Tim Farmer

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

The Haywards Heath ten-mile leg of the Sussex Living Marathon Weekend will be taking place on Sunday 6th May 2012 at 10.30am. Part of the route runs through Bolnore.

Mid Sussex District Council have liaised with the race management experts and a representative of the Friends of Ashenground and Bolnore Woods to ensure the route is suitable and does not cause damage to the woodlands.

We expect runners to be strung out in single file by the time they enter the woods and have made arrangements to ensure litter is collected and spectators are discouraged from lining the route. Marshals will be placed at key points and the route is fully risk assessed and insured.

But obviously such an event is going to attract a lot of people therefore please be aware of the route and if you are driving take extra care especially along Traunstein Way, Highbank and Kingfisher Drive as there could be in excess of 400 runners doing two laps of Bolnore.

Good luck to all those who are running!

http://www.midsussexmarathonweekend.co.uk/

Localism, Sustainable Development and the Big Society, these policies are discussed at length in the press but how do they relate to Haywards Heath?

Localism empowers residents and business to have a greater say in how their town should develop and grow. Sustainable Development ensures any growth does not compromise our children inheriting a prosperous town with the ability to meet their needs. The Big Society is the Council working hand in hand with residents & business to ensure our Town remains a wonderful place to live and work.

I believe these three policies are key to building our Neighbourhood Plan and leading an effective Council in 2012 and beyond. The Town Council is embracing Localism and has produced a balanced budget to ensure Haywards Heath is a leading council in its support of localism.

Economic growth is essential if we want our Town to thrive and prosper. Saying no to new development is not a sustainable option. Our Town can accommodate more housing over the next 20 years and still avoid unwanted coalescence and protect our vital green spaces. New homes will bring investment to improve our schools, transport, and Leisure & community facilities and bring economic growth to the town.

Localism is already very much alive in Haywards Heath and today we launch our Neighbourhood Plan workshops. We will be holding workshops throughout May & June at various locations in the town and formal consultation on our draft Neighbourhood Plan in the autumn. This is a real opportunity for residents and business to shape the future of Haywards Heath so please take the opportunity to contribute whilst remembering sustainable growth is imperative for our Towns future prosperity.

1. Top of the priority list is to install Real Time Information Signage to support bus services surrounding Haywards Heath town.
2. Junction improvements at Oathall Rd & Oathall Avenue to include additional measures to make the existing mini-roundabout safer.
3. Traffic Calming & Pedestrian Crossing at Northlands Avenue.
4. Traffic Management on Balcombe Road, additional measures to enhance the effectiveness of the existing traffic management scheme.

Other areas that have been identified as potential future priorities include:

1.  School Safety Zone at Bolnore Village Primary School
2. Haywards Heath Greening Project – a mix of short and long term plans to improve the street scene and de clutter the Town centre.

It is really encouraging to see these scheme moving forward, the Real Time Information Signage will provide much improved information delivery for bus users and the Haywards Heath Greening Project will make significant improvements to the street scene in the Town.

Question Time event with the Haywards Heath & District Business Association

Thank you to everyone who attended the public meeting on Wednesday to discuss the draft management plan for Row Coppice.

We now have a good long term plan that will enhance the woodland and also respond to residents concurs over overhanging branches and screening from Traunstein Way.

Mid Sussex District Council are working on the timetable but we hope to start work early in the new year if not before.

If anyone would like a copy of the management plan please let me know.

Its been an incredibly interesting & rewarding time since the election in May. To let you know what your Conservative Councillors have been achieving since May please take a few moments to read the Lucastes & Bolnore in touch magazine which includes articles on The Yews, Bolnore Recreation Ground & coalescence.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Bolnore Village Residents are thrilled to have a new seating area that everyone in the community can enjoy. Bolnore Village Residents Association worked with Town Councillors to recycle an old oak tree from Bolnore & Ashenground Wood into a usable table and seats which are now located on the future village hall site.

The Bolnore Village Residents Association carried out fundraising to support the project. In addition the Town Councillors donated £300 from their Ward Budget in support. This donation enabled the Oak tree to be removed from the woods and transported to the location in Bolnore Village where the artist could transform it into sturdy recycled furniture.

Leader of Haywards Heath Town Council, Cllr Tim Farmer depicted second from the left, said “the project is great for the environment and has provided a lovely new setting in which residents, individuals and families alike can enjoy. Bolnore now has a much improved recreational and leisure facility”

The Vice Chair of Bolnore Village Residents Association, Alastair McPherson depicted far left, said, “The residents association is extremely grateful to the Town Council for their help with this project and for their continued support with developing the community facilities in Bolnore”

Haywards Heath Town Council welcomes ideas from residents for similar projects that will make a positive difference to people living in the town.  If you have an idea please contact the Town Hall on 01444 455694.

Big Society in Action – The King’s Church, Bolnore Village Residents Association and I joined together to help tidy, paint and generally improve the appearance and accessibility of the Bolnore Village Hall community garden.

The King’s Church came supplied with an amazing number of people, equipment and enthusiasm and have made a genuine improvement to the area for which the whole community will benefit.

With much thanks to the King’s Church, BVRA and Nicholas Soames MP for his help.

Haywards Heath Town Council put on a wonderful Town Day event in Victoria Park on Saturday allowing local charities and organisations showcase their organisations, together with a wonderful array of fun rides and activity for the younger members.

In the picture I am being shown the equipment Haywards Heath Town Council helped purchase for the British Red Cross Fire & Emergency Support Service.