Author: Andrew Taylor

Mid Sussex District Council adopted a new Animal Welfare Policy, approved funds for accessibility improvements to the Council Chamber and agreed new powers to combat anti-social behaviour at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday 29 January.

The Council has adopted a new Animal Welfare Policy to provide additional guidance to current and potential licence holders and the public about how animal licensing is administered in Mid Sussex.

Businesses that work with animals such as pet shops, dog breeders, animal boarding establishments and riding stables must be licenced by the council to ensure their animals are safe and well.

The Animal Welfare Policy sets out all the conditions local businesses must follow to protect the welfare of their animals, prevent the spread of infectious disease and ensure the suitability of the business owner. Inspections are carried out by the Council to confirm that standards are maintained and any complaints are thoroughly investigated.

Councillors agreed a £584,000 budget for essential improvement works to the Council Chamber and public gallery. The Council Chamber has not undergone any significant changes since it was built in the 1960s and requires a number of changes to improve accessibility for disabled people.

Plans include the installation of a lift to provide physically disabled people with access to the Council Chamber and public gallery. There will also be work to replace old and obsolete equipment including heating, air conditioning, an audio-visual system and the installation of hearing loops for people with hearing and visual impairments.

New measures were agreed to help combat the ongoing issue of car cruising and racing in Burgess Hill. Between November 2017 and June 2019 Police data shows over 140 incidents of anti-social driving in the town. Residents and local businesses have complained specifically about organised meets in town centre car parks that lead to anti-social behaviour including speeding, careless driving and excessive noise.

The Council approved a Car Cruising Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to provide simpler and more effective powers to deal with car related anti-social behaviour. The PSPO lasts for a period of three years and covers the whole town. Anti-social acts such as speeding or racing, performing stunts, causing a disturbance by sounding horns, revving engines or playing loud music and causing damage to property could now result in a Fixed Penalty of £100 under the new PSPO powers.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said: “Animal welfare is an important issue and our new policy provides clear guidance for current and potential business owners about what is expected of an animal licence holder in Mid Sussex.

“Accessibility improvements to the Council Chamber and public viewing gallery are much needed, so it’s great to agree a budget for this important project and to improve our facilities for all the members of the public who come along to follow council meetings.

“Car cruising related anti-social behaviour is a nuisance and causes unnecessary disruption for many Burgess Hill residents. This new Public Space Protection Order responds to the concerns of residents and provides the Police with additional powers to tackle persistent offenders.”

East Grinstead Town Council on Monday night set its budget and precept for the 2020/2021 year.  The precept is set to rise by 6% to £88.16 per year per band D property. The annual rise ranges from £3.33 for a Band A to £9.99 for a Band H property, The annual Band D rise is £4.99.

Council Leader Dick Sweatman said: “the Council does not like to increase the precept, however being mindful of the need to respond to residents expectations for national celebrations such as VE Day 75, the real possibility of the County Council reducing winter maintenance services and the aspiration to bring St Margarets Loop and Queens Road Cemetery back in to use, these things are not possible without an increase.

The Town Council services include graffiti removal/ public works for the County Council / civic planting / street furnishings/ town events and promotions.   The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organizations.”

The total East Grinstead Town Council band D council tax, equates to  £1.68 per week, comparing favourably with other consumer costs such as a dozen large eggs at £1.80, a pint of beer at £3.93

Could you support your community while learning new skills, earning extra money and gaining some valuable lifesaving training?

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is on the lookout for retained (on-call) firefighters across the county particularly in the following areas: East Grinstead, Turners Hill, Hurstpierpoint, Shoreham, Storrington, Petworth, Arundel and East Wittering.

From fires and road traffic collisions to flooding and community prevention work – you’ll be playing a huge part in one of our emergency services.

Retained firefighters respond from work or home but must be in close proximity whilst on-call.

Fourteen of the County’s 25 fire stations are crewed solely by a retained (on-call) workforce.

So, think you could become part of the team and keep the people of West Sussex safe?

Find out more by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire.

If you’re looking for a new direction and want a more fulfilling job in the new year, then working in care could be for you.

Care providers across West Sussex need to recruit more staff especially over winter when there are huge pressures on the industry.

Roles range from Care Assistants and Community Support Workers to Activity Assistants, kitchen and office staff.

Care work offers flexibility so people with family commitments can work the hours that suit them, pay is competitive and the work is rewarding and fun. People that make great carers have a compassionate nature, empathy and the patience to spend quality time with those that need care either in their own home or residential care homes.

For more information and to search for vacancies visit the Proud to Care website or email proudtocare@westsussex.gov.uk.

The Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee will meet in public next Wednesday 22 January to go through the proposals for how the council will spend its budget for 2020/21. 

The committee, made up of members from all three political parties, will look carefully at the proposals and put forward comments or recommendations for the Cabinet to consider on 28 January, ahead of Full Council in February, when the final budget is agreed.  

Despite saving almost £240 million over the last ten years, there are still more savings to be made to address the £45 million budget gap over the next three years. The proposals will set out how the council intends to provide vital services to our residents in a cost effective way. 

The committee will meet at County Hall Chichester at 10.30am. You can attend the meeting in person or watch it online via our West Sussex Webcasts page. Final proposals will go to Full Council on 14 February to be formerly approved. 

For further information about the council’s financial position visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/budget or sign-up to the Budget Challenge mailing list.

Mid Sussex District Council has produced a new strategy to prevent homelessness and help homeless people find long-term affordable and sustainable housing.

The new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy was presented to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee for Housing, Planning and Economic Development on 22 January 2020. At the meeting, Committee Members recommended that the strategy be formally adopted by Full Council on 1 April 2020.

The new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy identifies 5 key priorities for addressing homelessness within Mid Sussex:

1) Preventing and relieving homelessness

The most effective way to minimise the impact of homelessness is to prevent it occurring in the first place. The Council helps residents at risk to ensure they are receiving all the benefits and support to which they are entitled. When homelessness cannot be avoided, Rent in Advance and Deposit Guarantee Schemes can help local people to find somewhere new. Over the last 5 years, Mid Sussex District Council has helped over 470 households obtain housing through the private rented sector.

2) Minimise the use of and improve temporary accommodation

Being in temporary accommodation can be a stressful experience, particularly if the accommodation is located away from support networks, health care, employment and schools. The Council is committed to providing more temporary accommodation within Mid Sussex and enabling households to move on to a settled home as soon as possible.

3) Prevent recurring homelessness

Housing Officers work with people in temporary accommodation to ensure that appropriate support is provided, either by the Council or an external agency. The Council’s Employment Co-ordinator ensures households are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to and provides advice and assistance to enable them to find employment.

4) Tackling rough sleeping and homelessness amongst vulnerable groups

The Council works with Turning Tides, which is a community led homelessness organisation that provides support to long-term rough sleepers and those new or at risk of rough sleeping.

5) Enable access to suitable and affordable accommodation

Mid Sussex District Council requires all new residential development over 11 units to provide 30% affordable housing. Last year the Council oversaw the delivery of 102 new affordable houses.

Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning said:

“Homelessness, in all its forms, can have a significantly detrimental impact on people and their families. Health and wellbeing suffers, there’s a detrimental impact on educational achievement and homelessness can act as a barrier for those seeking and keeping employment.

“Our Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy will help to ensure that fewer people in Mid Sussex experience the trauma of homelessness and that those who do can find a settled home as quickly as possible.”

For more information contact the Mid Sussex Housing Needs team on 01444 477574 or email housingadvice@midsussex.gov.uk