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Have you got questions or concerns? Are you interested in any of the upcoming Southwater events? Or is  there something else you wish to talk about? Why not come along to our first councillor surgery of 2026? It is taking place face to face on Saturday 10th January 2026 from 10:00AM in the Parish Chamber at Beeson House. This is a great opportunity for you to speak with your Parish, District and County Councillors and raise any queries/concerns and share ideas you may have, or just to have a chat. See you at 10AM on Saturday!

To view the Planning Committee Meeting Agenda, please visit our website here: Planning Committee Meeting  or view the agenda on the noticeboard situated outside Beeson House.

Please see the current and upcoming road works for the next few weeks: Rascals Close 15 - 17 Dec ember 2025 Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Openreach. Some carriageway incursion is expected, but pedestrian walkway will be maintained. Robin Hood Lane 15 - 16 December Robin Hood Lane, A24 Robin Hood Roundabout to Broadbridge Heath Road Works: Carriageway Retexturing by West Sussex County Council. Traffic control (two-way signals) will be in place. The Fieldings 15 December - 9 January The Fieldings, Junction of Mill Straight Works: Tactile dropped crossing point by West Sussex County Council. Alternative route during the sidewalk closure will be provided. Tower Hill 16 - 18 December Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Southern Water. Traffic control (two-way signals) will be in place. Bluecoat Pond 16 - 19 December Utility Asset works by Openreach. Some carriageway incursion is expected. Crawley Road Westbound 22 December 8:00 PM - 23 December 6:30 AM Overnight Westbound carriageway closure, required to allow VolkerHighways to undertake carriageway patching. Road closed between Bewbush Manor Roundabout and Crawley Road Roundabout. Eastbound carriageway to remain open. Andrews Road 15 December - 17 December Utility Asset Works by Openreach. Sidewalk closure expected. Woodlands Way and College Road 2 November - 23 December These areas have extended, ongoing works by SGN. Colstaple Lane 19 December 09:30 - 16:00 Road closure for tree and vegetation management.

At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 17 December 2025 , Southwater Parish Council resolved to proceed with a “Full Review” of the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan , including housing allocations.   Why a Full Review? A full review gives Southwater the strongest platform to shape where growth goes, what it looks like, and how supporting infrastructure is delivered. It is the route most likely to restore protection under paragraph 14 once made, at a time when national and local changes are reducing opportunities to refer planning applications to committee. This increases the importance of having an up-to-date neighbourhood plan that carries weight at officer level.   What is Paragraph 14 and why is it important? Paragraph 14 is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as it sets out the principle known as the “ presumption in favour of sustainable development” . This means that planning decisions should generally support development that meet local needs – unless there is a strong reason not to, such as harm to protected areas or heritage. For Neighbourhood Plans, paragraph 14 is especially important as an up-to-date plan which includes housing allocation and is made within the last five years, carries extra weight when deciding planning applications. This protection helps ensure that new developments respect the vision your community has set out, even when wider policies are under pressure. That’s why a full review matters: it keeps your neighbourhood plan current and ensures it continues to influence where growth happens, what it looks like and how infrastructure is delivered.   Working with neighbouring parishes As part of the resolution, the Council will approach and engage with the neighbouring parishes of Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, Itchingfield, Nuthurst, and Shipley  to ask whether they wish to partner with Southwater and be included in the Neighbourhood Plan Area. Partnership would be welcomed and could enable stronger joint working on shared issues. It could also provide extra protections to speculative development occurring on the Southwater Parish boundary but outside the Parish of Southwater – i.e. Southwater feeling the impact but not receiving contributions of Community Infrastructure Levy and contribution to the precept via Council tax. The Council will proceed with the Full Review regardless of whether other parishes join.   What residents can expect Subject to formal scoping, the programme includes eight stages which include: scoping and confirmation of approach; review of evidence; a call for sites; drafting and policy development; Regulation 14 consultation; Submission; examination; and referendum. Under the current outline programme, completion is expected around May 2027 . Detailed dates and opportunities to take part will be publicised at each stage.   Costs and budgeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Full Review There are currently no central government grants available for neighbourhood plan reviews. The indicative cost to complete the Full Review is £75,000 to £115,000 ex VAT, which covers the full process from scoping through to referendum. The Council will reflect the required provision in its 2026–27 budget and precept. Final costs will be refined after Stage 1 scoping and engagement with neighbouring parishes. Participation by neighbouring parishes will likely increase the overall estimated cost of the Full Review if the plan area is expanded, but the associated costs for the respective parishes and their proportion of costs would be met by that Parish.   Why are we doing this now? The current Southwater Neighbourhood Plan was made in June 2021   and benefits from paragraph 14 protection until   23 June 2026 . Without a comprehensive review, protection will lapse, leaving the parish more exposed to speculative development while the district’s supply remains constrained. Our planning consultants were asked to carry out a full review of the options available including exploring the most robust approach for Southwater. Read the “Working Draft” report and update , dated 30 October 2025. A reviewed Neighbourhood Plan would provide the most up-to-date, locally specific planning policies that carry statutory weight when planning applications and appeals are considered, addressing for example, the policy gaps highlighted by the recent Horsham Golf Club appea l . By clearly setting out Southwater priorities, settlement boundaries, development principles, and more, it would give decision-makers stronger grounds to resist speculative development proposals that can conflict with local community expectations. This would place the Parish Council and the community of Southwater in a more robust position when responding to appeals and unplanned development pressures.   Have your say Your voice matters in shaping Southwater’s future. The Full Review will include multiple opportunities for community input – how to comment on draft policies, site options and more. Residents, local groups, businesses, and landowners will be invited to participate during the call for sites, the Regulation 14 consultation, and later stages. For background information, you can read the Council’s briefing note and the Squires Planning update that informed this decision. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office .

