There’s still time to enter the fourth annual Social Enterprise Innovation Award – with prizes of £7,000 up for grabs.

The award scheme supports social enterprises and entrepreneurs in West Sussex. It’s run by the West Sussex Social Enterprise Network (WSSEN) together with West Sussex County Council.

First prize is £5,000, with a runner up prize of £2,000.

To enter, individuals and organisations must submit proposals for innovative ideas to deliver products or services that will benefit the community and/or the environment.

The winning proposals must use the award money to develop their proposal into a social enterprise.

County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “We’ve had some very enterprising winners in the past few years and I look forward to seeing all the entries this time round and the range of ideas they’ve come up with.

“This is a perfect opportunity to kickstart a social enterprise, so please make sure you get your entry in on time.”

The 2008 award winner was ‘Work this Way’, a social enterprise that trains offenders at Ford Prison, near Arundel, in how to turn old cooking oil into bio-fuel for use in diesel vehicles.

The deadline for entries is Friday January 29. For further information on the award visit the WSSEN website at www.wssen.org.uk or e-mail esg@westsussex.gov.uk.

Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Communications, with responsibility for the Library Service, said: “If you want help with setting up an email account, writing a CV, job searching online, applying for jobs on the net, or just help on brushing up your basic computer skills, these drop-in sessions will prove invaluable.

“More and more jobs are advertised on the internet, and employers request online applications, so these skills can be vitally important.

“You don’t have to go every week, even if you attend one session it could teach you everything you need to know. Library staff will be on hand to provide advice and assistance.”

The sessions are at the following Libraries:

· Bognor Regis– On Thursdays, 9.45am-12.45pm for 12 weeks (started January 7)
· Burgess Hill – On Tuesdays, 2pm-5pm for 12 weeks (started January 12)
· Chichester – On Fridays, 9.15am-12.15pm for 12 weeks (started January
· Crawley – Appointments available on Tuesday and Thursdays 11am-12pm. Booking is essential
· Horsham – On Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm for 12 weeks (starts January 27)
· Lancing – On Mondays, 1pm-4pm for six weeks (started January 11)
· Littlehampton – On Wednesdays, 9.30am-12.30pm for 12 weeks (starts February 22)
· Worthing – On Fridays, 9am-12pm for 12 weeks (started January 8).

Brad added: “As part of the initiative, our Libraries have a wide selection of books on CV writing, financial planning, how to start up a business, and many other relevant topics.”

Booking is not required, apart from the dates at Crawley Library. Contact the relevant Library or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries.

COMMUNITY spirited Crawley Council staff and councillors set out to help vulnerable residents during the extended severe weather yesterday.

A group of around 12 people, including the Mayor Brenda Burgess, visited as many town residents as they could to check elderly and vulnerable locals were okay.

They offered their services for emergency shopping trips and prescription collections, let them know about changes to council services and told them about other agencies, like Age Concern, who may also be able to help.

Licensing Officer, Mike Lyons, was one of the volunteers out at lunchtime today, he said: “Our efforts were very well received and many people thanked us for our concern and the initiative shown by the council.”

If no one answered the door volunteers left a leaflet letting them know the council had called, providing information on temporary refuse and recycling sites and gave contact details for residents to call if they needed help and support.

Council Leader, Bob Lanzer, thanked volunteers for their hard work and concern, he said: “Thank you very much for volunteering to help vulnerable Crawley residents in these difficult conditions; people really appreciated this demonstration of support.

“It has been a feature of the weather conditions that things can look very much worse in your own road, especially if you cannot get out to see the situation beyond it. In these circumstances, a visit from Crawley Borough Council must have been a reassuring experience.”
 
Last Friday, a call for council staff to volunteer over the weekend and during the freezing conditions generally, saw more than 30 people offer their time in half an hour.

The council’s Emergency Planning Officer, Tim Mordaunt, will be able to call on the support as and when it’s needed until the weather improves.

Crawley Borough Council is letting residents know how they can apply for the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme.

The scheme, organised by the Energy Saving Trust, will help households cut their energy bills, reduce CO2 emissions and support thousands of jobs.

