Category: News

If you’re interested in how your council tax will be spent over the coming financial year, you can find out more in our online council tax leaflet.  

Our new agreed budget means council tax will rise in April by 1.99% – plus an additional 2% for adult social care – making a total increase of 3.99%.

This puts the County Council element of an average band D council tax bill at £1,438.74 – or just under £4 per day. This is an increase of around £1 per week compared to last year’s bill.

You council tax makes up 32% of our day-to-day revenue spending. For every pound you give us we spend 35p on adults and health, 26p on education and children’s services, and 16p on environment, highways and infrastructure.

If you’re interested in our budget and where we’re investing money you can find out more in our recent news item.

West Sussex Highways continues to take action against potholes, with 2,479 repairs completed across the county in January alone.

Recent, frequent changes between cold temperatures, to mild/wet weather, and back again, have significantly increased the number of potholes on our roads. With the expansion and contraction caused by temperature change, deterioration will occur, resulting in new potholes.

However, pothole repairs are only part of the picture – we also have a pothole prevention strategy, and:

• resurface whole/large sections of roads, removing all the surface and replacing with a new one on top;
• micro-surface, where a layer of asphalt emulsion is blended with finely-crushed stone to seal the road surface;
• use surface dressing, spraying the road with bitumen binder, followed by a layer of stone chippings which are then rolled in.

In 2019 to 2020, we invested a total of £8.9 million treating 806,000m² of carriageway using these three methods. The draft 2020/21 programme is being finalised but will see further investment in West Sussex’s roads.

If you’re interested finding out more, visit our website for the full news story.

East Grinstead & District Lions Club have decided to cancel the diabetes screening event that was to be held on Saturday 14th March at St Swithuns church hall due to the current uncertain medical conditions faced by the nation.

The Club has a responsibility to both the public and its own members.

The club will endeavour to run the event at a future more settled time.

These are the estimated start dates and are subject to the previous work ending as expected.  They may be a day or two different in reality.  We do not have end dates, all queries as to the works please direct to Virgin as per their resident letters.  We should be able to update Social media and the Website weekly as Virgin are able to advise.

Works Reference	Project	Application Status	Works Type	Street T/S?	Works Status	Address 1	Start	End	Works Location
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-08	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	ASHDOWN VIEW	09/03/2020	13/03/2020	The whole of Ashview
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-05	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	Y	PROPOSED WORKS	HURST FARM ROAD	09/03/2020	26/03/2020	The whole of Hurst Farm Road
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-07	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	SOUTHLANDS	10/03/2020	19/03/2020	The whole of Southlands
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-11	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	Y	PROPOSED WORKS	MILL WAY	13/03/2020	20/03/2020	The whole of Mill Way on South side
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-09	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	MILL CLOSE	19/03/2020	25/03/2020	The whole of Mill Close
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-02	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	Y	PROPOSED WORKS	DUNNINGS ROAD	23/03/2020	04/04/2020	From o/s 139 Dunnings Road to s/o 2 Hurst Farm Road
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-04	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	MORTON ROAD	24/03/2020	31/03/2020	From the junction with Dunnings Road to o/s 44 & 43
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-01	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	STOCKWELL ROAD	25/03/2020	07/04/2020	From junction with Dunnings Road to O/S 41 & 48
NK111-EG-182988-AG01-03	East Grinstead	Granted	MAJOR	N	PROPOSED WORKS	CORONATION ROAD	31/03/2020	09/04/2020	The whole of Coronation Road

As the Town Council, we want you to be fully aware of the disruption that may be caused by Virgin Media coming to the town. Please see the below posters for an updated FAQ from Virgin Media. Included is a contact email address if you have any concerns. Virgin Media hope that their services will be available within the next two years to all the residents in East Grinstead.

To register your interest email volunteering@msva.org.uk, ring 01444 258102

or visit www.msva.org.uk/opportunities

 MID SUSSEX VOLUNTARY ACTION

We provide support services to local voluntary organisations, enabling them to be set up, grow and thrive.

