Your Town and Parish Council News October 2021 - free trees - adult social care survey - and more

Help shape the future of adult social care in West Sussex

We’d like you to help shape the long-term future of adult social care to support current and future generations for years to come.

We’re keen to hear what is important to residents and what a good life means to them. The responses will help us develop our adult social care service in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic so that we can best meet the needs and expectations of those we support.

Please complete the survey on the link below before 8 November and encourage your residents to do the same.

Environment articles available

The county council is gearing up to celebrate COP26 – the world’s biggest conference on climate change which takes place from Sunday 31 October until Friday 12 November.

Our communications team has prepared a range of content on the county council’s work to be carbon neutral by 2030, including a feature interview with Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.

If you would like content to include in your next newsletter or residents update, please email pressoffice@westsussex.gov.uk by Monday 25 October.

Latest local Covid-19 and vaccination update

Here’s your round up of local information about the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing vaccination programme so you can keep your communities informed about the latest developments:

• Local advice and information on the pandemic and the vaccination programme can be found here.
• Please click here to find the local summary data. Please share the link across your communities, either by email, text or WhatsApp so other people can view the case data in their area too.
• The autumn Covid-19 booster vaccine campaign is underway and those who are more vulnerable to the virus are being invited to top up their protection ahead of winter, six months or more after receiving their second jab. More information here.
• All children aged 12-15 years old are to be offered a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at their school and every parent, guardian or carer will receive a letter with the details about their school, the consent process, and next steps. More information here.
• Please continue to stress to your residents the importance of regular testing. This helps determine if someone is infected with coronavirus, whether they have symptoms or not, and helps stop the spread. There are lots of ways people can get a test: by ordering a Lateral Flow Tests online to be delivered to your home; by picking up test kits at selected pharmacies and libraries or having a supervised test at a local pharmacy. Find a pharmacy.

          If anyone tests positive or has symptoms they must take a PCR test. Book  online or call 119 to get one.

• Please remind people to do all they can to reduce the spread – wash their hands, cover their face, leave space and let fresh air in.

Free trees for community spaces

We are encouraging communities across West Sussex to plant trees to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

This will create a green legacy, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

The Woodland Trust, partnered with the Queen’s Green Canopy, is offering FREE trees to community groups. Before you apply you’ll need to:

• Know the six digit grid reference for the land you wish to plant using the grid reference finder.
• Read through a short list of FAQs. They are packed full of important and useful information which will help your application.

Trees can be planted from this month (October 2021), when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

They are currently taking applications for trees to be delivered in March 2022.

You may also be able to order trees for planting in October 2022 but applications are not yet being taken.

As a tree is a long term investment, only parish and town councils can apply for a licence to plant and maintain a tree on county council managed spaces.

Grants available for anti-flooding schemes

Parish and Town councils are welcome to apply to our Operation Watershed scheme, designed to support communities in their activities to mitigate local flood risk.

This year five projects, including at Fulking and Bolney have benefited from the latest round of awards, and there is still more than £140,000 remaining in the grant fund for 2021/22.

To apply for Operation Watershed funding, email: operation.watershed@westsussex.gov.uk.

Ditch the problem!

It’s that time of year when riparian ditch owners look to cut back the summer growth in their ditches before winter returns in earnest.

The county council is keen for riparian owners, who are responsible for the upkeep of their ditches, to clear them out.

Ditches are watercourses designed to drain the surrounding area or hold water. Removing vegetation, grass, weeds, shrubs or any other debris helps water run freely and prevents flooding.

Keeping our watercourses well maintained benefits the community as a whole. If an area experiences constant flooding, this becomes a nuisance to the community, can restrict access to property, makes everyday living difficult, and results in considerable expense and inconvenience for those that have been flooded.

As part of your ongoing work to support reducing flood risk impacting residents in your local area, we would encourage you to raise awareness and promote what people can do to reduce the risk of flooding.  

The Riparian Ownership and Responsibilities material will provide useful practical information and guidance for landowners and residents.  

When you have the opportunity please would you promote to your community groups and individuals in your area that the information is available via the link below.

Advice on energy bills

Many people will see an increase in their energy bills this winter due to the rise in the wholesale cost of gas.

If any of your residents are worried and need advice or information, please direct them to the West Sussex Energy Advice website on the link below, which has details of information tailored to each area of the county.

Full county council meeting next week

There will be a full meeting of West Sussex County Council on Friday 22 October starting at 10.30am and will be webcast live via our website.

Please encourage your residents to view or download a calendar of upcoming county council meetings via the link below.

Time to apply for school places

Please alert parents and carers in your area that they can now apply for their child to start school in September 2022.

Please download,  print and share the primary school and secondary school admissions posters to ensure families in your area are aware of the school admission deadlines and know how to apply.

Applications for primary and infant school places are now open and close on 15 January 2022. Children born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 are eligible to start school next September.

Parents/carers of children currently in Year 2 at infant school can also now apply for a place at junior school for September 2022.

It is strongly advised that applications are completed on time. Those who miss the 15 January deadline must still apply as their child won’t automatically be allocated a school.

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online. All the information is there and an automatic email will acknowledge an application has been received. Free use of computers with internet access is available in all West Sussex libraries (no need to book).

Those unable to apply online can request a form through the post by calling 033 301 42903.

Secondary school applications are also currently open for September 2022 and close on Sunday 31 October 2021.

County council staff are available to help parents and carers through the admissions process. Telephone 033 301 42903 or email the admissions team north: admissions.north@westsussex.gov.uk or the admissions team south admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk