A new weekend and Bank Holiday car park for shoppers at Crawley is set to open.

Seventy spaces at West Sussex County Council’s Centenary House office complex will be available.

The car park will be in use for the first time from tomorrow (Saturday January 23).

Henry Smith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, who represents the town’s Maidenbower division, has welcomed the move.

He said: “I have been pressing for these additional spaces to be made available, and delighted this is now being introduced.

“I am sure they will be welcomed by shoppers and visitors to the centre of town. In these times of recession it is particularly important to support the local retail economy.

“We are also arranging for signs to be put up to advise people that this new parking facility is open.

“We have been working closely with Crawley Borough Council, which will manage the car park at the same town centre charges as other car parks.”

West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith says the new owners of Gatwick must work closely with the local community over its future plans for the international airport.

Henry Smith was speaking today (December 4) as the sale of the airport from BAA to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) was completed.

GIP, which runs London City Airport, has said that improving the customer experience and reducing security queues will be one of its main aims.

Henry said: “The County Council always had a good working relationship with Gatwick and I trust that this will continue with the new owners.

“I am sure that everyone who uses the airport regularly will welcome the stated aim of improvements to the customer experience.

“This will be particularly important in 2012 when Gatwick will be a major gateway into Great Britain for the Olympic games.”

Henry said the new owners were also fully aware that the historic 1979 legal agreement negotiated by West Sussex County Council that prevents a second runway before 2019 remains in force.

He added: “We cannot bind a successor administration on what happens after 2019 under conditions which might be different from those now.

“We will want a dialogue with the new owners with a view to securing the most economically and environmentally sustainable long term solution for West Sussex communities.”

Author Paul Hoffman will visit Crawley Library to discuss his new book and career, including his work with film star Jude Law and director Francis Ford Coppola.

Paul will be at the Library in Southgate Road (RH10 6HG), on Wednesday February 3 at 6pm, where he will read from his new fantasy fiction book for all ages, ‘The Left Hand of God’.

Brad Watson OBE, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Communications, with responsibility for the Libraries, said: “As well as discussing his new book, Paul will answer questions on his career as a novelist and screen writer, the latter role bringing him to work with the world-famous director Francis Ford Coppola.

“Paul will also hold a short creative writing master class after the talk for those who want to develop their own writing and stories.”

Henry Smith, Leader of the County Council, said: “The Library is no longer just a place to borrow books, and hosts a wide range of events from live bands to children’s story times, with something for all the family. It has become a real asset to Crawley.”

Paul’s previous novels are ‘The Wisdom of Crocodiles’, which was adapted into a film starring Jude Law, and ‘The Golden Age of Censorship’.

His new novel tells of the action-packed adventures of 14-year-old Thomas Cale, a charming, unique character with a talent for assassination.

The event is in association with Waterstones bookstore, who will be selling copies of the new novel on the night.

The event is free, but tickets must be booked in advance. The minimum age for attendees on the evening is 11. There will be refreshments available.

For more information call the Library on 01293 651751. Alternatively visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries

West Sussex Music Service has welcomed a new brass teacher who has played on stage with Elton John and worked for the ‘Orquestra do Algarve’.

Jenny Smith is teaching brass as well as conducting several wind bands at Worthing Music Centre, after an exciting and fulfilling music career.

Peter Griffiths, County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Schools, said: “As our Music Service constantly grows in excellence, Jenny was appointed to help us teach even more students and to encourage and monitor our already talented young people.

“We welcome such an experienced and versatile teacher to the service, who, I am sure will bring in many innovative ideas”

After starting to play the trumpet at eight years old, Jenny gained a scholarship award and a degree from Trinity College of Music, London. She also attended the Royal Academy of Music, where she was awarded the brass solo prize.

She then burst on to the London music scene, where she played with orchestras, West End shows and popular artists, such as Elton John.

She worked for the ‘Orquestra do Algarve’, based in Portugal, and taught performance in London and abroad.

Peter added: “Jenny has a great group of students, and is excited about what they will achieve together.”

For more information on the music service email jennifercraven@westsussex.gov.uk or call 01243 642317.

West Sussex County Council’s Adults’ Services have been applauded in a national inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The inspection took place at the end of last year and was the first major inspection of West Sussex adults’ social care since 2004.

