News and events

Mid Sussex District Council is currently reviewing its Gambling Act 2005 Policy (Statement of Licensing Principles - Gambling Act 2005).

The consultation phase is open until the 10^th November 2022.

The draft Policy may be accessed via the Mid Sussex District Council website at https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/about-us/consultations/ or in local libraries and Council Help-Points.

Any comments on the Policy should be received by the Licensing Team no later than 10^th November 2022.

Your comments about the revised policy can be provided by post to:

Licensing Team

Mid Sussex District Council

Oaklands Road

Haywards heath

West Sussex

RH16 1SS

Or by e mail to: [email protected]  

All responses will be acknowledged but will not receive an individual reply. 

Senior residents are being urged by West Sussex County Council to consider returning to the buses to take full advantage of their eligible free pass and could win £100 of supermarket vouchers.

There has been a gradual return to the buses since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Now, pensioners are being urged to “Bus It” and consider getting back on board for a more sustainable way to travel.

With their bus passes, senior residents can travel off-peak on local buses anywhere in England as far and as often as they like (including London). Passes enable people to:

• save money on petrol/car running costs • keep in touch with friends and family • travel to appointments or work • support their independence • explore our beautiful towns and countryside

Passengers will find better ventilated vehicles since before the pandemic, with more advanced cleaning regimes used by the bus operators.

Jaki (73), from Petworth, says: “Using my free bus pass has many benefits. I still work twice a week and the free bus pass saves me on car parking costs, petrol and car wear and tear.

“It’s more relaxing than driving and means I don’t have to travel on my own. It’s also very sociable and you get to meet all sorts of people to have a chat to.

“As a pensioner on a limited income, the bus pass means I can travel all over the country and it gives me the chance to make different journeys and explore new places for free.

“I can also use it on holidays or in the school holidays if I want to take my grandchildren for a fun day out.”

Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Buses provide vital links for residents to access key services including healthcare, education, shops and leisure facilities, and can help combat social isolation. Overall, we provided £15.15million in support for buses in 2021/22, when you exclude Covid-19-related Government funding.

“Bus companies have been working hard to encourage people to get back on board and have made many improvements: I urge people to consider seeing this for themselves and senior residents in particular to take full advantage of their eligible free pass.”

Residents of state pension age are also being urged to let us know their views on local bus services in a #BusIt survey – with the chance to win £100 worth of supermarket vouchers. The survey opens on Monday 26 September until Friday 4 November 2022.

Residents who also apply their free bus pass between now and Friday 16 December will also be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of supermarket vouchers.

Take part in the survey at www.westsussex.gov.uk/busit or find out more information about how to apply for, renew or replace a bus pass at www.westsussex.gov.uk/buspass.

Initially launched as a local campaign to tackle loneliness and isolation, Silver Sunday is now a national day where people of all generations can come together by hosting fun and free activities for older people.

It is a day where older people can meet new people, visit new places, try new activities and connect with their local communities and the generations around them.

Come along to Cuckfield’s Silver Sunday event on Sunday 2nd October, at the Queen’s Hall on the High Street – you might make a new friend! 

The County Council is urging residents not to miss out on funding to make their homes more energy efficient.

The Government-funded Warmer Homes programme is offering energy efficiency measures such as insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps to eligible households on a first come, first served basis.

The funding is available subject to eligibility, technical feasibility and your home’s energy efficiency rating shown on its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Your home has an EPC rating of E, F or G (limited funding is available for EPC D rated properties).

And either:

• You have a total household annual income of £30,000 or less (before housing costs/bills)

Or:

• You receive a means-tested benefit or meet additional eligibility criteria specified by your local authority (this is known as the ECO flexible eligibility ‘statement of intent’).

Homes with a mains gas supply could receive up to £10,000 while those that are off gas could receive up to £25,000.

Councillor Deborah Urquhart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “This is a significant opportunity for eligible residents to make changes at home that will have an impact on the twin challenge of rising energy costs and climate change. We would encourage our residents to take a close look at this opportunity and to pass on the information to friends and family they feel could qualify.”

The Warmer Homes programme is available to owner occupiers and private rental tenants only. If you are a private rental tenant, your landlord will be required to make a financial contribution.

To apply online visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk/programme and click ‘apply now’. You can also call 0800 038 5737 to see whether you are eligible.

