Please find attached a consultation that proposes a change to admissions criteria for Warden Park Secondary Academy from 2020. The proposal, if agreed by the Trustees, provides for a higher priority for children in Sussex Learning Trust primary academies.

To respond to this consultation please complete the following ‘Survey Monkey’.   

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk...  

Alternatively, written responses or questions can be sent to:   

Jonathan Morris
CEO Sussex Learning Trust
℅ Warden Park Secondary Academy
Broad Street
Cuckfield
RH17 5DP  

All responses will be considered and must be submitted by the  deadline of 9.00 am on Wednesday, 9 January 2019.  

With winter approaching fast, are you Weather Ready? Take a look at the website below to find out how you can make sure you are prepared for the next few months, with tips and advice on travel, your home and health and wellbeing.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/barometer/advice…

The proposed Vision and Strategy for Adults’ Services sets out the journey the Council will be taking in collaboration with local residents and other partners across the county to support people to live healthy and independent lives and to keep the most vulnerable safe. It builds on the work that has already taken place to shape future services in West Sussex and it sets out an ambitious set of priorities for the next three years:

·   Implementation of a community-led model of support;

·   Maximising independence for older people, people with learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities and those with mental health   issues;

·   Supporting families and carers; and

·   Working towards the Care Act requirement to achieve health and social care integration by 2020

We want to hear the views of all our stakeholders before a decision is taken in December 2018 by the Cabinet Member for Adults’ and Health to approve the approach. To do this we are holding a public consultation which runs from 16 November to 14 December 2018.

The proposed Adults’ Services Vision and Strategy and the survey can be found here.  EasyRead versions are also available via the same link.

On Monday 12 November for 5 nights, there will be a lane closure leading to a full closure of junction 10 northbound exit slip on the M23 between 10pm and 4am. A fully signed diversion route is in place via junction 9 and back. Narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit of 50mph North and South bound 24/7.

Free recovery service and speed enforcement are now in place to ensure drivers and road workers safety.

Full Closure – December 2018 We will have a full overnight weekend closure on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December between 9pm and 6am (5am Mon 10 Nov). There is a full diversion route in place from junction 6 of the M25 via the A22, A264 to junction 10 of the M23 and from junction 10 via the A2011, London Road, Airport Way into Gatwick Airport.

For more information and updates about the M23 and the M25 please refer to the Highways England website https://highwaysengland.co.uk/...

Friday 1st December not only marks one of the busier days of shopping in the UK, but in 2018 it is also small business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non commercial campaign which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, MSDC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Deputy Leader said “Now, more than ever it is vital that we all show our support for small businesses right across Mid Sussex. Local small businesses have so much to offer consumers and I would urge residents to shop local and support Small Business Saturday on 1st December".

Small Business Saturday reaches millions of customers and businesses each year. Any small business can register and receive free advertising as they are added to the small business finder on the smallbusinesssaturday.com website.

Michelle Owens, Director of Small Business Saturday added “…it’s not just open to businesses, it’s open to everyone. Every individual who can take a moment to appreciate the far-reaching impact small businesses have on their community.”

So this Saturday 1st December make sure that you support small business Saturday in Mid Sussex.

NOTICE IS hereby given that in pursuance of the provisions of Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, as amended, the use of (and parking on) Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield from junction with High Street to junction with South Street is temporarily prohibited from 04/12/18 at 09:30 until 05/12/18 at 15:30. 

The restriction will be in place day-time only between 09:30 – 15:30. 

This closure is necessary to allow South East Water to repair a defective reinstatement.   

Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times   
The alternative route for traffic will be signed via Ockenden Lane, South Street, High Street and vice versa. 

This restriction will be effective for a maximum of 5 days from the start date given above  
Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact West Sussex County Council on 01243 642105  

Any queries about the works please contact South East Water on 01634 276512   

Dated 14/11/18   
Matt Davey Head of Highways and Transport

Following feedback received via Operation Watershed from community groups, particularly parishes, WSCC has updated some helpful information to guide landowners and community groups around the tricky subject of Riparian Ownership and Responsibilities.

Keeping our watercourses well maintained benefits the community as a whole. If an area experiences constant flooding, this becomes a nuisance to the community, can restrict access to property, makes everyday living difficult and results in considerable expense and inconvenience for those that have been flooded.

