February 2007

Date	Press release title
1 February 2008	Green Routes for Burgess Hill
1 February 2008	Talk to Pension Experts
4 February 2008	Half Term Activities
22 February 2008	Police Available to Hear Your concerns
25 February 2008	Mid Sussex (South) Access Group comes to Help Point
29 February 2008	Dunstall Ward Surgery

Burgess Hill Town Council has recently formally adopted a proposal to create a “ Green Circle ” of footpaths and cycleways around the town.

The proposal is to create a circle around the town of a combined wildlife corridor and cycle/pedestrian route almost entirely off road. Spokes in the circle will connect to the centre of town, schools and neighbourhood shops. The proposed circle will use existing green spaces, rights of way and Twittens. Most of the framework is already in place.

The creation of the Circle will protect wildlife by creating a wildlife corridor, provide an off road network for pedestrians, cyclists, push chair and wheelchair users; create an exercise trail and reduce traffic congestion.

The Chairman of the Town Council, Andrew Barrett-Miles said, “The Green Circle project is a joint initiative from the Burgess Hill into the Future Transport Group and Friends of Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve. It is one of a number of environmental initiatives being promoted by the Town Council and is a good example of how a community initiative can have a major impact on the future development of the town. I hope in time it will become a tourist attraction, similar to the Cuckoo Trail.”

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 11 February 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.

The school half-term holidays are nearly upon us and spring is just around the corner. Are you at a loss to know how to entertain the children? Fear not, Burgess Hill Town Council ’s Help Point & Tourist Information Centre has produced a free leaflet listing various attractions in and around Burgess Hill where there will be special activities to keep children happy during the half-term.

Whether you fancy a magic show at Fishers Farm, Wisborough Green, Scooby-Do at Drusillas Park, Alfriston, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe performed by Opera Brava and local children at St Andrew’s Church, Burgess Hill or special Half-Term activities at The Triangle Leisure Centre, Burgess Hill, there is so much to do.

For a copy of the free leaflet pop into Burgess Hill Town Council ’s Help Point & Tourist Information Centre at 96 Church Walk, Burgess Hill or telephone 01444 247726 or email helppoint@burgesshill.gov.uk and a copy will be sent to you. Alternatively check out our website www.burgesshill.gov.uk, via the homepage ‘Events In and Around Burgess Hill’ section.

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 5 March 2008 and his colleague, Katie Buckler will hold a surgery on Wednesday 19 March 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."

Mid Sussex (South) Access Group, which works to promote disability awareness and access in Mid Sussex, holds twice monthly advice surgeries at the Help Point, 96 Church Walk, Burgess Hill. The service is available on the 1^st and 3^rd Friday mornings of the month from 09.30 – 11.30am . Surgeries this month will be held on Friday 7 and Friday 21 March. There is no need to make an appointment as the surgeries operates on a “drop-in” basis.

The surgery provides service providers with advice on how to make their services more accessible to everyone in the community. It also provides people with the opportunity to discuss problems of access to shops, other buildings, and services such as local transport. So, if you would like information on access issues as a carer, as a disabled person or as a service provider please come to the Help Point to speak to a representative from the Mid Sussex (South) Access Group.

To obtain further information about the sessions, callers can contact the Town Council Help Point on 01444 247726.

Burgess Hill Town Council lors for Dunstall Ward, Andrew Barrett-Miles, Suzanne Cosgrave & Jacqui Landriani are holding a surgery for residents of the Ward on Saturday, 15 March 2008 at The Triangle Leisure Centre, between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.

If you live in Dunstall Ward, the north west sector of the town, and would like to meet them to discuss Mid Sussex District Council’s Core Strategy, which considers a number of options for Burgess Hill including possible large scale housing sites in the period to 2026, The Town Centre Masterplan or anything which concerns you about living in Dunstall Ward or Burgess Hill they will be pleased to see you on Saturday morning.

A Sussex Police representative will also be attending the surgery to assist with any enquires.

If you wish to contact the councillors ahead of the surgery their telephone numbers are