Trustee: We are looking for people from all walks of life to bring in their skills and experience to help us continue providing an excellent service to the communities of Mid Sussex. Ideally you will have an experience of aspects of running or managing an organisation and some understanding of the Voluntary and Community Sector.

EAST GRINSTEAD MUSEUM

Our vision is a community that celebrates its cultural heritage and finds inspiration, stimulating learning experiences and enjoyment through the exploration of our collections.

Collection Assistant: assisting with aspects of managing the Museum’s collection and making it accessible to visitors.

Public Enquiries Volunteer: responding to public enquiries about local people, buildings and events, as well as items within the Museum’s collections.

Community Outreach Talks Volunteer: delivering talks about topics related to East Grinstead (its history, heritage, people, culture and anything else with a tangible link to the Museum) to community groups in the area.

Visitor Engagement Volunteer: providing a warm welcome to visitors; introducing exhibitions; helping with enquiries; selling merchandise and encourage donations.

Treasurer: our Trustees are looking for someone with a strong financial background to join them as a Treasurer.

SCOUTS – EAST GRINSTEAD SCOUTS 4TH GROUP

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

Group Leaders & Assistant Leaders: to help encourage our youth members to try new activities, learn new skills, think for themselves, work in teams and realise their potential. We need support on Thursday and Friday evenings.

EAST GRINSTEAD IN BLOOM

We are a group of local residents whose aims are to improve the local environment for the benefit of all.

Gardening Volunteer: we have a number of neighbourhood gardens around East Grinstead and work on these at different times, usually at weekends. We plan the gardens then weed, mow, plant and generally beautify them. We publicise gardening dates and tell volunteers what needs to be done. Volunteers take complete responsibility for their activities as they would in their own garden, this means we cannot supervise children, young people, or vulnerable adults.

Committee member: we need people with an interest in gardening to join our committee.

Photographer: someone who could take high-standard photographs of flower displays in East Grinstead.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN LOCAL ACTION GROUP (T-LAT)

We contribute to community road safety activities by participating in the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, which includes Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and West Sussex County Council. Volunteers assist with Operation Crackdown’s educational programme of speed monitoring at pre-selected locations to reduce the number of drivers exceeding the local speed limits.

Community Speed Watch: to assist the Police and West Sussex County Council by monitoring traffic speed at pre-designated road locations in East Grinstead.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL

Gardener: to help look after the gardens surrounding East Court Mansion.

JIGSAW SOUTH EAST

We support bereaved children, young people and their families and also those affected by a family member having a terminal diagnosis throughout Surrey, Sussex and surrounding areas.

Trustee: We are looking to recruit new Trustees who are enthusiastic and keen to help us deliver our valued service. We welcome applicants who will support our charity to enforce its vision, ethos and strategic direction by providing practical support, representing the organisation at appropriate events, meetings or functions, engagement with stakeholders and exploring possible funding opportunities. We are also looking for a Trustee with skills and background in finance and accountancy.

Fundraiser: to help with fundraising events and collections and organise fundraising events or represent us at fairs and similar events.

GIRLGUIDES – EAST GRINSTEAD DIVISION

Guiding is an adventurous journey which helps girls to develop the character and resilience which research shows will give them a head-start in whatever they do.

Assistant Leaders and Helpers for Brownies/Guides/Rainbows: to support our Unit Leader and the volunteers’ team.

AGE UK EAST GRINSTEAD & DISTRICT

We work with and for local older people to make a real and positive difference to their well-being and quality of life.

Activities Volunteer: to help with the planning, organizing and running of activities for older people. These could include board games, quizzes, play reading, flower arranging, music, bingo or discussion groups.

IT Trainers / Tutors: to help us run IT classes that make computers and smart phones fun and easy to use for people 50 years of age and upwards.

Website Coordinator: we currently run our own website (which is part of a national website) and need a volunteer to oversee and coordinate this work.

FELBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL

Treasurer: The Felbridge Village Hall Committee is looking for a new Treasurer. We need someone who could assist in negotiating contracts, administering budgets and undertake other financial procedures relating to the running on the Village Hall.