Author: Andrew Taylor

We are pleased to introduce our new Community Liaison Officer, Jonathan Ansley. Jonathan previously worked as our Outdoor Services Foreman, a position he held for over ten years. Previous to that, Jonathan’s background was in Insurance. Jonathan’s now role includes liaising with local businesses, community groups and the public in general.

“Jonathan has excellent communication skills, and will no doubt continue to be an excellent ambassador for the Council” said Head of Finance, Tony Neale. Jonathan will continue to be a regular sight around town, and please feel free to stop him for a chat.

“I’m really excited to be starting this new role within the Council, and I look forward to assisting the good people of East Grinstead wherever I can.”, said Jonathan.

Jonathan can be contacted at the Council’s offices on 01342 323636 or by email on j.ansley@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

IN a regular feature on the Town Council website, we will be remembering, on the anniversary of their deaths, the East Grinstead soldiers who died during WWI,  and who are named on the High Street War Memorial.

This month we recall (as recorded on The Roll of Honour website):

Arthur AGATE

Private G/8182 9th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division.

Killed in action near Arras 13. 4.17. Aged 32.

Son of James and Millicent Agate of Council Terrace, East Grinstead. Husband of Elizabeth Agate of Gassons Cottages, Baldwins Hill, East Grinstead.

Commemorated on The Arras Memorial MR. 20

Alec Henry BINGHAM

Private G/17787 12th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division.

Died of wounds 19. 4.17. Aged 21.

Son of Allan and Ellen Bingham of Chestnut Cottage, Crawley Down. Felbridge Estate Carpenter.

Born and enlisted in Horsham. Included on Felbridge Parish Church War Memorial Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium B. 11

Herbert BOYLETT

Private 703129 1/23rd Battalion, The London Regiment. 63rd Division.

Wounded in France and died at home 12. 4.17. Aged 25.

Husband of Elsie Kate Boylett of 144, Queens Road, East Grinstead.

Born in Purbright, Surrey and enlisted in Guildford Formerly with the Royal West Surreys. Buried Queens Road Cemetery, East Grinstead.

Alfred Baverstock DYKES

Private G/42003 24th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 2nd Division.

Killed in action at Arras 14. 4.17. Aged 38

Husband of Mrs. Rhoda Dykes of North Cottage, Limpsfield, Surrey.

Included on Limpsfield Parish Church War Memorial. Born in London and enlisted in Faversham, Kent. Resident of East Grinstead. Commemorated on The Arras Memorial MR. 20.

William F EDWARDS

Private G/4210 13th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division.

Killed in action 3. 4.17.

Born in East Grinstead and enlisted In Brighton.

Buried Railway Dugout (Transport Farm) Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium. B.127

Albert Edward PLEDGE

Private G/13158 6th Battalion, The East Kent Regiment. 12th Division.

Killed in action at Arras 9. 4.17 Aged 40

Husband of Mrs. Alice Pledge of Hillside Cottages, Tandridge. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Oxted, Surrey. Formerly with the West Surreys.

Buried St. Catherines British Cemetery. F. 96

William George THOMPSON

Sergeant. G/3707 9th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division.

Died of wounds 12.4.17.age 20.

Son of George and Annie Thompson of East Grinstead Born and enlisted in East Grinstead

Buried Fosse 10 Communal Cemetery Extension F. 570.

Arthur THORPE

Private PS/3499 17th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. 33rd Division.

Killed in action near Arras 28. 4.17.

Born in Forest Row and enlisted in East Grinstead. Resident of Ashurstwood.

Included on Ashurstwood Parish War Memorial. Commemorated on The Arras Memorial Mr. 20.

W.P. WHITING.

Shoeing Smith TS/8365 Royal Army Service Corps. No 4 Company 41st Divisional Train.

Died at home 3. 4.17

Buried Queens Road Cemetery, East Grinstead.

 

I was recently informed by a local resident that on 29^th March 2017 a documentary was uploaded to YouTube by a group of local university undergraduates entitled ‘The Town Run by Scientology’. The documentary features serving Councillors and is currently being shared on social media. Whilst I feel the overall accuracy of the documentary can be challenged on a number of levels, I do not wish to comment on this particular aspect, but felt it appropriate to address a couple of elements directed at the Council/Councillors and their conduct. It is suggested in the documentary, that there is the perception that the Council is ‘far too easy’ on the Scientologists and in terms of its lack of contribution to the documentary is ‘keeping quiet because it is in its best interests to do so.

The documentary refers in particular to the number of charitable donations Councillors have accepted on behalf of good causes in the town, and the perception that because these donations are received, the Council turns a blind eye to anything the Scientologists do for fear of upsetting them which is categorically untrue. The Council has no jurisidiction over the conduct of the Church of Scientology or any other organisation in the town it can only address concerns as and when they apply.

Councillors are duty bound by a code of conduct – a set of principles of public office known as ‘The Nolan Principles of which there are 7 – Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. The principles of Selflessness (to act solely within the public interest) and Honesty (to declare any interests as and when applicable) apply here and are wholly adhered to when any Councillor receives a donation for a good cause close to his or her heart and it is important to be aware that a number of these causes would not survive in this town without such charitable donations, as there are very few funding opportunities through more traditional channels.

