Author: Andrew Taylor

The need for sixth form provision in Haywards Heath has been agreed by Government.

This marks an important stage in the work to get the Harlands Road site brought back into educational use.

Led by Sir Nicholas Soames MP; West Sussex County Council, Mid Sussex District Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership (Coast to Capital LEP) and the University of Sussex have been working together to make the case to Government that the site should be brought back into use and a sixth form should be created.

Anne Milton MP, the Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships has agreed that there is a need for a sixth form in Haywards Heath and that, to meet this gap, Government will look into bringing the Harlands Road site back into educational use.

“This is a really important step forward” said Sir Nicholas. “As more houses are built and the District grows, it is essential that there is a good quality sixth form for young people. It is terrible to see the Harlands Road site sitting empty and young people having to travel long distances to get to colleges outside the District.”

‘I am so pleased that the Minister has accepted the case we have made. This is an excellent example of local organisations coming together to make a compelling case. The two councils, the LEP and the University of Sussex have worked very hard on behalf of local communities.”

The competitive process will be led by the Further Education Commissioners. It will aim to identify a high quality, local provider with an excellent track record.

“The District Council has been determined to get the Harlands Road site back into educational use,” said Councillor Garry Wall, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council. “We have greatly valued the leadership of Sir Nicholas and strong partnership work with the other bodies. There is still a long way to go but this is a significant development.”

Councillor Richard Burrett, Deputy Leader of West Sussex County Council and Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “We have been working with partners to understand the need for post-16 provision in Mid Sussex and to look at what options could be explored. We are keen to be a partner in, and facilitator of, any project that may emerge as part of this work.”

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital said: “Businesses are growing strongly in Mid Sussex and all around the Gatwick area.  We need to ensure that high quality education is provided in the local area so that young people are able to access good local jobs when they leave education.”

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, said: “I am delighted that the Government supports the plans for a sixth form in Haywards Heath.  Experts from the University will be supporting the plans and will work with our partners to ensure that the sixth form will provide a high quality education for local students.”

The Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council has marked the exceptional work of community spirited individuals from throughout the district with a special awards ceremony on Sunday 16 September.

The Council welcomed 44 community champions and their friends and family to the South of England Showground in Ardingly to issue them with Community Service Awards. Presented by Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council and Caroline Nicholls, the High Sherriff of West Sussex, the awards acknowledge the dedication to helping their community which has been shown by the winners.

Read about the East Grinstead award recipients

Each year, Mid Sussex District Council invites its Members, and town and parish councils, to nominate residents who dedicate their time, skills and energy to enhancing the quality of community life.

Dave Grimley was nominated by Councillor Pete Bradbury for the tireless work he has done to support grassroots rugby in Haywards Heath. Organised sport means so much to the local community but it is only possible because of hardworking volunteers who do so much behind the scenes. Dave has helped to rebuild Heath RFC on and off the pitch. He carefully maintains the club’s accounts and finances to ensure it remains in a sound financial position and he is an active mini rugby coach who brings real enjoyment to young children who are just starting out in the sport.

Malcolm Hulatt received a community award after being nominated by Councillor Sandy Ellis for the work he does to ensure blind and visually impaired people feel part of the local community. Malcolm is the Chairman of Yews Talking News, an organisation that has been providing audible news to blind and visually impaired residents in Haywards Heath since 1976. Volunteers read, record, edit and distribute audio recordings to keep visually impaired people fully updated on local news and events.

Nominated by West Hoathley Parish Council, Beverley Mager has been involved with local charities and voluntary organisations for many years. She was senior leader of West Hoathley Playgroup, is heavily involved with the local Scouts and is an active member of the British Legion. Beverley is always available to help at fundraising events and she supports local people through difficult times on a one to one basis through the friendship group she has helped to set up.

“Our Community Service Awards are such an important event in the annual calendar because they honour the members of our community who do so much to make Mid Sussex such a great place to live,” said Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council.

“We have another amazing group of people this year who have undertaken a wide range of activities, fundraising and volunteer work. We are so fortunate to have such kind-hearted people who are willing to give up their time to help others and support the local community.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate people for these awards and thank you to the recipients for all your hard work; it’s very much appreciated by us all.”

Refill Mid Sussex is on a mission to make refilling water bottles as easy, convenient and cheap as possible, by introducing Refill Stations on every street.

An exciting Refill Scheme has launched in Mid Sussex which encourages participating cafes, bars, restaurants, banks, galleries, museums and other businesses to sign up to the free Refill app and put a sticker in their window alerting passers-by to the fact they’re welcome to fill up their bottle for free.

Refill Mid Sussex is being delivered by a team of volunteers in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council. It’s a nationwide campaign, with similar schemes running in many different parts of the country. The Council is now encouraging new volunteers to join the movement, talk to local businesses about Refill and help them become part of the campaign by putting a sticker in their window.

The average adult buys more than 3 plastic water bottles every week* – a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste ending up in the ocean.

City to Sea, a not-for-profit organisation headed by entrepreneur Natalie Fee, launched the award-winning Refill Scheme in 2015. It’s estimated that the scheme, now being rolled out nationwide with support from Water UK and local water companies, will cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year, as well as substantially increasing the availability of high quality drinking water.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Cabinet Member for Resources and Economic Growth at Mid Sussex District Council, who are launching Refill Mid Sussex, explains why both businesses and their customers should get involved:

“Here in Mid Sussex we’re rightly proud of our stunning landscapes and countryside,” said Councillor Ash-Edwards. “Plastics, including single-use plastic bottles, are now the most frequently found type of litter on UK beaches and you don’t have to look far to find them littering our towns and green spaces too.