Merry Christmas Southwater!   In partnership with Santa and Southwater Parish Council, our Neighbourhood Wardens Bettina and Dom have once again coordinated a special delivery of surprise gifts for a number of well-deserving children from Southwater Junior & Infant Academies and Castlewood Primary School. Operation Jingle Bells has now been running for several years, continuing a valued tradition of spreading festive cheer within the community. Each gift is shared with their warmest seasonal wishes. Sincere thanks are extended to Southwater Parish Council and the Chairman’s Discretionary Fund for their generous support in making this heartwarming project possible year after year. The Neighbourhood Wardens and SPC hope this ongoing initiative will bring an extra touch of Christmas magic to local children in December 2025. We would also like to thank the Neighbourhood Wardens and Cllr Derek Moore for their continued leadership and commitment to supporting families who may find this time of year particularly challenging, while also helping to spread festive joy across Southwater.

To view the Finance & General Purposes meeting agenda, please visit our website Finance & General Purposes | Southwater Parish (southwater-pc.gov.uk)   or view the agenda via the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

The Extraordinary Full Council Meeting Agenda for 17th December 2025 is available to view on our website and on the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

The Parish Council would like to wish all residents a peaceful and enjoyable festive season, and to thank everyone for their support throughout the year. Please note that the Parish Council office will be closed during the Christmas period, from Monday, 22nd December 2025 , and will reopen on Monday, 5th January 2026 as usual. During this period, the office will not be staffed and responses to enquiries may be delayed. Normal service will resume when we reopen. For urgent matters, please call 01403 733202  and leave a message, or email enquiry@southwater-pc.gov.uk  with URGENT  in the subject line. These will be monitored regularly and a member of staff will respond when possible. All other enquiries will be dealt with when the office reopens on 5th January 2026 . We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to working with the community again in 2026.

West Sussex County Council has issued a temporary daytime road closure for Two Mile Ash Road, Itchingfield , to allow essential tree and vegetation management near electricity infrastructure. The closure is being carried out under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Date:  17th December 2025 Duration:  Up to 1 day (within a 5-day permitted window) Times:   9:30am – 3:00pm Location:  Two Mile Ash Road outside the Allotment Gardens Closed Section:  Between the junction with Sycamore Rise  and the junction with Trout Lane Works:  Scottish and Southern Power Distribution will be undertaking important tree and vegetation management work near electricity assets. A clearly signed diversion route will be in place. Please note: Access will NOT be maintained for pedestrians or residents during the works. Emergency services access will be maintained. For full diversion and closure details, search reference GB146133023  on the one.network  map. For enquiries about the works, please contact Traffic Smiths Ltd  on behalf of Scottish and Southern Power Distribution.

