Category: News

East Grinstead’s Remembrance Sunday will be very different this year as the World continues its battle with Covid-19. The country is now about to enter a second period of lockdown and we must all do our bit to follow advice, not to gather in groups and to protect each other.

There will be a short service of Remembrance at the High Street War Memorial. We ask that you do not attend, but rather take time to remember all those lost in conflicts, in your own way at home. We will be live streaming the service from 10.55am our Facebook page and later the footage will be available on this website. Please mark 2 minutes silence at 11am in your home, your gardens or your front doorsteps.

The road will only be closed for a short time as there will be no parade this year.

We also ask that you support The Royal British Legion.

For the Fallen

BY LAURENCE BINYON

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.

Please share so we can honour the fallen who did their bit to protect the living.

Poppies in the High Street beds provided by Sackville Lacemakers East Grinstead

The NHS are urging West Sussex residents struggling with ongoing memory issues to contact their GP for a memory assessment.

Bikram Raychaudhuri, Clinical Lead for Dementia at the Sussex NHS Commissioners said: “We can all experience memory problems from time to time, for example forgetting where you have left your keys or forgetting why you went into a certain room. For the most part these are not things to be too concerned about. However, if you or someone you know begins to experience regular memory loss and disorientation, or subtle changes in personality over a prolonged period, especially if it is impacting your daily activities such as difficulty in cooking, cleaning or taking medication, then it is a good idea to speak to a GP. Family, friends or carers may often recognise these changes before the person affected.”

The Dementia Assessment Service are a team of healthcare providers, working with dementia advisors and dementia support workers from the Alzheimer’s Society, whose focus is the early assessment, diagnosis and treatment of people suspected of developing a dementia.

The NHS is working hard to deal with coronavirus but it is still here if you need it. There are currently delays in assessments by the Dementia Assessment Service due to the pandemic but the service is working hard to contact people as soon as they can.

Living with dementia brings everyday challenges for the person, their family and carer, and unfortunately, the coronavirus is making daily life that bit harder. People living with dementia and those around them may feel anxious, scared or lonely, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone and help is available. There are a range of community services available to offer support you including telephone befriending services and doorstep deliveries. Visit the West Sussex Connect to Support website which offers an extensive list of local support services.

Due to coronavirus, the way that you access services may be different to what you are used to. To protect you, NHS staff and prevent the spread of coronavirus, initial appointment may be online or by phone.

Four parks in Mid Sussex will proudly fly the prestigious Green Flag in 2020/21, a sign to the public that they boast the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and have excellent visitor facilities.

Beech Hurst Gardens and Victoria Park in Haywards Heath, St Johns Park in Burgess Hill and East Court and Ashplats Wood in East Grinstead join more than 2,000 green spaces across the UK to receive the Green Flag mark of quality and will be raising their flags with pride in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Councillor John Belsey, Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery said:

“We are absolutely delighted to once again be awarded Green Flags for Beech Hurst Gardens, St Johns Park, East Court and Ashplats Wood but we are especially pleased to receive a Green Flag Award for Victoria Park for the very first time.

“High quality green spaces mean so much to our local residents, even more so during these difficult times when we really value the time we’re able to spend outside. It’s wonderful that four of our parks meet the Green Flag standard of excellence and these awards celebrate the dedication that goes into maintaining them to such a high level.”

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:

“This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, four Mid Sussex parks have achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

West Sussex County Council provides Concessionary Travel for eligible West Sussex residents including a free older persons bus pass, along with bus passes or railcards for people with disabilities. Applications can be made online or by printing a downloadable form for a postal application. Details can be found on the West Sussex County Council website at this link.

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travel-and-public-transport/bus-and-coach-travel/bus-passes-and-discounts/free-older-persons-bus-pass/

Mid Sussex District Council offers a discounted Senior Railcard at £24 for eligible residents. Details can be found on the Mid Sussex District Council website at this link

https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/parking-travel/concessionary-cheaper-travel/

Concessionary codes for the Senior Railcard can be obtained for East Grinstead Town Council Offices Mon to Fri between 0900 – 1200. You will need to be a resident of East Grinstead and bring photo I/D and a utility bill with you.

Our Council of Governors has agreed to resume the elections which were postponed earlier this year and we are now launching the process to find people who would like to stand for election to one of our fourteen public governor vacancies. This is an opportunity for you to represent the public constituency and be involved in scrutinising decisions taken by the Board and Council of Governors.

