Author: Andrew Taylor

Public Newsletter – 18 May 2018

Mid Sussex District Councillors have changed the structure of the Council and placed an even greater focus on supporting economic growth.

A new Finance and Performance Cabinet position has been created to allow the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth to spend more time developing the local economy. The Cabinet now comprises the Leader and six portfolio holders.

At the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 9 May, the number of Cabinet Members was increased by one, with Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke taking on the new role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

The Cabinet is now as follows:

• Leader – Councillor Garry Wall
• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth – Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards
• Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance – Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke
• Cabinet Member for Service Delivery – Councillor Gary Marsh
• Cabinet Member for Customer Services – Councillor Mandy Thomas-Atkin
• Cabinet Member for Community – Councillor Norman Webster
• Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning – Councillor Andrew MacNaughton

There are also changes to committees and other working groups as new chairs have been elected.

Councillor Bruce Forbes was re-elected as Chairman and will hold the position for the next 12 months, during the civic year that runs until next May. Councillor Colin Trumble was elected as the new Vice-Chairman.

“Our new structure will enable Councillor Ash-Edwards to dedicate more time, and focus more council resources, on helping the Mid Sussex economy thrive,” said Councillor Garry Wall, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council.

“We are working hard to create a positive business environment in Mid Sussex; helping small companies to grow; providing grant support and tax relief; funding local business associations and buying services from local businesses.

“The next 5-10 years are going to be a really important period of growth for Mid Sussex and represent a real opportunity for us to ensure our towns and villages are fit for the future. It’s essential that we secure the right level of infrastructure funding and our new Cabinet structure will enable us to spend more time lobbying national Government for extra money that will ensure all future growth is sustainable.”

On Saturday 5th May East Grinstead hosted the first leg of the  Mid Sussex Marathon (The three towns, three races challenge that make up the classic marathon distance of 26.2 mile). Running for the 7th time the three races had record entries this year, with the East Grinstead seeing over 400 on the start line.

Runners were able to enter each race individually but those completing all three received a special commemorative Marathon Weekend medal as well as their individual race medals.

In addition to the main races, there were Mid Sussex Mile races and a Mid Sussex Fun Run open to all, including younger runners and those seeking a more leisurely distance.

East Grinstead’s 10 mile race, starting and finishing at the rugby club, has been recognised from the beginning  as being the most challenging of the three, although equally the most scenic and it lived up to its reputation this year, with sweltering heat and  a couple of exceptionally muddy sections to negotiate. Many runners crossed the line covered head to toe in mud, but most had a smile of relief on their faces.

The annual event hosted by  Mid Sussex District Council and the Town Councils of East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, is managed by Places for People and race management company Nice Work and relies on many volunteers to safely marshal the courses. Thanks as ever, was extended to all of them.

All the runners were congratulated over the line and presented with a medal by East Grinstead Town Mayor Cllr Julie Mockford and Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Cllr Bruce Forbes.

Anyone interested in completing this challenge in 2019 should visit www.midsussexmarathon.co.uk and look for entry details.

[AFG_gallery id=’63’]