District news Summer Edition 2014
in this issue: ARTWAVE FESTIVAL 2014
FOOD BANKS
REFUSE & FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS HOUSING NEWS SAFETY IN ACTION WEEK COASTAL FUTURES GROUP Your Lewes District Council Newsletter
www.lewes.gov.uk
FEATURES Safety in Action Week Tour of Britain Artwave festival Diep-Haven Coastal Futures Lead councillors UTC@harbourside Business Awards Zero Heroes
3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 16
REGULARS Council meetings Housing news Wave Leisure
7 10-11 14
DIARY DATES Newhaven Fort 15 Bank holiday refuse and food waste collections 16 Our cover artwork is by Maddie McClellen who is exhibiting in Artwave, the visual arts festival in Lewes district (see page 4).
EDITOR Liz Lacon TEL 01273 484141 EMAIL liz.lacon@lewes.gov.uk DESIGN Lewes District Council
District News is available in large print, audio tape, disc or in another language upon request. Please contact us on 01273 471600 or email press@lewes.gov.uk
Biosphere is here! Much of Lewes district is now part of the first completely new Biosphere Reserve established in the UK for almost forty years and the first ever in South East England. The Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere was awarded this designation by UNESCO on Wednesday, 11 June. It joins a global network of more than 600 “world class environments” in over 100 countries, and is one of only a handful worldwide to include a city. Lewes District Council is one of more than 40 partners including local authorities, statutory bodies, charities, organisations, businesses and community groups who form the Biosphere Reserve partnership (pictured below). Achieving the status of a new World Biosphere site follows six years’ work by the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere partnership to develop its bid. Within Lewes district, key settlements such as Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe are included, as well as all the rural land from the sea up to the National Park boundary in the North. Highlights include many of our nature reserves, such as Lewes Railway Land local nature reserve and the Lewes Downs national nature reserve. Although Biosphere Reserves are not statutory restrictive protected areas, they are places where people work together to pursue solutions that improve our quality of life and local economy whilst enhancing the local environment.
Safety in Action Week
Children from 25 primary schools across the Lewes district were able to test their skills in realistic hazardous and emergency situations during “Safety In Action Week”. This annual event takes place at Newhaven Fort and 827 children took part. Safety in Action week is aimed at giving 11-year-old children basic skills and knowledge to help keep them safe. The week is organised jointly by the council’s Environmental Health Department and Sussex Police and aims to educate children how to deal with different safety and emergency scenarios in relation to fires, accidents, electricity, dogs, strangers, water safety, roads and food safety. The event teaches them about personal safety and the correct responses should they be faced with a similar, real life situation. These scenarios are very realistic, but are carried out
in a safe and controlled manner, designed to be interactive and fun. The Chair of Lewes District Council, Cllr Tony Nicholson, pictured below, was most impressed with the event and met children from a number of local primary schools during his visit.
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It’s a fantastic event that I know the children really enjoy. I’m sure they go away armed with knowledge to keep them safe in everyday life.
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Tour of Britain On Saturday, 13 September we are excited to see the world’s top riders racing through a big part of our district during Stage Seven of the Tour of Britain. Starting in Camberley, it is anticipated that the cyclists will come into our district via Eastbourne into Seaford, through Newhaven and up to Lewes before taking on the famous climb of Ditchling Beacon, finishing in Brighton.
A hundred doors open in Lewes district on 23 August to welcome visitors to Artwave 2014. Now 21 years old, our yearly ABOVE Maddie celebration of the visual arts remains true to McClellen, whose its original concept: open studios, open work features on the houses, opportunities to meet artists, see Artwave cover, in her studio in Iford. art in action, and buy works at studio prices. This year it will be easier than ever to plan your Artwave tour, as festival organisers have been plotting pins in the brochure maps to create easy-to-follow art trails. Put Friday, 22 August in your diary for an extravaganza night of private views. Festival venues will be opening the bubbly and welcoming you in to preview their exhibitions from 5pm.
Seaford, Newhaven and Lewes Town Councils are working with Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council on getting the community involved in the event and are planning activities linked to the race. www.tourofbritain.co.uk
Tanya Gomez will open her studio in Lewes during Artwave.