A minute’s silence is to be held at 8pm this Sunday (18 September).

You may wish to mark the silence privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils. On behalf of the residents of West Sussex, the Chairman of the County Council will be sending a letter of heartfelt condolence to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The government has announced that Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.

You can find more details about the bank holiday and the funeral on the government’s website here.

On the link below we’ve pulled together a summary of our bank holiday opening hours and impacted services, including who you can contact at the county council if you need to.

You can also see a short video of the County Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III, which took place last Sunday on the steps of County Hall, Chichester.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - West Sussex County Council

Book of Condolence at the Queen's Hall

Cuckfield Parish Council has arranged a Book of Condolence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The book will be available to write in at the Queen’s Hall, High Street, Cuckfield from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am to 3pm. The book will be open until Tuesday 20th September 2022.

If you would like to sign the book outside these times, please contact the Parish Office who will be happy to assist you.

If you would prefer to sign the online book, please use this link:
https://www.royal.uk/

Flowers

Flowers can be left at the War Memorial within the burial ground at the Holy Trinity Church.
Please remove all cellophane when placing the flowers. They will remain in place until Tuesday 20th September when they will be removed and composted.

Union Jack Flag at the Queen’s Hall

The flag was lowered at the news of Her Majesty’s death on Thursday 8th September.
The flag was raised again at 11am on Saturday 10th September to mark the proclamation of King Charles III’s accession to the throne, and remained raised until 2pm on Sunday 11th September, when it was lowered again and will remain so until Tuesday 20th September.

Lying in State

Please see the link below for information about visiting Her Majesty the Queen whilst she is lying in state:

https://www.gov.uk/.../her-majesty-the-queens-lying-in...

Long Live the King

We join the nation in mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The flag on the Queen's Hall has been lowered to half-mast.

An online book of condolence will be opened on Buckingham Palace’s website.

A book of condolence will also be available at the Queen's Hall, High Street, Cuckfield, RH17 5EL for residents to come and sign from Monday 12th September 2022.

Flowers can be placed without cellophane wrapping at the War Memorial within the Holy Trinity Church burial ground.

Cllr Andy Burton, Chairman of Cuckfield Parish Council, made the following statement:

“Cuckfield Parish Council extends its sincere condolences to the Royal Family at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.  This is a sad day for the nation and the people of Cuckfield, who only recently wholeheartedly celebrated the Platinum Jubilee with such joy.  

God Save the King.”

Changes to the Parish Council meeting dates to observe the period of mourning will be updated on the website as soon as possible.

Lady Emma Barnard, HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, said:

"This solemn day is one of profound sadness, as news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II goes out across the world. It is a milestone in our history, and it marks the gentle and dignified close of the longest reign of any monarch this country has ever known.

"She was part of us all, held fast in the hearts of millions of people with the deepest respect, admiration and above all, love. I know that I speak for so many when I express my heartfelt gratitude for her, for her selfless and steadfast service to her people, for all she did for us and for the world, and for the extraordinary example she set. Her memory will endure. May she rest in peace.

"My thoughts and my prayers are with all the members of the Royal Family, as well as with Her late Majesty's staff and household. I have sent a private message of condolence to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of West Sussex.

"In particular, my thoughts and prayers are with The King, as he prepares for his Coronation and for the days to come. I hope and believe that he and his family will be sustained in their grief by the deep affection that will be shown for his mother as she is laid to rest, and that he will be strengthened by this as he takes his place as our Monarch and a new chapter of our history is born.

"God save the King."

Wednesday 19^th October 2022

Venue:  Council Chamber – upstairs at The Queen’s Hall

Time: 7.30pm – demonstration followed by Q & A

Cuckfield Parish Council are delighted to be working with first aid instructor Katie Jardine, as she puts on a free 45 minute training session on how defibrillators work and can be used when they are needed most. Just turn up, to get a practical insight into using the devices.

Mental Health Awareness - 1 hour virtual training 

• To provide practical information on mental health including symptoms and impact. 
• Understand the factors that help maintain mental health.

£250 for up to 20 people

Men's Mental Health - 1 hour 30 minutes virtual training

• Current social dynamics which may affect men. 
• Look at the differences between men and women. 
• Explore evolutionary adaptations and masculine roles within societies and the attributes which masculinity is associated with now. 
• Strategies which may be more helpful for men. 
•  Building resilience.

