Author: Andrew Taylor

As you may be aware, UK Power Networks manages the local power lines and substations which distribute electricity to over 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

Storm Dudley will arrive tomorrow and is forecast to have a minimal impact on our network. However, Storm Eunice is expected to arrive on Friday 18th and is expected to bring stronger winds and unsettled weather.

Our electricity network is built to be resilient but strong winds and heavy rain can bring down branches and trees, damaging overhead power lines. Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

We have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground, particularly for Storm Eunice, to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather.

Residents will be able to find regular updates and information about individual power cuts on our website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk. We will also be posting general updates on Twitter @UKPowerNetworks.

Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map, with details of individual power cuts
• Call 105 free of charge to speak to our customer service team, report a power cut or damage to the electricity network
• Tweet @UKPowerNetworks to report a power cut or to receive updates
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If you see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut. Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register. You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority

A couple from Hurstpierpoint have been convicted of benefit fraud after dishonestly claiming over £60,000.

David Aston and Eugina Wallis of Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint fraudulently claimed £62,930 in overpaid benefits after providing false information to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Mid Sussex District Council.

The couple made separate claims for Income Support on the basis that they were single and living alone. However, an investigation by Mid Sussex District Council produced evidence that David Aston and Eugina Wallis were in fact married and living together in Hurstpierpoint.

Mr Aston also dishonestly claimed Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit for a property in Bognor Regis, which he said he was living in with his carer. That property was occupied by his daughter Kelly Aston, 31, who was living in the property rent free.

On 3 December 2021, David Aston, Eugina Wallis and Kelly Aston pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to 11 of the 19 indictments brought against them.

Judge Janet Waddicor said: “There is overwhelming evidence of dishonesty over a number of years. The amount of work by the investigators on this case is truly impressive.

“The amount of work that has gone into this investigation is astonishing. The degree of careful investigation was truly exceptional.”

Sentencing took place on 28 January 2022 and David Aston received 22 months in prison. Eugina Wallis was sentenced 36 weeks in prison and Kelly Aston received 12 months community service, comprising 100 hours work.

Councillor Ruth De Mierre, Cabinet Member for Customer Services said:

“The Council will always take firm action against the very small minority of benefit claimants who seek to cheat and be a drain on the wallets and purses of our law abiding Mid Sussex residents. Members of the public can help us catch these cheats by reporting suspected fraud anonymously via the Council’s website www.midsussex.gov.uk/revsandbens/benefits/fraud or the National Fraud Hotline 0800 854 440.”A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman added: “We constantly review how we tackle benefit theft. We are committed to deterring those considering fraud; to detecting fraud when it does occur and to making sure those who commit benefit theft are brought to justice.”

Cllr Danny Favor has been awarded The Pamana ng Pilipino Award as part of the 2021 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO). There were 117 nominees from 31 countries around the world with 53 being awarded the honour.

This award is conferred on Filipino overseas, who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honour and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

Cllr Favor who has been a Town Councillor since 2011 and was Town Mayor 2019-2021, was previously awarded the Presidential BANAAG Award 2014. Speaking about the honour Cllr Favor said “I Just want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all (Town Council, Staff, Councillors, Residents, Community groups/organisations and others) for making this happen. This would not have been possible without the support of everyone. This award is for all of us.”

The Town Council offers its sincere congratulations to a very hard working and humble Councillor. As well as his Councillor role; Danny is a nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital, and gives many additional hours along with his wife Maribel, organising a volunteer group of medical practitioners offering wellbeing checks for residents.

Dear Residents of East Grinstead,

Your Local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be holding a drop in Surgery at:

East Grinstead Library, 32-40 West Street, East Grinstead, RH19 4EY

On the following date:

Thursday 27th January 2022 – 16:00 – 17:00

If there are any issues you would like to discuss please pop along to meet your local officers and speak to them.

We will also have the Community Speed Watch co-ordinator in attendance.

We look forward to seeing you.

Kind Regards,
PCSO Lengyel

Please note these dates and times may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.