East Grinstead Town Council is pleased to announce that applications for the 2025 Sidney Betchley, Henry Smith Charity, and John Smith’s Trust are now open.
This small charitable trust provides financial support at Christmas for residents aged 66 or over, on a low income, and living in the parishes of East Grinstead, Forest Row, or Ashurst Wood. All applications are means-tested by the trustee committee. If you know someone who may benefit, please share this opportunity with them.
How to apply
Printed application forms are available from East Grinstead Town Council and East Grinstead Library.
The following crime statistics were shared at the Public Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday 3rd June:
East Grinstead – Last 3 months (1.3.25 – 27.5.25)
1,896 calls to Police – 291 Cat A (meaning a car will arrive within 10 minutes), 112 Cat B, 168 Cat C
100 with a Domestic Abuse (DA) tag (27 less DA calls than in the previous 3 month period)
707 incidents were attended by Police (50 more incidents attended than for the previous 3 month period)
Of the 707 incidents attended – these include 95 violent crimes, 113 medical incident/concern, 71 suspicious acts, 38 road related incidents, 33 RTCs, 32 ASB and 19 burglaries
Recorded crime in East Grinstead
-25.7% reduction in Burglary
+20.8% increase for Theft
+21.2% increase for Robbery
-3.4% reduction in Possession of Weapons offences
-11.7% reduction in recorded DA crime
Overall East Grinstead remained a very safe place to live, with Mid Sussex being at the lower end of crime for Sussex, which was approx. mid table across the country.
The police station was used 707 times on different occasions over the past 3 months by officers, even though the front desk was only manned 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm.
Category A calls were responded to within 10 minutes; if this time was missed it would only be by 1-2 minutes, no longer. Category A was classified as a crime in progress and typically a response vehicle would be sent from Crawley as it was a faster drive.
The ASB rates provided were lower than the impression of issues shared by the public with Councillors. The importance of reporting incidents was emphasised, as police officers were intelligence led; if the reports were not made the police would remain unaware of issues occurring.
Speeding was the responsibility of the Road Safety Unit, Insp Derrick would follow up with them to share details of this.
Police Officers did not have the powers to enforce vehicle noise unless it was caused by a deliberate modification.
The Estates Management Team has been buzzing — and for good reason! We’re thrilled to announce that our town has been crowned a winner of the Bee Friendly Town Award, thanks to an initiative sparked by the Environmental & Sustainable Travel Committee. Pollinators, especially bees, play a vital role in keeping our environment healthy, and our town has always shown them some love. From the vibrant hanging baskets to planting and habitat-friendly spaces, we’re proud to support our tiny, winged workers. But we didn’t stop there. Education and community spirit are just as important. Our Youth Club got creative, designing eye-catching bee posters to mark World Bee Day, while our magical fairy trail became a hub of fun bee facts, bringing awareness with a smile. Together, we’ve shown that small wings can make a big impact — and so can we.
It’s incredible to think six months have already flown by since I began my journey as mayor of East Grinstead. Every day since May has reinforced my deep pride in this wonderful, beautiful town and the people who make it so special. I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who has welcomed me and shared their stories along the way.
The past months have brought so many memorable moments and the chance to connect with countless clubs, organizations, and remarkable individuals who give their time and energy to make East Grinstead an even better place. This community spirit—the volunteers and residents who support one another—is truly like the glue that keeps East Grinstead strong and resilient.
Among the standout moments was the Jeunes Sans Frontières event in Bourg-de-Péage, where I had the immense pleasure of witnessing our students become Champions of Europe. Their achievement fills me with pride, and it’s been a joy to meet so many of East Grinstead’s young people, each of whom is a fantastic ambassador for our town. They are the next generation of leaders and community builders, and their enthusiasm and dedication to representing East Grinstead make me incredibly optimistic for the future.
Some other unforgettable highlights include the commemorations of D-Day, where we gathered to honour the courage of those who fought for freedom, and the vibrant East Court Live events, held on two brilliant summer days. Each gathering, from the Fire Station Open Day to Queen Victoria Hospital’s 80th anniversary celebration of the Canadian Wing, the Classic Car Show, and the East Grinstead 10k, has showcased the unique charm of our town and the strong bonds between its people.
A special moment was also hosting the Mayor’s reception, where we celebrated our town’s unsung heroes. These volunteers, working quietly behind the scenes, are the foundation of our community’s strength. It’s their dedication and kindness that keep East Grinstead thriving, and we are all better for their contributions.
One of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken this year has been raising funds for East Grinstead’s first electric Community Trishaw in collaboration with the local charity Being Neighbourly. Our goal is to raise £12,000, and thanks to the support of so many, we’ve already raised £6,000! This trishaw will provide a life-changing experience for socially isolated, able, and less able-bodied members of our community, giving them the opportunity to feel the joy of cycling. I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported this initiative and helped us get so far. Your generosity will make a tangible difference in the lives of so many. There is still a long way to go so if you’d like to contribute to this wonderful and life-changing project, please click here to donate.
