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The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published information on council tax levels set by councils in England for the financial year 2023/24. Critical data specific to local (parish and town) councils include: The average Band D precept charged by local precepting bodies (including local councils) for 2023/24 will be £78.79, an increase of £3.98 or 5.3% in 2023/24. Parish precepts in 2023/24 will total £708 million, which is £53 million higher than in 2022/3 and 1.8% of overall council tax. The statistical release also shows: The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England (including local councils) for 2023/24 is £2,065, an increase of £99 or 5.1% on the 2022/23 figure of £1,966. The council tax requirement is £38.7 billion, £2.4 billion higher than in 2022/23. The total tax base for setting council tax for 2023/24 was 18.7 million Band D equivalent dwellings and 18.5 million in 2022/23. Southwater Parish Council approved the budget for financial year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 at the Full Council Meeting of 18th January 2023. This represented a total precept requirement of £485,772, resulting in a Band D Council Tax of £101.77, signifying a decrease of 11.9% from 2022/23. To view the approved budget please visit Annual Budget | Southwater Parish (southwater-pc.gov.uk) Council Tax is collected by the billing authority, Horsham District Council (HDC) who collects on behalf of West Sussex County Council (WSCC), itself (HDC), Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, and Parish (or Town) Councils. Unlike County and District Councils, Parish Councils do not typically receive any direct funding from Central Government and so the Council Tax precept forms the majority of a Parish (or Town) Council’s income, which is spent on a wide range of services in the community. The percentage of your Council Tax precept that the Parish Council receives is typically the smallest proportion of the Council Tax paid to (collected by) the District (or Borough) Authority with the County Council Tax comprising the largest proportion collected by the District (or Borough) Authority. For example, in 2022-23, a Band D property in Southwater would pay a total charge of £2,058.24. Of this amount £1,555.74 is due to West Sussex County Council, £224.91 goes to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, £162.90 goes to Horsham District Council and the Parish Council retains £115.50.

Residents of Southwater, please note that we have received confirmation via the Local Planning Authority that the following application numbers will be going to Horsham District Council's Planning Committee (North) for consideration on Tuesday, 4th April 2023: DC/22/0302 Sony DADC UK Limited, Southwater Business Park, Worthing Road, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9YT Demolition of existing warehouse buildings and redevelopment to provide employment units for a flexible range of employment uses (Use Classes E, B2 and/or B8) erection of ancillary offices, together with the provision of yard areas, parking, landscaping and associated works. DC/22/0096 Roundstone Park, Worthing Road, Southwater, West Sussex Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 36 Retirement Living Apartments and 6 Retirement Cottages, including a Lodge Manager's office, communal facilities, a guest suite, parking and landscaping. DC/21/2180 (related to DC/20/2564) Woodfords, Shipley Road, Shipley, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9BQ Outline application for the erection of up to 73 new dwellings (C3 use) and retention of existing farmhouse building, associated public open space, landscaping, drainage and highway infrastructure works, including vehicular access from Shipley Road, with all matters reserved except for access (re-consultation in relation to Water Neutrality Report). As you may be aware, these planning applications and proposed developments are of a significant size and will directly impact Southwater where they are located within the Parish boundary or directly adjacent to the Southwater Parish boundary as with DC/21/2180. Hence, Southwater Parish Council will be making representation at the HDC Planning Committee (North) to provide statement in relation to the previous recommendations submitted to each planning application. For more information, please visit the Horsham District Council Planning Portal and search each Planning Application using the search function. Note that Planning Application DC/22/2077 - RSPCA Headquarters, Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS [Demolition of existing building and the erection of 3no buildings to provide flexible industrial and storage and distribution floorspace (Use Class B2/B8) and ancillary office floorspace, with associated hard and soft landscaping, car and cycle parking, supporting infrastructure and retention of existing attenuation pond] will not be considered at the HDC Planning Committee (North) on 4th April 2023 but Southwater Parish Council will be monitoring the progress of this application accordingly.

Elections are to be held for District Councillors and Parish Councillors. As you may be aware, Horsham District Council have published the notice of election and are taking nominations from 10am – 4pm Monday-Friday until the deadline on 4 April 2023 at 4:00pm. To view the Notice of Election documents published by the Returning Officer (Jane Eaton) at Horsham District Council please see below: Election of District Councillors Notice Election of Parish Councillors Notice For more information on the elections, please visit: Elections: Upcoming elections | Horsham District Council #Elections #HorshamDistrictCouncil #ParishCouncils #Councillors

In view of the Elections and the Local Government Association Pre-Election Period guidance, the Councillor Surgeries will not be running on 1st April 2023 and 6th May 2023 and will resume on the first Saturday of June (Saturday 10:00am, 3rd June 2023) continuing thereafter as per normal (first Saturday of every month except August). Southwater Parish Council look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, should you have any queries, please contact us on enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk

Following the wishes of our Patron, His Majesty The King, The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative was extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty. The Queen’s Green Canopy is proud to be creating a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation during the first planting season, October 2021 to March 2022. The extension of the QGC initiative will build on this legacy and serve as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty’s extraordinary service to her country and her people. To mark this we planted a Tree in November and are planting the other tree on the 29th of March 2023 at 3pm. We would be happy for you to join us during this historic event. For a precise location the WhatThreeWords Reference is: ///safely.dinner.raft. We look forward to you joining us.

West Sussex County Council has pledged its support to the national Debate Not Hate campaign, which aims to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of democratic debate. A recent meeting of the Council’s Governance Committee agreed that the County Council should join the Local Government Authority’s (LGA) campaign after it heard that seven in ten councillors nationally have reported experiencing abuse and intimidation in the last 12 months, with one in ten saying they experience abuse frequently. The LGA introduced the Debate Not Hate initiative in October 2021 as a response to the inappropriate behaviour that councillors and local politicians across the country experience. And to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the support for local councillors facing abuse and intimidation. Councillor Pete Bradbury, County Council Chairman and Governance Committee Chair, said: “County councillors across the political spectrum at Governance Committee agreed that we should take a stand against any form of abuse and hate, whether on social media or in person. It is important to remember that councillors are human beings who volunteer their time to champion the areas and people they represent. “We recognise that democracy thrives on healthy debates and frank discussions but stand firm in challenging any form of personal intimidation and abuse. I have signed the public statement on behalf of West Sussex County Council and encourage other councillors to do the same.” To learn more about the public statement and to view a full list of local councillors that have endorsed the initiative, visit: https://www.local.gov.uk/about/campaigns/debate-not-hate/debate-not-hate-sign-our-public-statement For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email pressoffice@westsussex.gov.uk . For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415.

Our Neighbourhood Wardens, Dominic and Bettina, will be holding their Warden Drop-in Session tomorrow, Saturday 18 March 2023 @ 1700-1800 hours inside the Co Op in Lintot Square. They would welcome the opportunity to talk to residents about any concerns or issues they are experiencing and together find solutions or identify additional support services.

WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Road Traffic Regulation Act Temporary Closure Notice SOUTHWATER: PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY NO. 1686 (part) NOTICE is hereby given that in pursuance of the provisions of Section 14 (2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, the use of the route below is temporarily prohibited: SOUTHWATER: PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY NO. 1686 (part) as shown on the map. The path closure is necessary to protect public safety whilst tree clearance works are undertaken in relation to ash dieback disease, with effect from 20 March 2023. This notice enacts a 5 day closure from the date given above. Unfortunately, there is no alternative route available using the Rights of Way network Contact telephone numbers: Public Rights of Way Team (WSCC) (01243) 777620 Date: 15/03/2023 Ref.: LD/RW/I.39699

NOTICE IS hereby given that in pursuance of the provisions of Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, as amended, the use of Swallows Lane, Dial Post from junction with Worthing Road to junction with Pound Lane is temporarily prohibited from 16/03/23. The restriction will be in place 24hrs. This emergency closure is necessary to allow BT access overhead network to restore customer service. It is anticipated the works will be completed by 16/03/23. Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. The alternative route for traffic will be signed on site. This notice will be effective for a maximum of 21 days from the date given above. Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact the West Sussex Contact Centre on 01243 642105 Any queries about the nature of works please contact BT on 0800 1412115 Dated 16 March 2023 Matt Davey Assistant Director of Highways, Transport and Planning

In view of the Elections and the Local Government Association Pre-Election Period guidance, the Councillor Surgeries will not be running on 1st April 2023 and 6th May 2023 and will resume on the first Saturday of June (Saturday 10:00am, 3rd June 2023) continuing thereafter as per normal (first Saturday of every month except August). Southwater Parish Council look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, should you have any queries, please contact us on enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk

The monthly Newsletter is now available view: https://www.southwater-pc.gov.uk/newsletters

WSCC Footpath Closure Notice Downs link Closure Southwater BW1686 (Stakers Lane) The Downslink will be closed on the 20th March 2023 for approximately 5 days, whislt dragons estate carry out Ashdieback tree works. The section that will be closed is highlight on the map. No alternative route is available. Contact Email: countryside@westsussex.gov.uk

To view the Full Council Meeting Agenda, please visit our website Full Council Meeting| Southwater Parish Council (southwater-pc.gov.uk) or view the agenda via the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

Update from Horsham District Council (HDC) regarding works including a Fence Replacement & Installation of a Disabled Access/Swan Ramp at the Beach. 1) A like-for-like fence replacement alongside the floating jetty below the café. This is being replaced due to health and safety concerns as the Fence has rotten beyond patch up repair. The works are due to start on the 20th March 2023 and last three days . There will be a temporary path closure along this stretch of the circular path which will be clearly signed. 2) An installation of a Swan Ramp/Disabled access at the beach. This is due to start on the 8th March 2023 and will take approximately a week. The ramp is being installed after conversation with the Swan Society and to make the beach more accessible for buggies and disability scooters.

West Sussex County Council has made the decision to close the footbridge that runs over the railway line, as shown by the red circle on the plan below. For information the alternative route is shown by the red line. Unfortunately, a long term path closure is needed to protect the safety of footpath users following recent inspections of the structure. The County Council understands this may cause frustration for people wishing to use this route, however, the safety of residents is paramount. Structural engineering experts have been commissioned to assess the bridge and advise on options. Currently the footbridge is closed until June 2023, however it is likely that a longer closure may be required. Further updates will be provided in the coming months. If you have any further questions please contact WSCC’s Public Rights of Way Team on 01243 777620 or by email on prow@westsussex.gov.uk

The Neighbourhood Warden Report for February 2023 is now available: 2023 Monthly Reports (southwater-pc.gov.uk)

West Sussex County Councillor Nigel Jupp expresses his apologies for not being able to attend the Parish Councillor Surgery on Saturday 4th March 2023 at 10:00am. This is due to a longstanding prior engagement.

SPC have pleasure in sharing a brief film commissioned by West Sussex Association of Local Councils (WSALC). For more information on the upcoming District & Parish Elections on 4th May 2023 please click here.

Jeremy Quin MP for Horsham is holding a roundtable discussion with small businesses in Billingshurst and Southwater next Friday (10th March 2023). The meeting will take place in Billingshurst in the morning and exact details of location and time are confirmed by emailing Jeremy.quin.mp@parliament.uk

An opportunity to chat and discuss matters with your Councillors. Please note: The Southwater Neighbourhood Plan Community Consultation will run simultaneously between 10am-2pm in Beeson House. For more information click here.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan? Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood. Subsequently, shaping the development and growth of their local area. This empowers residents to establish: Where new homes, shops and offices are built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and nature of the infrastructure provided, This empowers the community to grant planning permission for the new infrastructure they wish to see go ahead. This provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure the consensual development for their community and neighbourhood alongside the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area. ​ Although Neighbourhood planning is not a legal requirement, it is a right which communities in England can choose to use. It further establishes that Communities and local planning authorities can discuss collectively their ambitions for their neighbourhood. Why is it important to review the plan? There a number of reasons why it is important. Some of these are listed below: We need to refresh it periodically to ensure it is always a recently adopted plan. The plan has been in place since early 2021 and there has been some difficulty applying several policies. This allows us to adjust them based on experience to date. Wider Policy Context: Central government are currently consulting on changes to the planning system and National Planning Policy Framework. If the current proposals are adopted, centrally derived housing requirement figures may be a thing of the past, and speculative housing proposals will likely be harder to progress. In light of this, Horsham District Council have paused the preparation of the new District Plan. Whilst this may be good news to some, there is a risk that if the changes do not come into effect (which is entirely possible), Southwater will be a prime target for unplanned speculative development. The Parish Council is therefore pushing ahead to maintain an up to date neighbourhood plan to counter this risk. Which Parts are being reviewed? To identify the policies to focus on we undertook an initial consultation with local groups and organisations who have an active role in the community, or use the plan daily. This initial consultation identified the following policies as needing particular attention at this time: SNP1 - CORE PRINCIPLES SNP7 - FORMAL / INFORMAL SPORTS AREAS SNP14 - ADEQUATE PROVISION OF CAR PARKING SNP18 – A TREED LANDSCAPE HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART Please ensure you are familiar with the current neighbourhood plan available here . You can complete the consultation response form here. To help you respond, we are running in person consultation sessions . You are invited to attend a drop in session to discuss the plan held by volunteers and Councillors undertaking the review. These are taking place at Beeson House at: 7pm - 9pm Wed 1st March 2023 10am - 2pm Sat 4th March 2023 The response form available online ( click here ). It is also available as a hard copy. Please request a copy of the response form from the Parish Council office, Beeson House. Complete it and return it by hand or post by the 10th of March 2023 . Other ways to get in touch: Tel: 01403 733202 Email: enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk Southwater Parish Council, Beeson House, Fairbank Road, Southwater, RH15 9LA

Southwater Parish Council is holding local #elections this year. If you are passionate about your community and want to help #MakeAChange , stand for election as a councillor! We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for election and #MakeAChange . https://www.nalc.gov.uk/makeachange

The Neighbourhood Wardens were invited by 2nd Southwater Cubs Pack to join them on their visit to the Southwater Youth Project this week. The Cubs are creating maps of local community services and trying to think of a community project as they work on their Community Impact and Our World badges. The Wardens were asked to give a presentation explaining their role within the community and to do a Q&A session afterwards which was very lively and great fun. Thank you for all your ideas on how to improve the village, our natural environment and helping others. We look forward seeing what projects you pick for the future. Thank you all for a brilliant event.

To view the Planning Agenda, please visit our website Planning Committee | Southwater Parish (southwater-pc.gov.uk) or view the agenda via the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan? Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood. Subsequently, shaping the development and growth of their local area. This empowers residents to establish: Where new homes, shops and offices are built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and nature of the infrastructure provided, This empowers the community to grant planning permission for the new infrastructure they wish to see go ahead. This provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure the consensual development for their community and neighbourhood alongside the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area. ​ Although Neighbourhood planning is not a legal requirement, it is a right which communities in England can choose to use. It further establishes that Communities and local planning authorities can discuss collectively their ambitions for their neighbourhood. Why is it important to review the plan? There a number of reasons why it is important. Some of these are listed below: We need to refresh it periodically to ensure it is always a recently adopted plan. The plan has been in place since early 2021 and there has been some difficulty applying several policies. This allows us to adjust them based on experience to date. Wider Policy Context: Central government are currently consulting on changes to the planning system and National Planning Policy Framework. If the current proposals are adopted, centrally derived housing requirement figures may be a thing of the past, and speculative housing proposals will likely be harder to progress. In light of this, Horsham District Council have paused the preparation of the new District Plan. Whilst this may be good news to some, there is a risk that if the changes do not come into effect (which is entirely possible), Southwater will be a prime target for unplanned speculative development. The Parish Council is therefore pushing ahead to maintain an up to date neighbourhood plan to counter this risk. Which Parts are being reviewed? To identify the policies to focus on we undertook an initial consultation with local groups and organisations who have an active role in the community, or use the plan daily. This initial consultation identified the following policies as needing particular attention at this time: SNP1 - CORE PRINCIPLES SNP7 - FORMAL / INFORMAL SPORTS AREAS SNP14 - ADEQUATE PROVISION OF CAR PARKING SNP18 – A TREED LANDSCAPE HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART Please ensure you are familiar with the current neighbourhood plan available here . You can complete the consultation response form here. To help you respond, we are running in person consultation sessions . You are invited to attend a drop in session to discuss the plan held by volunteers and Councillors undertaking the review. These are taking place at Beeson House at: 7pm - 9pm Wed 1st March 2023 10am - 2pm Sat 4th March 2023 The response form available online ( click here ). It is also available as a hard copy. Please request a copy of the response form from the Parish Council office, Beeson House. Complete it and return it by hand or post by the 10th of March 2023 . Other ways to get in touch: Tel: 01403 733202 Email: enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk Southwater Parish Council, Beeson House, Fairbank Road, Southwater, RH15 9LA

Land Northwest of Southwater Residents of Southwater, please note that we have received confirmation via the Local Planning Authority that Berkeley Homes have now withdrawn their planning application for the proposal of 1,500 homes relating to the land Northwest of Worthing Road, Southwater. For more information please visit the Horsham District Council Planning Portal. DC/22/1916 Planning Application: WITHDRAWN

Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute. Catalytic converter theft most frequently occurs in car parks, but they can happen anywhere. Thieves may then sell these converters via scrapyards, online, or ship them out of the country. Hybrid vehicles are most commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft. Signs a catalytic converter theft is being committed - a vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area. - a loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Prevent it Although catalytic converter thefts are increasing, there are steps that you can take to protect your vehicle. To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold. Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable. You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of. Report it If the crime is happening now call 999 - if you are unsure, we’d rather hear about it and decide if a theft is occurring If it is safe to do so, take photos of suspects or the number plate of their car (do not approach suspects, as they have been known to use violence) If the crime has already happened then you can report it to us online or at your local police station, call 101 or report it online. Report it online: https://www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Southwater Parish Council is audited by two independent organisations (Mulberry & Co and MOORE UK) and is committed to transparency complying with the relevant legislation, where more information can be found on our website: https://www.southwater-pc.gov.uk/transparency Southwater Parish Council approved the budget for financial year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 at the Full Council Meeting of 18th January 2023. This represented a total precept requirement of £485,772, resulting in a Band D Council Tax of £101.77 per annum, signifying a decrease of 11.9% from 2022/23. As it currently stands, West Sussex County Council is due to increase its budget by 4.99% (subject to its scrutiny committee and approval) and Horsham District Council by 2.99% (subject to approval). For more information on Council Tax visit Horsham District Council’s website and for Southwater Parish Council see here: https://www.southwater-pc.gov.uk/post/southwater-parish-council-budget-and-precept-for-2023-24 Southwater Parish Council runs monthly Councillor Surgeries on the first Saturday of every month (except August) at 10:00am from Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Fairbank Road, Southwater, where residents can discuss any issues, concerns or matters relating to Southwater. The next one is 10:00am Saturday, 4th March 2023 and all residents are welcome to attend.