Press releases - East Sussex County Council

Health and wellbeing drop-in sessions at Eastbourne area libraries

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

This May East Sussex Library and Information Service will be holding health and wellbeing drop-ins across the Eastbourne area.

All of the sessions are free and will give library users and non-users alike the opportunity to pick the brains of an expert.

Sussex and Kent ME/CFS Society

Eastbourne library, Friday 11 May, 11am to 1.30pm

The Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society is the registered charity that informs, supports and represents those affected by Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) across Sussex and Kent. If your life has been affected by ME or CFS stop by and have a chat.

The Arthritic Association

Polegate library, Tuesday 15 May, 10am to 12 noon
Willingdon library, Friday 18 May, 10am to 12 noon

The Arthritic Association will be on hand to offer information and advice on a drug free approach to dealing with arthritis.

'WELmind' drop-in events – please note, the events due to take place at Eastbourne Library on Thursday 17 May have had to be cancelled. We are hoping to re-schedule them for a later date. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

For further information on any of these sessions please call 0345 60 80 196.

Hailsham now and then – photography exhibition

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

People with a curiosity about Hailsham in by-gone days are in for a treat. A free exhibition at Hailsham library contrasts present day images of local buildings and streets with those taken by Edward Isaac Baker, a prominent Victorian photographer who ran his business from a shop on the High Street.

To mark the centenary of Edward's death in 1912, Hailsham Photographic Society, Hailsham Historical Society and the library embarked on a one-year project to build a photographic record of Hailsham town centre between 2011 and 2012. The images replicate many of those from Edward's original collection taken between 1868 and 1886.

Edward ran a bookshop and stationers at 21 High Street and in 1868 installed photographic equipment to take portraits at one shilling a copy. After he emigrated to America in 1886 his friends and neighbours filled an album with his images of local buildings, landscapes and people spanning 30 years.

The album is now is possession of Susan Guhm, Edward's great grand-daughter, and are showcased on a website – The Photos of Edwin Isaac Baker. Some of these are included in the library display.

The exhibition runs until Saturday 2 June 2012 during library opening hours – see the Hailsham Library page for address and times.

Digital switchover – Trading Standards at information event

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Residents in the Eastbourne area who want to know more about the digital switchover are being invited to an information event later this month.

Television is going digital and East Sussex County Council will be joining with partners Age Concern, Digital UK and Action in Rural Sussex to help local people to get ready for the TV signal changes.

The information event takes place on Wednesday 16 May (10am to 4pm) at The William and Patricia Venton Centre – Age Concern, Junction Road, Eastbourne BN21 3QY.

Digital TV Switchover Information Event

The existing analogue TV signal will be switched off and replaced with a new, stronger digital TV signal. The first part of this process for the majority of East Sussex is at the end of May, with a further stage in June.

Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Member for Economy, Transport & Environment at the County Council said: “Our Trading Standards Officers are keen for people – especially older residents – to find out all they can about the switchover. Everyone attending the event will get all the information and advice they need for the switch from analogue to digital.

“We'll also be using the event to highlight our approved trader schemes – Buy with Confidence and Support with Confidence – which promote honest and reliable traders.”

You can find out more information about the switchover by visiting our page about Digital TV switchover.

For more general information about Trading Standards visit our section Trading Standards – help and advice for consumers.

Further information

Most of East Sussex will begin the process on 30 May when BBC2 is turned off the analogue signal. On 13 June the analogue signal will be turned off for good. Some parts of East Sussex, such as parts of Crowborough and Forest Row which receive from the Crystal Palace relay, have already gone digital.

Places like Rye and some parts of Hastings, which receive from the Dover transmitter, will follow the same process on 13 and 27 June. If people are not sure which transmitter they receive from they can check by going into the information captions that are sent to their television sets from the transmitter, as this will carry the dates that will affect them. However, the majority of East Sussex will be on the Heathfield and Hastings transmitters.

Conference on adult social care in East Sussex – The way ahead

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

A major conference on the future of adult social care took place in East Sussex last week.

More than 100 organisations attended, including independent care providers, voluntary and community groups, the NHS, the district and borough councils and user representative groups. Almost 200 people gathered from across the local care sector to discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The audience heard from the Care Quality Commission, the Social Care Institute for Excellence, Skills for Care and the latest from the Department of Health on the major issues for national adult social care reform.

