Newsletter 18/12/2023
18 December 2023
Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.
Planning
Modality Mid Sussex Patient update
Please see below the latest Modality Mid Sussex patient update and information below.
We will be releasing the attached patient update to patients later today (13th December 2023). We are making really good progress against our improvement plan and continue to work closely with the ICB, CQC and Patient Participation Group to enhance the service we offer. We, like other local primary care providers, are facing increased demand due to Winter pressures and we are making every effort to expand our acute on the day provision to tackle this. A meeting is being arranged between all healthcare providers in East Grinstead to encourage collaboration and improve access for patients, this is something we are keen to be part of and that we think has the potential to bring improvements to the local area.
Lois Brown National Multi-Functional Manager
Modality Partnership
The Rural Bulletin
The Rural Bulletin 12 December 2023
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner News
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner News
Immediate Justice Grant Funding Information
As you may be aware, we have launched the second round of Immediate Justice grant funding to expand our provider list for reparative activity. All comms are now live online and I would be most appreciative if you could all share the below link with relevant contacts who might like to apply:
SPCC – Grant Funding Open for Immediate Justice – Apply Today (sussex-pcc.gov.uk)
The closing date is the 22nd December
Amy Loaring, BA(Hons), AMInstLM. Community and Business Partnerships Manager
Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
NALC News
Chief executive’s bulletin
Management Board
Following our recent committee elections, our chair, vice-chairs and Management Board held their first informal meetings. These informal meetings provide an opportunity to reflect on future strategy, consider topical issues, and give my management team and me a steer on day-to-day operations. They agreed to meet informally every two months, to have an early session with new chairs of committees and to hold an induction session for National Assembly members in January 2024. They also noted progress on the new template employment contract and current engagement with Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA).
Local Council Award Scheme
Our member services team hosted an online event on 12 December 2023 with nearly 200 attendees to help local (parish and town) councils develop a robust application for the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS). The free event looked at how to complete the application, common pitfalls, an insight into the criteria and some feedback from councils who participated in the scheme. The event also heard from Julia Mutlow, town clerk at Seaton Town Council in Devon, who gave an overview of her experience with the application process and shared some valuable hints and tips. If you want to find out more about the LCAS, get in touch with your county association. And look out for more free webinars which we’ll be advertising in the New Year.
Join our exclusive website testing team!
As part of our ongoing digital transformation projects, we’re developing a new website to be launched in 2024! We’re inviting county associations, councillors and clerks to register their interest to be the first to explore and refine the new website which we want to be at the heart of how we provide services and information to councils and county associations. The testing will involve completing tasks to test the new website’s capabilities. To register your interest, please complete our short form, and we’ll be in touch on the next steps.
On the blog: Groundwork UK
This week’s blog from Groundwork UK discusses how communities and local councils can and must empower the next generation to drive climate solutions. Young people can play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis as they are the next generation of changemakers. As part of the Everyone’s Environment programme, Groundwork UK has been asking young people for their opinions about climate change. And since climate change and biodiversity loss will impact young people’s futures more than anyone else’s, they found that young people want a voice in what is being done about it. Do check it out.
Update to planning webpage on planning policy positions
We recently updated our dedicated planning webpage with a short briefing on our leading planning policy positions. The briefing provides further information on NALC’s overarching positions, views on the National Planning Policy Framework and local plans. It’s also a helpful reference and resource for anyone mentioning NALC’s planning policies at meetings, seminars or events. If you have any feedback on this resource or the webpage please drop us a line at policycomms@nalc.gov.uk.
Fortnightly meeting with county officers
At this week’s meeting on 13 December 2023 between NALC and county officers, we had our annual review of the year and discussed plans for 2024. Highlights of this year included inducting new staff (including many new county officers), improving working with principal authorities, better communications and engagement with member councils, and working with others on flooding, parish mergers, HR, and tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
Rural Coalition
NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, attended The Rural Coalition’s last meeting of the year on 7 December 2023. It discussed priorities for 2024, which looks likely to be a general election year and when it would be more important than ever to express the needs of rural communities. The Coalition plans to focus on making the economic case for rural and its potential to support the drive for economic growth across the country. Growing the rural economy will boost the national economy, which is the central message the Coalition wants to get across to all the political parties next year.
Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments survey on digitalising the Annual Governance and Accountability Return
As part of its future strategy, the new board of SAAA is running a project to consider the possible digitalisation of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) process and what benefits or challenges this would bring to customers and suppliers. They have engaged RedQuadrant to support the review. Within the project, SAAA is keen to hear from various stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the process, including what changes they want. As part of this, they have created a short survey aimed at those who use the AGAR process. The survey is a mix of open and closed questions which should take 10 minutes to complete and will be available until 5 January 2024. If you have any questions, please contact aidan.loughran@redquadrant.com or james.wickham@redquadrant.com.