The documentary also featured a scene depicting works being carried out at a Scientology owned property within the Saint Hill Green Area. It went on to imply that it was a regular occurrence for the Church of Scientology to disregard the Planning process. The property featured is subject to planning application DM/16/3611 which was originally submitted in September 2016 and initially refused by the Town Planning Committee. It returned again on the 23^rd January 2017. As Chairman of Planning, I have personally addressed the many concerns of local residents particularly relating to the level of impartiality that could be expected.  They were invited to attend the meeting and sit in the public gallery, to witness first hand the thorough scrutiny by the committee members and clear impartiality of process in an open and accountable manner – in line with the very principles already outlined. The committee were not in support of its retrospective nature, nor the impact any approval would have upon the immediate community in terms of loss of amenity and road safety and as such the application received a further recommendation for refusal and is now waiting to be scrutinised again at the District Council before a final decision is reached.

There is often a vast chasm between the public perception and the actual reality in terms of the day to day running of the Council, and documentaries such as this are one sided, misinformed and unhelpful to say the least.  In order to obtain the true perspective of how well run this Council is by its officers and how dedicated its elected members are, rather than choosing to perceive, I would urge the residents of this town to attend the many public meetings held – of which there are at least 35 a year – to witness for themselves the significant contribution that 19 Councillors make on behalf of the townfolk. I would remind you that Councillors are volunteers and the taxable £1000 annual allowance, which can be claimed, hardly covers the expenses of being a councillor and is no way a remuneration.

It is without question that the good causes of this town do receive financial assistance from the town’s largest resident and like any charitable donor this is acknowledged in the appropriate way. Perhaps more important to acknowledge is that our Town Council is not run by the Church of Scientology, it is run solely by the Officers who are employed and instructed by the Elected Members who in turn are voted in by the town people – that is the reality.

Cllr Jacquie Russell
Leader East Grinstead Town Council

At Central and South Sussex Citizens Advice we continually review our services to ensure they meet the needs of our clients and stakeholders, and implement improvements.

In 2017 we will be making some changes to how we operate in West Sussex to ensure we remain viable, fit for the future, and competitive in delivering maximum value for money as a volunteer-led organisation.

We will be setting up a dedicated telephone and digital focused advice team based in our Advice Centre in Shoreham, to meet our clients’ increasing demand for getting advice in these ways. We will be able to support more clients from across West Sussex in the way that suits them, either digitally or face to face.

We will be moving our existing Lancing Advice Centre from the Parish Hall to a great location in the heart of the town at Lancing Library, on Tuesdays from April 2017, with scope to extend if we have local demand.

We have piloted a successful new triage approach in our Worthing Advice Centre which will be rolled out across all centres this year. This new approach enables more people get the advice when they need it as quickly as possible, the first time they contact us.

We will be changing our centre opening times in East Grinstead and Burgess Hill from four days per week to two days in each, opening on Tuesday and Thursday. This change reflects local client demand and contact patterns.

In 2017 we will review our service models and how we provide advice in all our areas of service delivery, to ensure we are meeting the changing needs of our clients and stakeholders for the future.

Take a look at our leaflet at the huge local impact we made in 2015/16. We expect the changes we’re making to allow us to maintain and improve our impact in the coming years.

With local elections taking place in just a few weeks, voters in Mid Sussex are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote and are able to take part on polling day.

On Thursday 4 May 2017 voters in Mid Sussex will go to the polls to elect representatives for West Sussex County Council. The Mid Sussex electoral area of the County Council is made up of 12 divisions, each of which is represented by a single elected Councillor.

The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Thursday 13 April 2017. Whilst there is still time, it’s running out quickly. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Tom Clark, Returning Officer for Mid Sussex District Council said:

“Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives in West Sussex area. It’s quick and easy to register, but after the deadline of 13 April, it will be too late.”

To find out more about the election, or get help registering to vote, please contact Electoral Services at Mid Sussex District Council on elections@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477222.

2017 voters in Mid Sussex will go to the polls to elect representatives for West Sussex County Council. The Mid Sussex electoral area of the County Council is made up of 12 divisions, each of which is represented by a single elected Councillor.

The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Thursday 13 April 2017. Whilst there is still time, it’s running out quickly. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Tom Clark, Returning Officer for Mid Sussex District Council said:

“Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives in West Sussex area. It’s quick and easy to register, but after the deadline of 13 April, it will be too late.”

To find out more about the election, or get help registering to vote, please contact Electoral Services at Mid Sussex District Council on elections@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477222.

People in East Grinstead can now start having a conversation about their adult social care needs in a new way.

From this week, people are being encouraged to have early conversations with West Sussex County Council about their adult social care needs.

The aim is to reach out to people in their communities to help support their independence and quality of life.

A multi-disciplinary team from the county council will be based in the local area where they can talk with people about their circumstances.

For more information call 01243 642121 or email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk.

Peter Catchpole, Cabinet Member for Adult Services at West Sussex County Council, said: “We recognise people like to have these conversations closer to where they live.

“We want to meet people, their families and carers in local settings to talk about the support they need and we’ll help people make the best use of their strengths, including family and community networks.

“The new approach is also intended to provide greater continuity of contact with members of staff.”

East Grinstead is one of the first areas to trial the new approach.

A number of other areas are also trialling the new way of working. If it proves successful, a decision will be taken in the autumn about introducing the new approach across the county from January 2018.