It rates performance and the council’s capacity to improve.

The inspection rated West Sussex County Council in the following areas as:

· Safeguarding adults – performing well (consistently delivering above the minimum requirements).
· Increased choice and control for older people – performing well.
· And promising prospects for improvement.

Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Peter Catchpole said: “The new inspection process by the Care Quality Commission is now much more rigorous – a harder test, so I am delighted West Sussex has performed so well.

“We are constantly looking to improve our services and will continue to do so throughout this new year. This is an exciting time for Adults’ Services with the implementation of self-directed support, giving people more control over their social care budget, and the introduction of initiatives to help keep residents independent in their own home for longer.

“I would like to congratulate and thank all our staff for their continued hard work, which benefits so many.”

Comments made by the Care Quality Commission on services said the Council:

· Took prompt action and responded to safeguarding alerts when made.
· Worked well with partners to strengthen their joined approach to safeguarding.
· Had frontline staff that were treating people respectfully and professionally, providing good advice and support when needed.
· Had a strong leadership and overall vision in place for the transformation of council services.
· Had good strategic and operational relationships with health partners.

The Care Quality Commission also made some recommendations to improve services further, including ensuring that the safeguarding service has the capacity to effectively handle an increased volume of work, ensuring that all older people who use services have access to advocacy, and ensuring that people who use services have the opportunity to influence and develop services to meet their needs and to give them greater choice and control.

Peter added: “We are not resting on our laurels. As a result of the recommendations, we will be implementing an improvement plan to ensure we make further strides in the areas identified.”

Director of Adults’ and Children’s Services John Dixon said: “We are very pleased with this result. It is a vote of support for our services and the direction we are taking towards increased choice and control for older people who use services, as well as helping to keep people safe. That is what West Sussex residents tell us they want, and we are leading the way nationally on these improvements.”

Crawley’s Fourth State of the Borough debate takes place on Tuesday January 26.

The meeting will be held in The Studio at The Hawth and will open with a short presentation by Councillor Bob Lanzer, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, on the council’s priorities, the key issues facing the town, what is being done to address them and the progress made to date.

Cllr Lanzer will be joined by a panel of councillors and representatives from the PCT and Police for a facilitated discussion.

The audience – including the public, local business leaders and partner organisations – will be able to give their views on the challenges facing Crawley and how we should respond to them.

The views and comments expressed will help the council to plan its work on improving its services and the town in general.

Cllr Lanzer said: “These debates are a great opportunity for us politicians to hear what residents and business people think of the town and help us inform our decision making.”

“This is a real opportunity for a wider range of local people to be involved and have their say about the Council’s activities. We value your views – please come along and join in the debate.“

Please let us know if you would like to join the debate by either logging on to Crawley Council’s homepage www.crawley.gov.uk or contact Nora Davies on 01293 438225 or email nora.davies@crawley.gov.uk

Crawley has been chosen to represent the very best in community horticulture as the town prepares to participate in the 2010 Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom Finals.

The town is one of 67 finalists from across the UK competing in 13 categories. Crawley is in the large town/small city (population of 35,000-100,000) category with Derry City, Fareham, Bedford and Whitehaven.

This is a result of the town’s double gold success in the RHS South and South East in Bloom Awards last September.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “This is an exciting year for Crawley. Our double gold last year was a massive success and we hope to go one better this time.

“It’s a credit to all the council staff and volunteers who work all-year round to make Crawley an award winner.

“The competition will be tough but we will do all we can to wow the judges in August and hopefully be crowned winners!”

All who reach the UK Finals are aiming to earn the highest recognition for their efforts, a gold medal, and possibly be awarded the title of category winner.

Stephanie Eynon, Community Horticulture Manager, RHS, said: “Britain in Bloom was originally started in 1964 by the tourist board as a way of marketing the country and so the emphasis was on making towns and villages look as attractive as possible through the inclusion of hanging baskets, bedding plants and floral displays. Britain in Bloom has come a long way since then.

“The RHS took over the competition in 2002 and since then we have continued the development of the campaign to place increasing emphasis on involving the
community and caring for the environment.