Many of the Artwave venues offer activities for children, including felt-making, collage, painting and jewellery. Look out for the family friendly symbol in the brochure this year and turn Artwave into a day out for everyone. From the famous residents of Farley Farm House and Charleston, to some of today’s best known contemporary artists, Sussex has a strong tradition of excellence in the visual arts. Artwave 2014 promises to be as rich a feast as ever.
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www.artwavefestival.org.uk Facebook and Twitter @artwavefestival
Go Whizz Bang Pop in Lewes!
diep-haven Cross-channel contemporary art festival
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Cancellation of Whizz Bang Pop Festival – Saturday 26 July Convent Field, Lewes. Due to unforeseen circumstances the organisers have cancelled the Whizz Bang Pop Festival scheduled to take place on Saturday 26 July. We apologise to everyone who has purchased tickets from Lewes Tourist Information Centre. Refunds can be obtained direct from the organiser by visiting their website: www.whizzbangpopfestival.co.uk/ tickets-and-info/contact-us/ and completing an online form to request a refund. If you do not have access to their website please call 0845 017 1077.
After four editions held in France, the Diep festival will become ‘Diep-Haven’, crossing the Channel to begin an exploration of new territory in Newhaven. Starting this summer, the Diep-Haven festival will begin on the cross-channel ferry offering passengers an onboard exhibition with a series of performances, music, projections and other playful events during two artistic crossings in July and August. The cross-channel festival includes a range of innovative artists and performers from England and France. We are delighted that Guest House Storytellers, based at the Hillcrest Centre in Newhaven, have been selected as one of the performers on the ferry telling the tale of ‘The Freya Connection’.
ABOVE Simon Faithfull, Diep Festival artist
Between June and December, six resident artists from both sides of the Channel will be exploring each other’s territories in Dieppe and Newhaven. Visitors will be invited to meet the artists and see their work in progress. In 2015 Diep-Haven will conclude with a programme of events and exhibitions on the topic of ‘New Worlds’. Artistic ferry crossings (13 July and 19 August) are being offered at reduced prices via the website www.diephaven.org
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Join the Coastal Futures Group On Monday, 7 July the Coastal Futures Group hosts an interest evening at the Hillcrest Centre, Newhaven (6 to 8pm). New members are invited to join for a two-year programme of four meetings a year in the Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes area. In January 2012 the group was launched, with Newhaven Town Councillor Chris Bradshaw as Chair, to advise the Environment Agency’s Coastal Communities 2150 project. The project produced highly original resources for the lower Ouse valley and coastal areas including the Climate Trail recently launched. www.cc2150.eu An important result of this work is ‘Waking up to tomorrow’. The Coastal Futures Group wrote this long-term vision and action plan for adapting to climate change locally. Come along on 7 July to find out how the Coastal Futures Group will turn this ambitious vision into action. Email cc2150@environment-agency.gov.uk for more information.
Food Waste winners Congratulations to Clive,
Penny and Sylvia who regularly put out their food waste for collection each week and were randomly selected as part of our monthly prize draw. Please remember to put your food waste out for collection each week and you too could receive either £100 cash or the Google Nexus Tablet pc. Councillor Paul Franklin, Lead Member for Service Delivery, recently presenting a cheque for £100 to Sylvia and is photographed with her. LEFT
New Chair Councillor Tony Nicholson who represents Seaford East is the new Chair of Lewes District Council. His appointment was approved at Annual Council and he has taken over from Cllr Mike Chartier.
Who’s who in the new council Cabinet: Front, from left: Paul Franklin Service Delivery, Andy Smith (Deputy Leader) Corporate Services and Finance, Rob Blackman (Leader) Strategic Direction, Regeneration, Democratic Engagement, Housing Strategy and Leadership, and Tom Jones Strategy and Development. Standing, from left: Ron Maskell Community Involvement, Elayne Merry Internal Improvement, and Phil Howson Stakeholder Improvement.
These scheduled Lewes District Council meetings for summer 2014 are open to the public: Cabinet 3 Planning Applications Committee 1 Council 1 Employment Committee 4 Planning Applications Committee 1 Planning Applications Committee 1 Scrutiny Committee 2 Planning Applications Committee 1 Audit & Standards Committee 2 Cabinet 3
7 July 16 July 17 July 21 July 6 August 27 August 4 September 17 September 22 September 29 September
2.30pm 5.00pm 2.30pm 10.00am 5.00pm 5.00pm 10.00am 5.00pm 3.30pm 2.30pm
Venues: 1 Council Chamber, County Hall, St. Annes Crescent, Lewes 2 Telscombe Room, Southover House 3 Telscombe & Ditchling Rooms, Southover House 4 Ditchling Room, Southover House For further information and to confirm meeting times, dates and locations, please contact the Committee Section at committees@lewes.gov.uk or call
01273 471600 Information is correct at time of going to press.
Cllr Nicholson said “I am very pleased to hold the position of Chair of Lewes District Council for the second time. I am looking forward to the year ahead. I plan to work closely with the Vice-Chair and reach out to businesses across the district who perhaps have not had contact with the District Council before and are not aware of the help and support available to them. I welcome contact from any of our local businesses.”
Ruth O’Keeffe, Ward councillor for Lewes Priory was appointed Vice-Chair of the Council.
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UTC@harbourside
Real life opportunities for students UTC@harbourside, based in Newhaven, is a new college for 14 to 18 year olds with a special focus on marine and environmental engineering, opening its doors in September 2015. The state-of-the-art, multi-million pound facility will, at capacity, give 600 students the opportunity to take full time, technically-orientated courses that link learning with real life experience. The new University Technical College based at Railway Quay has young people’s future at its core. Designed in partnership with local and national employers, the college will combine practical hands-on learning alongside a core academic curriculum. Students will combine practice and theory, gaining experience while working towards GCSEs, A Levels and other qualifications. Young people with the specialist skills and environmental awareness are desperately needed to support clean and green
technologies like wind farms and tidal energy generators. By specialising in marine and environmental engineering, the college hopes to inspire the engineers of the future. The close involvement of local employers will give students a superb opportunity to experience work and be in demand when they enter the job market.
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Real engineers, ready for the real world
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UTC@harbourside will shortly be launching a range of events including ‘Meet the Principal’ sessions, open days and hands-on UTC ‘popups’ so interested students and parents can experience a taste of the fantastic opportunities coming in 2015.
Visit www.utc-harbourside.org and join our mailing list for future events.
Lewes district Business Awards A new council-backed awards scheme to bring businesses together and promote the local business sector attracted 74 entrants. Ten awards were presented at a gala dinner in April by BBC newsreader, Nicholas Owen. Newhaven-based Cash Bases was declared Company of the Year and also won the business innovation award (see picture below) for developing a SmartTill which is now used in Tesco stores. Screen Solutions Ltd won awards for Clean, Green & Marine and for Business in the Community. The district has many thriving firms and is a good place to do business. There are strong networks, such as chambers of commerce in some towns and villages but, until now, little opportunity for businesses to network across the district. Cllr Rob Blackman, Leader of Lewes District Council said “These awards, celebrating excellence amongst the district’s diverse business community, have created a fantastic opportunity for many different types of business to come together and celebrate the success of the district’s business talent and achievement. I look forward to building on the success of this first awards event in the future.” Sponsors included The Santon Group, Knill James, Veolia Environmental Services, Wave Leisure, Basepoint Business Centres, LEAP, Harvey & Son Ltd, The Aldridge Foundation, Lewes District Council and media partner Viva Lewes. See the full list of finalists and winners at www.lewesdistrictbusinessawards.co.uk
LEAP’s Guide to Apprenticeships What is an Apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a job with training which allows you to ‘earn while you learn’ and get paid whilst you gain nationally recognised qualifications such as NVQs. Apprenticeships today are very different from 20 years ago, with more than 1,400 different job roles currently available. Am I Eligible? If you are aged 16+ and live in England, then you can become an apprentice! The apprenticeship route counts as continuing education, so it offers a real alternative to sixth form/university. Be ‘Work Ready’! Being ‘work ready’ means that you are aware of the responsibilities of being in the workplace. Be reliable, enthusiastic, dress appropriately and be ready to listen and learn. Did you know? Research has shown that people with an Advanced Apprenticeship earn, on average, more than £100K more than those without over the course of their career. Contact LEAP today at info@yourleap.co.uk, find us online at www.yourleap.co.uk or call us on 0300 330 1450. (Cut out and keep)
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Housing advice surgeries If you are having difficulties paying your rent/mortgage, need advice on your rights as a tenant or owner, need to find somewhere to live, or are having problems maintaining your home then come and see us. We are running “Housing Advice” drop in surgeries: Peacehaven Community House, Meridian Centre, Meridian Way Monday 9am-12.30pm Lewes Council Offices, Southover House, Southover Road Tuesday 9am-12.30pm Newhaven Council Offices, 20 Fort Road Wednesday 9am-12.30pm Seaford 37 Church Street Thursday 9.15am-12.30pm In the afternoons Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.30-4.30pm, Friday 2.30-4.00pm there is a telephone advice line 01273 484001. For people living in villages with no means of transport, or people with disabilities our advice officers would be happy to arrange a home visit.
Tenant satisfaction
91.6% Our recent survey resulted in almost 500 tenants telling us what they thought of the housing services we provide. 91.6% of respondents were either “very satisfied” or “fairly satisfied”. It’s a great response and we’re proud we deliver services that meet our tenants’ needs, as verified by Arena Tracker Partnership who conducted the survey and ensured confidentiality. We will continue to listen to the suggestions of our tenants. For more details of the survey please contact Stephanie Woods at stephanie.woods@lewes.gov.uk or on 01273 484261. TOP Sarah Inglis from our Sheltered Housing team providing helpful advice at the Peacehaven “one show” event.
Food banks in Lewes district TO DONATE If you would like to make a donation please contact:
debbietwitchen@gmail.com Landport Food Bank (Lewes) A number of food banks are operating in the district. There are three in Lewes, one in Ringmer and one in Newhaven. A new mobile rural food bank service is being set up now, that depending on demand will visit different villages in the north of the district.
sarahneels@yahoo.com Malling Food Bank (Lewes)
pearlzia@gmail.com Lewes Food Bank (Demontfort Estate) Rural Mobile Food Bank
sharonwilletts@aol.com
The Lewes food banks are organised by volunteers from local tenants associations. Ringmer Baptist church runs the Ringmer food bank while the Sussex Community Development Association organise the Newhaven food bank, known as “Food 4 Seahaven”.
Ringmer Food Bank
Residents are welcome to donate non perishable items, anything from pasta and rice to biscuits and cereal, tinned food, tea, coffee and sugar. Toiletries and baby food are also needed.
If you are in need of food for yourself or your family you must be referred by one of the following agencies:
Pearl Zia from Demontfort ABOVE
sallyfoote@scda.org.uk Food 4 Seahaven
TO RECEIVE
Lewes District Council
Area Housing Officers 01273 484261 Citizens Advice Bureaux
01273 473082
Summer bonfires Residents are asked to be considerate when lighting summer bonfires. www.lewes.gov.uk/environment/821.asp gives you all the information you need. If you have a lot of rubbish to get rid of we offer a reasonably priced “bulky waste” collection service – call 01273 484999.
Children’s Centre Lewes
01273 336870 ESCC Discretionary support scheme 0300 330 9494 Homeworks
01273 405868
Lewes Family Support team
01273 482802 Together project 01273 514753 Jobcentre Plus
0845 604 3719
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Lewes Eco Open Houses Eco-friendly homes are set to open their doors to the public over two weekends 13-14 and 20-21 September. Properties in the villages and countryside feature exciting off grid measures such as air, ground and water source heat pumps, as well as being examples of good eco building. Visitors can see and hear how it is possible to drastically cut electricity, gas and water bills as well as carbon emissions. The homes are free to visit. www.lewesecoopenhouses. org.uk
Stop the loan sharks Loan sharks lend money without the necessary permissions. This is a criminal offence and Trading Standards are working to prosecute loan sharks and support their victims. Please take time to complete the online quiz, to give one lucky person the chance to win £100 of shopping vouchers. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/ IMLTchallenge
Heritage Open Days Heritage Open Days weekend runs from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 September. Lewes is contributing its own exciting programme of around 20 open buildings and other events, all free of charge, to celebrate the town’s architectural heritage. It’s organised by volunteers from the Friends of Lewes, the town’s civic society, with help from Lewes District Council and commercial sponsors. New this year, you’ll be able to visit the Freemasons Hall, see a medieval hall house where harpsichords are now made and explore a mysterious Victorian folly few people have ever seen. Last year’s sell-out tour of Harveys Brewery is being repeated and there are special events at the Grade I listed churches of St Michael’s and St Anne’s. Details of events around the county, and nationally on www.heritageopendays.org.uk from the beginning of July, or pick up a Lewes leaflet around the town in early August. All events are free, but some need you to book in advance – details are on the website and in the leaflet.