What is a governor?

Governors have an important role in making an NHS foundation trust publicly accountable for the services it provides. They bring valuable perspectives and contributions to its activities. Governors hold non-executive directors to account for the performance of the board and represent the interests of NHS foundation trust members and the public. Governors are volunteers and are not paid. You can find out more in the Brief guide for governors .

Can I stand as a public governor?

You can stand if:

• you are a member of the Trust
• you are at least 18 years of age
• you reside in the electoral wards of Kent, Surrey, Sussex or South London (as defined in the Trust’s Constitution)
• you have attended a pre-election event (see below)
• you complete the self-nomination form by the deadline and according to instructions
• you are not already a foundation trust governor elsewhere, or, if you are, are prepared to resign if elected.

Standing as a governor is a decision which will need some thought and all potential candidates need to attend a pre-election briefing about the role. You will also need to prepare a statement explaining to other members why you wish to stand.

No experience of being a governor is necessary, just commitment, enthusiasm and some spare time (approximately a half to full day each month depending on your level of involvement). Governors are not paid, but, where appropriate, receive travel expenses so that their support for the trust does not leave them out of pocket.

When are the pre-election events?

If you are interested in standing, you need to come to one of our pre-election events.  These will be held via Teams and are scheduled for:

• Monday 2 November 4-5pm
• Thursday 5 November 5-6pm
• Monday 9 November 11-12noon
• Thursday 12 November 10:30 – 11:30am

These meetings are an essential part of deciding to stand for the role. You will hear from Beryl Hobson, QVH chair, other members of the Board, some of our current governors and members of the Corporate Affairs team. This will provide you with a good insight into the governor role at QVH.

If you would like to come along please let Hilary Saunders, Deputy Company Secretary know via email Hilary.Saunders1@nhs.net of or call ext. 4200

When are the elections?

The election itself will take place between 18 December 2020 and 12 January 2021. The new governors will take up their role from 1 February 2021.

You can see more on our public website https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/for-members/

The Town Mayor joined the High Sheriff of West Sussex to present the Outstanding Contributions to the Community during the Pandemic Award to Sarah Howland for her work at the Quarry Cafe and Community Fridge.

The NHS and local authorities in Sussex would like to know about your experiences of health and care during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that they can improve the way services are provided in the future.

Delayed care:  Have you been affected by delays to your care, either because your appointment or treatment was delayed or postponed or because you decided to wait until the pandemic had eased before having your treatment or appointment?  Click here to tell us about your experiences and any decisions or changes you have made as a result.  https://yoursaysussexhealthandcare.uk.engagementhq.com/delayed-care

Wellbeing:  Since the lockdown period due to Covid-19 began, people have made many changes to their lives and what they saw as “normal”. We would like to know more about the changes you made due to Covid-19, whether you think they are good for your wellbeing or not.

• What have you STOPPED doing since the start of lockdown? (for example, you might have stopped travelling to work, smoking, or stopped eating healthily due to changing your routine)
• What have you STARTED doing since the start of lockdown? (For example, you might have started taking daily exercise, reading more, or eating more chocolate!)

What do you feel about these changes?  Will there be things you will carry on?  How has the easing of lockdown rules affected you?

Click here to share your experiences:  https://yoursaysussexhealthandcare.uk.engagementhq.com/wellbeing

• Revenue will be used to help the airport recover and preserve jobs from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis
• Traffic congestion and emissions at Gatwick and surrounding areas also likely to reduce
• Gatwick plans to look at solutions for those who regularly drop off and pick up at the South Terminal each day to access to the train station which includes many local residents.

Next year Gatwick will be introducing a charge for vehicles using the forecourt to drop off passengers directly outside its terminals – as most UK airports have done for many years – and the
revenue raised will help the airport continue its recovery from the economic impact of the COVID19 crisis. Anyone who does not wish to pay the charge will be able to drop-off or pick-up
passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals.

Currently, cars are permitted to drop off passengers directly in front of both terminals. People picking up passengers are required to use the short stay car park, although this does not always
happen, and some people use the forecourt to pick up.

A £5 charge will therefore be introduced for vehicles using the forecourt. This charge will help Gatwick continue to meet its commitment to reduce ‘Kiss and Fly’ – the least sustainable type of
journey to the airport as it involves two return car journeys – while also further encouraging public transport use and potentially cutting road traffic congestion and emissions at Gatwick and
surrounding local areas. Currently around 15% of airport journeys are ‘Kiss and Fly’.

