Tim Farmer

As Councillors we take many important and challenging decisions on behalf of the local community. However, nobody knows the needs of the local community more than the community itself and that is why it is so important for local people to be involved in Council decision-making. Effective and transparent community involvement helps elected Councillors balance competing pressures and make informed decisions, so please give your input on the current consultations running in the District:

Haywards Heath Town Council – Neighbourhood Plan

Haywards Heath Town Council are undertaking an initial public consultation to hear residents views on the Towns infrastructure requirements for the next 20 years. The responses will be used to formulate a draft Neighbourhood Plan which will then go out to further public consultation. If you have a view on how our Town should develop then please take part in the consultation and let me know your views.

Infrastructure requirements – consultation

National Planning Policy Framework

The Government are undertaking a public consultation with the aim of simplifying the planning process. The National Planning Policy Framework proposes to stop the top down housing targets, together with the Localism Bill Town Councillors are being asked to put forward our vision for the Town and produce a robust & sustainable Neighbourhood Plan that offers the right balance of Housing and infrastructure requirements for our area. It is imperative that we make the right decisions on planning today so future generations are able to meet their own needs.

Draft National Planning Policy Framework

Bolnore Village Rereation Ground

This is a good news story for not only Bolnore Village but also Haywards Heath and the surrounding area. The long awaited recreation ground in Bolnore will offer fantastic facilities from football pitches & changing rooms to a skateboard / BMX facility and an all purpose ‘MUGA’ that can be use for all sorts of sport including tennis. But to get it right we need your input so please submit your opinion at:

http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/page.cfm?pageID=9269

Statement of Community Involvement

Mid Sussex District Council is proposing some key principles that will guide how it will seek the views of local residents in the future. The ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ sets out best practice for the Council to use when engaging with the local community.

The Council’s draft Statement of Community Involvement establishes six key principles

-       Being timely – Community involvement should be considered as early as possible in the decision-making process when there is greater potential to make a difference.

-       Being inclusive – Community involvement should be accessible to all those who wish to take part and effort should be made to encourage views from the widest cross section of the community.

-       Being transparent – The information provided to consultees should be clear, honest, accurate and unbiased. All written materials should use plain English and be jargon free.

-       Being respectful of the views of others – The Council will listen to all views it receives and seek to balance their relative merits.

-       Being efficient – The Council must use its limited resources wisely and so each consultation exercise should be designed to best fit what is required. This will reduce duplication and unnecessary expense.

-       Being clear about results – It is essential that those who have contributed to a community involvement exercise are informed in a timely way about the results.

To read and comment on the Mid Sussex District Council Statement of Community Involvement visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/sci. The Statement and response forms are also available from all district libraries, Help Points and the District, Town and Parish Council offices

Fire Service

East Sussex Fire Authority and West Sussex County Council have announced they are to hold a public consultation on the proposed merger of East and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Services.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/your_council/news/press_office/press_release_archive/2011/july_2011/fire_authorities_to_consult_on.aspx

Busses

West Sussex County Council has announced which bus subsidies are to be reduced during the first phase of a three-year plan to reduce support for non commercial routes by £2 million.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/your_council/news/press_office/press_release_archive/2011/july_2011/first_phase_of_bus_subsidy_red.aspx