Author: Andrew Taylor

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has invited Sussex residents to let her know how they want their Council Tax spent.

“As Sussex P&CC I have a statutory obligation to set the police precept – the amount Sussex residents pay for policing in their Council Tax,” she said in a county-wide newsletter.

“I need to consider the case to secure additional funding for policing in Sussex next year and I welcome residents’ views on whether or not I should seek a precept increase in 2015/16.

In my first year in office I fulfilled my election pledge to freeze the precept meaning residents paid the same amount for policing in Sussex for four years.

Last year local taxpayers told me they would support a precept increase of 3.6%, which equates to an additional £4.95 per year per household (for a Band D property). This investment was required to fund additional resources to enable Sussex Police to respond to emerging crime threats including serious sexual offending and cybercrime as well as increasing the efficiency of officers on the frontline.

67% of those who responded to the consultation supported an increase in the precept. The Police and Crime Panel – who hold the important role of scrutinising my decisions – also endorsed the proposed rise. However, due to a limit, set nationally, on the amount that the precept could rise before triggering a costly referendum, I was only able to increase the precept in Sussex by 1.95% (£2.70 per household per year).

Despite this, good progress has been achieved in those areas of operational policing that required additional investment. However, the Chief Constable has set out a business case for additional funds in 2015/16 to meet the shortfall from last year.

A precept increase in 2015/16 of up to 1.98% would provide additional funding in order to deliver the operational investments Sussex Police need to make. In particular, investigating serious sexual offences and protecting the most vulnerable victims, especially children, remains a key priority for me and the Chief Constable.

This means that a local household living in a Band D property would pay an extra £2.79 per year for policing. However, at £143.91 per year, Sussex would still have the 4th lowest precept level in England and Wales.

As a voice for local people on policing and crime it’s very important that I know if Sussex residents are willing to pay more towards policing in their county.

The online survey can be accessed on the following link: http://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/public-consultations/. Printed copies are also available from my office. Telephone: 01273 481561 or email: spcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk.

The consultation will close on Friday 9 January and the results will help inform a decision in January 2015, which will be reviewed by the Police & Crime Panel.

Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you think,”

Katy Bourne
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

EAST Grinstead Town Council has snow shovels and good neighbour kits which can be borrowed from its East Court offices in the event of heavy snow this winter.

Anyone who wants to organise a pavement-clearing gang can help with snow clearance on the town’s pavements and streets: there are some rules to follow, but if residents sign up they will be covered by West Sussex County Council insurance while working on the roads.

There is also no need to worry about being sued if anyone slips on a pavement which has been cleared – as long as you have not acted to make it worse, there is no danger of being held responsible, and good neighbours, doing a good deed, will help everyone move around town more safely and more quickly.

WSCC has decided not to refill grit bins free this year and at £80 per bag, and with 17 bags needed to re-supply East Grinstead, the Town Council will have only enough to fill bins once this winter.

So use the grit sparingly – one shovelful should go a long way!

Once the supplies are exhausted, they are exhausted.

Please remember grit is provided for residential highways not private drives: if residents provide the salt for clearing their own drives and footpaths, the salt provided will go a lot further on the roads.

For more advice about coping with adverse weather conditions please see WSCC’s new website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/snow which will go live shortly.

You can look up which roads the County Council is able to grit, read about how the County Council prepares in the event of bad weather, and also about things you can do to stay well and safe in the event of a heavy snowfall.

• Check on vulnerable or elderly family and neighbours – they may need your support in bad weather
• Don’t use water to clear snow and ice, it will refreeze and become more dangerous
• Don’t travel unless you have to and make sure your vehicle is ready for cold weather
• Be prepared – keep a supply of provisions in case of bad weather
• Mobile phones and social media such as Facebook and Twitter are an excellent and easy way to keep in touch during severe weather events. Make sure you share your details with your neighbours
• Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions, especially footwear

It doesn’t hurt to think ahead and be well prepared. Don’t forget, you can also follow @WSHighways on Twitter, or ‘West Sussex Matters’ on Facebook, to keep up to date and share information.

For further advice, you can also visit www.metoffice.gov.uk and search ‘Get Ready for Winter’.

AS the pioneering work of World War II Burns surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe is commemorated with a public statue in his honour, his story is brought to life in the hands of the celebrated sculptor Martin Jennings and through the moving testimony of 92-year-old wartime survivor Sandy Saunders.

As the three men and their three lives intersect and intertwine, they offer us one story: a heart-lifting celebration of the human spirit.

You can view a short film trailer here:
https://vimeo.com/8798947

Click this link to CINECITY to buy tickets:
http://www.cine-city.co.uk/festival-event/mcindoe/

Photo: Martin Jennings with the statue of Sir Archibald McIndoe © East Grinstead Online

HOMEGROWN Film’s 60-minute documentary Mcindoe, which tells the story of Martin Jennings’ statue in honour of the pioneering plastic surgeon, has been chosen to feature in Brighton’s Cinecity Film Festival.

It will be shown on Saturday 6 December at 12.30pm at the Dukes at Komedia cinema.

PAUL Johnson is the new chairman of the Disablity Access group following the recent death of Eric Mackie.

In announcing his acceptance of the role, Paul paid warm tribute to Eric, saying that the prospect of following in his footsteps was a “daunting” one.

“No doubt Eric’s sudden passing was as much a shock for you as it was for me,” he wrote in a letter to group members. “We have lost such a great man who tirelessly worked for the good of those he was seeking to serve. The attendance of his Celebration of Life Service at St John’s in Dormansland on the 15 October was true testament of the high regard in which he was held by so many. He will not be forgotten.

“I am sure that many of you have already passed on condolences and tributes to Ann and members of his family and it is the task of the committee to see that his hard work is progressed into the future as our memorial to his name and his achievements.

“I have the dubious honour, because it is daunting in prospect, of having taken the helm in Disability Access (East Grinstead Area) following endorsement by the Executive Members.

“Most of you will be aware that I have assumed a fairly active role in the Group’s activities and have served on the committee for some years. During that time I have been involved with Eric on the various tasks embarked upon. I am committed to maintaining his tenacity in pressing for solutions or easements, particularly on issues such as the lack of access to Platform One at the station and the pressure for better toilet facilities at the top of town.

“I would like to commend all the Executive Members for their hard work in support of Eric and the group, especially those involved with the hire of mobility equipment. I will naturally rely heavily on their expertise and experience as I endeavour to steer the group forward. In doing so I ask that you feel free to express your views to me at any time especially if you think that there is another avenue that we might pursue for the common good of all.

“I would like to keep that sense of welcome on our door.”

TOWN souvenirs suitable for stocking fillers are available from the West Street library now.

THE Dementia Awareness Day at the library has had to be rescheduled for 20 November, from 10am – 1.30pm.

It is a FREE drop-in session for members of the public and will be hosted by several related organisations promoting their services in the local community.