 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM (approx.)
 Horsefield Green

Limited spaces! Reserve your spot by emailing: [email protected]

Come explore the twilight skies and discover the fascinating world of local bats!

Bat detectors provided but please bring your own torch

In case of bad weather, the walk will be postponed to 25th June.

All ages welcome – it’s a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy a magical evening outdoors.