There are various resources including a short film, leaflet and posters as well as more detailed guidance that can be printed and used in your community.

www.westsussex.gov.uk/ditchtheproblem

Call to Action As part of your ongoing work to support reducing the risk of flood impacting residents in your local area, continued communication is key to raising awareness. The new material will provide useful practical information and guidance for landowners and residents. When you have the opportunity please would you promote to your community groups and individuals in your area that information is available via the website.

A little more information in case you are not familiar with Riparian Ownership…

If you have a watercourse, ditch, stream, river or culvert on or next to your land you are known as a ‘riparian owner’. Riparian owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of watercourses on their land to ensure that they are not a flood risk to other people or property.
Well maintained watercourses can significantly benefit the local community by reducing flood risk and creating habitats for wildlife.

The riparian responsibilities for landowners under law are to:
• Ensure the flow of water is not obstructed or polluted
• Maintain the bottom and sides of the watercourse (including managing any trees and vegetation growing on the banks)
• Remove any obstructions, such as rubbish, fallen branches or garden waste
• Maintain any structures (such as trash screens, culverts, weirs and mill gates) on it.

It is important to promote and support communities to look after the watercourses in the county and this information will provide a helpful resource for them.

Further information is available via the website and if you have a particular question relating to Operation Watershed please go to:

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/watershed

Or email: [email protected]

**FINAL REMINDER - YOU HAVE 1 WEEK LEFT TO HAVE YOUR SAY!**

The Community Safety & Wellbeing Team at West Sussex County Council has launched two surveys in order to gather feedback about people’s perceptions and experiences of cybercrime/online safety over the last 12 months. Responses to this survey will influence how we at the County Council shape our cybercrime/online safety support work for residents and local businesses in the future. 

Business Survey:

We are seeking views and information from managers as well as business owners to help support businesses in the future. Survey link - https://haveyoursay.westsussex...

Personal Use Survey:

We are looking for any West Sussex resident, aged 18 or above, to complete our Personal Use Cybercrime/Online Safety Survey. Survey link - https://haveyoursay.westsussex...

The five CCGs of the Central Sussex and East Surrey Commissioning Alliance are seeking individuals who live in rural areas to attend a focus group regarding a proposed new online NHS Service. The idea behind this service is that it will allow patients to contact their GP practice online and can be used for: 

- discussing symptoms with your GP
- admin based requests like Fit Notes, referrals, repeat prescriptions
- signposting to other services

This service will not replace telephone bookings or face-to-face appointments with GPs.  It will be another way to access care from your Doctor, which will also help reduce some of the pressures on practices.  The focus group will help the NHS understand the needs of their patients and create a new service that their patients will want to use.

If you're interested in taking part or know anyone who would, please contact Antonia Bennett for more information:

[email protected]

Phone 07787 247637

Please see attached the Road Closure Notice relating to the Christmas Street Festival to be held on Friday 7th December 2018.

South Street and High Street will be closed between 1730 and 2100 hours.

Mid Sussex District Council has taken another step towards financial self-sufficiency by agreeing a £6.3million deal to purchase the freehold of commercial property at 255-269 London Road, Burgess Hill, currently occupied by Wickes DIY.

Government funding for Mid Sussex District Council has reduced dramatically in recent years. In 2010, Mid Sussex received £6.4 million in Revenue Support Grant towards the provision of local public services but this reduced year-on-year to zero in 2018. With the removal of the Revenue Support Grant, Mid Sussex District Council must find other ways to generate the income it needs to continue providing services for local people. The Council’s purchase of the Wickes site in Burgess Hill will provide a sizeable rental income of £325,000 per annum that will help to offset the loss of government grant funding. Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “2018 was the year that Government funding to the District Council reached zero and with Council Tax only funding around one third of the cost of providing Council services in Mid Sussex we must generate the additional income ourselves with investments like this one.

"Our long-term goal is to be 100% financially self-sufficient so, no matter what happens at national government level, we will have secure funding streams in place to deliver our services for local people. “By investing carefully in local property, we can secure a stable source of income to fund local services, help to regenerate our towns and support the economic wellbeing of the district.” The Wickes site comprises a purpose built retail warehouse, which was recently comprehensively refurbished and refitted by Wickes to create a mezzanine area for a bathroom and kitchen showroom. Externally there is a builders’ yard, outdoor projects centre and a car park with 81 spaces. The store is let on a fully repairing and insuring lease to Wickes Building Supplies Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Travis Perkins plc.

