News and events

Since the start of ‘lockdown’, West Sussex County Council’s WORTH Domestic Abuse Service has seen a 24% increase in reports of domestic abuse compared to this time last year. As a result, enhancements have been made to services, support and provisions to ensure they’re able to meet this new level of demand whilst the country is in lockdown. With this additional support, the WORTH service is now available seven days a week to support anyone who needs help:

• Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm on 0330 222 8181
• Weekends including Bank Holidays, 9am-5pm on 07834 968539

There is also a list of other support and resources available on the county council’s website for victims of domestic abuse and friends and family members who may want to help, but don’t know how. These include: 

• Local support for people being abused
• Things you can do if you're in an abusive relationship
• The signs of an abusive relationship
• Information for friends and family of people being abused
• National support for people who are experiencing abuse

Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities, said: “Now, more than ever, it is important to make sure that any victim of domestic abuse doesn’t feel like they have to go through their situation alone. There is help out there and the WORTH team are dedicated to do whatever they can to help those individuals get out of their abusive situations in a safe manner. “It is also really important to remember that domestic abuse doesn’t see gender, race, sexual orientation or ethnicity. It can happen to anyone at any time and in these strange times that we find ourselves in, I want to say loud and clear that there is #NoExcuseForAbuse.” A male survivor of domestic abuse, who received support from WORTH services, said: “Domestic abuse happens to men – I know, because it happened to me.  The first person I spoke to at WORTH was a man and that actually helped me to feel less awkward about the situation, I was believed. Men need to know that if they are going through domestic abuse, they can get help, and that there is nothing to feel embarrassed about.” If you or someone you know needs any help or support, you can visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/domesticabuse or call the WORTH Domestic Abuse Service directly.

West Sussex County Council is asking all residents what impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on them in their latest Have Your Say survey. 

Until Sunday 31 May, everybody across West Sussex is being invited to answer 24 questions which will help inform how the County Council moves forward during the crisis and beyond. 

Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources, said: “We’ve already had more than 7,800 responses since the survey opened last Friday (15 May). With a population of around 864,000 residents, this equates to almost 1 in 100 people having their say, but we want more people to take part to give us a really clear picture of how the pandemic has affected you and your families so we can work out the best way forward for West Sussex and where our focus should be.” 

The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and the results will be fed back via the ‘Have Your Say’ consultation hub on Tuesday 30 June. 

To take part, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/coronavirussurvey 

If residents need the survey in an alternative format, or experience any problems with the survey, they can call 0330 2222 146 or e-mail [email protected] and they will do their best to assist you. 

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone you can contact them on 18001 033022 22 146. 

https://www.preventingsuicidei...

Please see the details of a suicide prevention campaign developed by the Sussex Health and Care partnership which is specifically aiming to reduce the rate of suicide amongst men across Sussex.

Please see helpful poster with helpline numbers.

Mid Sussex District Council is resuming garden waste collections from Monday 11 May.

As part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 national emergency, garden waste collections were paused on 13 April to enable the collection crews to meet social distancing requirements and to preserve rubbish and recycling collections. During the past month the Council has worked hard alongside waste collection partner Serco to secure additional resources that will enable our crews to practice social distancing and collect our customers’ garden waste safely. Collections were originally predicted to be suspended for a period of 12 weeks, but new working arrangements mean it is now possible to bring the service back after only a four-week pause.

When the service resumes on Monday 11 May, customers should place their garden waste bins out for collection on their usual collection day. Anyone who is not sure when their bin is due for collection can check online at www.midsussex.gov.uk/waste-recycling/bin-collection The garden waste collection service has been paused for exactly four weeks and during that time each customer has missed two collections. To ensure that no household is financially disadvantaged by the suspension of the garden waste collection service, the Council will add four weeks onto the end of each subscription period to cover the number of collections missed. Councillor John Belsey, Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery said:

“This has been a difficult month for everyone and we are so grateful to all our garden waste customers for their patience, support and understanding during the past few weeks. “We know that garden waste collections are important to people, especially during this lockdown period, so we have been working as hard as we can with Serco to reinstate them safely as soon as possible. I’m delighted to say that we are now able to resume our garden waste collections. “We really appreciate the efforts you are making to hold on to your garden waste but please remain patient for a little while longer once collections are back under way and we work through the build-up. “Our crews are not able to collect any side waste so it’s important to make sure all your garden waste is contained within the bin and that the lid is closed. If you are unable to fit all your garden waste into your green wheelie bin, please continue to store it until your next scheduled collection. This will ensure the safety and wellbeing of our collection crews and that we can continue to offer a garden waste service to everyone.” For more information, visit the garden waste collection page at www.midsussex.gov.uk/gardenwaste where there are answers to several Frequently Asked Questions. Anyone who is unable to find the answer to their query online should email [email protected].

