Town Council provides help for those in fuel crisis

Thousands of gas and electric users are self-disconnecting, many of them on meters, often after being forced into accepting a meter due to problems with paying. The current cold snap makes it even more difficult for those on a meter who therefore have to pay on actual usage and are unable to average out costs like those of us on direct debit. No one should have to go without heat or power and government support should focus on those who can least afford it.

Liberal Democrat controlled Burgess Hill Town Council has used part of its winter emergency support package to provide £30 fuel top ups to support Burgess Hill residents with fuel difficulties to enable them to reconnect. For further information please contact the Help Point on 01444 247726.

This follows previously agreed funding to provide warm hubs and support Burgess Hill Pantry to provide additional support to Burgess Hill residents during the current cost of living emergency. Many of us are finding it difficult with the cost of living and particularly high energy prices, and if do have a problem seek help early, such as the support offered by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Tis the season for water leaks!

Just had a Clarion Housing Association tenant with a burst outdoor water pipe not being able to contact the emergency number – each time we tried to phone it rang through, then cut off after 30 seconds!! It seems the stopcock was nowhere to be found but luckily a good neighbour, thanks John, was able to put in a temporary repair. Eventually got through on my phone waiting 47 minutes until Clarion responded and she was able to talk to someone.
With higher temperatures due tomorrow, now is the time to beware that thawing snow and ice makes pipes susceptible to bursting. Water companies are already seeing high demand for tap water which could be due to leaking pipes. This is particularly the case where houses may not have been heated as well as normally.
Do ensure you know where the stopcock is to turn off the water supply so in the event of a burst you can limit the damage, normally located under the sink. Plastic outdoor pipes are particularly prone to bursting as in this instance and if they cannot be isolated from the main supply should be lagged in cold weather to protect them.

No Grit on the Bumpy Bridge!

Footpaths are becoming increasing slippery where the snow has turned to ice and I used the last of my own to put some grit on the pavement at the corner of Leylands Road with Mill Road, where a steep slope makes it dangerous, as well as the slope on the Dunstall Farm Road corner with St Mary’s Road. I also reported the grit box on the Bumpy Bridge as empty – not sure it was ever filled but none has been used on the bridge itself which is quite slippery. Lets hope the thaw due at the weekend comes shortly.

More funding for Burgess Hill warm hubs

The concept of warm hubs as a free space you can visit to avoid getting cold in your own home is even more important in the current weather, with estimates that over three million households are not able to afford to keep their home warm. I was pleased to Chair the Town Council’s Grants Awards Panel last night which agreed to fund the Mustard Seed Café, Mid Sussex Voluntary Action and Community Transport Sussex to enable them to provide additional warm hubs and free transport. We also agreed to provide additional support for the work of The King’s Church and the previous meeting provided funding for Burgess Hill Pantry, St Andrew’s Church and Age UK West Sussex.

This contrasts with the last Mid Sussex District Council meeting when the Conservative controlled council was requested to step up to the plate and provide additional funding, not least because many voluntary organisations are suffering from additional costs to fund their existing operations let alone fund new initiatives. Now more than ever is the time to supporting those least well off in our communities.

Of course ideally their would be no need for warm hubs but with energy prices soaring, and the lack of action nationally in focusing support for energy costs on those who need it most, as well as failing to tackle an energy market that gives us one of the highest costs in Europe, this is unfortunately likely to be a continuing need.

Snow day

Drove round the ward this morning and major routes including Maple Drive and Mill Road which have been gritted (but be extremely careful of the Leylands Road junction with Mill Road – at least one accident already), as usual it’s the slopes on the side roads such as Noel Rise, Petworth Drive and Packham Way that are worse, although still accessible it is easier driving down than trying to get traction driving up the worse slopes so take alternative routes where possible. Gritted routes are here.

Snow Focus!

Cllr Simon Hicks

Today’s snow made our Focus delivery extra challenging but also leaves the roads in a potentially perilous state so do take care and follow the basic rules of accelerating and braking gently (if possible using a higher gear to avoid wheel spin) and leaving plenty of space between vehicles.  Whilst major routes will be gritted side roads will be hazardous particularly if there is a frost in the morning. Emergency salt supplies for community gritting have been provided in the past and some communities such as my own road have clubbed together to provide a salt bin for such circumstances – if you are interested in doing this contact the Town Council, further details on West Sussex County Council’s winter snow plan is here.