West Sussex County Council’s Public Health team is offering one-off grants of up to £5,000 to support adult mental health and reduce the risk of suicide. Applications open on 9 December 2025  and close at 23:59 on 12 January 2026 . Funding is available for community-led projects  that help people connect and find support. This could include: wellbeing activities through local clubs and groups peer support such as walking groups community sessions like football or gardening training for community leaders to recognise distress and signpost to help Eligible applicants include VCSE organisations  and public bodies  delivering services in West Sussex. Projects must support adults aged 18+ . The grants support the West Sussex Suicide Prevention Framework and Action Plan 2023–2027 , which aims to strengthen early support, reduce stigma, and build stronger community connections. Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We want to continue to reduce stigma, improve health outcomes, and ultimately save lives. I encourage eligible groups to apply and bring forward creative, compassionate projects.” Full guidance, including who can apply and how to apply, is available on the grants webpage. Key dates Decisions shared by 24 February 2026 Funding released March 2026 Projects delivered between 25 February – 29 May 2026 Short evaluation due by 10 July 2026 Find out more and apply for the grant here.

Christmas can be a time of joy, warmth and generosity, but also a time when we consume more, waste more and use more energy than usual. The good news is: with a bit of thought and creativity, you can enjoy all the festive magic while reducing environmental impact. Here are many of the best tips to make your celebrations more sustainable. Make your own decorations Rather than buying new plastic or glittery baubles and tinsel, why not craft decorations from what you already have? You can re-us old wrapping paper to make paper chains, gathering pinecones on a woodland walk, or baking slices of orange studded with cloves to hang on the tree, which adds a lovely festive scent too. If you store decorations carefully at the end of the season, you can bring them out again for many Christmases, cutting down on one-use plastic or cheap decorations, but the natural ones can also be composted. Save energy with the lights If you’re thinking of new fairy lights, go for LED or solar-powered versions. They use far less energy than conventional bulbs and help reduce electricity consumption while still giving your home that cosy, twinkling glow. Plan the food and waste less Christmas dinners don’t have to mean high-carbon or heavily packaged food. Try cooking with seasonal, locally grown produce, such as sprouts, leeks, cabbage, pears or cranberries, which tend to travel less and can often be found at local markets. Overbuying at Christmas often means leftovers go to waste. Instead: buy only what you need, perhaps use a shopping list; compost vegetable peelings or make stock from them; save leftovers for another meal; freeze what you can, or even donate surplus to a food bank if possible. Planning ahead and mindful portioning not only helps the planet,but it also saves money. Smarter shopping and responsible wrapping Choose more sustainable gifts Support small, local shops, craft makers and farmers’ markets Lower carbon footprint and less packaging. Give experiences rather than things. Memberships, classes, theatre tickets or days out bring lasting memories and less waste. Make edible gifts, there are loads of great ideas and options around the internet. Wrap with care Avoid shiny, foil or glitter paper and plastic ribbons. Use recycled or brown paper with reusable ribbon or string Repurpose what you have Newspapers, magazines or fabric make great wrapping; add sprigs of holly or pinecones for decoration. Enjoy low-impact festive activities Rather than always reaching for the shops, consider outings to local heritage sites, woodlands or countryside for walks. Many heritage organisations or local nature reserves, country parks run winter events: wreath-making workshops, carol concerts, winter illuminations and more. Such outings help you enjoy Christmas without contributing to overconsumption. Click here for more tips.