In his welcome, Keith Hinkley, the Council's Director of Adult Social Care, acknowledged the significant contribution that care providers make to the local economy as employers, as well as to people's quality of life. Afterwards he said:

“There are almost 20,000 people who use care services in East Sussex, including carers. We have to deal with the challenges of a difficult financial climate, an ageing population and a rising demand for services.

“This conference was an excellent opportunity to bring together all the key partners to discuss how we can respond to these challenges, by working together to ensure we provide social care in East Sussex that is fit for the future. Our dialogue with service providers is integral to achieving this”.

There was discussion on how things have already changed – with people in East Sussex now having more choice and independence in how they are cared for. There was also debate on what needs to be provided in the future to ensure that services continue to meet the needs of the community.

During the day there were several workshops looking at different issues in detail. Topics included how to deliver social care services, dealing with dementia, safeguarding vulnerable adults, working with a diverse population and delivering quality care at the end of life.

The conference also launched a blueprint for the future development of the social care market in East Sussex. This will help and guide businesses and organisations which provide adult social care services. The ‘2012 Market Position Statement' looks at local population trends, future demand for services and current supply – signalling areas for potential development and change. A start has been made by looking at services in three areas – older people, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

More detailed information can be found here:

Presentations from the 2012 Personalisation Conference for providers

Further information

The Personalisation Conference took place at the East Sussex National Golf Club, near Uckfield on 1 May 2012.

Presenters who gave keynote speeches were:

Robert Templeton – Head of Transforming Adult Social Care, Social Care Institute for Excellence
William Vineall – Deputy Director Operations, Department of Health
Karen Stevens – Area Officer, Skills For Care
Ian Biggs – Regional Director, Care Quality Commission.

Some examples of organisations that attended were:

Horizons Community Learning Project
Sussex Oakleaf
Age UK (East Sussex)
East Sussex Disability Association (ESDA)
Southdown Housing Association
Blind Veterans (previously St Dunstans)
Greensleeves Home Trust
Mencap
Equal Access Consultancy
The Lighthouse Rehab Centre – Alliance Medicare
Autism Sussex
People Inspiring People
The Chaseley Trust
Crossroads Care
The Regard Partnership
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Skills For Care
Home Start
Support with Confidence
Sussex College Hastings
South Coast Ambulance Service
SCIE – Social Care Institute for Excellence
East Sussex Seniors' Association

Adoption – have you ever thought about it?

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wished you knew more about adoption and whether it might be right for you? An event organised by East Sussex County Council could give you the answers.

Recently rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, the Council's Adoption Service has organised another drop-in information event to give people the chance to pick the brains of staff and talk to parents who have adopted.

The event will be held at Uckfield Civic Centre from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 19 May and is the latest of a series of such events to recruit more adoptive parents across the county.

For the full list of events and to find out more, please see our main section:

Adoption

Cllr Colin Belsey, Lead Member for Children and Families, said: “The atmosphere will be completely relaxed and informal. People will not only get the chance to quiz the team about what the adoption process involves but they'll also get the opportunity to chat to adoptive parents, who will be happy to talk about their experiences.”

Each year, East Sussex County Council places around 40 children, who cannot live with their birth families for a variety of reasons, with adoptive parents. These children range in age from babies to approximately eight years old.

Cllr Belsey said: “Ofsted recently inspected out Adoption Service and concluded it was outstanding across the board. That included the way we support and work with adoptive parents. So anyone coming along to the event on Saturday can know that they'll be talking to some of the best professionals in the business.”

He added that the County Council was constantly talking to adoptive parents and people who have been adopted to improve the process and the support it provides. He said: “The feedback we have from people that go through the adoption process is very positive.”

The Council is always looking for prospective adoptive parents to ensure the best possible placements are arranged for the children concerned and is urging anybody who might be interested in adopting to come along to the event.

Cllr Belsey added: “Adoptive parents come from various backgrounds and they have many reasons for wanting to adopt a child. But we don't expect people coming along to be sure this is what they want. We hope people will simply use this opportunity as a way of finding out more.”