Looking ahead, the next six months promise even more to look forward to, including the Christmas lights and the Big Reveal, both of which will bring our community together in celebration. I am profoundly grateful for every person I’ve met, every story shared, and every act of kindness I’ve witnessed. Serving East Grinstead is a true honour, and I’m excited for all that lies ahead as we continue working together to keep our town as vibrant, strong, and beautiful as ever.
The East Court Mansion and the Meridian Hall form part of the East Court Estate, which is set-in award-winning parkland conveniently nestled in the serene Countryside of Sussex with sweeping views overlooking Ashdown Forest in the distance.
The Meridian Hall has a capacity of 150 persons and in the main is used for weddings, birthday parties and other special occasions and directly linked to our multi-function room is our fully licensed bar; which has been operated by a local provider since 2015.
East Grinstead Town Council is committed to achieving best value and has a duty to regularly review its contracts to test the market and obtain value for money.
The agreement in place with our current provider is due for renewal in January 2025, and as such we would like to offer you the opportunity to provide a quotation for the provision of the bar facility for the East Grinstead Town Council.
East Grinstead Town Council views the bar service as a partnership and will work with the appointed provider to develop the facilities, equipment and promoting of the bar services, where possible.
The Remembrance Parade will take place on Sunday 10th November. Road closures will be in place from 10:15am to 12 noon. The following roads will be closed: King Street (which will be reopened after the parade has passed approx. 10:50am), London Road, High Street and Church Lane (as far as Chequer Mead Car Park) (see attached notice and road closure map).
There will be a minute’s silence at 11am, the Town Mayor and Mims Davis MP will each lay a wreath at the War Memorial in the High St. There will be a temporary halt of the traffic at 10.59 – 11.01 to allow the minutes silence and wreath laying to take place.
East Grinstead Town Council are pleased to announce the Sidney Betchley, Henry Smith Charity and John Smith’s Trust application form for 2024 is now live. The charity is a small trust that provides monetary support towards the cost of Christmas for those over 65. All applications are means tested by a trustee committee. If you know someone who would benefit from this provision, please do share the application form.
Printed copies can be collected from East Grinstead Town Council & The East Grinstead Library, or are available to download here.
The form should be completed and returned to the Deputy Town Clerk, East Grinstead Town Council, East Court Mansion, College Lane, East Grinstead RH19 3LT as soon as possible but no later than 10 November 2024. Please mark it as confidential.
Message from Jane Dickson Chief Nurse at Queen Victoria Hospital:-
I am really pleased to be able to share some excellent news today: our hospital has been ranked top in the country in the national inpatient survey.
The results of the latest Care Quality Commission Adult Inpatient Survey released today ( Wednesday 21 August) show that across the 49 questions our patients rated their experience of receiving care in our hospital as the best in the country.
Every single member of our staff and volunteers contributes to the positive experience patients have of our hospital. Thank you for your excellent clinical care. Thank you for your hard work behind the scenes. Thank you for every time you have stopped for somebody in the corridor, helped somebody in the line for coffee, or talked to a visitor in the carpark who’s looking for the right place to be.
In questions specifically about nurses, QVH came top in the country. Patients felt nurses answered questions in ways they could understand, included patients in conversations about their care, and patients felt there were enough nurses on duty to care for them.
QVH also came top in the country for the experience of leaving hospital. Patients felt they left hospital with the right information about how to care for themselves in the days ahead, and felt involved in decisions around leaving hospital. Patients also said that they knew what would happen next with their care after leaving QVH.
We improved in questions relating to the hospital overall and the ward or room a patient was staying in, in the confidence patients had in their nurses, and in how a patient was treated with dignity and respect when they stayed with us.
The Adult Inpatient Survey asks patients to rate their whole hospital journey from time on the waiting list before admission, through choice and quality of food, help with eating, wards quiet enough to sleep at night, being involved in decisions and given the right amount of information, being supported to leave hospital and go home safely.
Paralympian Fabienne Andre
Many of you may have met Fabienne Andre at the Mid Sussex Marathon or the Bluebell Railway accessible train carriage opening. Fabs is a Paralympian and while not from East Grinstead is a Sussex girl.
She will be competing in Paris for the parlympics starting next week – she is a wheelchair racer and she is in the T34 women’s final on Sunday 1st September (around 7.30 UK time) and the T34 800m women’s final Saturday 7th Sept (around 8.20pm).
Please cheer her on!
With best wishes
Julie Holden
Mid Sussex District Council Community Grants Programme
Mid Sussex District Council is delighted to announce the opening of the next round of applications for its Community Grants Programme. groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000, with the deadline for submissions set for 23rd September.
Councillor Anne-Marie Cooke, Interim Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications said: “Our District has many local organisations and charities that are all making a difference in our communities, and the programme is designed to celebrate and support these groups.
“We want to encourage groups to be creative in supporting sustainability goals and ensure that funding is actively benefiting our communities.”
Please see the full release below. For anything further, please get in touch.
Mid Sussex District Council opens applications for Community Grant applications
Mid Sussex District Council is delighted to announce the opening of the next round of applications for its Community Grants Programme. This initiative underscores the Council’s commitment to fostering a vibrant community by supporting local groups in the delivery of their projects and events. Eligible groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000, with the deadline for submissions set for 23rd September.