And finally…
Our partners, Clear Councils Insurance, have shared an article on winter safety and risk management for councils to prepare for the challenges of winter weather. It emphasises the potential hazards and risks associated with winter conditions, such as icy roads, snow-covered walkways, and damage to council buildings from storms, high winds, floods, and icy weather. They offer tips and advice to help councils ensure they are well-prepared for the various risks of winter weather. The article also encourages councils to take proactive safety and risk management measures to minimise potential issues and ensure the community’s well-being.
Gatcom News
Revised Prevent Duty: – To support local authorities, the Home Office have developed the following new communications:
(New Prevent duty animation): Public sector staff working together to stop radicalisation.
A new animation film illustrates how public sectors under the Prevent duty work together to stop radicalisation. The animation is aimed at public sector professionals under the Prevent duty.
(New Prevent leaflet and posters): What is Prevent and how to stop radicalisation.
The attached Prevent leaflet explains the Prevent programme, what radicalisation is and the most common signs, including actions to take if someone is concerned that a person they know is becoming radicalised, as well as the referral process and support. The leaflet is aimed at the general public and public sector professionals under the Prevent duty.
Prevent Radicalisation
In relation to the Israel/Gaza conflict, and any antisemitic or anti-Muslim incidents emanating as a result of this, the below links may be useful:
The Community Security Trust (CST) has published a number of resources on their social media feeds, including guidance on how to communicate about Israel in a non-antisemitic way. A host of other resources can be found on their website here: Educational Resources – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community. CST also has a national emergency number which should be used to report antisemitic attacks, alongside calling 999: 0800 032 3263.
Tell Mama is a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK. Their website features a number of different ways to report anti-Muslim incidents, including via phone or WhatsApp: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia (tellmamauk.org). The site also hosts useful resources, including on mosque security.
Hate incidents and hate crimes can, of course, be reported to the police or via the specialist free, confidential Hate Incident Support Service operated by Victim Support. More details here: www.westsussex.gov.uk/hatecrime
Revised Prevent Duty: – To support local authorities, the Home Office have developed the following new communications:
(New Prevent duty animation): Public sector staff working together to stop radicalisation.
A new animation film illustrates how public sectors under the Prevent duty work together to stop radicalisation. The animation is aimed at public sector professionals under the Prevent duty.
(New Prevent leaflet and posters): What is Prevent and how to stop radicalisation.
The attached Prevent leaflet explains the Prevent programme, what radicalisation is and the most common signs, including actions to take if someone is concerned that a person they know is becoming radicalised, as well as the referral process and support. The leaflet is aimed at the general public and public sector professionals under the Prevent duty.
In relation to the Israel/Gaza conflict, and any antisemitic or anti-Muslim incidents emanating as a result of this, the below links may be useful:
The Community Security Trust (CST) has published a number of resources on their social media feeds, including guidance on how to communicate about Israel in a non-antisemitic way. A host of other resources can be found on their website here: Educational Resources – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community. CST also has a national emergency number which should be used to report antisemitic attacks, alongside calling 999: 0800 032 3263.
Tell Mama is a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK. Their website features a number of different ways to report anti-Muslim incidents, including via phone or WhatsApp: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia (tellmamauk.org). The site also hosts useful resources, including on mosque security.
Hate incidents and hate crimes can, of course, be reported to the police or via the specialist free, confidential Hate Incident Support Service operated by Victim Support. More details here: www.westsussex.gov.uk/hatecrime
MSDC Public consultation for Polling Places Review
Mid Sussex District Council has begun a review of polling district and polling place arrangements for elections. The consultation will close on Wednesday 3 January, and the Council invites comments and representations from any interested individual, group or organisation. Please see the full release below.
Public consultation opens in Mid Sussex for Polling Places Review
Mid Sussex District Council has begun a review of polling district and polling place arrangements for elections.
The review considers the number of electors in each polling district and the suitability of current arrangements at polling places across Mid Sussex, as well as the locations to ensure they meet polling requirements and are accessible to all voters, including those with disabilities. Local authorities are required to review their polling districts and polling places for UK parliamentary constituencies at least once every five years.
The public consultation opened on Monday 20 November and will close on Wednesday 3 January. Mid Sussex District Council invites comments and representations from any interested individual, group or organisation, particularly those with expertise in access for persons with any types of disability.
All responses should be submitted in writing. To submit a response, please visit: https://forms.midsussex.gov.uk/form-69008/review-of-polling-districts-polling-places-2023-consultation. For more information, please visit the Mid Sussex District Council website:
https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/polling-districts-places-review/ or contact the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@midsussex.gov.uk or calling 01444 477003.
The Town Council consultation group will be Helen Farren, Margaret Belsey, Rex Whittaker, Steve Ody and Julie Mockford – if there are any comments please can these be sent to them by 28th December for a submission on 3rd January.