Dear residents and partners,

Household Waste Recycling Sites across West Sussex will begin reopening from Monday 11th May for limited materials.

If you are thinking of taking a trip to one of the sites there are several things you need to consider.

Before planning your journey you should:

• Consider whether your journey is essential. You should only visit a site if your waste presents a risk of injury or harm to health and cannot be put out with your regular kerbside collection. If it doesn’t please safely store your items at home for now.  
• Check our opening hours. Sites will be running their usual summer opening days and hours. Not all sites are open every day, so please make sure to check before making a journey - visit West Sussex Recycles for more information

Before visiting a site please note:

• Only garden waste and general household waste will be accepted. Garden waste means green waste such as grass cuttings and hedge trimmings. General household waste (or “black bag” waste) is the types of items that are collected in your kerbside collection such as food or non-recyclable packaging, and does not include electrical items, textiles, bulky items, furniture or general recycling. General household waste items brought to the sites at this time will be sent to landfill. We hope to be able to accept other items soon.
• We hope to be able to accept other items soon.
• Please continue to use your household collections for recycling and general waste where possible, and only visit the site if the journey is essential.
• Only cars will be allowed on site. Trailers and large vehicles such as vans and pickups will not be allowed access at this time.
• The mobile site at Selsey and the Witterings will not be opening for the time being.

Once at the sites there will be certain measures in place for the safety of visitors and staff:

• The number of vehicles accessing the sites will be restricted. Visitors should expect long delays at sites and should delay their visit to avoid the first couple of weeks if possible.
• There will be no pedestrian access at any of the sites under the current social distancing measures
• Social distancing barriers will be in place. Visitors will be directed into enclosed bays to dispose of their waste.
• Only one person will be allowed to get out of a vehicle. Please travel to the sites alone if possible. If other people travel to the site with you, they must remain in the vehicle.
• Site staff will not be able to help unload your waste and recycling. Please do not bring anything that you cannot safely remove from your car on your own.

Before you plan your journey to a site please read our latest update which will give you further details.

The use of (and parking on) Bolney Road, Ansty from junction with Pickwell Lane to junction with Deaks Lane is temporarily prohibited from 15/06/2020 at 09.30 until 15/06/2020 at 14.30

‘Safe Space Sussex’ is an online directory of local victim services, created by Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. In response to the ‘lockdown’ and concerns raised around crimes like Domestic Abuse, this site has been upgraded and a campaign has been launched on social media (@SussexPCC) to help victims covertly reach out for help whilst stuck in isolation – search #SafeSpaceSussex.

With the entire country in lockdown, many services have expressed their concerns about victims of crime not feeling able to safely reach out for help.  They have seen a decrease in engagement from victims with reports of crimes (like domestic abuse) made to Sussex Police, reducing by around 4%.

It’s vital that residents are aware of the support that is still available if they need it. Safe Space Sussex has been equipped with a new search tool so that within 10 seconds, victims of any crime can find the service they need. It also has a ‘leave site now’ button that users can press to quickly exit the site.

Tailored guidance will be shared across social media community groups on how victims can access the new website covertly, using incognito tabs, as they may be living with their perpetrators during ‘lockdown’ and their search history may be monitored as a result.

Victims can also covertly let Sussex Police know they are in danger. The '55' technology is in place for those too scared to speak, to alert a call handler to the fact they need help by pressing 55 on their mobile phone once they've dialled 999.

There is still help and support available for all victims of crime during the COVID crisis.
If you find yourself in an emergency where you think you or others may be in immediate danger dial 999. Sussex Police are always there for you when you need them. Don’t suffer in silence.
If you would prefer not to contact the police you can report a crime anonymously via Crimestoppers online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously or by calling 0800 555 111.

www.safespacesussex.org.uk has all the information on support services who can help any victim of crime across Sussex.

WSCC have pulled provided a number of Facebook links from Community Safety, Trading Standards and General WSCC pages. 