Street lighting is changing: Seaford residents, tell us what you think

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Street lighting in East Sussex is changing… and the next in our series of events for you to tell us your views is taking place in Seaford.

We're proposing to turn off some street lights after midnight, reduce the number of lights in some streets and dim others between midnight and the early hours.

We know you're likely to have comments about this, so we're holding events across the county where you will be able to see detailed maps of your area.

The next event is in Seaford on Saturday 12 May. If you live, visit or work in the area, please come along to Downs Leisure Centre in Sutton Road between 9am and 1pm where a map of your street will be on display. There is free parking available.

You'll be able to tell us your thoughts and talk about any concerns you might have. All your comments will be considered before any final decisions are made.

If you can't make it to the leisure centre, you'll be able to find all the information and comment online between 12 May and 28 May:

Street lighting in Seaford is changing

Information and comment forms will also be available at the temporary Seaford Library at Elm Court, Blatchington Road, and the town council offices at 37 Church Street.

Why are we doing this?

The extent of the savings we have to make over the next few years has been widely publicised and funding cuts of this scale mean we can't carry on providing all our services in exactly the same way.

We currently spend close to £1.4 million on electricity for our street lighting. Making these changes will help us save money by reducing our bill. It will also help us reduce our carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Cabinet Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: "The pilot schemes in other areas seem to have been well-received by residents and businesses in the area, and the local police say there has been no increase in incidents reported to them. But we know each town or village will have different needs, so it is really important you come along, look at the proposals and talk through your comments with our staff."

Look out for an event in your area over the coming months. Dates for these are not yet confirmed, but we will give you plenty of notice.

School is making waves with new hydrotherapy pool

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Grove Park Special School near Crowborough celebrated the official opening of a new hydrotherapy pool this Monday.

A special educational needs school, which caters for pupils with a whole range of physical and learning disabilities, Grove Park project-managed the build with £400,000 of funding from East Sussex County Council.

Construction work began back in Autumn last year, and the school has been closely involved in the progress of the build, ever since the ceremonial 'first dig' by some of its students in October.

Councillor Nick Bennett, Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness, for East Sussex County Council, said:

“I am very pleased to see this project come to fruition and the new pool open for pupils to use. It's a fantastic facility and having the pool on site means the pupils will be able to easily access this special facility and enjoy the many benefits that hydrotherapy has been proven to bring.

“The children will be able to exercise and improve muscle strength, balance and co-ordination by pushing against the resistance of the water, but as the water also supports them, they can practice their mobility without the fear of falling.”

Angie Wellman, Head of School at Grove Park, added: “Hydrotherapy enables staff and pupils to work closely together and develop relationships around trust and 'fun'. Developing the ability to communicate is fundamental to our children and hydrotherapy encourages eye contact, turn taking, and anticipation amongst many other skills. For those children with limited mobility, hydrotherapy gives them a unique opportunity to move freely and with whole body support.

”I would like to thank everyone from the local community who offered their support as well as those who worked directly on the project to make the new pool a reality.

“The school has raised over £50,000 to purchase specialist equipment and facilities for the pool. The hydrotherapy pool will be available to people in the local community with hydrotherapy needs for limited periods of time when the pool is not being used by the pupils.”

Grove Park School

Further information

Hydrotherapy – a hydro pool is a specialist warm water pool used to provide therapeutic treatment to people who have physical problems or special needs. The immersion of all or part of the body helps facilitate movement, can provide pain relief, and can promote healing from injury.

Cyclists kissing bikes to celebrate new route

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Everyone who enjoys walking and cycling is invited to a special family fun day event at Glyne Gap, Bexhill, on 12 May to celebrate the new coastal route and help break the world record for ‘kissing bikes'.

The event will take place on Saturday 12 May between 10am and 3pm and will feature:

guided walks and led rides
'Bling Your Bike' sessions
treasure hunt family ride – take part in the day and get a goodie bag
Dr Bike – bike maintenance
bike-powered ‘Art Rage' feature.

See the complete programme of events:

Seaside Rendezvous

Everyone can be part of the ‘Big Photo' and cyclists can help break the world record for ‘kissing bikes'. The aim will be to achieve the longest line of bicycles ever, joined nose to tail, along the new route. This is why we need the help of as many cyclists as possible.

Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Member for Economy Transport and Environment, officially cut the ribbon to open the new route in January this year. He said, "I hope that as many people as possible will come down to the seaside to enjoy this fantastic day out and celebrate the new route. There are plenty of events and activities to take part in and you could be part of setting a new world record."

The new 2.2km route, which includes a Portrait Bench depicting three local heroes chosen by the community – Spike Milligan, Richard Ball, and Tyrone Wildman – is formally known as the Bulverhythe Coastal Link. The completion of the new route means that walkers and cyclists can now enjoy a traffic free journey of more than 5km between Bexhill and Hastings old town.

Sustrans Regional Director for the South East, Simon Pratt, added, "Walking and cycling for everyday journeys is great for our health, the environment and it's fun too. These new links are going to make a real difference to how people make their everyday journeys in Hastings and Bexhill.

"We hope to work with East Sussex County Council in the future to deliver even more routes like this locally, making it safe to get around on two wheels."

Sign up now for a summer of musical fun

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Hundreds of young people are expected to be in tune for summer when they take part in workshops, courses and concerts organised by the East Sussex Music Service.

Last year around 900 children and young people took part in summer school activities organised by the County Council's Music Service, and this year looks set to be the same.

Organisers have arranged even more courses this year and there will be more than 50 different activities taking place in the three week period between 9 and 29 July. But anyone wanting to take part needs to sign up now, and definitely before the deadline at the end of May.

The courses range from one-day beginner sessions and three-day intermediate courses, to five-day ensembles. A wide range of activities involving various different musical instruments and skills are on offer.

The courses are held at various venues around the county including schools in Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Heathfield, and Wadhurst. They are run by staff from the Music Service which is a County Council service. Concerts will be held at the end of each course to which family and friends are welcome.

Councillor John Barnes, Chair of the East Sussex Music Service Management Committee, said: “The Summer School organised by the Music Service is always a first class event. Every year the variety and range of musical courses and concerts on offer amazes me.

“The Summer School not only gives young musicians the chance to make good music and to acquire and develop new skills, but also the opportunity to meet and make new friends.”

Download the brochure and application form:

Summer school for young musicians

Fostering – find out how you could help a child

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The search for new foster carers returns to Hastings and St Leonards this month with the latest in a series of information and recruitment events organised by East Sussex County Council.

Staff from the Council's “outstanding” Fostering Service are urging anyone from the Hastings area who wants to find out more about caring for a child, to come along to the informal drop-in event.

Planned for the 10 May at the Azur Marina Pavilion in St Leonards the event is the latest in a series aimed at raising the profile of fostering and finding new families for children in care. The event starts at 5pm and finishes at 8pm.

Once again staff and foster carers from East Sussex County Council will be on hand at the event to speak to anyone who wants more information. The foster carers will also be available for a chat about what it means to be a carer.

The event will have information about all the different types of short term or permanent fostering, as well as fostering for parents and babies, and for disabled children.

Cllr Belsey, Lead Member for Children and Families, said: “This is the latest information and recruitment event and they really are informal occasions giving people the opportunity to have a chat with us about what's involved.

“Ofsted has rated our Fostering Service as outstanding so anybody coming along to the event knows they're going to be talking to first class professionals whose dedication to helping children is second to none.”

Cllr Belsey added that the children we care for come from all walks of life and from all kinds of backgrounds – so we need the same from our foster carers. The one thing they all have in common is to want to help children.

“These are children who need love and a safe and secure home. The challenges for foster families can be big but, talk to any foster carer and they will tell you, so are the rewards.” he said.

The St Leonards event is the fifth in a series of recruitment events being run by the County Council's Fostering Service throughout 2012. For further information about fostering, phone: 01323 747407 or visit our Fostering pages.

Force-feeding and frozen classrooms … It's Hoove Lea actually

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Force-feeding, freezing cold classrooms and cake just once a year were some of the hardships faced by pupils in a Hove girls' school in the 1920s.

The details of the education of wealthy young ladies at Hoove Lea School are revealed in a collection of documents recently donated to the East Sussex Record Office in Lewes. They will be added to the current archive of the school which has been held for over a decade.