The Council has recently expanded the programme’s criteria to include pressing challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis, poverty, and climate change. These updates reflect the Council’s dedication to promoting sustainable development and enhancing the well-being of residents across the district. Importantly, applicants will now need to demonstrate how their projects contribute to the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Councillor Anne-Marie Cooke, Interim Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications said: “Our District has many local organisations and charities that are all making a difference in our communities, and the programme is designed to celebrate and support these groups.
“We want to encourage groups to be creative in supporting sustainability goals and ensure that funding is actively benefiting our communities. I urge all local organisations to review the criteria and consider applying.”
Earlier this year, the grants panel approved 9 community grant applications, totalling over £35,000. These grants have supported a variety of impactful initiatives, including the establishment of a repair café for The Dudley House Trust, the procurement of musical instruments for Burgess Hill Marching Youth, and the facilitation of dementia-friendly film screenings for The Chequer Mead Arts & Community Trust.
Community groups interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to visit the Council’s website for more information and to review the updated criteria. Where possible, we advise groups to arrange a call with the communities team before submitting for a higher chance of success. For any questions, groups can contact the Council directly via email at communities@midsussex.gov.uk.
GCSE results : congratulations to West Sussex Students
Students across West Sussex are celebrating today as they receive their eagerly anticipated GCSE results, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. West Sussex County Council and partners are once again offering support to students opening their results.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills said: “Congratulations to everyone receiving results today, you should all be proud of your achievements. I would also like to highlight the work put in by West Sussex schools, teachers, parents and carers who have helped students fulfil their potential.
“Our careers team are on hand to provide support for you, whatever you choose to do next. There are plenty of opportunities available including further education, apprenticeships and other training, or employment, and support is available to help you fulfil your potential.”
Careers advice available
West Sussex County Council’s careers advisors are available to provide free, one-to-one advice.
It could be the grades you received weren’t what you were hoping for, or you’re wondering if further education, training or employment is the right route for you.
Chat with the careers team by calling 0330 222 7175 or emailing careersadvice@westsussex.gov.uk. You can also visit the careers guidance webpage for more information.
Supporting your wellbeing
Whether you’ve just had your GCSE grades today or you opened your A-Level results last week, if you’re feeling down, stressed or anxious after opening your grades you can find support, advice and plenty of useful resources to help you with your emotional wellbeing on the Your Mind Matters webpage. Mental health and wellbeing support is also available via NHS Sussex. Text SUSSEX to 85258 to access free, discreet and confidential support via your mobile phone.
A breakdown of all grades by region can be found on Ofqual’s website.
Ofsted praises West Sussex County Council for helping care leavers flourish
West Sussex County Council has been praised for its ‘substantially improved’ services that help young people leaving care to develop and flourish.
Ofsted said the council has created ‘a culture of excellent support’ for care leavers and that ‘leaders value them, their opinions matter to them and their work translates into meaningful change in how services are delivered.’
Inspectors visited the county council in July when they assessed arrangements for care leavers aged 18 to 25, including support into adulthood and for care leavers with specific needs.
Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills, said: “I am incredibly proud of all of our staff who support care leavers. I’m delighted that their hard work and dedication, and the positive impact it has on young people’s lives, has been recognised by the Ofsted inspectors.
“Their findings are testament to the amazing work done every day by our teams to help care leavers fulfil their potential as they move into adulthood, and to continually improve the services we offer to those who need our support.”
Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, added: “We have invested in people and infrastructure, including our Children and Young People services, to deliver the sustainable services our residents need as part of our council priorities.
“I’m pleased that the positive impact this has had on our services to support care leavers has been recognised by Ofsted.”
A letter to the county council from Ofsted, published today, says services for care leavers in West Sussex have substantially improved since a previous inspection in 2023. It adds that improvements have been made to help young people make the transition into adulthood safely and at their own pace.
The success of the West Sussex House Project, which provides young people leaving care with a safe home and supports them to live independently, was also highlighted.
Launched in January 2023, the project has already seen eight of the first 11 young people to take part now living in their own homes.
The council’s localised approach to housing support for care leavers was also hailed by Ofsted. This means that many young people can maintain local links and have access to local services, such as colleges, employment and training opportunities.
Ofsted inspectors did identify a need to reduce caseloads on personal advisors who work with care leavers. It also said the transition into the care leaver service for some young people is sometimes happening too late. However, it said the council recognises this and is actively recruiting to bring in additional staff to resolve these issues.
West Sussex social work staff shortlisted for three prestigious national awards
Social work staff from West Sussex County Council have been shortlisted for prestigious national awards in recognition of their outstanding work and extraordinary practice.
Susan Banyard, a long-serving social worker for West Sussex County Council, has been shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards.
Susan, who dedicated more than 30 years to working with children and young people, has been recognised for her passion, commitment and enthusiasm for social work. This includes her contribution to improving the wellbeing of children in foster care, as well as furthering the support provided to foster carers.
Susan has recently retired from her role as a social worker but continues to play an active role in the local fostering community through groups and supporting with training foster carers.
West Sussex County Council’s Children’s Mental and Emotional Health Team has also been shortlisted for the Children’s Services Team of the Year Award. This nomination is in recognition of the council’s pioneering approach to suicide prevention and the role played by the local authority and social care.
The third nomination, for the Supportive Social Work Employer Award, is in acknowledgement of the council’s work to support a cohort of overseas social workers who are new to the UK.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills, said: “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work from all our staff working to help and support children and young people.
“I’m delighted that these efforts have been recognised by peers from across the country. They highlight not only the work of those nominated, but also the significant steps forward we have made on our continued journey of improvement.
“I wish all of our nominees the best of luck for the awards.”
The winners will be announced at a special event this November in London.
The finalists were chosen by panels of independent judges including previous award winners, social workers, industry leaders and people with lived experience of social work.
The Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England, attracting hundreds of entries every year.
County council plan to reduce emissions and increase climate resilience in West Sussex
The first phase of a six-year plan to become carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030 has been set out by West Sussex County Council.
A Climate Action and Adaptation Plan for 2024–2027 has been published which identifies 20 priority actions to be taken across the council and in partnership with key stakeholders in the county.The actions are broken down into six pathways focusing on issues such as buildings and energy, transport, and nature and environment. Key actions include:
Continuing to decarbonise county council buildings, following the recently completed works on seven libraries, six fire stations, and a day centre
Installing electric vehicle chargepoints at key depots to enable county council vehicles to switch to electric models
Working closely with schools to help them address their most pressing sustainability challenges
Working with partners to produce the West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Supporting the clean energy transition for the community through Local Area Energy Planning and solar PV group purchasing schemes
Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Protecting the environment underpins everything we do and all the priorities in Our Council Plan. Through this plan and our Climate Change Strategy we have made a commitment to be carbon neutral and climate resilient in the county council’s own operations by 2030.
“We have already made significant progress, we’ve helped to install 2,500 solar systems in people’s homes, and generated almost 17 million kWh of renewable energy last year from our solar farms and solar panels installed on our buildings.
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we will ever face so it’s important we do all we can to protect our environment. The significant changes we are now seeing in our climate are not only presenting difficulties for our communities, but also the work we do as a council to support them. It’s vital that we take steps now to address our carbon emissions and ensure we are ready to cope with the impacts of our changing climate.”
Read the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, find out more about how the county council is tackling climate change, and what you can do to help by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk/ClimateAction
You can also sign up to receive a monthly environment and climate change eNewsletter.
West Sussex Secondary School places application process opens online
Applications for secondary school places in West Sussex for September 2025 are now open. The easiest way to apply is online via our website. The process is quick and simple to do, and you will receive an automatic confirmation when your application has been submitted.
Applications close on Tuesday 31 October 2024. It is vital applications are made on time for the best chance of being offered one of your preferred places.
Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills said: “Our priority is to ensure all young people have access to education which helps them to achieve their potential.
“To make the process as simple as possible all the information needed to make an application is available on our website. Additional support is available at our libraries across the county and there is the option to complete a paper version of the form if you don’t have access to the online application.
“I encourage parents and carers to look on school websites or contact schools directly to find out about open evenings for prospective students when considering preferences.”
Free use of computers with internet access is available in all West Sussex libraries. Parents and carers can visit and use them without booking. The library service also offers digital support, which includes help with filling in online forms, on 0330 222 3455.
If you are unable to apply online, please request a form through the post by calling 03330 142903.
Important information to consider when making an application:
Parents and carers are strongly encouraged to apply for three schools and list them in order of preference
Parents and carers need to select the catchment school as part of their application for it to be considered You can find out more about catchment areas on our website.
Living in a school’s catchment area does not guarantee a child a place at that school
If you do miss the deadline, you must still submit an application form, as a child will not automatically be allocated a school
West Sussex County Council staff are available to provide support and advice to parents/carers on the admissions process. Parents can telephone 03330 142 903 or email the admissions team north or email the admissions team south.
Primary and junior school applications for September 2025 will open on Monday 2 October 2024 and close on Monday 15 January 2024.
West Sussex Highways
Grass Cutting Update
With the onset of warm, sunny weather we have seen significant levels of grass growth across the county.
West Sussex County Council is responsible for maintaining in the region of 12million sqm of grass verges and these are cut for safety and functional reasons only. The cutting regime is split into an urban and rural schedule to reflect the different environments and levels of use. We spend approximately £1.2million on grass cutting in West Sussex each year. Both the urban and rural cutting schedules are loaded onto our website here Grass cutting – West Sussex County Council
The urban cut currently consists of 5 overall cuts to verges maintained at public expense and equates to in the region of 5 million square metres. At the current time, the arisings from the cuts are left on site, and the contractor should blow arisings that have fallen onto the footway back onto the grass verge area before leaving site. It is not possible at the moment to collect and dispose of the arisings due to this being financially prohibitive, and any proposal to do so would likely impact the number of cuts we could undertake to make up for the cost difference. The council is exploring ways in which arisings can be used to create usable bi products such as supplements for road surfacing – for more information please see our Greenprint website pages here Greenprint – West Sussex County Council
It takes a minimum of 7 weeks for our grass cutting teams to complete a cut, and you’ll appreciate that with the right weather conditions, that is a long time for grass to grow quickly. Bringing a cut forward due to longer grass would run the risk of having long grass on verges right through the winter, as the number of cuts is fixed at 5.
Our rural verge cutting schedule recognises the positive impact these verges have on our pollinators and wildlife corridors. In light of that we only cut 3 times per year, focused on highway safety and sideways clearance. The first cut is a safety visibility splay cut at junctions only, the second cut is a visibility splay and one metre swathe cut for sideways clearance and the final cut is an overall cut of the verge in October/November. This gives wildflowers time to set seed and pollinators time to take advantage of wildflowers and valuable habitat in rural environments.
If you are made aware of issues that may impact the safety of highway users in between cuts (such as visibility at junctions), please do report to us in the normal way and we’ll organise for an inspection and any subsequent works, as necessary.
Project updates are frequently posted on the West Sussex Highways X account (formerly Twitter). Just search @WSHighways if you aren’t already following.
In this week’s online meeting between NALC and county association officers, we were pleased to be joined by pageantmaster Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR who briefed us on next year’s commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE-Day. This year, many local (parish and town) councils led commemorations for the D-Day anniversary, and councils are again being encouraging to organise similar events in 2025. The meeting also saw a further update on the new NALC website, in particular looking at the communications plan for its launch and how county associations can be part of that.
On the blog: Parish Domain Helper Service
This week’s blog, from the Parish Domain Helper Service team, informs local councils about the current funding status for moving to a .gov.uk domain. Currently, 50% of the available £100 +VAT funding per council has been claimed, with nearly 50 councils taking advantage of the offer. The funding is expected to be fully allocated by late February 2025, so councils are urged to act quickly to secure financial support. The blog post also highlights the ongoing support available, including workshops, virtual sessions, and educational resources, which will only be offered during this financial year. Councils are encouraged to register their interest promptly to access funding and support. Read the blog to find out more!
LGA event on handling online abuse
The Local Government Association (LGA) held an event on 23 July 2024 on handling online abuse and intimidation for newly elected councillors. The event provided practical advice on handling online harassment and stalking, cyber bullying and threats and being a responsible digital citizen. Although the event was aimed at principal authority councillors, I’m sure the guidance is also useful for local councillors. The presentations from the event are now available, do check them out.
National Allotment Week
Last week was National Allotment Week! National Allotment Week emphasizes the importance of allotments in communities as essential green spaces that benefit wildlife, enhance air quality, boost health, and help reduce carbon emissions. And it was great to see many local councils actively engaging with 2024 National Allotment Week. Hook Parish Council in Hampshire celebrated the week by encouraging local engagement with allotments and sharing gardening tips. In Essex, Buckhurst Hill Parish Council hosted an Open Day at their allotments, inviting residents to explore and learn about growing their own produce. And Weymouth Town Council in Dorset marked the occasion with the “Top of the Plots” awards, recognising outstanding local gardeners and fostering community spirit around allotment cultivation. These initiatives emphasise our councils’ role in tackling climate change and community wellbeing. If you also got involved this year, please do let us know what you did to policycomms@nalc.gov.uk.
Office for Place mini conference on urban design and placemaking
The Office for Place will be holding an online mini conference on 18 September from 10am-12pm. Called Places at Pace, the conference will look at how urban design and placemaking can contribute to economic and social outcomes, champion the benefits of raising place quality, and how the different organisations involved in the planning system can effectively work together to deliver better homes and places. Sessions at the event will cover good placemaking, the benefits of design codes, creating sustainable neighbourhoods, the opportunities of digital and data, and the role of the Office for Place and local government. This event is free to attend and open to all. Anyone interested in attending can register here.
And finally…
At the end of this month, we say goodbye to Steve Walker, our head of finance and administration, who is retiring. When Steve joined NALC at the end of the last century there were just five members of staff. This rapidly developed to meet the changing needs of the sector, and whilst numbers have varied, we currently have 21 based in London and across the country. Steve has travelled around the country and met many of you at events and conferences, considering many to be friends as well as colleagues. I understand his initial plan when he started was to put our financial records in order and move on after a couple of years, which seemed appropriate given at the time a government minister made a remark about abolishing local councils! Needless to say, we ensured this didn’t happen, and local councils remain an important part of communities and local government, outlasting Steve after all and well placed to outlast us all. I’m hugely grateful for Steve’s dedication, contribution and hard work over the years and wish him well for his next chapter
Celebrating climate champions
Is your parish or town council a trailblazer in climate resilience? Does it demonstrate a deep understanding of climate change impacts and take proactive steps to mitigate, adapt, and build resilience for its community? If so, it’s time to shine a spotlight on their efforts!
The Climate Response of the Year award honours parish or town councils that lead by example in climate action, showcasing long-term strategic thinking, robust community engagement, and effective partnerships. This award is a testament to local councils’ vital role in preparing and protecting their communities against climate change.
To nominate someone, complete the nomination form available on our website. Along with the form, provide a concise 150-word supporting statement for each criterion, showcasing strategic planning, community engagement, preparedness measures and collaborative efforts. Anyone can submit a nomination, and council members or staff can nominate their council.
Don’t miss this chance to honour the unsung heroes in your community. Nominate your council today, and let’s celebrate the champions of climate action! Nominate them for the Star Council Awards today! The deadline for nominations is 6 September 2024, so submit your nomination before then.
Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Facilitating the Future, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid sponsor the awards.
Leader of West Sussex County Council, on the civil unrest seen across the country
“I am sure that we are all shocked and appalled by the scenes we have witnessed across the country of rioting and civil unrest, scenes that will upset all of us who don’t understand the thinking of those who are organising and undertaking these events.
“I know that we live in a tolerant society, one which accepts all no matter what race, religion, or sexuality they are, and I am proud of the role West Sussex County Council plays in ensuring all of our communities can feel safe and secure no matter whether they were born in this country or have chosen our county or country to settle in. The council does not and will not tolerate discrimination in any way, shape or form and continues to work with our partners including the police and Government to ensure this happens. Hate has no place in a modern society; tolerance does, and this is what we, as a council, promote and will continue to do so.
“I condemn all of those who have taken part in the civil unrest and state that it has no place in West Sussex or anywhere in the country and support Sussex Police in all it is doing to ensure our residents, communities and businesses do not suffer from the minority who set out to disrupt our lives through their actions.
“They will not win their argument, because their argument is against all we value.”
For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415
Sussex Police statement on recent criminal disorder across the country
We are aware of growing public concern following the recent criminal disorder seen across the country. Protecting the public is our priority and Sussex Police is mobilised and fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any incidents.
This includes an ongoing, visual presence within our communities for reassurance, alongside robust, well-rehearsed plans to allow us to respond to local incidents.
There are unverified reports circulating online about potential activity across Sussex.
We are constantly reviewing information and working with partners to identify any emerging concerns, and will keep local communities updated with known facts.
The public are urged to challenge what they see online, report where appropriate and consider the source of the information.
Follow updates in local news or Sussex Police social media channels for the very latest updates
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Court said: “We recognise that recent events across the country have left our communities feeling unsafe, particularly people of colour and our Muslim communities.
“Please be reassured that racist, criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working hard to keep you safe and ensure anyone involved in criminal disorder is held to account.
“To those thinking about taking part in disorder, be in no doubt that we will make you regret your actions. We will use all powers at our disposal to make sure you are held to account for your actions.
“Our neighbourhood officers are out and about, actively engaging with our local communities – please do speak to them directly if you have any concerns.
“We are asking residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or concerns to us immediately online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency, quoting Operation Skylark.”
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I am delighted to share with you this week’s edition of our Rural Bulletin, packed with important updates and insights that reflect our ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of our rural communities.
Last week, we hosted two significant RMTG Sounding Board meetings, each focusing on different but equally vital segments of our rural population. The first meeting focused on the older members of our rural communities. This meeting was particularly poignant as it addressed the potential impact of proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance – a critical issue that could severely affect rural pensioners. You can read more about this here.
The second meeting turned our attention to the unique challenges faced by young people in our rural areas, providing a platform for discussion on how we can better support their aspirations and opportunities. With representatives from councils across the country, these discussions underscored the urgent need for policies that protect the most vulnerable in our rural areas.
Looking ahead, we are excited to spotlight two of our esteemed speakers for the upcoming National Rural Conference 2024. With over 960 delegates booked on already, we are confident that this year’s conference will be an invaluable experience for all participants.
Lastly, I want to remind members that I will be on the judging panel for this year’s NALC Star Awards. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of local councils, councillors, clerks, and county associations across England. The dedication and impact of these individuals and organisations play a vital role in strengthening our rural communities.
Don’t forget, the nomination period ends on 6 September 2024, so make sure to submit your entries HERE soon.
Concerns Mount Over Proposed Changes to Winter Fuel Allowance
The proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA), recently announced by the Chancellor, have sparked widespread concern, particularly among organisations dedicated to supporting older adults. The changes would see the allowance means-tested, limiting it to those already receiving Pension Credit. This has drawn strong criticism from various quarters, including Age UK, which warns of the severe impact on the well-being of millions of pensioners across the UK. Read more
This week’s blogfrom CloudyIT highlights their dedication to championing community heroes by sponsoring the Clerk of the Year category.
Chief executive’s bulletin
15 August 2024
Audit Matters
As a founding body of Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointment (SAAA), NALC has welcomed the publication of its first annual report setting out a clear mission to provide an effective and sustainable audit regime enabling communities to hold their local (town and parish) councils to account. The report includes a straightforward strategic plan. The strategic plan emphasises market development, supporting practitioners and improving limited assurance review.
NALC has also welcomed the Government’s recent announcement on the local audit backlog in principal councils. The announcement addresses the backlog of unaudited principal authority accounts and aims to put local audit on a sustainable footing. This will be an opportunity for NALC to press for several improvements, including working with SAAA to urge the Government to act on the £6.5m threshold, which triggers our largest councils into a much more costly and onerous regime.
On the blog: International Youth Day
This week’s blog emphasises the importance of empowering young people to build sustainable and prosperous communities. On International Youth Day (12 August 2024) and throughout the year, NALC advocates for creating opportunities that nurture the potential of young leaders through the young councillor national network, Star Council Awards Young Councillor category, and social media campaigns. The blog highlights the need for local councils to actively engage and support youth initiatives, celebrate their contributions, and provide platforms for their voices to be heard, ultimately fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Read the blog to find out more!
Star Council Awards 2024
Don’t forget to consider nominations to our Star Council Awards 2024! These awards recognise the positive impact of the parish and town council sector on communities across England. We want the awards to be even bigger and better than before. And we want more nominations to provide even more opportunities for all councils, councillors, county associations and clerks to shine. Entrants can apply for six award categories: Council of the Year, Councillor of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, County Association of the Year, Clerk of the Year, and Climate Response of the Year. These categories recognise excellence in different areas of council operations and highlight the varied contributions of councils. The nomination period ends on 6 September 2024. We’ll announce the winners at our parliamentary reception in the House of Lords on 25 February 2025. I also want to thank our award sponsors, Clear Councils Insurance (formerly BHIB Councils Insurance), Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Facilitating the Future, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid, whose support is invaluable in making these awards possible.
New Legal Topic Note on basic contract law
As part of transferring content to our new website (launching on 7 October 2024!), our legal team has refreshed Legal Topic Note 35 on basic contract law. The advice considers how contracts are formed, types of contractual obligations, breach of contract and termination, and council powers in respect of contracts. To read the note, please login to our website and visit the LTN section.
Advertise your job with NALC
Are you looking to advertise your job vacancy? Did you know we advertised over 140 jobs for parish and town councils in England over the last financial year? We offer two packages (standard and premium) that use a range of platforms, including our website, social media channels, and e-marketing, to help you share your vacancy. For multiple job listings, we also offer further discounts! You can find out more about how to advertise your job with NALC on our website.
And finally…
Congratulations to Portland and Weymouth on being chosen as Dorset’s joint towns of culture for 2025. The initiative, established by the Arts Development Company, aims to give towns, villages or hamlets in Dorset the opportunity to lead a year of cultural activity and deepen relationships between communities, cultural venues and organisations. As joint winners, Portland and Weymouth will each receive £30,000 from Dorset Council, which will be match funded by Portland and Weymouth Town Councils to support a programme of activities. Currently, Bridport, which has been hosting various performances and visual art, holds the title of Dorset’s town of culture.
Details of the National Planning Policy Consultation can be found on the link below and the consultation deadline for comments is the 24 September 2024.
Proposed reforms and changes to the planning system
The government this week announced plans to overhaul the planning system and increase housebuilding. These include introducing mandatory planning targets to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, updating the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to bring back mandatory housing targets, ensuring every area has a local plan and building the next generation of new towns. Among the proposals in the eight week consultation on the NPPF are restoring mandatory housing targets and updating the method used to calculate them, not implementing the Infrastructure Levy as introduced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, introducing the concept of grey belt into green belt considerations, changing affordable housing and mix policy, refocusing design policy on good design rather than ‘beauty’, and no changes to neighbourhood planning. We will be responding to the NPPF consultation as well as seeking engagement with the New Towns Taskforce.
Smaller Councils Committee
NALC’s Smaller Councils Committee met online on 30 July 2024. In advance of the draft minutes being made available, here are some highlights:
A further discussion about the committee’s 2024-2025 workplan which was well underway, committee members emphasised how important it was that they were given the opportunity to contribute to NALC’s work in particular the development of publications and guidance.
The committee agreed to support proposed changes to the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) criteria, including embedding civility and respect into the scheme, adding a requirement for communication of democratic activity at all levels, the option to provide evidence that the council has actively promoted engagement and participation in the democratic process instead of demonstrating that two thirds of seats were filled by councillors who had stood for election, and changing the name of the different levels.
Action with Communities in Rural England’s (ACRE) chief executive, Corinne Pluchino, and policy advisor, Jeremy Leggett, were our guest speakers and gave a presentation on ACRE’s fair deal for rural communities, the 30 asks they had of government prior to the general election and their plans for engaging with the new government now the general election is over.
The committee received updates on the inaugural meeting of the national network for micro councils, NALC’s Star Council Awards and the work of the Martyn’s Law Steering Group.
It was also noted the Policy Committee had supported a motion on the reuse of graves which had been referred from the committee.
National network: micro councils
NALC’s national network for Micro Councils – aimed at local (parish and town) councils with an annual budgeted precept or turnover of £10,000 or less – held its inaugural meeting on 25 July 2024. Cllr Mark Valladares was elected co-chair, with other network members encouraged to put themselves forward to fill the remaining co-chair vacancy. The network heard from Charlotte Lewis and Natalie Turner from the Centre for Ageing Better about actions micro councils could take to make their communities Age Friendly. The meeting also discussed its purpose and how members could share good practice. The next meeting will take place on 4 October 2024 and I would encourage more micro councils to join the network.
