A scheme to encourage drivers to stick to the 30mph speed limit in Somerville Drive, Pound Hill, Crawley, will start on Monday October 12.

The £25,300 West Sussex County Council scheme  will involve provision of new road markings and signs, narrowing the road to create ‘pinch points’ and improving kerbs along the section of Somerville Drive between Selwyn Close and Balliol Close.

Henry Smith, Leader of the County Council, said: “We are aware of issues concerning road safety in the area, and it is hoped these improvement measures will help put the public’s mind at ease.”

The work is scheduled to take up to three weeks to complete, weather permitting. It will be carried out Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 7.30am to 1pm.

Temporary two-way traffic lights will be in operation for the duration of the scheme.

On-street parking may also be restricted during the scheme.

To mark World Book Day next year, West Sussex Library Service is tracking down the county’s favourite read from the last decade.

Nominations for the ‘West Sussex Favourite Read’ may be for any book published in the United Kingdom since January 1, 2000.

The closing date for nominations is Saturday November 14, when the nominees will be shortlisted and announced in January for the final vote.

The overall winner will be announced on World Book Day on March 4, 2010.

“World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and Ireland and West Sussex Libraries always like to mark the occasion,” said Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Communications, with responsibility for Libraries.

“In our modern society, book reading can be seen as an old habit, so this an excellent idea to get people back to the wonderful world of reading.

“To remind yourself of your favourite books over the last ten years, call in at your local Library where you will find a huge range to choose from.”

To vote, fill in the form online by visiting the West Sussex County Council website or clicking on this shortcut link. Alternatively visit your local Library where you can collect a form.

Child Benefit will no longer to be recognised as income when calculating Housing and Council Tax benefit from November 2, affecting hundreds of families across the town.

It’s predicted that about 300-500 families in Crawley will gain from this change in benefits by becoming able to receive this additional financial help to cover rent and Council Tax charges. Those who already receive Housing and Council Tax benefit will have their claims automatically adjusted from November 2.

For example, if a couple with one child paying £120 per week in rent have a weekly income of less than £378, they may become eligible for Housing Benefit.

Councillor Jennifer Millar-Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I would urge people who think they may be eligible for this change in benefit to use our online calculator or get in touch. This is great news for hundreds of families in Crawley and will provide them with added financial stability.”

To find out more information, or to find out how to apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefits, call 01293 438611 or email benefits@crawley.gov.uk. To calculate whether you qualify for benefits under the new regulations, visit here and click on the Taxes and Benefits link.

Improvements to the pavement on Mendip Walk, West Green, are due to get underway on Monday October 26.

The £23,100 West Sussex County Council scheme is expected to take up to three weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

Henry Smith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “This work will improve Mendip Walk and is part of the County Council’s on-going commitment to upgrade pavements across Crawley and the county.”

Work will generally take place from 7.30 am to 5pm.  On occasions work may continue on Saturday mornings from 7.30am to 1pm.

Two senior UK Fire Officers have started new roles in West Sussex.  Sean Ruth and Lee Neale join County Fire Officer Max Hood and Director of Resources Matt Sturman to complete a new-look management team for the county’s Fire and Rescue Service.

Deputy County Fire Officer Sean Ruth joins West Sussex from Buckinghamshire.  Starting as a firefighter in West Midlands before moving to Surrey, his career has included roles within the Department for Communities and Local Government where he helped advise Ministers and senior officials on policy.

Sean has also worked extensively with both the Audit Commission and Health and Safety Executive in their assessments of UK fire services, and was involved in the investigation of a major fire in Warwickshire that killed four firefighters.

Lee Neale has been appointed Assistant County Fire Officer with responsibility for the Services’ protection, prevention and response arrangements.

Lee has 25 years’ experience with Essex Fire and Rescue Service where he served in a variety of operational roles.  He was the senior Essex fire officer in the response to the tidal surge, which threatened to flood East Anglia in 2007.  He also worked with fire colleagues from 39 other countries in an international forum on wildfires that set policies, training and mutual aid arrangements.

Peter Evans, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, welcomed the two new recruits.

“Both Sean and Lee bring a wide range of experience and I am pleased they’re joining us in West Sussex,” he said.  

“The Fire and Rescue Service faces many new challenges, as well as the more traditional, and by bringing Sean and Lee’s expertise into the service, our firefighters will be better equipped to deal with the future.”

BAA has today agreed to sell Gatwick Airport to Global Infrastructure Partners for £1.51 billion.

Cllr Claire Denman, lead member for Planning and Economic Development, said:

“Crawley Council has enjoyed a very good working relationship with BAA which has helped us to discuss and influence major airport decisions that impact on the town.

“The sale is certainly an interesting and exciting development and we very much look forward to meeting with the new owners to discuss future plans and build another strong and professional relationship with them.”

Completion of the sale is set for early December, subject to, among other things, EU merger regulation clearance.

West Sussex County Council has launched a recruitment campaign to attract children’s social workers back to the profession as the authority continues its drive to find local solutions to the national problem of staff shortages.

The campaign, in conjunction with Surrey County Council, will target qualified children’s social workers, who have been out of practice – whether due to a career break or because they have had a career change and who may be considering a return to social work.

The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and the Council are sponsoring the course as the authority aims to reduce its social worker vacancies.

As part of the scheme, the council will provide a free return-to-work course, which will run between January and March. There will be 15 days of teaching and five days of on-the-job shadowing of a social worker.

Everyone who successfully completes the course will be guaranteed an interview with the council for a post in a frontline Children’s Services team.

CWDC will pay people on the course £60 a day and will help with childcare and travel costs. Anyone interested in joining the course can contact the CWDC on 0300 123 1220.

Pat Arculus, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Social workers do a great job, often in extremely difficult circumstances, but it is a hugely rewarding profession.

“This campaign is part of our continuing drive to reduce our vacancies. It represents a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to resume their career after a break and is just one of the many ways the council is finding local solutions to a national problem.

“By attracting, recruiting and retaining the brightest and most committed people we will have an excellent opportunity to give vulnerable children in our county the best possible start in life.”

Meanwhile the County Council is continuing its ‘No Limits’ campaign to encourage people to consider a career in social work.

A dedicated website – [...] – includes details of vacancies, video profiles of social workers talking about the role, and what it’s like to work for the County Council.

Children could miss out on first choice school places in West Sussex if the Royal Mail strike that is set to start next Thursday is prolonged. The warning comes from Peter Griffiths, County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Schools.

 The two critical deadlines are midday next Friday, October 23, for returning forms for secondary transfer, and midday on Friday November 6 for children starting at first, infant or primary schools.

“If the postal strike goes ahead, there is a very real danger that places which would be granted could simply be lost,” said Peter. “I am concerned that applications with the preferred school choices could get held up in the backlog of mail that inevitably builds up in the event of any industrial action.”

His advice to parents – complete and submit the form as soon as possible, otherwise you may not be sure your application has arrived on time.

 
Parents who have not sent off their forms yet are being urged to either fill in the form online, give it to their child to return to school, or take it to the school themselves.

You can find the online form by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk then clicking Education, Admission to Schools, and following the links.

“We hope that the strike can be resolved between now and next Thursday, but if you are a parent, please don’t leave it to chance,” said Peter. “Do everything you can to get that form filled in and sent back as quickly as possible.”