Gatwick is looking at solutions to allow those who regularly drop off and pick up at the South Terminal each day to access to the train station to make a token annual payment contribution.
Suitable solutions for Blue Badge holder’s convenience are also being looked at.

Reducing the airport’s environmental impact continues to be an important focus and Gatwick plans to put a proportion of the revenue into Gatwick’s existing Sustainable Transport Fund.

No date has been set to introduce the new charging system but the first step includes a consultation on the implementation of a Red Route system across the airport campus to indicate that stopping to park, load or unload, board or alight from a vehicle is prohibited. Revenue raised through Red Route fines will also be used to fund sustainable transport initiatives under the guidance of the airport’s Transport Steering Group, which includes external local representatives.

The airport benefits from strong public transport links, with recent improvements enabling a train leaving for London every three to four minutes – as regular as tube services – and a £4 million
upgrade to an airport bus interchange benefitting the 3 million people who use it each year. Around 650 local services arrive / depart the bus interchange each week, many of them 24-hour
services.

Gatwick also remains committed to its investment in the ongoing £150 million project to upgrade the airport’s train station, which will make connections to other destinations easier by doubling the size of the station concourse, adding five new lifts and eight escalators to improve passenger flow, and widening two platforms to reduce overcrowding.

Jonathan Pollard Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Gatwick has just gone through the most challenging period in its history and this new drop off charging scheme will give us a new revenue
stream to aid recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and ultimately help us continue as an important provider of economic prosperity and jobs across the region.

“Gatwick is also committed to promoting sustainable travel and this new scheme will encourage passengers to consider more sustainable transport options, including public transport services or parking options at the airport, which only involves two single car trips, compared to two return trips when dropping off.

“The airport already has strong public transport links and we will build on this with a proportion of the revenue raised supporting new sustainable transport initiatives. We will also continue to fund our share of the ongoing project to build a new £150 million airport train station.”

Mid Sussex District Council has agreed a revised Corporate Plan and Budget for 2020/21 in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Councillors met on Wednesday 30 September to agree recovery plans, an updated four-year financial strategy and to approve measures that will protect the Council’s most important projects and services.

Coronavirus is an unprecedented crisis and the uncertainties surrounding it make planning for the future extremely challenging for local authorities. Over the past six months the Council has responded quickly to help support residents and businesses, taking on new responsibilities, but it is impossible to know how long this extra work will be required.

The extra spending required to support local communities, coupled with a significant loss of income because of the virus, means there is huge pressure on Council budgets. It is predicted that, even considering financial support provided by Central Government, the pandemic will cost the Council £8.3 million over the next 4 years.

The Council agreed the original Corporate Plan and Budget 2020/21 in February 2020. Since then, coronavirus has fundamentally changed the way people live their lives, and the way they access Council services. It is clear that the Council will not be able to undertake all of the projects and services in the way they were envisioned before the coronavirus outbreak and a revised Corporate Plan is required.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“Coronavirus has been an unprecedented crisis with an uncertain outlook and it’s clear that the virus will be a fact of life for some time to come. We’re fortunate as a Council to be able to use our financial reserves to help us cope in the short-term but this cannot be forever, and we must start working now to generate revenue savings, balance our budget and protect our services for the future.

“This revised Corporate Plan and Budget is vital to help us concentrate on what our communities need most to help them through this crisis. Our focus is firmly on how we can support the Mid Sussex area to recover from the impacts of this pandemic as quickly as possible.

“We want to create a positive environment that will attract new businesses and investors to Mid Sussex, provide grants that will support existing businesses to adapt to a post pandemic world and deliver the Full Fibre digital infrastructure that’s necessary to enable business to flourish.

“One of the positives to come out of the pandemic is the way it has shown our community at its best, with many residents making enormous efforts to support their family, friends and neighbours through the crisis. It’s vitally important for us as a council to support the many voluntary organisations that enable us to have such strong and resilient communities.”

Mid Sussex District Council has played a leading role during the crisis including distributing business support grants to local firms, supporting community hubs to help local individuals and families in need, increasing provision for the homeless to get them off the streets and into accommodation, and providing advice and support to shops to allow them to open safely and follow social distancing guidelines.