Items include letters, photo albums, Old Girls Society newsletters and sports day programmes which previously belonged to Old Hoovelean Monica Spear, who died in 2002.

A rod of iron

In the '20s embroidery, Greek dancing, and music featured on the curriculum and on some days only French was spoken.

A former pupil Maisie Taylor recalls the headmistress Miss Constance Mortimer ruling with a rod of iron. Maisie watched her sister being force-fed 'diabolical food' in 1928 because pupils were not allowed to leave anything on their plates.

The tyrannical head kept heating to a minimum causing pupils to wear woollen mittens indoors throughout the winter. Cakes appeared on the menu only once a year at the school's garden party, an occasion when Miss Mortimer would wear her full Suffragette regalia.

Marriage and a life abroad

Senior archivist Christopher Whittick says: "The archive provides an insight into how girls from a relatively affluent background were prepared for adult life at the beginning of the last century. For many, that was a middle-class marriage to a man in the army or civil service, and perhaps a life abroad, although some pupils pursued a career in acting, painting or writing."

The school first opened in Norfolk Square in around 1886 but moved to a Victoria seafront villa by Hove Lawns, from which it took its name, in 1905. A further move took place in 1916 to The Drive, where it remained until its closure in 1936.

The Hoove Lea Archive, AMS 6350, is available to see at East Sussex Record Office, The Maltings, Lewes. A collection of photographs of Olive Joan Larking (née Owen) (1907-1985), resident of Hove, has also recently been deposited (AMS 6987).

Join the Elm Protection Volunteers and help us fight Dutch elm disease

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The County Council is asking people in East Sussex to register now to join the Elm Protection Volunteers and help fight Dutch elm disease before a welcoming event for the new volunteers on 26 May.

Elm Protection Volunteers work with our Dutch elm disease officer, patrolling specific villages, parishes or areas across the control zone and reporting sick trees so they can be dealt with appropriately, reducing the spread of the disease.

Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees in the UK since its arrival in 1971 and the only way to reduce the spread of the disease is to fell and burn those trees that have been infected, before, or as they become, a host for breeding beetles.

East Sussex now contains the largest population of mature English elms in the world and the Dutch elm disease control area we established in 1973 has helped to protect them.

Infected trees can be identified by the brown and yellow wilting leaves at the tips of the branches. These gradually spread throughout the canopy as the tree shuts off its water supply, hoping to trap the fungus in the infected limb.

Councillor Carl Maynard said, "By registering to become an Elm Protection Volunteer and coming to our training event, you can help us fight the spread of Dutch elm disease and help look after the largest population of mature English elms in the world."

You can report any sightings of diseased trees by telephone, email or through our online 'Report A Fault' system. Our website also has helpful hints on how to spot the disease and what to look out for. If people are unsure then we would urge them to contact our Dutch elm disease officer who can verify the sightings.

The event to welcome and train new and existing Elm Protection Volunteers will take place on 26 May at the Seven Sisters Country Park.

To register an interest in becoming an Elm Protection Volunteer and to register yourself for the event, or to report a Dutch elm disease sighting, contact us by:

the online report a fault system
email: dutchelmdisease@eastsussex.gov.uk
phone: 0345 60 80 193.

For more information see our Dutch elm disease page.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Superhero Day at Hastings Library!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

People in the Hastings area are being invited to celebrate the exploits of Superheroes such as Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Catwoman and the Avengers at their local Library.

All age groups are being invited to join in the fun and celebrate Superhero Day at Hastings Library and Hastings Children's Library this Saturday 28 April from 9.30am to 5pm.

The East Sussex County Council-run library at 13 Claremont will have a display of graphic novels, and a reference display of comics, graffiti and subway art.

Hastings Children's Library in Robertson Passage – a short walk from Hastings Library – will also be joining in the fun with a craft event where children can colour and make their own superhero masks. The Children's Library will also have a Superhero wordsearch, and a Superhero trail with a sticker reward for correct answers.

Staff will also be promoting the County Council's Library and Information Service and joining new customers in Priory Meadow shopping centre.

For more information about the Superhero events please see Superhero Day at Hastings Library or telephone 0345 60 80 196 and ask for Hastings Library.

