Scoop the poop, say Community Wardens and Dogs Trust

Crawley Borough Council’s Community Wardens are taking part in National Poop Scoop Week from July 26-August 1.

The wardens, with the Dogs Trust, will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding dog fouling in the borough and are urging dog owners to pick up the poop and help clean up our public spaces for a great summer outdoors.

While the majority of dog owners are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dogs a bad name and each year thousands of complaints are received by local authorities about dog mess.

Littering our parks, pavements and public spaces, dog poop is a problem which Crawley Borough Council is determined to tackle.

Community Wardens are urging all dog owners to be responsible and “Bag it and Bin it” during National Poop Scoop Week.

Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “There is a growing problem of dog waste bags found hanging on trees, railings and stuffed in hedgerows. It is not enough to bag it – you must bin it as well.”

Failure to pick up after your dog in Crawley can result in a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice for the owner.

Driving course that could save lives this summer

Parents, employers and young people can act to help save lives on the roads this summer.

Figures show more than 1,000 17-25 year olds are killed in road crashes in the UK every year. They make up only 10 per cent of driving licence holders, but are involved in 20 per cent of all road traffic accidents.

There are several reasons for these tragic deaths and accidents. Research shows that without proper training young people have a less developed road sense, they take unnecessary risks and they have a lower level of technical experience.

Many of the deaths are avoidable. To tackle the problem West Sussex County Council runs a highly successful Young Drivers Skills Course.

The day-long course aims to bridge the skills gap identified in young drivers and helps them develop the vital skills they need to become better drivers.

The County Council is hoping both parents and employers will encourage young people throughout West Sussex to sign up for the course. There are still some places available on the courses in the next couple of weeks.

Lionel Barnard, Deputy Leader of the County Council with responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: “Every year we hear desperately sad stories of young people who lose their lives in road traffic accidents.

“These courses are an excellent way of helping young people stay safe on the roads. I hope parents and employers will encourage youngsters to sign up for one of these courses before they set out on the roads this summer.”

The day ranges from an ‘observed drive’ on a variety of local roads with an instructor providing a running commentary, to a session on a skid pan at the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester.

Dates for the remainder of 2010 are:

Monday July 19 and Monday July 26

Monday August 9, Friday August 20 and Monday August 23 Monday October 25 and Friday October 29

Monday December 20 and Wednesday December 29

• The cost of the course is £75.

Young drivers completing the course can also take a once in a lifetime drive around the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit in a Ferrari. This is to demonstrate to them the only place for speed is on a track, with a professional at their side. The cost of this and the course combined is £150.

For more details and to book a place, please call 01243 642989, or visit to www.westsussex.gov.uk and search ‘Young drivers training’.

Chris Davis

EIGHT mini eco-warriors from across Crawley have had their ‘green’ artwork turned into banners to support the town’s entry into the Britain in Bloom finals and the council’s 10:10 pledge.

Holly Robertson

Kieron Ajgaybee

Crawley Borough Council invited primary schools from all over town to design posters with a strong environmental message around 10:10 themes; recycle, be active, grow your own, eat healthy, drive less, walk more.

Charlotte Downey

Judges from the council’s Environment Unit had a tough time choosing 10 winning works of art from hundreds of bright and lively posters.

Jasmine Bedell-Dunford

Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This was a fantastic project which not only got young Crawley people thinking about how to reduce their impact on the environment but it’s sure to impress Britain and South East in Bloom judges too.”

Mae Hunt

Eight children from Hilltop Primary School and Gossops Green Community Primary School were presented with their artwork and green goodies by the Mayor, Councillor Lee Burke, at a ceremony at the Town Hall today.

Iman Sami

The Mayor said: “The banners are already up in the town and they look brilliant. All the children who entered should be very proud of themselves for helping our In Bloom bid and conveying such important messages.”

Kaci-Marie Ramilo

Charlotte Downey 2

Iman Sami 2

Scrutiny committee asks for more information on Youth Services review

West Sussex County Council’s Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee has voted to hold a further meeting before giving its views on a review of the county’s Youth Services.

Members of the scrutiny committee discussed the review and its various options yesterday (Wednesday) during a webcast meeting at County Hall.

Councillors had been asked to consider the results of a recent consultation, consider options and proposals to implement £2 million in savings, and give its comments on the options and proposals to the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Pete Bradbury, who will take the final decision.

However, they voted for the following motion –

“Select Committee proposes that further discussion is deferred to another meeting until more detailed papers and supporting evidence is brought to the Committee, so that members are in a position to bring forward recommendations to the Cabinet Member.”

Select Committee chairman Nola Hendon said: “There was a frank debate, but it was clear that a majority of members felt they simply did not have sufficient, detailed information and evidence to take a balanced decision on what their response should be to the Cabinet Member.

“I am aware of his need to take a decision, and am also conscious of the financial implications of a delay as well as the need to end uncertainty within what is an excellent service so it can plan for the future.

“That is why we will be striving to arrange a further meeting as soon as practicable.”