April 2007

Date	Press release title
4 April 2008	Burgess Hill - A Fun, Safe Place for a Night Out
4 April 2008	Talk to Pension Experts
4 April 2008	Sidney West Centre - Opening for You
14 April 2008	Grants Deadline for Local Voluntary Groups
14 April 2008	Annual Town Meeting
25 April 2008	Police Available to Hear Your Concerns
25 April 2008	Signpost to Solving Housing Problems
25 April 2008	A 'Hole' lot of Trouble

Burgess Hill’s pubs and nightclubs are taking the initiative to ensure customers enjoy a fun – but safe – night out. Members of the local Pubwatch scheme are keen to send a clear message to all customers that a range of antisocial incidents may result in a ban from the group’s premises.

Pubwatch already operates strict banning criteria which cover incidents of criminal damage, dealing or taking of drugs and displays of threatening behaviour. This has now been extended to incorporate incidents of serious assault and possession of a weapon.

Even though Burgess Hill does not have a particular problem with customers carrying weapons, the group members want to clamp down hard on anyone who tries to bring an item onto their premises which could potentially harm another customer. Anyone found in possession of a weapon or involved in a serious assault could now receive up to a lifetime ban from all participating pubs.

Local licensees are keen to stress that the extension of the ban is largely a pre-emptive measure, sending a clear message that Burgess Hill is a great place to visit and that its venues are working together to keep it that way.

Andrew Barrett Miles, Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council said: “It is important that local licensees take a zero tolerance attitude towards antisocial behaviour. Burgess Hill is a great place to socialise and the Pubwatch scheme is vital in promoting a safe environment.”

The success of the Pubwatch group is evident in the small number of bans that have been issued. Publicising the fact that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in pubs has helped create a safe and friendly environment in which people can relax and socialise.

Burgess Hill Town Council and Sussex Police have been working hard with local licensees to raise the profile of Pubwatch. The new scheme will not only act as a deterrent for potential trouble makers, but also encourage those who receive a ban to re-think their behaviour, with the incentive of being allowed back into pubs.

Local people can find expert advice on pension issues at Burgess Hill Town Council ’s Help Point, 96 Church Walk. The next advice session takes place on Monday 14 April 2008 .

State pension advisers have helped people with their number worries for some time. No appointment is necessary for the advice surgery – simply call in. The service is available at the Help Point on the second Monday of each month from 0900 – 1600 hours.

Local community groups are invited to take advantage of the varied facilities on offer at the new Sidney West Sports and Community Centre on Leylands Road . The brand new building will open for use in June 2008.

The Sidney West Centre offers a good-sized hall, plus meeting rooms and kitchen facilities, all of which are available for hire by local community groups.

Some community organisations and projects already plan to use the new facilities. From September a Children and Family Centre will operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm , providing information and support to local families. The building will also provide changing rooms and showers for St. Andrew’s Cricket Club, which has been associated with the Sidney West site since 1923, and Marle Place Wanderers Football Club, which uses the playing field during the winter months.

Other local groups that are interested in booking the facilities should contact Graham Fairbairn at Burgess Hill Town Council on 01444 238214, or by emailing graham@burgesshill.gov.uk. Assistance is available if you need some help to set up a group which meets a local need.

Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, said: “Burgess Hill is very fortunate to have a purpose-built facility for our residents’ use. Its facilities will be ideal for new or existing community initiatives.”

Local groups are invited to apply for financial grants from Burgess Hill Town Council to help fund activities which will benefit the town’s residents. The next deadline for small grants is 30 April 2008 .

Small grants of up to £1,000 can be applied for by local community groups and voluntary organisations attended by Burgess Hill residents. Grants are awarded in two phases, in June and October, with application deadlines of 30 April and 31 August respectively. Applications for grants of more than £1,000 should be made by 30 September.

Burgess Hill Town Council Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Suzanne Cosgrave , said: “The Town Council welcomes applications from our community groups. The Council recognizes the contribution made to the town by the voluntary sector, and wishes to support its work.”

Application forms and supporting information can be obtained from the Town Council website at www.burgesshill.gov.uk, by contacting Elaine Hackett on 01444 238204 or by emailing elaine@burgesshill.gov.uk.

The Burgess Hill Town Council Annual Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 commencing at 20.00 hours, at Cyprus Hall ,

Cyprus

Road, Burgess Hill. Light refreshments will be available from 19.30 hours onwards. All residents of Burgess Hill are welcome to attend.