Please see the current and upcoming road works for the next few weeks: Cripplegate Lane 1 Dec ember 2025 - 9 January 2026 Works to remove a layer of the footway surface and then creation of a layer of new material, organised by West Sussex County Council. One way traffic-control system will be installed. York Close 4 December - 8 December Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Openreach. Traffic control (stop/go paddles) will be in place. Little Bridges Close 4 December - 8 December Works: Utility asset works by Openreach. Alternative route during the sidewalk closure will be provided. Station Road 4 December - 8 December Works: Utility asset works by Openreach. Some carriageway incursion is expected. Tower Hill 5 December - 9 December Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Southern Water. Traffic control (two-way signals) will be installed. College Road 2 November - 19 December Utility Repair and Maintenance works by SGN. Traffic control (two-way signals) is installed. Two Mile Ash Road 17 December 9:00AM - 3:00PM Daytime road closure required to allow Scottish and Southern Power Distribution to undertake tree/vegetation management near electricity assets. Road closed between junction with Sycamore Rise and junction with Trout Lane. Bonfire Hill 8 December - 12 December New service connection is being set up by Southern Water. Bluecoat Pond 9 December - 11 December Utility Asset works by Openreach. Some carriageway excursion expected. Turners close 11 December - 15 December Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Southern Water. 31 to 41 Timber Mill 10 December - 12 December Utility Asset Works by Openreach.

West Sussex County Council has announced a temporary daytime closure of Coltstaple Lane, Southwater , to allow essential tree and vegetation management work to take place. The closure is being implemented under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Date:  19th December 2025 Duration:  Up to 1 day (with a maximum allowance of 5 days) Times:   9:30am to 4:00pm Location:  Coltstaple Lane, for approximately 229 metres Works:  UK Power Networks will be carrying out necessary maintenance to manage trees and vegetation safely around power infrastructure. A signed diversion route will be in place for the duration of the closure. Please note: Access will not  be maintained for pedestrians or residents during the works. Emergency services access will be maintained. For full diversion details, you can search reference GB145965366  on the one.network   roadworks map. If you have any questions regarding the works, please contact TreeSmiths Ltd, acting on behalf of UK Power Networks, on 01403 913 210 . Public notice issued by West Sussex County Council

The November Report has been published and is now available to read on our website, please click here: Southwater Neighbourhood Warden's Monthly Reports 2025

Would you like to meet your councillors? Have you got questions about Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation ?Are you interested in any of the upcoming Southwater events? Or is  there something else you wish to talk about? Why not come along to our councillor surgery? The next one is taking place face to face on Saturday 6th December 2025 from 10:00AM in the Parish Chamber at Beeson House. This is a great opportunity for you to speak with your Parish, District and County Councillors and raise any queries/concerns and share ideas you may have, or just to have a chat. See you at 10AM on Saturday!

West Sussex County Council has announced a temporary overnight closure of Crawley Road in North Horsham. The closure will take place between Kings Road Roundabout and Harwood Road to allow Volker Highways to carry out essential carriageway lining works. Closure Details: Dates:  1stDecember 2025 (potentially up to 5 nights, until 5th December) Times:   20:00 to 05:30  each night Location:  Crawley Road, between Kings Road Roundabout and Harwood Road Reason:  Safety of the public and workforce during overnight road-lining works A signed diversion route will be in place. For full details of the closure and the diversion, please visit the official roadworks map at one.network  (search using reference GB146213226 ). Access will remain available for emergency services, residents, and pedestrians  throughout the works. For further information, you can contact West Sussex County Council directly at 01243 642105 .

The Government is consulting on local government reorganisation for Sussex & Brighton.  This is your opportunity to share your views on how local councils could be structured in the future in our area.  Your previous feedback was vital in developing the shared business case for our area. All councils in West Sussex worked together very closely to develop a shared business case for local government reorganisation, this was informed by our collaborative approach including detailed modelling and appraisals alongside data gathered in our joint engagement work.    Each council has a preferred option, but we are all determined that whichever model is chosen by Ministers, we will work together tirelessly, to make sure this huge change is achieved seamlessly and with minimum disruption to communities and our partners.    The Councils are grateful for your support and insights throughout this process. We encourage everyone to participate in the formal government consultation which seeks views from statutory consultees as well as the comments of any individuals or bodies interested in the proposals.    For this government consultation, proposals for local government reorganisation are grouped by the area of the proposed strategic authority (Sussex and Brighton). This approach reflects the breadth of the proposals and the requirement that new unitary councils support wider devolution structures.    Consultation questions are given for each proposal, and respondents can choose which proposals they wish to comment on. Please note that the Brighton & Hove proposal impacts the whole of West Sussex, so we encourage you to comment on that proposal alongside West Sussex options.    The final ministerial decision on the most appropriate option for the area will take into account all criteria, representations received, including those from this consultation, and other relevant information.    Local residents, businesses and community groups are invited to have their say until 23:59 on 11 January 2026 . We encourage you to take this further opportunity to present your views and participate in this further consultation.    Please click here to access the consultation. Paper copies will also be available in council receptions and in West Sussex libraries.

Horsham District Council’s draft Annual Plan is now open for consultation. The Council is inviting feedback on the draft of its new Annual Plan for 2026/27 and is encouraging as many residents and businesses as possible to share their views. The consultation opens on 24 November 2025 and closes on 7 December 2025. The draft plan identifies four main themes: Supporting local people and communities – providing help in tough times and building an environment where our people can flourish Inspiring greener futures – aiming to be carbon net zero as a council by 2030 and as a District by 2050 Building a thriving economy – making us known as an easy place to do business and keeping our high streets thriving Always listening, learning and improving – sharing and involving communities in our decision making. A new overall Council Plan setting out a fresh vision and corporate priorities for the Council for four years until 2027 was adopted in October 2023. At this time the Council announced a new process which introduced the development of an Annual Plan to detail the year-on-year actions it would undertake to deliver on its long-term objectives. The 2026/27 Annual Plan will be the fourth Annual Plan to be developed. Leader of the Council Cllr Martin Boffey commented: “From the outset, we’ve been committed to creating a culture of listening, learning and continuous improvement, where community input plays a vital role in shaping our decisions. “We’re excited to open this consultation on our fourth Annual Plan and strongly encourage everyone to take part. Your feedback helps ensure the Plan stays responsive to the evolving needs and challenges we face, for our communities, our environment and our local economy. “The updated Plan will be published in February 2026, alongside our budget. At its core, our vision remains the same which is to prioritise the wellbeing of our communities, enabling our residents to live the best quality of life possible.” To view the draft Annual Plan and take part in the survey visit: www.horsham.gov.uk/consultations .

To view the Planning Committee Meeting Agenda, please visit our website here: Planning Committee Meeting  or view the agenda on the noticeboard situated outside Beeson House.

As part of ongoing Cost of Living support and the Household Support Fund (HSF7), West Sussex Libraries will be offering free Essential Toiletries Kits  and free Essential Period Product Packs  for residents to collect. From Monday 24th November , both types of packs will be available across all 36 West Sussex libraries , while stocks last. The toiletries kits include shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, roll-on deodorant, toothpaste, an adult toothbrush and tissues, all in a sealed zip-lock bag. Children’s toothbrushes will also be available to add if needed. Period product packs will contain sanitary pads, tampons, sanitising wipes and a paper disposal bag, presented in a sealed pink paper bag. Residents can simply visit their local library, pick up what they need from the display, and tick a quick sheet indicating which group best represents their household. For further information, please contact: Vicki Davey  ( vicki.davey@westsussex.gov.uk ) or Emma Clarke  ( emma.clarke@westsussex.gov.uk ).

Please see the current and upcoming road works for the next few weeks: Pollards way A24 Pollards Way Northbound & Southbound, Start of URSN End of URSN 26 November 8:00 PM - 29 November 3:00 AM Gully cyclical maintenance on high speed c/w. Preventative works organised by West Sussex County Council. Tower Hill 26 November 9:00 AM - 16:00PM Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by UK Power Network. Christ's Hospital From Junction with the Avenue to junction with Two Mile Ash Road 27 November - 28 November Works: Highway Improvement Works by West Sussex County Council. Hop Oast Roundabout Opposite RAB on splitter for Worthing Road. 25 - 26 November, 9:00AM - 14:30PM Works: Highway Repair and Maintenance Works, replacement of column - 19, by West sussex County Council. Horsham Bypass Northbound 25 - 26 November Works: Untility asset works by Vodafone. Lane closure expected. Crawley Road, North Horsham CP Between the Kings Road Roundabout and Harwood Road, to allow for Volker Highways to undertake carriageway lining. 1 December for up to 5 days 20:00-05:30, overnight road closure An alternative route will be signed on site and access will be maintained for emergency services, residents and pedestrians. College Road and Woodlands Way, Southwater 4 November - 9 December 2025 Utility Repair and Maintenance works by SGN.