The Government is offering up to 125,000 households £400 towards the cost of upgrading their boiler (if G-rated or equivalent or worse) to a high efficiency A-rated one or a renewable heating technology. This will help to save in the region of 140,000tCO2 per year – equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road.

People who own their homes or landlords who rent homes are eligible, but social landlords, housing associations and boiler installers are not.

To qualify households need to have a working G-rated boiler. It is likely to be G-rated if it is more than 15 years old and gas fired.

A permanent pilot light is also a good indicator as to whether a gas boiler is G-rated. If the boiler is oil fired, then this is likely to be eligible if it is more than 25 years old.

Householders under 60 can only apply if the boiler is the main boiler used to heat the home and is in working order. For those aged over 60, the device does not have to work.

If the boiler does qualify the next step is to arrange a quote for a new one from a qualified installer. After this the EST needs to have details of the old boiler and the installer that’s been chosen to fit the new one.

The EST will also want confirmation the installer has actually visited the home and provided the owner with a proper quote for the work. A voucher worth £400 will then be issued. It is valid for 12 weeks.

The householder pays the bill in full to the installer, submits both the invoice for the work and the voucher to the EST to claim back the £400. The £400 rebate should take no more than 25 working days.

For further information contact the Energy Saving Trust, visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0800 512 012.

A 2.5 per cent increase in council tax for 2010/2011 – the lowest since the system of funding local services started in 1993 – is expected to be recommended to West Sussex County Council at its budget meeting next month.

If approved, it will mean an increase for the average Band D taxpayer of £28 a year or 55p a week to pay for the 80 per cent of council services provided by County Hall.

Last year’s tax rise was 3.25 per cent.

A report published today says: “The economic conditions against which the budget has been prepared are the worst for a generation.

“This creates additional demand for local authority services at a time when public finances are under their greatest pressure and the ability of households to absorb council tax increases is under the greatest strain.”

But, it goes on to say that despite a ‘bleak financial background’, the County Council will be investing £29.5 million into priority service areas including £7.2 million to meet the cost pressures of looked after children.

Louise Goldsmith, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “I know what a tough year it has been for our residents, and as a Council we certainly don’t want to add to it.

“We have worked hard to keep the increase down to 55p a week and hope that Band D taxpayers will find that a reasonable price to pay for the wide range of services provided by the County Council.

“I want to stress that being able to deliver our lowest council tax increase since the system started is mainly due to our own good housekeeping.

“Despite all our representations, we still receive £125 from the Government per head of population towards front line services compared with a national average £201. That difference amounts to £60m less than the average amount per head would give us from Government.

“If we had received the same level of grant increase as the highest for a County Council, then we would be talking about a one per cent increase.

“One of the main reasons for being able to consider a 2.5 per cent increase is the fact that the Council has made huge efficiency savings totalling around £40 million to date, and we are looking to reduce our costs in the next financial year by a further £22 million.”

The next stage of the budget process are meetings of County Council Select Committees followed by the Council’s Cabinet on January 26.

The final decision will be taken by the full Council at its meeting on Friday February 12.

If approved, the new Band D tax will be £1,161.99 compared with the current £1,133.64.

Crawley Council will be collecting rubbish and excess recycling today from central points around the town.
 
With many pavements and side roads still too treacherous for collection crews and vehicles, the council – with help from Veolia, its contractor – has enabled residents to take their refuse and excess recycling to more central, accessible areas from 10am-2pm today and from 8.30am-2pm from tomorrow until normal household collections are restored.

Staff will be on hand at the sites during these times and will tell you where to leave your refuse and/or recycling. The recycling collections are only for recycling that will not fit into your REDtop bin.
 