The Annual Town Meeting is a statutory responsibility of the Council to inform residents of the work undertaken by the Town Council and its achievements during the preceding year. The meeting will include a review of the past year by the Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, Andrew Barrett-Miles, who will also look at the future development strategy for Burgess Hill. In addition guest speakers will cover the Green Circle (Roy Ticehurst, Chairman of Friends of Bedelands Farm), Town Centre Redevelopment (Mike Cappocci, Thornfield Properties plc) and Strategic Planning Issues Facing Burgess Hill (Richard Walker, Planning Consultant). The meeting will conclude with a question and answers session.

Encouraging residents to attend the meeting, Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of the Council said, “The Annual Town Meeting gives residents an important opportunity to comment on the achievements of the Town Council and to express their views on the services and facilities the Town Council provides. At this important stage in the development of Burgess Hill, this year’s meeting also includes a range of speakers who will talk about the challenges and opportunities facing the town in the future.”

A scheme has been set up whereby local people are invited to drop in to Burgess Hill Town Council’s Help Point, 96 Church Walk, to discuss any worries they may have with a community police officer.

Police Community Support Officer, Brian Patfield, will be available at a drop-in surgery session at the Help Point on Wednesday 7 May 2008 and his colleague, Katie Buckler will hold a surgery on Wednesday 21 May 2008 between 11.00 – 13.00 hours. Residents of Burgess Hill are invited to turn up on the day to discuss any issues or worries that they may have.

Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of the Town Council, said: "We are delighted to offer this valuable service to people. This is an initiative designed to make it easier for people to speak openly to the police in an informal setting. Many people may find the thought of airing any problems or difficulties at the police station very daunting. Hopefully, anyone who would like to chat about their concerns will feel comfortable coming to the Help Point."

Are you struggling to solve housing-related problems, such as debt, homelessness or anti-social behaviour from neighbours? If so, a new advice surgery at Burgess Hill Town Council’s Help Point may be able to help. The West Sussex Signpost Service outreach surgery is run by Southdown Housing Association, and will operate on the second Friday of each month, from 9.30-11.30am . The next session takes place at the Help Point, 96 Church Walk, on Friday 9 May.

The Signpost Service is available to anyone who needs advice or support to help resolve their housing related issues. Many people have already used Signpost in other parts of Mid Sussex receiving advice to solve problems such as homelessness, rent arrears, anti social behaviour, debt, claiming benefits and accessing health and community care services.

The facility provides telephone advice, face-to-face support and referral onto specialist care and support services.

Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, said: “The Town Council’s Help Point is delighted to welcome the Signpost Service to Burgess Hill.

“It will provide a valuable asset to our town’s residents, some of whom may be struggling to cope with severe housing problems and desperately need impartial advice to improve their situation. That advice and help is now available at a convenient location.”

It seems that everywhere you look these days there are potholes in the road – and this year’s inclement weather has particularly taken its toll. Main roads and side roads have all suffered equally and it has been a taxing time for the people who have to repair them.

The apparent increase in the number of potholes this year, as opposed to previous years, is due to the winter temperatures, we have recently been experiencing, lasting a lot longer than would normally be expected. The frequent drops in night-time temperatures to below zero and the recent heavy snowfall have taken their toll.

West Sussex County Council and Burgess Hill Town Council are working hard to try and deal with the resulting potholes as quickly as possible, but the first priority has to be the main roads. These carry the highest volume of traffic and, as such, demand a higher level of maintenance than, say, a residential road. It is not, therefore, possible to deal with problems in minor roads immediately, but all available resources will be dedicated to dealing with them as quickly as possible.

In some locations it is not possible to simply fill the hole as a larger patch may be required. Many of the residential roads in Burgess Hill and the surrounding parishes are concrete, which have been overlaid with a thin layer of tarmac. These holes, which do not usually present as great a danger as others, are actually the most difficult to deal with due to the shallowness of the hole. In such cases, patching a larger area is more effective. However, this is a different procedure to potholing and has to be put onto a work programme alongside the contractor’s other work in that location.

Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, said: “The combination of weather conditions has exacerbated the problem of potholes this year. I am pleased that the proactive partnership between the Town and County Councils has greatly improved this situation.”

If you would like to report a pothole, call Burgess Hill Town Council’s Help Point on 01444 247726 and customer services staff will be happy to assist you.