A consultation on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority for Sussex and Brighton is now open and everyone across the county is invited to have their say.

The Government is running the consultation, which is specific to the Sussex and Brighton region, until the end of the day on Sunday 13 April. 

All interested parties are welcome to have their say, including organisations, as well as individuals who live and work in the region.

The consultation specifically asks about:

•           The proposed geography

•           Governance arrangements

•           Supporting the economy

•           Improving social outcomes

•           Local government services

•           Improving the local natural environment

•           Supporting the needs of local communities and reflect local identity

Horsham District Council and its neighbouring Districts and Boroughs will put in a response, as will the upper tier authorities of West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Full details of the consultation can be found on the gov.uk website here:

Sussex and Brighton devolution – GOV.UK

Further information is available in the Government press notice here:

Devolution Priority Programme consultations launch – GOV.UK

The Sussex upper tier Councils’ bid to be on the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme is a positive opportunity to draw down more powers and funding for our areas from Central Government. 

Ministers have agreed that a strategic authority for Sussex and Brighton will be made up of an elected mayor, and two members each from East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove Councils. This offers the chance to give the people who live here more control and influence over the issues that affect them, from transport and housing to skills and employment, as well as a stronger voice in how national decisions affect them.

The decision whether or not to proceed with the proposal will be one for the Government to take based on its assessment of the consultation responses. The upper tier councils are not able to put in place any formal steps towards setting up a combined authority for Sussex until that decision is made.

Separate to this process, authorities across our region are discussing plans for Local Government Reorganisation, with a proposal to Government due to be submitted soon. We will update on this shortly.

Job Vacancy at Horsham District Council – Neighbourhood Warden (Horsham)

Salary: £32,654 – £35,235 pa

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Fixed Term until 31 Mar 2027

Closing date: 03 Feb 2025 12:00

Interview date: 19 Feb 2025

Ref: CS1684

About the role:

Horsham District Council is looking for a Neighbourhood Warden to work in Horsham Town, in the District parishes of Denne, Forest and Trafalgar.

A Neighbourhood Warden is an exciting and varied role which will see you working alongside other HDC staff, Sussex Police, Neighbourhood Councils and other agencies to find solutions for a range of community issues. 

Working as part of a team, it involves tackling the fear of crime, encouraging a sense of shared ownership and responsibility, and responding to local needs whilst providing a uniformed, reassuring, patrolling presence with the ability to use enforcement measures as necessary.

Working a shift rota to provide a service at peak times, the job will entail working some evenings and weekends, adaptable working arrangements may be possible. It should be noted that the post involves foot patrol outside in all weathers.

You will join the current Neighbourhood Warden (Horsham) who is already in post.

More details and to apply https://www.horsham.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/jobs/neighbourhood-warden-horsham

For job vacancies within Sussex Police, please see here https://www.sussex.police.uk/jobs

We are delighted to share with you the details of the Alice in Wonderland pantomine that Trinity Church Players are putting on in February this year with half of the proceeds going to Bowel Research UK and half to Holy Trinity Church Rushams Road.   Tickets are available from:  
https://holytrinityhorsham.co.uk/service-tickets/

Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council (HTNC) seek nominations from residents for the Leonard Crosbie Awards.

Councillor Leonard Crosbie served Horsham for around 50 years, and enjoyed representing Trafalgar Ward for 25 years; right up until a fortnight before his death in September 2020.   He was a compassionate and popular resident and colleague, and was able to draw councillors together from all parties, uniting us all for the good of the community.  The Leonard Crosbie Awards are presented in his memory.

Please consider all the good work that goes on, in and around the Trafalgar Ward area and let us know who you would like to nominate for an award under the following categories:

• The Leonard Crosbie Award for Service to the Community – Group Volunteer Category
• The Leonard Crosbie Award for Service to the Community – Individual Volunteer Category
• The Leonard Crosbie Award for Service to the Community – Business Category
• The Leonard Crosbie Award for Service to the Community – Group Category for Climate and Ecology
• The Leonard Crosbie Award for Service to the Community – Individual Category for Climate and Ecology

Please email your nominations to Rhoda Hatton, HTNC Clerk at clerk@horshamtrafalgarnc.com by 8th April 2025.

The DWP has started issuing Universal Credit Migration Notices to customers in West Sussex letting them know that one or more of their benefits will be ending and inviting them to apply for Universal Credit. This will continue throughout 2025. Customers already on Universal Credit will not receive a Migration Notice. If you need advice and support on this please contact the Citizens Advice Universal Credit Help to Claim Service: Tel: 0800 144 8 444 or visit https://www.horsham.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/universal-credit

Across the UK, over 700 fires were caused by residents putting batteries in their household recycling or general waste bins in 2022! As we welcome the New Year, many of us are looking to clear out old, unwanted items. But don’t forget to dispose of all kinds of batteries, including those hidden batteries inside electric toothbrushes, toys and more, safely. 

It’s easy to do the right thing, put your batteries in a box or drawer, and never in the bin. Then drop them off at your local supermarket, electrical retailer, nearest Recycling Centre, or use your local district and borough’s free battery collection (where available). Adur and Worthing, Crawley, Horsham, and Mid Sussex offer kerbside collections for batteries but they all collect these slightly differently, so please visit their website for more information.

Don’t forget about vapes! Looking to quit smoking in 2025? Vapes also contain batteries so it is important they are disposed of safely too. Vapes can be disposed of at Recycling Centres in the designated container. Alternatively, all of the district and boroughs in West Sussex will collect these as part of their kerbside small electrical collections.

If you live in the Horsham district, they have recently introduced two new collection points for used disposable vapes and batteries as a trial to encourage residents to dispose of these items more safely for recycling. More information on these collection points can be found on their website.