Community Infrastructure Levy consultation The second step in setting the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is available for consultation until 11 July 2014.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a tariff based approach to funding infrastructure. It can be used to help pay for a wide range of infrastructure that will be required to support new development. The types of infrastructure projects that CIL can be spent on include new or safer road schemes, flood defences, schools, hospitals and other health and social care facilities, park improvements, green spaces and leisure centres.
Please read the on-line proposals and how to comment. We are consulting on the draft charging schedule for how CIL will apply in parts From April 2015, CIL will largely replace the scope of “Section 106� planning obligations for of the district outside the National Park. The contributions towards infrastructure. draft charging schedule sets out the proposed rates of CIL for different types of development, based on up-to-date evidence of infrastructure www.lewes.gov.uk/corestrategy/index.asp requirements and development viability.
Core strategy consultation We are also consulting until 11 July on focussed amendments to the Core Strategy, the document that will guide planning and development in the district until 2030. These amendments are the final stage before the draft core strategy is submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for inspection and approval.
www.lewes.gov.uk/corestrategy/index.asp
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Wave Leisure
Joined up summer fun There is no excuse for the kids to get bored this summer! Young people up to the age of 25 can access a summer of fun, activities and participation right the way across the district with four separate town based programmes in Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven & Telscombe and Seaford. There is more than just sport on offer with the summer reading challenge available through the libraries which this year has the theme of Mythical Maze. There are both indoor and outdoor physical activity options with sessions at the green gyms across the district. For more information see the Wave Leisure website and Facebook page.
fb: www.fb.com/waveleisure web: www.waveleisure.co.uk email: info@waveleisure.co.uk
Swim fit, swim safe Accidental drowning causes more than 400 UK deaths every year. It is the third highest cause of death in children and claims thousands of lives worldwide each year. With the summer holidays here, being safe in and around the water is extremely important. Don’t forget to be water aware and take care around rivers and waterways. www.watersafetykids.co.uk POSTER Don’t miss the Seahaven ParaGames on 10 August.
Newhaven Fort
Fort Road, Newhaven BN9 9DS t: 01273 517622 www.newhavenfort.org.uk
Living History Weekend 26 & 27 July Meet historians depicting military life from many eras focussing this year on WW1.
Centenary Cinema * 2 August Screening of ‘Wings’ and 3 August ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’.
The Better ‘Ole * 21-23 August Meeching Amateur Dramatics present one of the West End’s great dramatic successes during WW1.
Twelfth Night * 26 August A magical evening of open air theatre presented by Oddsocks Productions.
Battle of Britain Day 7 September A day of 1940s nostalgia and remembrance (pictured left). *Additional cost for ticketed events – must be booked in advance. Events subject to change.
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Summer bank holiday collection days REFUSE and FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS Normal Collection Day
Altered Collection Day
Monday 25 August
Tuesday 26 August
Tuesday 26 August
Wednesday 27 August
Wednesday 27 August
Thursday 28 August
Thursday 28 August
Friday 29 August
Friday 29 August
Saturday 30 August
Please ensure that your rubbish is put out by 6am on the altered day. For commercial recycling of paper and cardboard please follow your normal fortnightly cycle and allow the same bank holiday alterations as shown on the table above.
CLINICAL WASTE COLLECTIONS Normal Collection Day Altered Collection Day Booking Cut Off Day Tuesday 26 August
Wednesday 27 August Day before 12 noon
Wednesday 27 August Thursday 28 August
Day before 12 noon
Thursday 28 August
Day before 12 noon
Friday 29 August
Zero Heroes From a village sign to a sound system in a park, residents across Lewes district have been putting forward ideas to improve their communities as part of the council’s community competition to spend a share of £40,000. Dozens of ‘How to Spend it’ community events have been held across Lewes district as part of the Zero Heroes campaign, which encourages people to reduce food waste and earn points that contribute to a share of the prize fund.
RESIDENTS HAVE until 18 JULY to submit their ideas at http://zeroheroes.me/submit-ideas-funding/
KERBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTIONS Please refer to your kerbside recycling calendar. If you do not have one you can download one from our website: www.lewes.gov.uk/waste/ boxit.asp or you can request one by calling our customer services department on
01273 484999