Category: News

West Sussex councils have successfully applied to take part in a new Government pilot scheme that allows them to reinvest growth in Business Rates to support the local economy.

Under the pilot scheme, councils in West Sussex will be able to retain any increase in Business Rates locally, rather than giving it to the Government.  The funding will be held in a joint pool on behalf of the Districts of Adur, Arun, Chichester, Horsham, Mid Sussex, the Boroughs of Crawley and Worthing and West Sussex County Council.

It is forecast that the additional business rates retained for investment locally could be £19m in 2019/20.

The Councils aim to work together and invest the money in infrastructure to support the rollout of Full Fibre digital connectivity across West Sussex.

Studies have shown that the economic benefits of full fibre infrastructure are significant in terms of productivity and innovation. This next generation of connectivity will help the county to remain productive and competitive over the long-term and enable businesses to create better, higher-paying jobs across West Sussex.

Councillor Garry Wall, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“The beauty of this pilot is that it provides Councils with more opportunities to support business growth in their area, something which in turn benefits the whole community.

We are grateful to our local MP, Sir Nicholas Soames, who has championed our work within Government.

“All the authorities within West Sussex will be working together to make sure that the retained Business Rates re invested wisely. Our first priority will be enabling infrastructure for full fibre roll out. Gigabit connectivity is vital for our area and will bring support to businesses of all sizes.”

Councillor Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council said:

“We are proud to have a strong local economy in West Sussex but we know that, with the right investment, there is enormous potential for us to grow into one of the most prosperous areas in the country.

“To have full control over the generation of Business Rates within our area is so important to us. Not only will it enhance our relationship with the local business community but our future growth will provide additional funding to finance essential infrastructure improvements.

Mid Sussex District Council is reminding residents that waste and recycling collection days will change over the Christmas and New Year period.

Collection changes begin on Saturday 22 December and end on Saturday 5 January 2019.

Christmas flyers with details of collections over the festive period and other recycling information have been posted to all Mid Sussex homes in the run up to Christmas.

Householders can also access personalised information about their collection days online by entering their postcode at www.midsussex.gov.uk/collectioncalendar .

The festive collections are as follows:

Normal collection date	Festive collection date
Monday 24 December	Saturday 22 December
Tuesday 25 December	Monday 24 December
Wednesday 26 December	Thursday 27 December
Thursday 27 December	Friday 28 December
Friday 28 December	Saturday 29 December
Monday 31 December	No Change
Tuesday 1 January	Wednesday 2 January
Wednesday 2 January	Thursday 3 January
Thursday 3 January	Friday 4 January
Friday 4 January	Saturday 5 January

There will be no garden waste collections between Monday 24 December and Friday 4 January 2019. Garden waste collections will return to normal from Monday 7 January 2019.

Householders with a real Christmas tree can recycle it in their garden waste bin as long as the lid can be closed.  Alternatively there will be temporary sites where residents can drop off real Christmas trees for recycling. These sites will be open between Sunday 29 December and Friday 11 January and locations are available at www.midsussex.gov.uk/treerecycling.

For more information about festive waste and recycling collections visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/recycling, email wastematters@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477440.

 

ENDS

Mid Sussex District Council will be open between Christmas and New Year to provide a full range of services for residents.

The Council’s Oaklands office in Haywards Heath will close for Christmas at 1pm on Monday 24 December. The office will reopen on Thursday 27 at 8:45am and be open at the same time on Friday 28 and Monday 31 December, before closing on New Year’s Day. Normal opening hours will resume from Wednesday 2 January 2019.

At any point while the office is closed, residents are reminded that they can still make payments or bookings by using the Council’s website at www.midsussex.gov.uk. Residents are also able to find out about changes to bin collections, festive events and Christmas tree recycling on the website.

Details of Christmas opening times for leisure centres and civic halls can be found online at www.placesforpeopleleisure.org

Need some practical down to earth training that will help you increase profits and compete more effectively with the chains?

Want some tailored advice on boosting sales that is free to implement?

Ensure New Year profitability by joining the Mid Sussex retail training programme:

• Especially designed for independent retailers
• Delivered by retail experts
• Funded by Mid Sussex District Council.

There is a series of five sessions running in 2019, all are from 9am to 12.30pm.

Buying, Range and Product Management. Tuesday 8^th January, East Grinstead

Visual Merchandising and Better Presentation, Tuesday 22^nd January, Hurstpierpoint

Retail Marketing, Price, Promotions, Advertising, Tuesday 5^th February, Burgess Hill

Sales and Customer Service, Tuesday 26^th January, Cuckfield

Inventory and Stock Management, Monday 11^th March, East Grinstead

Places are limited so register now. You can sign up for all five workshops or just the ones you feel are most relevant.

More information is here or call Fran Riseley on 01823 333469 or email fran.riseley@martec-international.com

In addition, free tutoring and mentoring sessions with experienced retail consultants at Martec International are available to qualifying retailers – your chance to get help tailored to your needs and business.

County Local Committees (CLCs) for 2019/20

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):

Frederick George THORPE

Private G/28117 15th Labour Battalion, The Royal West Surreys. Att. 98th Company The Labour Corps.

Died in Greece 25.12.18. Aged 42.

Son of William and Elizaorpe of East Grinstead. Husband of Mrs. Mildred Anne Thorpe of 39, Durkins Road, East Grinstead.

Buried Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.

On Saturday 24th November the Rotary Club of East Grinstead held their ceremony to switch on the Tree of light. Meridian Rotary Club Chairman, Steven Kirupai was joined by Town Mayor Cllr Rex Whittaker and the first task was to announce the winners of the ‘Big Reveal’ 11 Middle Row’s Ginger bread house, took first place and the trophy, Emma Tindley’s wedding dress shop was second and in Third place Cole’s Estate agents.

The Mayor congratulated all the participating venues on creating such a fantastic feel good event that brought thousands of people into the town.

East Grinstead Concert Band, Sackville School Choir, pantomime characters, carols and Father Christmas were on hand to entertain the crowds before the countdown commenced and the lights were switched on.

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Cards with a conscience, Charity Christmas card shop is open in east Grinstead library until 15th December.

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