News from the County Council 

The Council’s October meeting included the presentation of two petitions, one objecting to the closure of the fire station in Findon and the second to the removal of a second fire engine from Lancing. The petition objecting to the closure of Keymer did not have enough signatures to be presented. Colin Wilsdon’s (Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hassocks and Victoria) attempted to ‘call in’ the final decision on Keymer but was turned down. 

It was agreed that work on the West Sussex minerals and Waste Core Strategy should be suspended in the light of various changes in circumstances and legislation. A new plan is to be prepared by early next year. 

Bob Smytherman (Lib Dem Councillor for Taring) proposed a motion for the council to support local newspapers. This turned into a discussion on the merits of producing the county paper ‘Connections’ always an emotive subject! 

The following are brief reports from some of the Committees that meet at County Hall. I sit on Community Services so this one is more detailed! 

Finance and Resources 

The County Council’s website  www.westsussex.gov.uk was relaunched in September with ‘many improvements’ – I would be interested to know what residents think! 

A strong performance for the staff Pension fund for year ending March 2010 has been reported, (this is welcome news as there is an overall deficit).  

Community Services  

There was a full debate in the council chamber (this is unusual for a committee meeting) re the changes in the Fire Service. The outcome resulted in the decision to approve the closure of Findon, Keymer and Bosham fire stations and the removal of the second fire appliance at Lancing. My heart told me to vote against but all the evidence pointed towards this being a carefully thought out and costed proposal, so I in the light of the present financial situation, I agreed to the unanimous decision to vote for the changes. 

Plans are moving forward to install self-service terminals at more libraries in the county including Horsham and Haywards Heath 

Discussions on the future of mortuary services in the county resulted in a decision to continue with the Task Force, particularly looking into the cost implications of the various scenarios. Basically West Sussex has three choices – build a new mortuary, convert an existing building or continue to buy in services from the local hospitals. In the meantime there are no mortuary facilities (apart from undertakers) in Mid Sussex due to the closure of the mortuary at the Princess Royal. The county coroner has to rely on using the facilities at East Surrey hospital.  I volunteered to sit on the Task Force.Community Safety reported on implications to the service from budget cuts, particularly within partner organisations and the need for all agencies to work more effectively and efficiently together to ensure a continued level of service for the public. 

 

Adult Services 

Big changes are afoot in the way Adult Services are to be delivered in the future. At the present time WSCC funds adult needs assessed as moderate, substantial and critical. In line with most authorities in the country this will be changing to remove funding for moderate needs. All adults will be reassessed in the coming months and those with moderate needs will be advised as to other resources they can utilise to fund these needs. Apparently West Sussex has a strong network of voluntary organisations willing to step in to ensure a smooth transition 

 

Environment and Economy 

A decision has been made not to build an Advanced Thermal Treatment facility at the new Mechanical Biological Treatment processing plant due to be built at Warnham near Horsham. This facility will deal with household waste from the grey bins 

A winter maintenance strategy is in place to cope more efficiently with severe weather conditions. Arrangements have been strengthened with parish, borough and district councils. Not sure how well this is working out in the present wintry conditions!  

 

Children and Young Peoples Services 

The New Learning Service has started a review of support and provision made for children with additional needs. It is a drastic rejigging to cope with the expected budget cuts.  It is a retrenchment to the statutory responsibilities.  This will affect ability to intervene via SIPS – basically they will focus on schools with problems. 

A virtual head teacher has been appointed to champion the needs of looked after children to improve the provision of their education.69% of primary schools in West Sussex are judged by Ofsted to be good or outstanding. One Mid Sussex school, Heyworth Primary is in special measures, but all involved are working hard to address this. 

 

County Local Committee. 

The meeting of the Central Mid Sussex CLC in early November approved the reduction of the speed limit in Ansty from 40mph to 30mph. Adjustments to some of the parking regulations in Haywards Heath were also approved. 

The Fox Hill Village speed limit adjustment has now moved to the top of the priority list and I am at present pushing for the same consideration to be given to Lewes Road, i.e. drop the speed limit to 30mph from the Birch Hotel  heading East to the start of the 50mph limit. 

 

Finally 

In the light of the latest Government settlement West Sussex is actually slightly better off than expected. The settlements have been very low in the past few years putting West Sussex firmly near the bottom of the list for all shire counties in the country. Therefore the percentage cut does have less impact than might have been. 

The Liberal Democrats are therefore increasing pressure on the Cabinet at County Hall to look very carefully at the budgets to minimise the impact of the impending cuts, particularly to the more vulnerable residents in West Sussex. 2011 will be a challenging year! 

 

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