DIY blocked drain clearance!

Well done to Chris in Maple Drive who fed up with waiting for the street drains outside his house to be unblocked, decided to take matters into his own hands and get down dirty and clear the drain himself. We shouldn’t need to take such action ourselves, although we can all do our bit by ensuring the grid outside our house is free from debris and by not pouring concrete, oil, paint or other inappropriate items down the drain as Chris found out had happened when he excavated it. I was able to help by taking the contents to the tip (three messy trips for my car boot!).

The County Council has the responsibility for clearing blocked drains, but not enough is being spent on road maintenance to ensure this happens frequently enough. Do report a suspected blocked drain on the Love West Sussex website. I reported the collapsed grid in Dumbrills Close several weeks ago although I was told the timescale for the repair was up to four months!!

Audit Committee secrecy called out

Even Cyber Security requires independent scrutiny from councillors

One of the most important functions of a councillor is to provide scrutiny of council affairs, and as a member of Mid Sussex District Council’s Audit Committee, I was concerned that the new internal auditors provided a report at tonight’s meeting which referred to a completed Cyber Security Review, without even detailing any of the recommendations. I highlighted at the meeting that the Council had a duty to provide these to members and was reassured that my request for the Committee to go through some of the recommendations was agreed, albeit in closed session.

I have requested a full report is circulated to members, and whilst I was reassured by the responses of Council officers to the detailed issues raised, it is important that councillors have independent oversight, and that auditors are able to report directly to councillors, so I will continue to press for proportionate information to be provided.

Aspire bankruptcy a sign of things to come?

Adult education classes in West Sussex forced to shut

The news that Aspire Sussex has gone into administration is a concern, its sudden bankruptcy has led to courses closing with learners potentially out of pocket and tutors left without a job. The precarious financial situation of Aspire has been known for some years and giving up Marle Place was itself an indicator of the problems it faced, but the cost of living crisis was the final straw. It is a predictable consequence of adult and community learning services being cut to the bone and unfortunately a sign of things to come as the Conservative Government rolls out cuts in funding for other service at a time when inflation is causing havoc not just to individual budgets but to those of businesses, charities and local authorities.

Aspire was the main provider of adult education in the county and it is particularly a concern that services for basic living skills for vulnerable people have been suspended. Liberal Democrats on the County Council are pressing for full scrutiny of the re-provision of the service which was in any cases due to be re-tendered in 2023 and it is important courses that provide a springboard for adults without formal qualifications are re-provided as soon as possible.

Liberal Democrat leader on West Sussex County Council, Kirsty Lord said: “The closure of any organisation providing a much a much-needed public service, like adult education, is always of great concern but it is deeply worrying against the current landscape of chronic labour and skills shortages in West Sussex. Many public service organisations, dependent on public funding, operate on a financial knife-edge. We urgently need to see the outcome of that review and understand how West Sussex County Council intends to replace the provision now lost following Aspire Sussex’s closure.”

Support for Burgess Hill warm hubs

Burgess Hill Town Council have recognised the need for support to residents during the coming winter months.  £25,000 has been allocated as a grant fund for local community groups to apply for funding for either food or warm hubs.  Many people are struggling due to increased prices, and even with the energy cap, gas and electricity costs have nearly doubled in the last year. The Liberal Democrat controlled Town Council is doing its bit to help the residents of Burgess Hill; and with the increased demand for services like the food bank (where demand for the first six months of this year has already exceeded that of last year), anything that can be done in terms of energy costs and supporting organisations providing residents with ‘warm hubs’, should be done.

A Warm Hub can be any community building and will provide a warm and friendly environment for people to socialise over refreshments and take part in activities. A hub could also provide information and support to help people stay warm at home, learn how to heat their homes more efficiently and reduce their energy bills, as well as find out about other local support and local services.  Applications are now open for organisations seeking support to provide these services.