Southwater Parish Council is pleased to announce that the Council has unanimously voted to extend the contract of our Neighbourhood Wardens.   Our Wardens play a vital role in keeping Southwater safe, supported, and connected. Their professionalism, visibility within the parish, and the compassionate support they provide, even to our more vulnerable and isolated residents are deeply valued by the Council and by our community.   This extension reflects the importance of their work and the positive impact they continue to have across the parish. We look forward to building on this strong partnership in the upcoming years.   On behalf of the Council, the Councillors, and Staff, we would like to thank our Neighbourhood Wardens for their continued hard work, dedication, and service to Southwater. Please click here for their contact details.

There is a Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in West Sussex, offering free holiday clubs for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. It’s a great opportunity for families, each session includes a free healthy meal and a chance for children to get active, learn new skills and have fun during the school break. Clubs run at Easter, over four weeks in the summer, and for a week at Christmas . Activities vary across the county, from sports and outdoor adventures to arts, music, coding and more. Every session lasts at least four hours, giving children a safe, engaging space to make friends and enjoy their time off school. Families also benefit from extra support, including guidance on healthy eating, budgeting and access to local services. If your child is eligible, you’ll just need your HAF code to book a place through the online system. Spaces do fill up, so it’s worth checking what’s available in your local area. A healthy meal, new friends and a holiday full of activities, all completely free. It’s a brilliant scheme for families who could use a bit of extra support during school breaks. Click here for more information.

West Sussex County Council is inviting feedback on proposals to improve two key routes in Horsham, aiming to make everyday journeys safer, quicker and more sustainable.   The proposals focus on Rusper Road (between the town centre and Mowbray) and Guildford Road (between the town centre and Broadbridge Heath), both vital routes for accessing schools, workplaces and local services. Heavy traffic on both roads causes regular congestion, noise and air pollution, affecting nearby communities and making walking, cycling and bus travel less appealing. The proposed improvements aim to ease traffic flow, improve safety for all road users and encourage more sustainable travel choices, especially for short, local journeys.  The council is considering a range of targeted measures, including:   Improved crossings for pedestrians and cyclists   Bus priority features to reduce bus delays   Road layout changes to reduce congestion and improve safety   A 'Dutch' style roundabout with a segregated cycle track and pedestrian priority over other road users at crossing points Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: “We know how frustrating it can be to be held up in traffic on these busy roads, especially when you're just trying to get to work, school or the shops. These proposals are about making everyday travel easier and safer for everyone, whether you're walking, cycling, catching the bus or driving. “We're committed to creating a transport network that works better for local people and supports sustainable travel, as reflected in Our Council Plan. I really encourage residents, businesses and regular visitors to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of transport in Horsham.”   You can view the plans and complete the online survey at: https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/horsham-transport . Drop-in events will also be held to give people the opportunity to view the proposals in person and speak to members of the project team:   Monday 24 November, 3pm to 7pm at The Blackbridge Community Centre, Three Acres, Horsham, RH12 1RS   Tuesday 2 December, 10am to 2pm at Horsham Park Barn, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RJ    Feedback from this consultation will help us to refine the designs and determine next steps. Please note: the scheme is at an early stage and subject to securing central Government grant funding. Construction is unlikely to begin for several years. The consultation closes at 23:55 on Monday 22 December 2025. Click here for the survey.

The Full Council Meeting Agenda for 19th November 2025 is available to view on our website and on the noticeboard outside Beeson House.