“Today we see RHS Britain in Bloom as a genuinely relevant and integrated initiative, enabling people to join together to improve their local communities through a range of long-term, sustainable and locally defined projects. Not only does Britain in Bloom improve people’s sense of civic pride but it is also hugely beneficial to the environment.”

The finalists’ ‘Bloom’ year will officially launch on March 24 with a mass planting exercise across the country. It will close with the annual awards ceremony on September 29. RHS judges will visit each community throughout two weeks in August to appraise the entries and to prepare expert advice to help each community improve on their efforts for future years.

For more information on RHS Britain in Bloom, which supports communities in becoming healthier, greener and more socially responsible through gardening, visit www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom

Crawley Council hopes to collect recycling from those worst affected by the severe weather and Christmas and New Year break tomorrow and Sunday (January 16th and 17th).

The affected areas – Southgate, Furnace Green, Tilgate, Broadfield and part of Bewbush – usually have their recycling collected in week one on a Wednesday or a Thursday.

If weather conditions improve and the roads and paths are not hazardous, these areas will have their recycling collected this weekend.

To find out if you are a week one recycling collection for Wednesday or Thursday, check your individual collection calendar which was sent out in December or visit www.crawley.gov.uk/recycling

There may still be roads that the council’s contractor, Veolia, is unable to access either because of ice and snow on the road preventing the truck from driving safely, or because pavements are too slippery to walk on and wheel bins across.

The council also hopes to resume normal collections on Monday (January 18th). This will be for usual Monday refuse collections and week two Monday recycling. The council has arranged additional trucks and staff to clear the backlog of waste.

It is also hoped that today (Friday January 15th) Veolia staff can collect from communal waste and recycling bins from large blocks of flats.

Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “I sincerely apologise to residents who have been unable to dispose of their waste and recycling over the past few weeks, particularly those in areas that have gone many weeks without recycling.

“The combination of snow before Christmas, a prolonged cold spell since January 5th and the Christmas holiday period has meant all of our plans to catch up with refuse and recycling had to be torn up.

“However, we put on 12 temporary collection sites for rubbish and recycling which were popular. It was pleasing to see so many people use these sites, particularly those who helped family, friends and neighbours by collecting their bags too.

“Thank you for your patience and co-operation during this time. I sincerely hope that no further delays occur and that on Monday we can resume normal collections.”

For more service updates visit www.crawley.gov.uk/weather and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/crawleybc. To find out when your regular collection is visit www.crawley.gov.uk/recycling or call 0800 5875888

Wednesday December 16 saw the official launch of the Crawley School Sport Partnership Gifted and Talented Programme for 2009-10 supported by Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley.

The launch was held to coincide with the first session of the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP), the pinnacle of the Gifted and Talented Programme for Key Stage Four students (aged 14-16).

The launch celebrated the partnership working between Crawley School Sport Partnership, Freedom Leisure, Crawley Borough Council, Thomas Bennett Sports College and the University of Brighton to provide the Gifted and Talented Programme.

The highlight of the TAP session was Sam O’Connor, Commonwealth cold medallist, former TAP and current Hazelwick student. Sam provided an inspirational talk, expressing how he had been sitting in their place just three years previously and how the Talented Athlete Programme had helped him on his journey to a gold medal at Edmonton in Canada.

Sam said: “The main factor in my improvement to this level was psychological – the Talented Athlete Programme supported this development through the sports science support and by simply developing friendships with other likeminded TAP students who became training partners. TAP also helped me monitor my fitness and identify areas of weakness to take to my coaches and work on.”

The students preceded this talk with a group teambuilding session led by Steven Hand, School Sports Coordinator in order to bring the group together so they can support each other throughout the programme. A speed, agility, quickness training session provided by School Sport Coach, Ed Stimpson, followed and then a gruelling fitness test conducted by Gareth Court and Rhiannon Haynes (lead School Sports Coordinators for gifted and talented).

The Gifted and Talented Programme supported by Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley consists of TAP and the Talented Athlete Academy (for young people aged five to 14). The programme is designed to support the students from various sporting backgrounds through a generic approach to sports science and development, working in harmony with their sports coaches.

Tim Draper, judo coach to one of the TAP students, said: “This programme is brilliant as it provides me with additional support to help develop my athlete to the best of her potential.”

