COPY FOR PARISH MAGAZINE JULY 2009

 

 

Congratulations

To Richard Greenwood on his well deserved award of a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. 

 

Election Results

We are advised of the following relating to the recent Mid Sussex election for the Worth Forest Division:

Bill Acraman 2147 votes (61.2%)

Dennis (LD) 617 votes (17.6%)

Thomson (Lab) 225 votes (6.4%)

Weller (Green) 518 votes (14.7%)

Turnout 3507 (37.5%)

 

Street Lighting

Southern Electric have now completed a safety check on all lights that are the responsibility of BPC.  The Facilities & Amenities Group is currently reviewing the overall report & in due course will make recommendations on upgrading & possible installation of a new column.  As you will appreciate this is dependant on cost & availability of funds within our annual budget. 

Please note that in place of the previous yellow location label Southern Electric have relabelled each column with a white label giving the Clerk’s telephone number together with a number.  If you wish to report faults please quote this number.  Repairs normally will take up to 10 days from date of receiving a request for repair. 

 

Police & Security Matters

 

Crime continues to fall in Mid Sussex

The latest crime figures for April 2008 to March 2009 show a significant reduction of crime in Mid Sussex. Crime is down by almost 8% compared to the previous year and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has made a key contribution to the drop.

Criminal damage has reduced by 7.4% on the previous year and this means there were 124 less victims. Vehicle crime was also reduced by 3% and this continues a three-year downward trend. Overall the 7.9% drop in crime is a significant step forward and results in stronger, safer communities for the residents of Mid Sussex.

If you do witness any suspicious activity, please don't hesitate to contact our dedicated PCSO, Jayne Milne, with details. 0845 60 70 999 extn. 21901, or by email jayne.milne@sussex.pnn.police.uk.

 

 

Freighter

Dates for 2009/2010 collections have been confirmed as follows:

28 June

25 October

& 14 March 2010

 

News from MSDC

Mid Sussex District Council has sought legal advice over the Government’s excessive housing plans for the District.  The recently published South East Plan requires that 17,100 new homes be built in Mid Sussex by 2026.

 

Although such a challenge would be an unusual step, Mid Sussex District Council believes that it had to be explored given the strong feelings of Mid Sussex residents about the level of housing planned in the area. 

Advice was sought from the same barrister who recently led a successful challenge to the East of England Plan.  The advice given in this case is that Mid Sussex does not have a reasonable prospect of succeeding in such a challenge.

Council on budget thanks to savings of £2.2million

Mid Sussex District Council has finished the 2008/9 financial year just under budget thanks to careful financial management. The full figures have now been detailed in the annual outturn report that was presented to Mid Sussex District Council's Cabinet Members on Monday 8 June.

During 2008/09, the economic downturn reduced the Council’s income levels and created budget pressures in many service areas. In a rapidly changing economic environment, the Council proactively managed its costs to generate total savings of £2,265,000 during the year. This helped to offset the reduced income and resulted in a net under spend of £54,000.

The efficiencies achieved in 2008/09 provide further evidence that Mid Sussex District Council is one of the best local authorities in England for making efficiency savings. According to the Department of Communities and Local Government, the financial savings achieved over the last 3 years make Mid Sussex District Council the third best for efficiency savings in the country and ahead of all local authorities in the South East.


 

 

Figures from the Audit Commission released in December 2008 also confirm

that frontline services provided by the District Council are improving

significantly with MSDC now ranked 23rd out of 388 similar authorities for its

rate of improvement

 

Garden Matters

Just a little reminder that as the Home Composting season is in swing.  West Sussex County Council's greatly subsidised Home Composter & Food Waste. 

Digester Bins are currently on offer.  The Compost Bins currently available are the 220 litre @ £17.00 & 330 litre @ £18.00, including home delivery.  Food Waste Digester bins available are the Green Cone @ £14.95 and Green Johanna @ £19.95 including home delivery.  Please note that these need to be ordered direct from WSCC – telephone 01243 756601 - NOT from the Parish Council. 

 

Posters

All posters displayed within the village must be removed by the party responsible immediately they are no longer relevant.  We reserve the right to pass on the cost of removal to the organisation or person concerned if this courtesy is not observed within a reasonable time. 

 

Post Bus Withdrawal

Following recent complaints about the replacement Countryliner No. 166 service back from Haywards Heath to Balcombe – this service is arranged by Mid Sussex County Council & NOT ourselves – the following apology has been received from the Group Operations Manager of Countryliner, Mr Michael Bishop

“I was very concerned and disappointed to read about this complaint.

I can confirm that the driver concerned has been dealt with through the company’s internal procedure for not serving the Sainsbury’s stop in Haywards Heath towards Balcombe.

I can confirm that a notice has now been placed regarding observing stops, particularly on the Balcombe extension.

There are no excuses for any driver not operating this route correctly and all have received appropriate training/information.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused on this occasion and if I can help any further, please do let me know”.

 

Playground

Although this is regularly checked for matters of safety should any problems or concerns be noted please contact the Clerk immediately to enable an appropriate report to be made to those responsible, Mid Sussex District Council. 


 

 

Travel Concessions

Reminder of eligibility- Rail Passes – aged 60 or over, residents listed on the Balcombe Electoral Roll only. 

Evidence of eligibility required from all first-time applicants.  Following recent rail fare increases the cost has increased with immediate effect to £17.10 per annum, or £14.10 to those evidencing receipt of benefit. (Cost direct from the station is now £26). 

Please note that to take advantage of this concession pre-paid vouchers must be purchased direct from the Clerk beforehand. 

 

Bus Passes – Evidence of eligibility, together with passport size photograph, to be checked by the Clerk prior to submission to MSDC who issue the covering passes.  Aged 60 or over.  Confirmation of Balcombe residence likewise required. 

Passes enable free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. 

 

Availability of the Clerk

The weekly surgery for the issue of Rail & Bus passes, inspection of current plans etc. is held each Tuesday, between 9.30 am & 12 noon at 11 Foxwells.  No prior appointment is required for assistance at that time.  If this is inconvenient please telephone beforehand to make an alternative appointment. 

Please note that there will be NO Weekly Surgery on Tuesday 7th July. 

 

Next Parish Council Meeting Date

The next meeting of the Council takes place in the W I Room on Monday 20th July at 8 p m. 

A copy of the agenda will appear on the noticeboard approximately 7 days beforehand.  All residents are most welcome to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Greig

Clerk to the Council