As part of their diverse and wide-ranging Neighbourhood Warden role, Bettina and Dom work closely with many wonderful older residents in Southwater. Their aim is to help them access appropriate services and gain the support they need to live positive, fulfilling lives that complement their personalities and interests. Recently, they had the privilege of meeting a resident in their 90s who lives alone and independently manages all their own care needs. As people get older, they may find that their needs change, sometimes in ways they did not expect. This remarkable individual, who many years ago served their country in uniform, has been managing challenges with hearing and sight, which they find incredibly frustrating. With only a few regular visitors, they spend many hours in isolation and find this difficult. They love a good chat and have a wicked sense of humour but can no longer get out and about to meet people as easily, and share their time with others. The Wardens noticed that the resident never seemed to use their TV, so they asked about it. The resident explained that they could no longer see the buttons on the remote control, nor easily reach the power socket, which is something most people probably don’t even think about when doing it themselves. Taking advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People , the Wardens sourced a specific TV remote with larger, simpler buttons and found an appropriate extension lead with separate switches so the TV can now be turned off without stretching around furniture to reach the socket. With the generosity of the Chairman’s Discretionary Fund from SPC , they were able to purchase these two small items, which will hopefully make a really big difference and help the resident. They would like to thank everyone for their continued support, which enables them to go that little bit further in providing care and assistance for the local people. Would you to get in touch with the wardens or Southwater Parish Council? You can find the contact details for the wardens here and for SPC here . Executive Officer & RFO of Southwater Parish Council handing over the purhcased items to Dominic Woodhead, Southwater Neighbourhood Warden

Please see the current and upcoming road works for the next week: Christ's Hospital From the junction with the Avenue to the junction with Two Mile Ash Road. 11 - 12 November Highway improvement works by West Sussex County Council. Traffic control with multi-way signals is set up. Southwater Street 10 November 1PM - 13 November 11:59PM Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Southern Water. Traffic control with two-way signals is set up. Jay Close 10 - 12 November Works: Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Southern Water. Some carriegaway incursion expected. Easteds Lane 12 - 14 November Works: New service connection install by Openreach. No carriegaway incursion. Millfield 12 - 14 November Works: Remedial works by Openreach. No carriageway incursion expected. Crawley Road, North Horsham CP 1. Horsham Road A283 Horsham Road to Mouse Lane for carriageway lining reinstatement. 12-14 November 20:00-06:00 overnight road closure 2. Between the Kings Road Roundabout and Harwood Road, to allow for Volker Highways to undertake carriageway lining. 1 December for up to 5 days 20:00-05:30, overnight road closure An alternative route will be signed on site and access will be maintained for emergency services, residents and pedestrians.

BRAKE (The Road Safety Charity) is launching this year’s Road Safety Week from 16 - 22 November. The theme this year is ‘Safe Vehicles Save Lives’ and will focus on the role of vehicle safety technology, such as automated driver assistance systems and seat belts, in reducing road deaths and injuries. The campaign highlights the importance of mandatory safety technology for all new vehicles and how to ensure vehicles are roadworthy. Safe vehicles, defined as all motorised vehicles, are designed to prevent road crashes and protect people inside and outside the vehicle if a crash does happen. Here is more of an insight into the key aspects of the “Safe Vehicles Save Lives” theme: Vehicle Safety Technology:  The campaign will raise awareness of how modern safety features (such as ‘Automated Driver Assistance’ systems) save lives by helping drivers maintain speed, brake in emergencies, and protect occupants. Roadworthiness:  There is an emphasis on raising awareness about the importance of ensuring vehicles are maintained to the highest standards, and always in a roadworthy condition before every journey.  Government Mandates:  A central goal of the campaign is to urge the UK government to mandate life-saving technologies in all new vehicles, aligning with existing European regulations.  Preventing Crashes & Reducing Harm by:  Educating the public on how vehicles themselves can be designed to prevent crashes and minimize injuries when collisions do occur. Automated driver assistance systems keep vehicles in the right lane and below speed limits, detect hazards and brake in an emergency. Protect people inside and outside the vehicle - Seatbelts, airbags and ‘forgiving’ vehicle parts protect people inside and outside the vehicle in a crash. Vehicles must pass stringent crash tests. Manage driver safety - Vehicle technology detects unsafe driving behaviour (e.g. due to tiredness) and informs authorities. Support for Victims:  The campaign will also share the stories of road crash victims, demonstrating the devastating impact of collisions and how safe vehicles can help prevent them. In 2024, there were 19 fatalities and 504 serious injuries in West Sussex, resulting from a Road Traffic Crash (RTC). By sharing this campaign with our residents, it helps to support our Road Safety Strategy and aspiration to make a difference. Click here for more information.