The central sites for rubbish and recycling are:
Bewbush: Dorsten Square car park
Broadfield: Broadfield Barton – at the rear of the recycling point in Holyrood Place
Furnace Green: Neighbourhood Parade opposite the recycling point
Gossops Green: Neighbourhood Parade car park, Gossops Drive
Ifield: Community Centre, Ifield Drive
Langley Green: Community Centre, Rushetts Road
Maidenbower: Maidenbower Square car park
Northgate: Northgate Playing Field car park, Woodfield Road (today, then alternate days)
Pound Hill: Grattons Drive Parade – on the left hand side
Southgate/West Green: Goff’s Park car park by railway crossing, Horsham Road
Tilgate: Neighbourhood Parade – on the left hand side
Three Bridges: Three Bridges Cricket Club car park (tomorrow, then alternate days)

At some of these sites there are Neighbourhood Recycling Points where you can place your excess recycling into the bins provided. At the sites where there is no Neighbourhood Recycling Point, mainly Pound Hill, Northgate, Langley Green and Southgate, we will be providing facilities for you to leave your recycling.

Residents can use any of the sites and don’t have to go to their one in their own neighbourhood.

No collections are possible in Three Bridges or West Green because there is not a suitable location at the moment but we are still trying to find one.
 
Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “The severe weather we have had in the past week has thrown up real challenges, for residents and the council.

“I’m pleased with this creative approach but it is not a perfect solution. It will, however, help many people who are able to get to these central points get rid of their waste and excess recycling.

“Please also think of friends, family and neighbours who do not have access to transport or who are elderly or unable to get out of their home and do help out where you can.

“We apologise for the delay to normal refuse and recycling collections. As soon as it is safe to do so we will resume these.”

Residents are asked not to wheel either their REDtop bin or any wheeled bin for refuse to these sites as staff will not be able to tip them on to the truck lift.

These sites are for normal bagged household waste only and not for bulky or electrical items.

For service updates on refuse and recycling visit www.crawley.gov.uk/weather or follow us at http://twitter.com/crawleybc

Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, with Veolia staff at the Ifield collection point outside Ifield Community Centre on Ifield Drive

A PROPOSAL to let taxis and cyclists use parts of Crawley’s Fastway bus lane network for an experimental 18 months will be discussed at the next meeting of West Crawley County Local Committee.

The proposal covers the dual carriageway length of London Road (A23) and any contraflow lengths mainly in the High Street where cycles but not taxis would be permitted.

It does not cover Fastway’s ‘guided lengths’, which are specially
adapted for Metrobuses, and unsuitable for other vehicles.

A report drawn up by County Hall highways experts says the proposal is designed to improve journey times for the borough’s taxis that are licensed as hackney carriages and cyclists.

Alan Quirk, Committee Chairman, said the first six months of the trial period will give people the opportunity to voice any objections. 

The report says: “The estimated cost of the proposal is currently up to £160,000 and it is vital members of the Committee note an objection from Metrobus, which may require a Public Inquiry.

“The cost of a Public Inquiry is estimated at over £250,000 and is therefore likely to be prohibitive. In that case the experiment would have to cease after 18 months and all the costs incurred would be lost.

“Should no objections be received then the experimental order could be made permanent after six months without further action.

A similar Highways Team report is being submitted to East Crawley County Local Committee, which is meeting on February 4. The final decision about the experiment will be made by the County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport. 

The West Crawley meeting, which is being held on Thursday January 14 at Langley Exhibition Room, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, will also include:

· A short presentation on the current work of West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service in West Crawley.
· The talk with us forum that enables residents to raise local issues.
· Applications for Community Initiative Funding grants.

AS THE freezing conditions continue Housing staff at Crawley Borough Council have been ensuring the most vulnerable tenants are safe.

Morning calls to sheltered housing tenants revealed some were running low on bread and milk so council staff took a trip to Asda to stock up on long life milk and loafs of bread.

Staff will ask sheltered Housing tenants if they need staple foods during the treacherous conditions when they make morning calls.

The cleaning team were also out gritting the sheltered housing schemes and Neighbourhood Housing Managers have been collecting prescriptions for tenants when family members are unavailable.

The Hostels Team are monitoring residents and are available to help if they are needed.

A number of homes in Crawley were recently affected by a power cut in Furnace Green and Crawley Homes staff contacted vulnerable people in the area to see if they could be of any assistance.

