Submitted on
Wednesday 16 November 2011
by
Catherine Tobin
Yet again another busy week with the Parish Council in the process of discussing the Draft Budget for Year 2012/13 (see Finance & General Purposes Minutes November 11).
Over the last couple of months, Parish Councillors have been undergoing following the elections in May 2011. We currently have two vacancies and have received some interest from local residents who have indicated their willingness to be co-opted in order to represent you on the Council. Southwater Parish Council is represented by 15 members and is not political.
The office is preparing for the Christmas festivities which will take place on Saturday 26th November. Look out for the programme which is in the shops and for the Find the Santa Competition entry forms. Once again local businesses have been extremely generous in providing the gifts for the competition and in sponsoring the event. The new Christmas lights and trees will arrive week commencing 21st November. The Grotto is once again being put together by Santa's little helpers, it is such a joy to see the children's faces light up each year. For full details, see programme.
We are once again collecting on behalf of the Shoebox Appeal, so if you want to hand in a box you can do so at the Parish Office which is situated in Beeson House, Lintot Square.
Today, the Sussex Resiliance Group met to discuss ways in which Parish Council's can assist in engaging their communities in preparing not only an Emergency Plan but in putting together a list of community minded volunteers who could assist in the event of an emergency, such as last years severe winter weather. See Main Page subheading Severe Weather for further information. The latest Emergency Plan showing sites for 1 Tonne Hippo Salt Bags is available to view in Beeson House main foyer. If you know of any further areas or indeed any vulnerable people who may need assistance during such severe weather conditions, please let us know and we will pass this information onto the relevant authorities.
Discussions with regard to the provision of four new bus shelters in the parish have progressed well, and it is hoped that the funding will be in place shortly to enable these. Unfortunately following consultation on your preferred locations, two of the most favoured eg., Timbermill and southbound by Londis cannot be delivered as the land is not in either the County, District of Parish Council's ownership, but in private hands. Three sites College Road, junction of Cedar Drive/Cripplegate Lane and Roundstone have been consulted upon and identified. A further site southbound outside the Co-Op on Worthing Road has as yet to be consulted upon with local residents. We apologise for the delays but this has been due in the main to reorganisations within the County Council and could not be avoided.
Another major event this week was that the Localism Bill, of which you have probably seen much reported has received Royal Assent. You can view the main elements in a simple to read version of the Bill on the Communities & Local Government Website. No further news on the new Planning Framework.
A new Hall Hires brochure will be with us shortly (currently at the Printers), so if you need a hall or venue for a community event, meeting then please contact the Parish Office on 01403 733202 for further information.
Do you know that the Leisure Centre in Pevensy Road, has new state of the art gym equipment, with fully equipped tv screens on individual machines etc. Why not call in and see what we have to offer not only in the gym but also by way of classes. Zumba sessions are a great success so why not come along? New also are gymnastics and trampoline classes. Contact 01403 733208 to speak to one of the team.
The latest edition of the Parish Newsletter which we are required to publish quarterly, should be out within the next week, so keep an eye open for it. Don't forget that you can report any matter whether it be about overgrown hedges, dog and litter bins, highway issues directly to your parish office we are here to help.