£275 for up to 20 people

Wellbeing and Resilience - 2 hour virtual training

• Understand the ‘mind-body’ connection to stress and wellbeing.  
• Know how to activate an anti-stress response using the Vagus Nerve. 
• Identify a Wellbeing toolkit to use at work and in personal life.  
• Understand what resilience is.  
• The factors that impact on resilience and why.  
• Consider practical approaches to help you build your own resilience. 

£300 for up to 20 people 

Go to the West Sussex Mind Eventbrite page to see all the courses, including e-learning, virtual and in-person training.

West Sussex Mind Events | Eventbrite

MSOPC is a local charity, managed and run by older people for older people in Mid Sussex

Here is their Autumn newsletter with some info if you are struggling with heating costs or getting a doctors appointment. Also details of the upcoming events including the Christmas Party and Silver Sunday coffee mornings.

People are being asked to return walking aids including crutches, sticks and frames that are no longer needed so that they can be recycled to help others.

West Sussex County Council is supporting this initiative during Recycle Week, which takes place from 19-25 September. It will bring the council, NHS England and partners together to promote the return and reuse of walking aids.

The items can be left with staff or deposited in the dedicated bins at any of the 11 Recycling Centres across West Sussex during Recycle Week.

The items will then be collected by our provider NRS, who will be able to clean and check them before reissuing them to those who might benefit so that they can maintain their independence. Any items which cannot be used again will be recycled, preventing them from going into landfill.

Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Having access to a walking aid such as a frame or stick can make a huge difference to some people. It can help them get around on their own and maintain their independence, which we know is very important to people based on what they tell us.

“That’s why I’d encourage anyone with walking aids that are no longer needed to return them please.

“Not only will this reduce the cost and the carbon emissions associated with producing new pieces of equipment, but it will also make a huge difference to someone else who might benefit from using them.”

Reusing a refurbished walking aid, including parts replacement, results in 87% lower carbon emissions on average than providing a brand new walking aid. This includes a generous allowance for a return journey from collection to a refurbishment site.

Recycling Centres will only be able to accept walking aids during Recycle Week, from 19-25 September. To return items at all other times, telephone NRS on 0345 1272931 or email [email protected].

If you are entering a site and bringing other waste with you, please note you may need to pre-book a slot, if required. Enter your postcode on our website to find your nearest Recycling Centre. 

The path will be closed for 5 days from 12^th September until 19^th September while works are undertaken.

Should you have any inquiries please call 01243 777620.

Never been to a virtual learning event? 

It is like an on-line workshop where you can see the trainer, other attendees, you can type questions, draw on whiteboards, meet with others in break out rooms and see a whole host of visual and written resources. You can also simply watch and learn if that’s your preference.
It is simple to join from a smart-phone or PC/tablet. You will be emailed a link that you simply need to click at the time the session is taking place. Full details of how to access the course will be sent to you once you have registered.

Tuesday 27th September 10:00-12:00: Supporting children and young people with social anxiety for professionals

This workshop will help you to gain insight into social anxiety, why it can occur in children and young people and how it can present in their behaviours. We will share strategies and resources that will enable you to effectively support children and young people.  

Attendance to this event is priced at £25 per person

Book your place here: https://Autumnprofessionals3.e...

Tuesday 4th October 14:00-16:00: Adverse childhood experiences for professionals

Early life experiences shape the foundations of our later development, learning and health. Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on the well-being and functioning of children, adults and families. This workshop will increase your understanding of trauma, adverse childhood experiences and attachment needs and explain the most effective ways to work with children and young people to reduce the ongoing impacts.

Attendance to this event is priced at £25 per person

Book your place here: https://Autumnprofessionals4.e...

Wednesday 5th October 11:00-13:00: Disordered eating virtual learning event for professionals

In this session the trainer, Jenny Langley, will cover - * What are eating disorders and exploding the myths. * Why professionals training? * Early warning signs and medical risk. * Empathy for the patient with an eating disorder. * Phases of Recovery. * Provide practical tips for communicating with and supporting people with eating disorders and their families/friends.

Attendance to this event is priced at £50 per person

Book your place here: https://Autumnprofessionals1.e...

If you have any queries please contact: [email protected]