Please see attached the schedule for bin collections over the Christmas Period for 2018-19, together with handy details of which items can be recycled and which cannot.

For any enquiries please contact:

www.midsussex.gov.uk/gardenlea...

Phone - 01444 477440

Email - [email protected]

Mid Sussex District Council is inviting local independent retailers to take advantage of free training that will help them fight back against online retailers and keep Mid Sussex high streets vibrant and alive.   

Retail experts Martec International will deliver a series of six free training sessions from Monday 19 November. The workshops will cover important topics such as honing a retail strategy, marketing, range planning, presentation, sales and customer service and inventory management.  Attendance at one of the events will make independent retailers eligible for a free coaching and mentoring session with a Martec consultant in their own store. These one-to-one sessions will enable the consultants to tailor advice to the specific needs of each business. 

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Deputy Leader of Mid Sussex District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: “Independent retailers provide a unique shopping experience to our local towns and villages. We believe this free training will provide practical, down to earth training that will enable local retailers to increase profits and compete more effectively with the chains. We expect demand for places to be high and urge owners of independent shops to sign up now.”  Brian Hume, Managing Director, Martec International said: “We look forward to helping independent retailers fight back and find out new ways to boost sales and increase profitability.  Mid Sussex District Council is a very forward looking local authority and by offering this free training to independent retailers it will help shopkeepers make the most of Christmas trading and ensure New Year profitability.”

Local retailers can register and learn more about the training at www.martec-international.com/s...

Mid Sussex is set to take part in the next round of the 2019 Voter ID pilots along with 10 other local authorities across England.

The pilots will take place at the 2019 local elections, providing further insight to the Government into how best to secure the voting process.

At the last local elections in May, five local authorities took part in the first round of Voter ID pilots, which are being run by the Cabinet Office. The evaluation following the first trials showed they were a success, with the overwhelming majority of people able to cast their vote without a problem. To verify that voters are who they say they are, each of the 11 local authorities in the 2019 pilot will test one of four models of Voter ID checks. In Mid Sussex, voters will be asked to present their polling cards as a means of identification. Anyone who does not have their poll card with them on polling day will be asked to present another form of photo ID including a UK or EU photo-card driving licence (full or provisional) or a valid British, European or Commonwealth passport.

Local authorities will provide alternative methods of ID to individuals who do not have a specified form of ID, free of charge, ensuring that everyone who is registered has the opportunity to vote.

Mid Sussex Returning Officer Tom Clark said: “We want to give everyone the maximum amount of notice that Mid Sussex is going to be one of the government pilot areas for voter ID. The government see this as a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of voting processes across the country and we are happy to be involved.” Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith MP said:

“I am pleased to see Mid Sussex District Council is taking part in the 2019 pilots. Their participation will help us gain a deeper understanding of how voter ID will work on a wider scale ahead of a national rollout, and see what works best for voters.

“We want people to have confidence that our elections are safeguarded against any threat or perception of electoral fraud.

"People are already required to show ID to pick up a parcel from the Post Office, rent a car, or apply for benefits and this is a common sense next step to securing the integrity of our elections.”

To contact Mid Sussex electoral services about the 2019 Voter ID pilot or any
other election matter, please call 01444 477003 or email [email protected]

NOTICE IS hereby given that in pursuance of the provisions of Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, as amended, the use of (and parking on) Cuckfield Road, Ansty from junction with Dumbrells Farm Way to junction with Bolney Road is temporarily prohibited from:

26/11/2018 09:30 am until 26/11/2018 16:00pm.

The restriction will be in place day-time only 09:30 – 16:00

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to carry out pothole repairs.  
Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times   
The alternative route for traffic will be signed via Cuckfield, Harvest Hill, Bolney Road, Bishopstone Lane, Dumbrells Farm Way, Cuckfield Road Roundabout.  

This restriction will be effective for a maximum of 5 days from the start date given above  
Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact West Sussex County Council on 01243 642105  
 
Dated 2/11/18  
Matt Davey Head of Highways and Transport