• Looking after your mental health and wellbeing from #EveryMindMatters. Support and resources are available https://www.facebook.com/618890171532707/posts/2958212994267068/?substory_index=0?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=TAgLFHPwDVKEBh31 
• Sign up for the Carers Emergency Alert Card today. This FREE scheme helps identify you as a family or friend carer so the person you care for can be supported if you have an accident or are taken ill.

https://www.facebook.com/618890171532707/posts/2958488187572882/?substory_index=0?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=58nTdBI9gKhp11vV  

• Waste Recycling Sites - We have developed a plan, subject to further government guidance, to safely reopen Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRSs) next week (week commencing 11 May). The date will be confirmed later this week when further guidance on managing the reopening of sites will be released by central government.

https://www.facebook.com/618890171532707/posts/2965404120214622/?substory_index=0?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=YzUODbXgomLTXUI1 

• Crimestoppers have shared some tips and advice to help keep you safe from scams and fraud. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, contact www.actionfraud.police.uk https://www.facebook.com/105224117606609/posts/172412384221115/?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=KrevT8b5xFrSOxHA
  
  
• Supporting family and friends - People are playing their part and providing essential support to their friends and family who are in isolation, to find out how to help others safely

https://www.facebook.com/105224117606609/posts/172739420855078/?substory_index=0?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=JW8oaw01fTyhdHz1  

• How to deal with scam texts and emails: https://www.facebook.com/105224117606609/posts/174415580687462/?substory_index=0?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=u9YryzoXC4bDKDPz 
• Teens chance become cyber security agents - Virtual cyber school has been launched to give teens the chance to try out as cyber security agents from home  https://www.facebook.com/105224117606609/posts/174438554018498/?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=DwXnwypW5oLTDUoj  
• Domestic Abuse - Practical Planning Steps to reduce the risk  https://www.facebook.com/105224117606609/posts/174409737354713/?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=HnoJhtV6VDmMHxd6

Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council are asking for feedback about the sustainable transport projects of the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme.

Mid Sussex District Council is currently working with West Sussex County Council to deliver the the Place and Connectivity Programme. The Programme consists of a package of projects aimed at creating improved, high quality walking and cycling routes and public spaces to and through the town to encourage people to choose to walk, cycle or use public transport in the future.

The Programme is designed to support the Burgess Hill Growth Programme. Projects include improved access arrangements for Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield train stations, an enhanced town centre (Church Road and Church Walk), improved town wide walking and cycling links between key destinations and enhanced leisure routes including the Green Circle.

The £21.8 million Programme is funded by government grant and developers’ contributions. The grant funding must be spent by Spring 2021.

Although not a statutory requirement West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council would like to hear the views of the community and businesses about the Projects. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the planned public engagement will now be hosted entirely online. Residents, workers and visitors are all asked to visit www.burgesshill.net to give their feedback. The online platform will be live for a six-week period from 14^th May to 25^th June 2020. 

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital said, “Improvements to walking and cycling routes are vital for creating safer towns of the future and the Connectivity Programme will provide long term green enhancements to Burgess Hill. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your views and I would urge you to give feedback online. I look forward to hearing future developments as they arise.”

Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, Mid Sussex District Council Deputy Leader added: “This is a fantastic programme of projects for the town which have been progressing well in the planning stages. While we recognise these are strange times we also need to ensure we continue to look forward and make progress where we can to support local economic activity and jobs.

“Burgess Hill will grow significantly over the next 15 years into a modern, thriving town where local people want to live and work. The Place and Connectivity Programme will be important in joining up these areas, joining the dots. These ambitious partnership projects will deliver safe, direct and attractive routes and public spaces where people will want to go and use of walking, cycling and public transport will be encouraged in the future when Coronavirus travel restrictions ease.”

Bob Lanzer, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: “These plans represent a comprehensive package of sustainable transport and public realm improvements to support growth within Burgess Hill.

“They will also support the wider, West Sussex economic recovery following the Coronavirus outbreak, so I am pleased we can move forward with online public engagement soon.

“I would encourage Burgess Hill residents, those who work in the town and those who visit it to please take the time to give your feedback on the proposals.”

Mid Sussex District Council, in partnership with the Local Enterprise Partnership Coast to Capital and West Sussex County Council, has secured £10.9 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Place and Connectivity Programme. The funding supplements the £16.96m already secured from the Local Growth Fund to assist with the upgrading of the A2300.