July 2006

Date	Press release title
4 July 2008	Dunstall Ward Surgery
4 July 2008	Talk to Pension Experts
4 July 2008	Grants to Voluntary Organisations
25 July 2008	Police Available to Hear Your Concerns
25 July 2008	Signpost to Solving Housing Problems
25 July 2008	Mid Sussex (South) Access Group comes to Help Point

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, 19 July 2008 at The Triangle Leisure Centre, between 10.00 hours and 12.00 hours.

If you live in Dunstall Ward, the north west sector of the town, and have concerns about issues in the Ward or in the town Andrew, Suzanne and Jacqui would 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

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 July 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.

Burgess Hill Town Council has awarded grants totalling £4,459 to a wide range of voluntary organisations and community groups that provide activities and services for the benefit of the town’s residents. The Council recognises the valuable contribution made by the town’s many voluntary groups and is keen to support those who are working hard to help themselves and others. The following groups were awarded grants:

Local groups are invited to apply for financial grants to help fund activities which will benefit the town’s residents. The next deadline for small grants is 31 August 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 Community Development Key Area Group, Jacqui Landriani, 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 Jennifer O’Grady on 01444 238207 or by emailing jennifer@burgesshill.gov.uk.

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 6 August 2008 and one of his colleagues will hold a surgery on Wednesday 20 August 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.

Chris Thomas-Atkin, 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, an 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 8 August.

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.

Chris Thomas-Atkin, Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, said, “The Signpost Service is 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.”

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 1 and Friday 15 August. There is no need to make an appointment as the surgeries operate 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.