NALC online event on artificial intelligence (AI)
The latest NALC online event – Decoding the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Local Governance – took place on 24 July 2024. Our expert panel featured Jenny McEneaney, senior improvement policy advisor on cyber, digital and technology for the Local Government Association (LGA), and Steve Walker, head of local government at the Cloudy Group. Jenny emphasized the need for AI policy to address the digital divide and proposed a local government centre for digital technology. Steve explained how AI can help local councils with tasks like information retrieval, meeting minutes, and surveys, and stressed the importance of preparing data for AI use. Both experts underscored the importance of targeted resources to ensure all councils can benefit from AI advancements. You can find out more about upcoming NALC events on our website.
On the blog: Star Council Awards 2023 Councillor of the year
This week’s blog is from the outstanding Cllr Lorna Berrett from Botley and North Hinksey Parish Council who was crowned councillor of the year in NALC’s Star Council Awards 2023. She writes on her reflections of being named councillor of the year, shares that the awards show in Westminster was a highlight for her as a politics enthusiast and recalls connecting with fellow councillors, clerks, and local council representatives who shared similar challenges and successes. She states that NALC’s Star Council Awards celebrate the crucial roles of town and parish councillors, highlighting their dedication and the positive changes they facilitate, and encourages readers to get their nominations in today! Read the blog to find out more!
Rural Coalition
On 24 July 2024, the 12 national organisations making up the rural coalition held their first meeting since the General Election. Its chair, Margaret Clarke CBE, had written to the new prime minister and secretary of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Steve Reed MP, stressing the potential of rural areas to support the government’s five missions, especially growing the economy. The coalition will shortly be publishing a major report it commissioned on how rural communities can help drive economic growth and the meeting considered how best to seek to influence the new government’s approach to rural affairs. We also received a briefing from senior DEFRA officials who advised that the new minister responsible for rural affairs is Daniel Zeichner MP, who has previously attended the coalition and will be invited to future meetings. The coalition was also briefed on the work of the Office for Place by Nicholas Boys Smith, interim chair. NALCs chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, and I stressed the importance of neighbourhood planning to support the growth and housing agenda in rural areas, as well as highlighting concerns about the impact of land management company service charges on the affordability of housing costs in some new developments. After the meeting, Keith met with the chair of our coalition partner Campaign to Protect Rural England, Simon Murray, to swap intelligence on what the new Government means for rural areas. They agreed on the importance of working together to promote neighbourhood planning and on guidance to local councils and communities on planning.
Meetings with DEFRA and MHCLG
After the general election interregnum, the machinery of government has cracked into action! Justin Griggs, head of policy and communications, and I were briefed on new ministerial teams and plans for the new government’s five missions in separate meetings with senior officials from DEFRA and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). We stressed that NALC was keen to play a positive part and that our councils can contribute much to the government’s missions on economic growth, clean energy, community safety, promoting opportunity and improving health. We used the opportunities to press the importance of extending the devolution agenda to rural areas and including our tier of local government, not just stopping at metro mayors. As our president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market said in the House of Lords recently, neighbourhood planning is crucial in providing housing and promoting economic prosperity, and we pressed for the continuation of grant funding and other support. On funding, we called for a multi-year financial settlement with no extension of referendum principles and for our councils to have direct access to funding streams such as the continuation of the Community Ownership Fund. We also urged the government to revisit standards as part of their reset and plans to rebuild local government. Officials committed to further meetings as the new government’s priorities and policy programme become clearer.
New report on devolution
Staying on the subject of devolution, Justin was at a Future Governance Forum event at County Hall in London last week for the launch of their report Impactful Devolution: a new framework for inclusive local growth and national renewal. Principally focussed on regional devolution, the report puts forward a programme to help deliver Labour’s missions for government and drive local growth, calling for a new devolution framework built on partnership. Justin was at the event to engage with attendees and speakers on the role our councils can play in devolution, taking the opportunity to speak to the new MHCLG minister Jim McMahon MP where he congratulated him on his appointment, welcomed his remarks that “with more devolution we need more localism and community empowerment”, and stressed this should include our councils as local leaders. Both LGC and TheMJ have write ups of the minister’s speech.
Out and about
Jane Moore, legal services manager, attended the Lincolnshire Association of Local Council conference held in Grantham on 24 July 2024. Jane joined a panel discussion and Q&A with other participants, including the assistant director of democratic services at North Kesteven District Council, County Council representatives speaking on flood prevention and emergency planning and a health and safety consultant from NALC’s partner Worknest.
And finally…
Local government annual pay increases for those on Green Book terms are determined through negotiations between Employer Representatives, through the LGA, and Trades Unions. Currently, the employers’ full and final pay offer has been rejected by Unite and UNISON. UNISON will conduct a ballot for industrial action from 4 September to 16 October, while Unite’s ballot for strike action will run from 27 August to 15 October. GMB members voted to accept the offer. NALC is not involved in these negotiations and has no influence over the timing, although we regularly press for early settlement as the delay in awarding pay increases is a concern in our councils. You will be familiar from previous years that the National Employers advise very strongly against imposing any pay offer before the collective bargaining process has concluded. Further updates will be provided in due course.