“Refill Mid Sussex gives us all the opportunity to help make this type of litter a thing of the past at the same time as saving money. It’s good business sense as well, as customers view businesses that provide free water refills more favourably and are more likely to return to them to make future purchases.

“Every time we refill a re-usable bottle instead of buying and throwing away a single-use bottle we not only reduce the amount of plastic and fuel being used, we save a bit of money and help clean up our towns and open spaces too. We’re so excited to see the launch of Refill Mid Sussex, which will make it easy to look out for the stickers or check the app to find out where you can refill for free.”

Water UK Chief Executive Michael Roberts added:

“As an industry with a strong focus on the environment we are passionate about tackling the problems caused by plastic bottles, which clog up rivers and drains, and pollute our seas. By refilling water bottles, we can all help turn this harmful tide of plastic waste. This country has some of the best drinking water in the world and we want everyone to benefit from it. This scheme will do that by making it easier for people to refill their bottles wherever they work, rest, shop or play.”

Refill Mid Sussex builds on the success of Refill around the UK, which now boasts a network of over 12,000 Refill Stations. Find out more about Refill Mid Sussex and how to take part at www.facebook.com/Refillmidsussexdistrict. Visit the Refill website at www.refill.org.uk to download the free Refill app and find out more about the Refill movement.

The Refill Mid Sussex scheme is part of Mid Sussex District Council’s Plastic Reduction Plan and Sustainability Strategy. For more information visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/environment/sustainability/

Briefing on the role of a Town Councillor

&

The remit of the East Grinstead Town Council

4.30 PM AND 6.30 PM

Wednesday 14^th November 2018

The Council Chamber at East Court Mansion

Please book (for numbers) w.mackenzie@eastgrinstead.gov.uk  01342 323636

West Sussex CC want to make everyone aware of changes at the Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRSs), which come into effect from 1 October 2018.

A new scheme means householders in West Sussex who use a van, pickup or single axle trailer for private purposes will need to obtain a free permit.

The permit is available to West Sussex residents only and allows those who drive a commercial-type vehicle or have a trailer to continue to use it to dispose of just their household waste. The scheme does not cover waste generated by a business or household waste that has been collected by a trader for a charge.

The permits are being introduced to help address congestion at the sites, eliminate illegal disposal of commercial waste and discourage out-of-county visitors from bringing in large loads.

Over 8,000 permits have been issued so far. But WSCC want to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the scheme before it is fully implemented on 1 October.

As well as the new permit scheme, some vehicles will no longer be allowed to use HWRSs. Restricted vehicles include:

• multi axle trailers (four wheels)
• horse boxes
• tipper trucks
• flatbed or dropside trucks
• Luton (box) type vans.

For reasons of site safety and reducing congestion all trailers will also be excluded from Bognor Regis and Littlehampton sites.

Please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/permitscheme to find out more.

Applications for 2018 are now closed

If you are over 65, on a low income, could we help you with a Christmas voucher?

Pick up a form at East Grinstead Town Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern or Library.

Completed forms must be returned on or before Friday 14th November 2018 to East Grinstead Town Council, Ashurst Wood Parish Council, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Age UK East Grinstead & District or Library.

These were the East Grinstead recipients of the Mid Sussex Chairman’s awards.

Michael Champion (Nominated by the East Grinstead Town Council) was awarded for the 25 years he has chaired the East Grinstead Model Railway Club and his organisation of the annual exhibition.

Sarah Howland (nominated by District and Town Councillor Norman Webster) for chairing the Stone Quarry Crew and all the hard work to set up the Quarry Community Café for all members of the community to use

Christine Van der Valk (nominated by District Councillor Edward Belsey) for being a volunteer for the Alzheimers Society since 2005, being a Dementia Champion and hard working member of the East Grinstead Dementia Action Alliance

Town Mayor Rex Whittaker was a guest at the ceremony and was delighted to meet and chat to the East Grinstead recipients.

Town Mayor Rex Whittaker and his consort Miss Ali Hinton were guests at the Haywards Heath unveiling of the Paving Stone for Victoria Cross recipient Sgt George Knight, who was born in Haywards Heath and died towards the end of the first world war on 2 September 1918.

The event was marked by the attendance of the High Sheriff, representatives of the Canadian Commission and the Calgary Highlanders who are the perpetuators of the 10th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, of which Sgt Knight was a member.  Sgt Knight was born in Haywards Heath and emigrated to Canada before the outbreak of war.

This event drew parallels to the ceremony East Grinstead held back in 2014 when we unveiled our stone in honour of Pte Sidney Godley VC. Mid Sussex Towns being the birthplace of the first and almost the last recipients of Victoria Cross for bravery during WW1, seems to be quite unique.

A whole host of free exercise sessions, tailored to meet the needs of people over the age of 50, will be on offer, as well as advice and information on staying fit and well in later life.

There will be the opportunity to try Tai Chi, Pilates, bowls, walking netball, badminton, table tennis, yoga and line dancing with an organised sing – a-long at the end of the day.

Charities, voluntary groups and local organisations will be on hand to offer advice on topics such as developing a healthy lifestyle and staying fit. There will also be free audiology testing available on the day.

Trained Wellbeing Advisors from Mid Sussex District Council will be on hand provide free wellbeing health checks to help people spot potential health problems at an early stage. The checks take 30 minutes and include a BMI (Body Mass Index) reading that is calculated by measuring height and weight.

After the health check, there will be an opportunity to discuss the results with a trained health advisor, who will provide personalised advice on how to lower the risk of future problems and maintain a healthy lifestyle.