West Sussex County Council is to pump £2.35 million into tackling potholes caused by the recent severe weather conditions.

The money will be used to fund more pothole patrols, which have already been seeking out and fixing potholes since the beginning of December.

As the snow now starts to thaw in some areas, the patrols are starting to assess the most recent damage.

Early estimates suggest the cost of repairing this year’s winter damage will be considerable.

The County Council is advising motorists to drive with extreme caution whilst the job of repair gets underway.

Derek Whittington, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We know that following the thaw there will be a considerable amount of damage which needs repairing. Non-urgent repairs have already been suspended in order to free up staff to work on this damage, but this will inevitably take some time to address.

“Where possible permanent repairs will be made but it is expected that most repairs will be temporary. This is because a temporary repair is quicker and we are therefore able to keep up with the number of potholes appearing and keep the roads safe as best we can in the current conditions.

“More extensive damage will require either patching, localised reconstruction or resurfacing.”

The worst weather conditions in 30 years have left roads exposed to a condition known as ‘freeze-thaw’, which damages roads in wet and particularly freezing conditions. Water gathering in cracks in the roads expands when frozen causing the surface to break up, which results in deeper than usual potholes appearing.

County Council Leader Henry Smith says he will be writing to the Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis, to appeal for more funds towards the repairs once the full extent of the damage is known.

Derek added: “As well as our patrols we also rely on information from the public. People can report potholes using a phone line 01243 642105 or our website www.westsussex.gov.uk

“We are doing everything we can to identify problem areas, however, I would ask people to be patient and drive with care.”

Two pavement improvement schemes in Crawley are starting.

Totalling more than £52,000, the scheme in Swallow Road, Langley Green has started (Thursday January 14) and the Ambleside Close, Ifield, scheme will start from Monday January 25.

Both works involve replacing the existing concrete slabs with a Tarmac surface.

Henry Smith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “Improving local pavements is a priority for the County Council and I am pleased these works in Langley Green and Ifield are underway.”

The Swallow Road scheme is scheduled to take up to three weeks to complete, weather permitting. The Ambleside Close scheme is scheduled to take up to four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Both schemes will be carried out Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5pm, and occasionally on Saturdays from 7.30am to 1pm.

On-street parking may be restricted during the course of the work.

Save some money this year by learning to love your leftovers says the Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

West Sussex County Council is working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), to try and get residents reusing and not throwing away food.

The campaign provides handy tips, advice and recipes for leftovers to help everyone waste less food, which is the ‘Waste Not Want Not’ modern day motto.

Reporter Caroline Kingsmill interviewed Henry Smith, Leader of the County Council, whose family fridge was checked out by Caroline Marson, from the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and former food editor of ‘Good Housekeeping’ magazine.

Henry said: “If you are saving food, not throwing it away, and reusing food then that actually means you cut down on your grocery bill. Obviously that’s good for people’s pockets in times of economic constraints as well as being better for the environment.”

Statistics show that at least £680 a year is wasted by the average family on food they throw in the bin. 

After working with Smith family, Caroline Marson said: “I’ve spoken to them about how to plan ahead, think about shopping lists before going shopping so they don’t buy food they already have in their cupboards. We’ve looked in the fridge and talked about ‘use by’ and ‘sell by’ dates, and we’ve talked about buying ‘2 for 1’ offers and freezing pasta sauces.”

Find recipes for leftovers by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk and search ‘recipes’, or www.lovefoodhatewaste.co.uk/recipes

The radio interview can be heard in the ‘Latest News’ section of the County Council homepage at www.westsussex.gov.uk, click on ‘More News’ and then ‘West Sussex Radio Releases’, or visit www.bettertomorrows.org.uk.

A film of Caroline Marson advising the Smith family can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk and search ‘cookery makeover’.

Work to upgrade traffic lights at the London Road and Martyrs Avenue junction in Crawley, is due to start Wednesday January 20.

The £79,100 West Sussex County Council scheme will also involve installing tactile paving to assist visually impaired people. Signals and signal poles will also be upgraded.

Henry Smith, Leader of the County Council, said: “It is vital for these traffic lights to be upgraded, to help keep this area safe for motorists and pedestrians.”

The work is scheduled to take up to 11 weeks to complete, weather permitting. It will be carried out Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, and occasionally on Saturdays from 7.30am to 1pm.

During the scheme, no right-turns are allowed in or out of Martyrs Avenue, and no left-turns into the road. These restrictions will not run at the same time, and a diversion route will be in operation to help with traffic flow along the A23.

THE TOWN’S first ever Adventure Playground opened 55 years ago and was a huge success – now Crawley Borough Council needs your help to recreate a fun-filled 1950s play day.

Based in West Green Playing fields, Crawley’s first adventure playground opened in 1954 and regularly saw up to a hundred children building huts, dug-outs and bonfires using materials and tools donated by local businesses.

One Play Leader would supervise the children to make sure tools were being used properly but the main aim of the playground was to help youngsters explore, play and build without the prying eyes of adults.

Now, Crawley Council hopes to bring together children, parents and grandparents – the whole family, to work together in a ‘scrapheap challenge’ and enjoy the fun of adventure, exploration and creativity that’s not so easy to find today.
      
A document called ‘Crawley Adventure Playground’ published in 1955 by The Crawley Community Association Adventure Playground Committee, tells the story of the playground and its grand opening, including pictures and extracts from the Play Leader’s diary.

So if you’re in any of the photos or you know someone who is, the council wants to hear your stories and would welcome assistance to help plan the day for next May.

Barby Hartin, Adventure Playground Manager, said: “The document is really beautiful and tells a fantastic story about play which is very different from today. We want to take families back to basics to celebrate the success of our adventure playgrounds and also show, and in many cases, remind, people of a different way to play and learn.

“We really want to get the help and support from the people who were playing at town’s first ever adventure playground all those years ago. We’d love to take them back and their knowledge and stories would help us create the perfect day for generations of families to enjoy.”

To see the document and all the photos log on to the council’s home page www.crawley.gov.uk

If you’re one of the children in the pictures or you have any information to help Crawley Council recreate a 50s play day please contact either Toby Shaw on 01293 438655 / toby.shaw@crawley.gov.uk or Barby Hartin on 01293 542176 barby.hartin@crawley.gov.uk

WEST Sussex residents are switched on when it comes to reducing the amount of WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment – going to landfill.

In 2009, they recycled an average of 11.22kg (about 24lbs) of WEEE per person at West Sussex County Council’s network of Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS). This is almost twice as much as the national average and an increase of two pounds compared with the previous year.

Despite the economic downturn, the amount of small mixed WEEE diverted from landfill to the HWRS network, which is operated on behalf of the County Council by Viridor, went up by 11.6 per cent (277 tonnes) to more than 2661 tonnes.

Overall, 8457 tonnes of WEEE were collected at the HWRS network.

Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “Our network of HWRS provides easily accessible and dedicated containers for all unwanted electrical goods, identified with colourful pink signs.

“Combine this with the continuing commitment shown by West Sussex residents to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill means we are UK pacesetters when it comes to outstanding WEEE recycling.

“I am sure we will build on this significant success throughout 2010.”

HOME fire safety checks carried out by West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service have proved a huge success in reducing the amount of home fires over the last five years.

They have seen:

· Firefighters carrying out more than 36,000 checks across the county.
· Firefighters fitting more than 46,000 free smoke alarms.
· The number of fires falling year on year with latest figures showing an 11 per cent decrease from 545 to 488 in 2008-09. 

Following this success, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will now be targeting vulnerable individuals and groups, offering free home fire safety checks. It wants to hear from you if you are: 

· More than 65.
· A lone parent.
· Disabled or with an impairment.
· A single adult living alone.
· Immobile or without assistance.

The local fire crew will phone to arrange a convenient time – either weekday, evening or weekend.

They will then call round, check for any potential fire hazards, offer straightforward fire safety advice, and fit smoke alarms if needed.

To request a Home Fire Safety Check call FREEPHONE 0800 328 6487

Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Because the free home fire safety checks have proved so successful, we now need to make sure that we are prioritising our visits to those who are most at risk of a fire.

“We would encourage anyone who is able to carry out the check themselves to use our free online DIY Home Fire Safety Check, which is available with other fire safety advice by logging onto www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire”