Horsham District Council is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year and invites children and adults to come along to a venue near them during May half-term to help ‘Draw our District’. Community art group Paintbox will be on hand to help budding artists draw what’s important to them about the place they call home. These mini masterpieces will be combined into a giant digital collage celebrating our District and everything that makes it special. No booking is required at our drop in and draw sessions which are open to all. Check out the district-wide venues: Click here for more information.

The updated list of all Parish Council Meetings is available to view on our noticeboards and website: Forthcoming Parish Council Dates for 2024/25

The Local Audit & Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2015 set out the responsibilities of all local councils in respect of their accounting and auditing procedures. ​ Each year, the Council’s financial accounts and statements must be examined by an independent internal auditor appointed by the Council. ​ The Council is also required to complete an Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) which includes the findings of the Internal Auditor, together with Governance Statements and Financial Statements. The AGAR is then submitted to the independent external auditor appointed by the Audit Commission for examination. For more information regarding the AGAR and Notice of Public Rights (date of announcement 31st May 2024, Commencing on 3 June 2024 and Ending on 12th July 2024) please click here. For more information regarding Accounts please click here.

Are you looking for something exciting and entertaining to do with your children this summer? Then why not join the Southwater Academies PTFA Summer Fair in June. Enjoy lots of fun and exciting activities for all the family, shop and interact with over 20 local businesses including arts and craft stalls and enjoy creating special family memories whilst helping raise money for charity at the same time! Expect lots of fun, laughter, singing and dancing with heaps of prizes to be won for everyone! Adults can relax and unwind, treating themselves to some great shopping stalls, indulging in lots of delicious food and alcoholic beverages and have a go on the bottle tombola before preparing for our key attractions – inflatable arena, beat the goalie and silent disco, set to be loved by the whole family! Whilst children can experience the spectacular hook a duck (win a prize every time), wheel of fortune, photo booth with Gordon - Southwater Junior Academy’s very own therapy dog and our tranquil sensory corner. All the family are set to enjoy the fair’s BBQ, famous raffle, crazy sand, table tennis competition, games corner and various other activities. Everyone is invited, it’s not just open to academy families. Entry fees are £1 per adult, 50p per child and free entry for pre-schoolers. Set to be one of the biggest school fairs in Horsham this Summer, be sure to support this fun local event, especially at a time where additional fundraising is so essential for schools. The money raised at the event will go a long way to supporting our children’s education whilst promoting other local charities and businesses. Event Details: Event: Southwater Academies PTFA Summer Fair Date: Saturday 8th June 2024, 12-4pm Venue: Southwater Junior Academy, Worthing Road, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9JH Socials: Facebook - PTFASouthwaterAcademies Instagram - SouthwaterAcademiesPTFA X- SouthwaterPTFA Facebook Event – https://fb.me/e/3z5TXR38G If you are interested in getting involved in the Southwater Academies PTFA Summer Fair then there’s still time! Please email southwateracademiesptfa@gmail.com for all sponsorship, stall holders, performances and raffle prize enquiries. About Southwater Academies PTFA: The Southwater Academies PTFA is registered charity that plays a leading role in helping raise funds for the Southwater Infant Academy and Southwater Junior Academies. The charity organises numerous fundraising events throughout the year and is well-known for putting on Summer and Christmas Fairs for the local community. The purpose of the charity is to advance the education and experience of pupils from both academies. All profits raised by the charity are presented to the academies each Autumn to enable them to purchase extra resources to help maintain the high standard of educational support. For more information visit – https://www.southwaterjunioracademy.co.uk/PTFA/

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

Southwater Bowls Club was founded in 1990 and they currently have just over 80 members. With the summer approaching, people have the opportunity to play outdoors and make use of the green areas of the club, whilst enjoying the sunshine. They love seeing new faces and visitors are always made welcome. Whether you are coming to see what bowls is all about, a bowler who has just moved into the area, are supporting a visiting team or just want to sit and watch and enjoy the sunshine (hopefully), everyone is most welcome at Southwater Bowls Club! For more information please visit the club’s website: https://southwaterbowlsclub.co.uk/

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that from the date specified below, West Sussex County Council has temporarily closed to all traffic, Worthing Road, Southwater CP, in the Horsham District under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, on Worthing Road for a distance approx. 95 metres. The temporary closure is scheduled to commence on 29th May 2024 for up to 5 days (it is estimated to be completed on 29th May 2024) and is required for the safety of the public and workforce, while Enerveo undertakes a night-time road closure between A24 Pollards Hill Roundabout and Roman Lane/Centenary Road mini roundabout on Worthing Road for electrical testing works. The restriction will be in place night-time only from 19:00 until 23:59. An alternative route will be signed on site but please visit https://one.network/?tm=137891957 for more details. Access maintained for emergency services, residents and pedestrians. For information regarding this closure please contact Enerveo on 07767 851787 who will able to assist with scope of these works. Dated: 8th May 2024 West Sussex County Council Report a problem with a road or pavement here. Follow us at @WSHighways Email: ttro@westsussex.gov.uk or raise a highways related enquiry.

West Sussex County Council is considering proposals to change the status of Millais School in Horsham from a single-sex school for girls to a co-educational school. Millais has not filled to its Published Admissions Number of 300 for the last three years, which impacts on budgets and resources, and the proposals aim to tackle the issue of falling pupil numbers at the school. Additionally, it is proposed that opening Millais up to boys will partially address pressure for additional secondary school places in the Horsham area. The proposed option is for Millais school to receive its first co-educational cohort of Year 7 admissions only from September 2026, subject to approval from the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills. Should this be agreed, then all subsequent Year 7 admissions would similarly be for boys and girls. Existing year groups of girls would continue to receive their education at the school until they leave at the age of 16. Residents now have the opportunity to share their views on the proposals via an online consultation, which opened on 08 May and will run until 12 June 2024. Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education said: “The proposals to make Millais school co-educational present an exciting opportunity to build on the current good work of the school and to further improve educational standards across the town. “By offering boys as well as girls access to this high-quality education offer, we are taking a proactive approach towards addressing challenges around student numbers in the locality, helping ensure that children and young people fulfil their potential. “The consultation is a chance for people to express their support for the proposals as well as voice concerns and offer constructive ideas on taking the plans forward. We invite all residents to participate in the consultation and help us shape this project as it moves forward.” You can access the consultation here: Proposed change of Millais Secondary from a single sex girls' school to a co-educational school | Your Voice West Sussex

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

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 Kerves Lane Horsham from junction with Kentwyns drive to Coltstaple Lane is temporarily prohibited from 6th May. The restriction will be in place 24hrs. This emergency closure is necessary to for Balfour Beatty to access the flooding safely. It is anticipated the works will be completed by 10th May. 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 01243 642105 Dated 07 May 2024

The next Southwater Parish Councillor Surgery is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 4th May 2024 from 10:00-11:00am in the Parish Chamber at Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Southwater. You will need to enter the code 8118 to get through the door on the ground floor to access the stairs to the Parish Chamber. Alternatively, please use the lift. This is an opportunity for residents to speak with their councillors (Southwater Parish, District and County) and raise any concerns/queries they have, so please come along. For more details, please see below:

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

Friday 10th May 2024 Jeremy Quin MP will be holding a surgery to listen to local residents and address their issues. If you would like to speak with Jeremy, please email him to request a surgery appointment and let him know what you would like to discuss. Email address: jeremy.quin.mp@parliament.uk To visit Jeremy's website, please click here.

The Chairman's Report and other written reports we have received from various Community Organisations within the Parish, are available to view here. The Meeting Agenda is also available to view here. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Parish Meeting: Date: Tuesday, 7th May 2024 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Location: Lardner Hall, The Ghyll, Southwater

Open invite to all Southwater community groups and residents to the Annual Parish Meeting: The meeting is held once a year and is an opportunity for residents to hear from local organisations, and community groups about their activities over the past year. Please note, it is not a council meeting, but for the benefit of the community. The meeting is usually chaired by the Parish Council Chairman. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a platform for the residents to express their views and hear about the work of local organizations. Residents are welcome to attend but must contact SPC by 4pm on 6th May 2024, if they wish to speak. To view the Annual Parish Meeting Agenda, please visit our website here: Annual Parish Meeting 2024| Southwater Parish Council (southwater-pc.gov.uk) or view the agenda via the noticeboard outside Beeson House. If you have any questions, please email us at: enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk Date: 7th May 2023 Location: Lardner Hall, The Ghyll, Southwater Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm We look forward to seeing you there!

Contractors will be carrying out essential tree works on the Downs Link between Shoreham and Rudgwick during April and May 2024. During this time, please make sure to: * be extra vigilant, * follow instructions on any signage, * follow instructions from the contractors. If you have any enquiries, please send them to countryside@westsussex.gov.uk. WSCC would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

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

To view the Finance & General Purpose Committee Meeting Agenda, please visit our webpage here: Finance & General Purposes | Southwater Parish (southwater-pc.gov.uk) or view the agenda via the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

Throughout the sector, there are growing concerns about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on local (parish and town) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff, and the resulting effectiveness of local councils. The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations have responded to this by setting up a Civility and Respect Working Group to oversee the Civility and Respect Project. NALC, SLCC, and OVW believe now is the time to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector. The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced because there is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. The pledge is easy for councils to sign up for and it will enable councils to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour across our sector, and to driving through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct. Southwater Parish Council has signed up to the Civility and Respect Pledge. Fore more information, please visit: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/civility-and-respect-project

Recently, our Neighbourhood Wardens - Bettina & Dom, were contacted by a concerned resident in relation to an older person in the village, who they felt might benefit from some extra help. The Wardens met with an amazing resident who is in their 90s and living independently in our community. It became clear that the deterioration in their eyesight had changed so much for them and this had impacted on their independence and feelings of social isolation. The Wardens were able to talk about their role in the community and other agencies that offer support. By agreement with the resident, our Wardens reached out to the Southwater Welcome Club (Deborah Bailey 01403 731891 and Kris Massie 01403 731553), Southwater Women’s Institute and the Southwater Neighbour Network, who all provide such valuable help to our residents in tackling social isolation. They are all now working together to find ways to facilitate social interaction and provide appropriate transport so that they can get out and about to events safely, interact with other residents, feel more confident and part of the wonderful community that is Southwater. The Wardens made an application to the Southwater Parish Council Chairman’s Discretionary Fund to purchase a “speaking clock” recommended by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). This was promptly agreed by SPC who ordered the product, and our resident will now, at the touch of a button, be able to hear the time and date, which we hope will aid their continued independence and enable them keep track of their busier social diary. We know that small interventions of this kind can make all the difference to residents, and this is just another example of the value of our Neighbourhood Wardens being in the community as they are out interacting with residents each day, looking to offer help and guidance where they can and bringing a multi-agency approach to problem solving.

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

The roadworks at the Worthing Road/Fairbank Road Junction to Lintot Square have finally been completed. We must provide our thanks to County Councillor Nigel Jupp in assisting the Parish Council in its quest to ensure the imperative resurfacing works were programmed in and to WSCC to arrange the works to be completed.

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 Kerves Lane Horsham from junction with Coltstaple Lane to Kentwyns Drive is temporarily prohibited from 9th April. The restriction will be in place 24hrs. This emergency closure is necessary to allow UKPN to carry out repairs to overhead high voltage cables. It is anticipated the works will be completed by 9th April. 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 UKPN 0845 47 47 999. Dated 09 April 2024

The next Southwater Parish Councillor Surgery is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 6th April 2024 from 10:00-11:00am in the Parish Chamber at Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Southwater. You will need to enter the code 8118 to get through the door on the ground floor to access the stairs to the Parish Chamber. Alternatively, please use the lift. This is an opportunity for residents to speak with their councillors (Southwater Parish, District and County) and raise any concerns/queries they have, so please come along. For more details, please see below:

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

LEAP grants are a small injection of funding aimed at start-ups and small businesses based in Horsham District and will reopen to applications from Tuesday 2 April to 30 April 2024 and for a second round from 3 June to 1 July 2024. This year they are launching ‘Green LEAP’, offering up to £5,000 to fund towards climate-friendly business projects. Grants of up to £2,000 may be considered for other projects, subject to funding. Eligible project expenditure includes equipment, building works, e-commerce, etc. You can also use LEAP funding to take on an apprentice. Applicants are notified of a decision within 5 weeks of submitting their application. For more information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, what to include in your application, please visit the following link: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business/business-funding/leap-business-grants#releasedates If you have any queries, please contact the Economic Development Team at BusinessDevelopment@horsham.gov.uk.

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 Broadwater Lane, Copsale from junction with Sedgwick Lane to Sedgwick Park is temporarily prohibited from 27/03/24. The restriction will be in place for 24hrs. This emergency closure is necessary to allow UKPN to carry out faulty transformer immediate repair / replacement safely. It is anticipated the works will be completed by 27/03/24. Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and 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 Avidity on behalf of UKPN on 07769145729. Dated 27 March 2024

Back for its ninth year, the Great British Spring Clean is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign organised by Keep Britain Tidy. They are calling on thousands of volunteers from across the UK to join and show some love for our favourite outdoor places. The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean 2024 will take place from 15 - 31 March, and you can pledge to pick up a bag of litter – or more. Last year, hundreds of thousands #LitterHeroes from many different communities united to help tackle litter and pledged to pick more than 400,000 bags of it. If you want to protect our wildlife and the places you love this spring, join the Great British Spring Clean and pledge to pick up a bag – or more. The upcoming Easter weekend could be the perfect excuse to spend some time outdoors and why not use this occasion to look around and pick up a few bits of litter? Please see the link below for information about this program, which is also supported by Horsham District Council. Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain Tidy Southwater Parish Council and Southwater Community Partnership will also be arranging a similar event in the summer months.