One elderly tenant who has refused central heating in the past has been driven to a friend’s house by council staff to stay while council contractors attempt to get central heating installed.

Jennifer Millar-Smith, cabinet member for Housing said: “We are trying to help our vulnerable tenants in any way we can during these difficult conditions; but it’s really important that people try to assist vulnerable neighbours in any way they can too.”

Burst pipes are a big issue during very cold weather so residents should keep their central heating on at a low temperature (about 17 degrees) during the night, particularly during the thaw – make sure you know where your stop cock is and check you can turn it off easily during an emergency; for more tips visit www.crawley.gov.uk/weather or call 01293 551636.

West Sussex is set to have more modern and customer friendly Libraries  under proposals to be put to the Council’s Community Services Select Committee at the end of next week (January 15).   

Already the West Sussex Library Service has been bucking national trends in recent years by increasing its lending, and the easy access it provides across a range of services.  Now the County Council is looking to take the service forward into a truly 21st  century Library and information service which will also  offer people more chances to get in touch with other County Council services.

A full review of the Library Service has taken place using customer feedback   to make the best possible use of modern technology, while doing everything possible to shape its services to what individuals and communities most want from their local Library.  .

At the moment several of the county’s 36 Libraries close on varying weekdays, however under the proposals improved Library services would continue to be provided in all 36 locations. Every Library would remain open six days a week including lunch hours – an improvement for some Libraries which have traditionally opened only five days a week. Currently opening times vary considerably, but these would follow a standard pattern.

Modern technology has changed the way many people use Libraries.  Self service check-in and check-out systems are already being used, and are set to grow. More use can be made of online book renewals, and access to reference material from home computer subscriptions is also gaining ground.

The new Crawley Library, just over a year old, and the refurbished East Grinstead Library, opening in February, are already prime examples of a modern Library in operation.

Under the proposals, levels of stock and service would differ between Libraries, according to the size of the local community. Each Library would offer items and services based on local needs, however each would still be able to order specifically requested items from other Libraries

The modernisation would also introduce trying out new flexible community focused services, such as collection and drop off points outside Libraries and other local community buildings. 

”We recognise the need for changes to Libraries and the services they provide,” said Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Communications. “Even though we are still in an economic climate where we need to make savings, we have been able to transform the service to meet customer needs in a better way.

“We want to provide consistent and affordable levels of service for comparable communities, and give people the chance to play a part in decision-making processes  where possible.”

The proposals,  which will also look at how mobile Libraries are used, will be considered by the Select Committee. If the proposals are approved by the Cabinet Member, customers will have an opportunity to give their views on the proposed ideas and changes during a consultation in February.

The changes will mean savings are generated in the coming year which will initially be reinvested to achieve the new and improved services and opening hours for Libraries across West Sussex.

USERS of open fires and wood burners are being warned about the dangers of chimney fires by West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service.

The warning follows a sharp rise in the number of chimney fires attended by firefighters across the county over the last few days. 

Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “As the cold weather continues to bite, open fires are a cosy way to keep out the winter chill. But they can become a serious safety hazard if simple guidelines are not followed.”

Community Fire Safety Officer Jackie Boyle said: “Chimney fires are one of the most common incidents we attend. Many properties have lost the roof, first floor or in some cases been completely destroyed.

“It is very important that anyone planning to light their fire gets their chimney checked and swept. The consequence of a chimney fire isn’t just the damage caused by the fire, there’s the dirt and smell from the soot and smoke, which can affect all of
your personal property.”

The Fire and Rescue Service’s chimney safety advice is:

· Have your chimney swept at least once a year – and at least twice a year if you burn wood.
· When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods only.
· Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
· Never burn cardboard boxes or waste paper.
· Do not overload the grate or appliance.
· Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.
· Inspect your chimneybreast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure that it is sound and that the sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks.
· Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
· Ensure wood burners are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
· Make sure you have a working smoke alarm – early detection can save lives.

To find out the contact for your local chimney sweep, contact the National Association of Chimney Sweeps on free phone 0800 833464.

For free fire safety advice from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service contact the community safety team on 01243 642878 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire