Category: News

Mid Sussex District Council has released £124,791 in Section 106 developer contributions to increase capacity at two local medical centres.

Lindfield Medical Centre has received £68,957.66 and Northlands Wood Medical Centre has secured £55,833.66. Both facilities will use the money to fund the creation of an additional consulting room at each centre for a nurse or GP to use.

Rebecca Slattery-Kavanagh, Practice Manager at Northlands Wood Medical Centre said:

“Northlands Wood has seen rapid growth in its patient list as a result of new housing developments in the area.  The award of this funding is fantastic news because it will allow us to continue taking on new patients and will ensure the sustainability of the practice for the future.

“We hope to start the work to create an additional consulting room on the first floor in spring 2018.”

Section 106 contributions are provided by developers and are negotiated by Mid Sussex District Council. They contribute towards the infrastructure improvements that are necessary to ensure new developments make a positive contribution to the local area and community.

The funding for Lindfield Medical Centre has been provided as a result of new developments near Gravelye Lane, Lyoth Lane and Newton Road in Lindfield. The funding for Northlands Wood Medical Centre has also arisen from the developments near Gravelye Lane and Lyoth Lane, as well as the Wilmington Way development in Haywards Heath.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, MSDC Cabinet Member for Resources and Economic Growth said:

“When new housing is built it’s vitally important that we invest in, and continue to secure developer contributions towards, local infrastructure to make sure our community facilities continue to improve for residents.

“We know that local medical provision is a big concern for many people so I’m delighted that these Section 106 developer contributions will be used to expand GP services in the area. The money will enable doctors and nurses to make the best use of their space and increase their staffing levels, so they can provide a better service and manage the greater demand on their facilities.”

Geraldine Hoban, Accountable Officer at NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), added:

“The CCG has worked closely with the Council on this funding bid. We are delighted to have secured additional investment in primary care in these areas of planned population growth.”

For more information about Section 106 developer contributions call Elizabeth Lancaster, MSDC Infrastructure Officer on 01444 477066 or email Elizabeth.Lancaster@midsussex.gov.uk.

Mid Sussex District Council has awarded over £79,000 to help local sports clubs and community organisations improve their facilities and services.

The Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Grants Panel met on 31 October to discuss the grant funding allocations and the award of £79,361 to the successful applicants was confirmed on 9 November 2017.

Burgess Hill Town Council has been granted £4,500 towards a summer programme of specialist activities for older children. The activity days, which will run for one day each, include a zip wire in St John’s Park, an outdoor cinema and an escape room where a group of players are locked in a room and have 30 minutes to solve challenging puzzles and escape the room.

Scaynes Hill Cricket Club has been awarded £10,046 towards the provision of a new artificial cricket pitch. The current pitch is no longer meets the English Cricket Board (ECB) safety standards and, as it is used for all junior matches, a replacement is needed before the start of next season. This grant will go a long way towards the provision of a modern ECB approved pitch, which will ensure the club can continue to grow and cricket can be played for many years to come.

Summerhaven secured £1,000 towards the mental health drop-in sessions they provide at the Old Post Office in Burgess Hill. Volunteers help people with mental health problems to access a safe space and avoid social isolation.

The West Sussex Mediation Service (WSMS) was awarded £2,500 to support the valuable services they provide for the Mid Sussex community. WSMS specialise in neighbour disputes and help local people to resolve issues like noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour and disagreements over property boundaries. By resolving conflict they help to improve people’s lives, removing the stress and anxiety caused by the dispute and improving health and wellbeing.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Resources and Economic Growth said:

“Voluntary organisations provide many valuable services for local people and I am proud that we are able to support them with the allocation of this grant funding.

“So many local volunteers give up their time to provide help and support for the people who need it most. It’s potentially life-changing work and I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for the army of volunteers that do so much for the Mid Sussex community.

“Voluntary organisations are reliant on external funding and charitable donations to survive so it’s essential that we continue to show our support for the great work they are doing by awarding these grants.”

For more information contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Services Team on 01444 477275 or email Elaine.Clarke@midsussex.gov.uk.

Calling all Men in East Grinstead and surround. Would you like to join a social group and learn or share skills in woodwork, metalwork, gardening etc? East Grinstead in looking to start a Mens Shed – if you are interested in finding out more email sheds@westsussex.gov.uk. Please see the attached leaflet for more information.

With the weather turning colder and winter approaching fast, the county council is highlighting some of the ways we can all help to stay well this winter. If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination it is important that you take up this offer.

You are offered the vaccine for free if you are one of the groups of people who are most ‘at risk’ of catching the illness. This is one of the most important things you can do to stay well and it may also help relieve pressure on the NHS this winter.

To find out if you’re in an ‘at risk’ group speak to your local participating pharmacy or GP. I also want to remind your readers about the fantastic meals on wheels service available in West Sussex.
Eating at least one hot nutritious meal a day is very important for our health and wellbeing, particularly in colder weather.

Some people, due to illness, frailty or a disability, may find it difficult or impossible to shop, cook or heat a frozen meal. The home-delivered hot meals service may be the answer.

The national award winning meals on wheels service in West Sussex is run on behalf of the County Council by apetito. Meals are delivered at lunchtimes between 11-2, up to seven days a week – including Christmas Day.

To find out more about meals on wheels or to sign up for the service call 01903 718893 or email westsussex.office@apetito.co.uk.

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

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

Benjamin ROWE

Private 19680 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 1st Division.

Killed in action near Ypres, 14.11.17. age 32.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. A.A.Rowe of 49, Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead. Husband of Mrs. Ellen Road of 21, Rush Hill Road, Lavender Hill, Battersea. Born and enlisted in East Grinstead.

Commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium MR.30

James WREN

Private 47002 Number 48 Field Ambulance Company. Royal Army Medical Corps.

Died 30.11.17.

Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Horsham.

Commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium MR.30

Skaters, BMX bikers and scooter riders travelled from all around the District on Wednesday 25 October to be part of Skatefest 2017 at Haywards Heath Skate Park.

Skatefest is a relaxed event, designed to bring the local skater community together for an afternoon of music, art and some freestyle tricks and stunts. More than 80 young people took part, pulling off a range of moves from air tricks like the tail whip to various grinds and wheelies.

DJ Neel kept the tunes flowing throughout the afternoon and offered DJ workshops so young people could have a go for themselves. Street artist Julian Johnson held interactive street art sessions and produced two large boards that will be displayed at the skate park.

Councillor Gary Marsh, Cabinet Member for Service Delivery said:

“Skateboarding, BMX biking and scooter riding are a great way for young people to be active and enjoy the outdoors. There’s a real sense of community in the skater scene and these young people are really passionate about their sport. Skatefest is our way to show our support and it has been fantastic to see so many young people taking part.”

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community added:

“We’re planning to make some major improvements to the facilities at Haywards Heath Skate Park over the next 12 months and it’s going to be really important to get the local skater community involved. We’ve arranged for a professional skate park designer to be at the first of our consultation events at Tory’s café on 7 December and I hope lots of young people join us to share their views and ideas for the future.”

The Skatefest event was organised by Mid Sussex District Council in partnership with Creatives Across Sussex and with support from Clarion Housing Group (formerly known as Affinity Sutton) and Tory’s café, who provided free cake for everyone who attended.

For more information about community events in Mid Sussex contact Regina Choudhury, MSDC Community Development Officer on 01444 477495 or email regina.choudhury@midsussex.gov.uk

On Friday 27 October East Grinstead station welcomed a team of volunteers from the Rail Group at the Department of Transport, they were joined by several local volunteers and some Southern staff.

 

 

20 volunteers in all were giving up their time to help the Sussex Community Rail Partnership’s station partner Andrew Morris to tidy and prepare the station’s extensive flower beds for the coming winter. Andrew has big plans for redesigning the gardens with the coming winter giving him the ideal opportunity to get to work on the project.

The volunteers all worked tirelessly weeding, chopping, digging, sweeping and filling endless rubbish sacks, the sun shone and we all had a really nice day.

These corporate volunteering days are a blessing for Community Rail as a whole team can do in several hours what it can take our station partners several weeks to achieve. Many thanks to all involved for giving up their time so generously.