For more general information about Hastings Library and Hastings Children's Library please visit our Hastings Library pages.

East Sussex gets go ahead for broadband plan

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

East Sussex is getting millions of pounds for superfast broadband.

Central Government has agreed our Local Broadband Plan, which also covers Brighton & Hove and details how we'll work with our partners to roll out the technology.

Broadband Development UK (BDUK), the team that delivers the Government's policies on broadband, made the decision this week.

It means we'll be handed a grant of £10.6 million and this will be more than matched by the County Council with an investment of £15 million, giving a total of almost £26 million to help the county get up to speed. Delivery partners are expected to match the combined County Council/Government funding which could then see the broadband pot reach over £50 million.

Our aim will now be to ensure rural and hard to reach areas, which may not otherwise be commercially viable, are on the priority list to be upgraded.

County Council Leader Peter Jones has warmly welcomed the news. He said: “Helping to provide superfast broadband for all is part of our overall budget for growth, which we believe will give our local economy a massive boost.

“It's absolutely vital this broadband technology is made available to all our residents and small businesses. I want everyone in East Sussex to have access to reliable and faster broadband within the next two years and I'm delighted by this announcement as it's a major step forward in the campaign.

“Now BDUK has given us the green light we can move ahead with our plans to get a delivery partner or partners in place to start rollout.”

People can help the campaign by filling out a questionnaire and giving their views:

Have your say about broadband in East Sussex

For more information, including a copy of the Local Broadband Plan, please see our main section:

Superfast broadband

Vital boost to East Sussex economy

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Another vital step has been taken towards regenerating the most deprived local economy in the South East.

At a meeting of its Cabinet, East Sussex County Council has agreed to allow an early start to work on the Bexhill to Hastings link road.

Today's decision means environmental work, including archaeological surveys and creating new habitats for wildlife, can begin on site this summer before we receive final approval. This is a risk, but one we feel we need to take, as it will enable us to take advantage of the best weather and environmental conditions, and help us avoid long delays and increased costs in future.

Last month, Government announced it will provide £56 million towards the cost of the road, which is a key part of our plans to help improve the county's economy.

And Hastings later received a further boost when it was awarded £8.5 million as a result of the Council's bid to the Government's Growing Places regeneration fund.

This loan will allow significant further development of the Priory Quarter business district; and creation of an extensive out-of-town business park at North Queensway, which is designed to attract companies, enable local businesses to expand and generate jobs.

Council Leader, Peter Jones, said: "Today's decision is fantastic news for the local economy – the link road is absolutely crucial to the regeneration of Hastings and Bexhill. It'll bring real benefits to the two towns, including better access to jobs; fewer cars using roads that aren't suitable for them; opportunities for housing and business development; and a reduction in the number of accidents on local roads.

"The road will make it possible to build 1,200 to 2,000 new homes and business park space of 50,000 square metres; and when combined with the Growing Places schemes, a total of 4,500 new jobs will be created in the area. It is for these reasons we believe the road is so important to the area, and that's why, despite the fact we're still waiting to receive final funding approval from DfT, we want to start work as soon as possible.

"Add this to the £500 million capital programme the County Council will be investing to support the economy over the next four years – it means more business investment, more company expansion room, more local jobs and a stronger economy for the benefit of the whole community."

Cabinet meeting papers for 24 April 2012

St Leonards Academy students win through to UK young consumer final

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Students from the St Leonards Academy in Edinburgh Road have taken a huge step in their aim of becoming the best young consumers in the UK.

The team – Polly Riggs, Aaisha Braithwaite, India Malindine and Kerri Morris – has won the regional final of the Young Consumers of the Year competition, after beating Chatham and Clarendon Grammar Schools from Ramsgate in Kent. The event was held at Eastbourne Town Hall on 17 April.

Organised locally by East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards team, the competition tests the students on their knowledge of a range of topics from consumer rights and responsibilities to safety and the environment.

The St Leonards team will now represent the South East at the UK final in Manchester in June. If successful, they will be crowned national champions and will walk away with prizes for themselves and £1,000 for their school.

