Author: Andrew Taylor

A pony was found in the Isaacs Lane area of Haywards Heath around 9.30pm on November 25.

The bay coloured pony was wearing a rug and a head collar and was found on Butler’s Green Road and Tyler’s Green.

Anyone who knows anything about it or who it belongs to is asked to contact police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1466 of 25/11.

If you are looking for stocking fillers, why not pop into the town library in West Street or the museum in Cantelupe Road and take a look at the attractive town souvenirs which are on sale? Ideal gifts for anyone and all reasonably priced.

THERE is a vacancy near Baldwins Hill/Imberhorne Lower school for a school crossing keeper at the Lingfield Road/Burston Gardens area during term time.

West Sussex County Council is anxious to fill the position as soon as possible as the safety of children en route to school is of paramount importance.

For more information contact Julie Finn, SCP Manager julie.finn@westsussex.gov.uk or 0330 2226713.

ALL the town centre Christmas lights – installed jointly for the second time this year by East Grinstead Town Council and the Christmas Lights Committee – are now on.

The Christmas Lights Committee, which has been organising the lights for 30 years as volunteers, indicated in 2013 that they would soon want to stand down.

The Town Council offered to take the lights on and agreed a transition period over four years.

Last Christmas the Council arranged for the lights in the High Street between Middle Row and the roundabout, and it was agreed that further areas would be handed over until Christmas 216, when the entire project would be in Council hands.

The town’s traders have always donated towards the cost of the lights by appeal from the Committee, but this year the Town Council asked the traders in Railway Approach and the bottom of Kings Street to contribute directly to the Council as they were looking after that area.

The Town Council’s lights are erected and maintained on a contract basis, which means that the Town Council does not own, nor does it have to store or repair them, and that they can replaced every few years with new designs.

The first contract in 2013 was for five years, and as more areas get added to the Council’s orignal contract with the provider they will have the same end date, so that when the contracts run out together, a new scheme can be put in place.

The Town Council will be asking the town’s traders and residents for their views and ideas – but of course it will not be possible to meet everyone’s preference.

When there is just one scheme, the intention will be to liaise with the Rotary Clubs and to have a joint switch-on event for the lights and the Rotary Festive Tree.

TOWN councillor Danny Favor has been awarded a Presidential Banaag Award for his work in promoting the Filipino community in East Grinstead.

Danny will be flying to the Philippines to attend the presentation ceremony at the Malacanan Palace on 5 December with his wife Maribel.

“I received a phone call from the office of the Phillipines President’s Commission on Filipinos Overseas to say I had been chosen as the recipient of the award from among hundreds of Filipino individuals and organizations nominated worldwide for their significant contribution to advancing the cause of overseas Filipino communities,” said Danny.

“This once-in-a-lifetime award is huge honour, but my acceptance of it would not be complete without paying tribute to the team effort and generous support of everyone who have made this milestone a reality.

“I did not made this journey alone but with wonderful people who tirelessly guided and supported me all the way.

“And I will be accepting this award on behalf of them all – East Grinstead Town Council, Chequer Mead Community Art Centre, Extra Care Team, various community groups and organisations, the Philippine Embassy in London, the generous people of East Grinstead, my constituents, my family and friends.

“This award is for all of you. Countless thanks, and God bless you all.”

Town Clerk Julie Holden said: “We all offer our congratulations to Cllr Danny Favor.

“Danny has represented Ashplats Ward since 2011 and is vice chairman of the Charities Committee. He is a committed community enthusiast and started a volunteer health check service at local events with colleagues from the QVH where he works.

“We are delighted he has been chosen for this well-deserved honour.”

EAST Grinstead Town Council will be studying the implications of the newly-published Airports Commission report on the three options it has shortlisted for increasing the UK’s long term aviation capacity.

The Commission’s consultation, which is open until 3 February, is seeking views on the three options for a new runway in the South East – two at Heathrow and one at Gatwick.

In particular, the Commission wishes to:

• test the evidence base it has assembled
• understand stakeholders’ views as to the accuracy, relevance and breadth of the assessments it has undertaken
• seek views on the potential conclusions that might be drawn from them.

The Commission is also interested in evidence and ideas about improving the short-listed options – for example through mitigation measures to address specific impacts.

There is also a large number of supporting documents such as a sustainability assessment and business case for each of the three schemes.

Click here to see the consultation document.

Click here to see the Commission’s press release.

Gatwick Airport Limited has also issued a press release click here to see.

There is also a large number of supporting documents such as a sustainability assessment and business case for each of the schemes.

Click here to see the Gatwick business case and sustainability assessment.

Click here to see the detailed technical reports which underpin the Commission’s analysis.

Work submitted to the Commission by the three scheme promoters has also been published.

Click here to see Gatwick Airport Limited’s submission.

During the consultation period the Commission is undertaking a series of engagement events including two public discussion sessions, one in the Heathrow area on 3 December and one in the Gatwick area on 16 December. Members of Parliament, Local Authority leaders, community groups and business representatives have been invited to appear as witnesses setting out their views on the proposals.

There will also be opportunities during each event for stakeholders and local residents to make statements from the public gallery. Registration for the public gallery will open shortly and the Commission will provide details about how to register. The Town Council will be considering and compiling their response to the report over the next few weeks and will discuss it at the Council meeting on 2 February 2015 prior to submission to the Commission on the 3rd.

Want to do more business with the Council?

West Sussex County Council, in partnership with Capita, would like to invite all local Small, Medium Enterprises across the county to find out how to do business with the council.

West Sussex County Council Working in Partnership with the Local Economy

Richmond Room, Edes House, County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RW

15.00 – 17.00
1st December 2014

• How to work with West Sussex County Council
• How to find out about and access opportunities
• West Sussex Standing Orders on Procurement and Contracts
• The basics of procurement requirements and constraints
• E-tendering demonstration
• Q & A

Places are limited; therefore allocations will be made on a first come first served basis. If you would like to join us please RSVP to shara.benson@westsussex.gov.uk by 25th November 2014

The Line has an article saying that two sites in East Grinstead were being considered for permanent travellers sites by Mid Sussex DC. This is not correct as it is only the one site, at Imberhorne Lane, that is being considered in East Grinstead. Apologies for any confusion caused.