The students were praised by Cllr Carl Maynard, Lead Cabinet Member for Economy, Transport & Environment at the County Council. He said: “This is a fantastic achievement. To be named the best young consumers in East Sussex was very good news but to then take the next step and win the regional final is really excellent. We wish the team every success at the UK final in June.”

The team was presented with the regional final trophy by Cllr Chris Dowling, Chairman of the County Council.

For more general information about the work of Trading Standards please visit Trading Standards – help and advice for consumers.

Newhaven schools to build on partnership

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Local parents and residents are to be consulted on plans to create a new primary school in Newhaven.

The new school would be created by bringing together an infant school and a junior school that have forged an effective partnership and made excellent progress together.

East Sussex County Council is to consult parents and the local community on plans to bring together Grays Infants School (ages 3 to 7) with Southdown Junior School (ages 7 to 11) to form the new all-through primary school.

The aim of the proposal would be to build on the success of the formal partnership that has linked the two schools since December 2010. Since that time the schools have worked together under the executive headship of one headteacher, Christine Terrey.

At a meeting of the Council's Lead Members for Children's Services on 17 April, Cllr David Elkin agreed to open consultation on the plans. He said: “In my view bringing these two schools together makes absolute sense. We are really keen to build on the excellent progress that has been made by the headteacher and her team and it seems an obvious step.”

He added that the County Council had a policy of creating all-through primary schools from existing infants and junior schools when an opportunity arose and where it was appropriate.

“We know that both nationally and locally all-through primary schools, in the main, achieve higher standards than separate infant and junior schools. This is because pupils benefit from single leadership and management and better continuity of learning.”

While the pupils at both schools were already benefitting from the close working relationship and the single headship, Cllr Elkin said, the proposal to merge would ensure the benefits continued into the future.

“We know that parents have welcomed the progress that has been made by the partnership between the schools and we believe this would be a positive step for Newhaven. However, this consultation is an important opportunity for people to give us their views.”

To create the new all-through primary school the Council would have to effectively close Southdown Junior School and expand the age range of Grays Infant School to 3 to 11. The new school would initially operate across both existing school sites but the Council would aim to bring the school together on the Southdown site as soon as practicably possible.

Further information

For more information and background on the proposal, see the meeting papers for the Lead Members for Children's Services – 17 April 2012, agenda item 4.

School plans for Bexhill to go ahead

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Two schools in Bexhill will be expanded to help cope with the town's rising birth rate.

Under the proposals, which have the support of the two governing bodies, Sidley Community Primary School will be expanded and moved to a new site, and St Mary's Magdalene Catholic Primary School will also see its intake rise.

At a meeting of the County Council's Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness on 17 April, Cllr David Elkin gave the go-ahead for the proposals. The decision followed consultation with the local community.

Cllr Elkin said: “Based on pupil number projections, we know we will need extra school places in Bexhill in the future so we have to look at ways of increasing the capacity of schools in the town.”

Under the plans Sidley Primary School will be expanded to take another class and a half and will move to a new site in Gunters Lane. Its new home will be created by the redevelopment of the former Bexhill High School Year Seven building.

Meanwhile St Mary Magdalene will see its intake increase to take an additional half class. This will mean additional classes, not larger class sizes.

The need for extra school places was highlighted in a previous report which indicated that across Bexhill birth rates have risen from 289 in 2004/05 to 368 in 2008/09, an increase of 27%. And while longer term forecasts are less certain it is expected that the demand for places in the future will potentially outstrip the number of available spaces.

Cllr Elkin added: “We work hard to make sure we have enough school places in the right places for communities as they change and develop. It's not always an easy task and it does require careful planning and appropriate solutions. These proposals are really important because without them we know we would be short of school places in Bexhill in the future.”

Further information

For more information on the proposals, see the meeting papers for the Lead Members for Children's Services – 17 April 2012, agenda items 5 and 7.

Have your say on how to "Improve Uckfield"

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Local people have one week left to have their say on proposals to improve transport in Uckfield

At a three day exhibition last month, the County Council discussed proposals with local people to improve transport in the town and encourage a healthy local economy.

County Council officers spoke to people about their opinions about the proposals and any questions or suggestions they might have. Since the exhibition people have been able to have their say since via our website and on twitter and facebook.

However, the deadline for people to make their thoughts known is approaching and so the council is reminding people to get in touch before Monday 23 April.

Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Cabinet Member for Economy, Transport and Environment said, "We are keen for people to let us know their thoughts on improving transport in Uckfield.

"We have had a fantastic response so far. Almost eight hundred people visited the exhibition over the three days, with as many as one visitor a minute coming through the doors.

"Local peoples' responses, comments and ideas will help us plan the future of Uckfield So with the consultation deadline approaching, we are reminding people to have their say. If you have yet to make your thoughts known, now is the time to do it."

Find out more and complete the survey online:

Uckfield traffic improvements – have your say

Join the discussion:

Information packs and questionnaires are also available at the local library and civic centre and online and can be completed and returned to:

East Sussex County Council
Uckfield Traffic Improvements
Economy, Transport and Environment
REEPOST (LW43)
Lewes BN7 1BR

The consultation closes on Monday 23 April 2012.

Further information

Wealden District Council has made provision, as part of its Local Plan, for extra houses and shops in the town over the next 15 years. This increased housing has an impact on town centre congestion, so we ask for financial contributions from developers to help us deal with this.

£4m is already being collected from developments with planning permission. Additional funding for necessary improvements will be secured from future developments

As highway authority, East Sussex County Council is responsible for roads and transport across the county and is responsible for implementing a solution that reflects people's views.

All the responses, comments and ideas from the consultation will help us plan the future of Uckfield. We will publicise a summary of what people have told us. A report on responses to the consultation, with recommendations for the next steps, will be considered by the East Sussex County Council Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment in summer 2012.

The summary of people's views and that report will be available to view on the East Sussex County Council website as well as on the Wealden District Council and Uckfield Town websites.

Depending on the decisions made by the Lead Member there may be a need to consult again on specific proposals

Top marks for “outstanding” East Sussex Adoption Service

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Adoption staff at East Sussex County Council are “skilled, experienced and passionate about providing an excellent service for children and families” according to Government inspectors.

Ofsted has concluded that the County Council's Adoption Service is providing a range of outstanding services to support children and adoptive families. It judged all areas of the service “outstanding”.

The finding of the recent rigorous and full inspection of the Adoption Service follows a similar inspection of the council's Fostering Service towards the end of 2011 which resulted in the same result. It means both the council's Adoption and Fostering Services are “outstanding”.

Cllr Colin Belsey, the County Council's Lead Member for Children and Families said he was absolutely delighted at the news. “This is fantastic news for everyone involved in our adoption work. To achieve the outstanding rating is far from easy and it is testament to the hard work, dedication, professionalism and commitment of our staff.”

In the report that followed the inspection, there was praise for the “quality and availability of specialised adoption support…for both children and families.”

The report also highlighted the “excellent service” provided in preparing families and children for adoption, and services to birth family members affected by adoption which were of a “very high standard”.

Feedback from all adopters, those affected by adoption and young people themselves was positive about the “high quality of the service they received” and social workers and admin staff within the County Council were praised as “skilled, experienced and passionate about providing an excellent service for children and families”.

These outstanding standards, Ofsted said, were despite the financial restraints currently affecting local government.

The County Council, inspectors added, had streamlined the recruitment process for new adopters and was ensuring children were placed without delay.

The service, they said, was “managed by a strong, effective and reflective leadership” which meant that staff were valued and supported, while the service continued to strive for further improvement.

Cllr Belsey said: “We could not be more pleased. Providing first class services for children in care is our top priority and will continue to be so. This endorsement from Ofsted, together with the previous report on our fostering service, shows we are doing an excellent job for some of our most vulnerable children.”

The County Council's outstanding Adoption service is currently recruiting new adoptive families. For contact details and to find out about any information events please visit our main section:

Adoption

Further information

The inspection report, dated February 2012, is available on the Ofsted website:

Ofsted reports on our adoption service

East Sussex County Council's Adoption Service undertakes all statutory responsibilities associated with current legislation and regulations. These include: the recruitment, preparation and assessment of domestic adopters; family finding and the matching and placement of children; support to placements both pre and post adoption order; post adoption support to adult adoptees and others; and support to birth parents whose children will be or have been placed for adoption.