District News - Winter 2012

district news YOUR LOOK AT LEWES DISTRICT COUNCIL SERVICES

in this issue: WHITE RIBBON campaign I pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women

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WARM HOMES 1,200 homes insulated 3

talking NEWHAVEN have your say 8

plus HOUSING NEWS across the district 10 LIFEBUOYS save lives 5

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WINTER EDITION 2012

contents:

FOR the RECORD:

EDITORIAL 2

sign the white ribbon pledge

FEATURES: home insulation 3 change coming 4 police commissioner 4 life savings 5 planning future 6 access groups 6 christmas shopping 7 talking newhaven 8-9 rural revival 8 REGULARS: council meetings 7 housing advice 13 housing news 10-13 wave leisure 14

hite ribbons appeared across the district in November W as people pledged never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

White crocuses were planted outside the old magistrates’ court and Wave Leisure Centre in Lewes town. Seaford School of Dance and Newhaven Youth Club performed ‘flash mob’ dances in Lewes and Newhaven, council vehicles bore stickers, Lewes football and rugby clubs agreed to sport ribbons at sponsored matches and Harveys pubs pulled in pledges with the pints.

Town and parish councils, the police, housing offices and other agencies backed the global campaign to encourage men to take a stand against violence with displays, an online discussion and information about where to go for support and advice.

All activities were co-ordinated by Lewes District Council, Sussex Police and the Community Safety Partnership. The partnership is the first in the South East to receive the White Ribbon Award for their commitment to the campaign.

DIARY DATE: collection days 15-16 EDITOR TEL EMAIL DESIGN

Liz Lacon 01273 484141 liz.lacon@lewes.gov.uk Lewes District Council

District News is available in large print, audio tape, disc or in another language upon request. Please contact the communications team on 01273 484141 or email press@lewes.gov.uk

R Chris Green, Director of the White Ribbon Campaign, left, presents the award to Sarah Findlay, Head of Housing Strategy and Needs, with Lewes District Chair, Tony Nicholson and his consort Angela.

Q FRoNT CoveR Lewes FC player Max Howell, wearing a white ribbon shirt in the Lansdown Arms, Lewes.

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warm homes target met

t least 1,200 households will be warmer this winter having taken up our offer of A free cavity wall and loft insulation.

We met our target to insulate 1,000 homes by December and installers are working to finish many more before Christmas.

Leader, Cllr James Page said “I’m delighted so many people have taken up our offer and can now keep warm without worrying so much about rising energy bills.” Cavity insulation can save £110 a year on a household bill and loft insulation can save another £175.

This is one way we are keeping our promise to put money back into residents’ pockets.

Reg Stone of Plumpton Green said

My home was insulated during the summer and I was most impressed with the efficiency displayed by both the Council and the contractors.

Now I look forward to reaping the benefits of a warmer home and what will surely be reduced fuel bills.

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change is in the air ur vision is of ‘One District One Council’, where the council is more closely connected with residents and delivers better services. To achieve that, we are making a few changes. Our Lewes staff will move into one building next summer and all staff will be equipped to work smarter, be greener and save you money.

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Southover House in Lewes is being refurbished to provide a one-stop shop for council services and enable our staff to be more mobile and responsive in the way they work. This will save about £200,000 a year and free up assets to regenerate parts of the district that need it, particularly Newhaven (see page 8). Our Newhaven office is staying put for now. And we’ll consult the community before deciding what to do with any council buildings that become vacant.

food safety in catering Environmental Health will be running the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering on 15 January, 8 May and 16 October at Southover Grange, Southover Road in Lewes.

For details of cost and booking online visit www.lewes.gov.uk/ foodtraining or email us at Ehealth.ldc@lewes.gov.uk

sussex’s first police and crime commissioner Bourne was elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex in November.

Katy One of 41 new commissioners across England and Wales she replaces the police authority and is responsible for overseeing the Chief Constable and holding the force to account.

Leader, Cllr James Page said “I congratulate Katy Bourne on becoming the first Police and Crime Commissioner for the Sussex area. I look forward to working with her to cut crime and ensure continued good policing and community safety across our district.”

To find out more see www.katybourne.com

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winning

food waste scheme ewes District is set to double recycling rates and put money back into residents’ pockets after winning more than £2 million Government funding for an innovative new food waste service.

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lifebuoys save lives ifebuoys are public rescue equipment available to all in case of an emergency. So it is sad to see that lifebuoys in Lewes District have been vandalised.

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We work with town councils and voluntary organisations to maintain and check the lifebuoys to ensure that they are ready for use. Bill Cornish, from Newhaven Coastwatch, who inspects the lifebuoys in Peacehaven said “I began checking the lifebelts along the Promenade and saw the shocking level of vandalism that takes place. A few weeks ago, the line from a lifebelt was stolen again, less than an hour after it had just been replaced.”

Robbie Robertson, Lead Cllr for Community Engagement and Health & Environment said

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Lifebuoys save lives and anyone involved in a rescue operation needs equipment that works.

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Byelaws forbid anybody to remove or tamper with any life saving appliance provided by the Council, except in emergencies.

The funding over three years will pay for a new fleet of vehicles and new jobs to collect food waste separately as part of the regular weekly collections.

The new scheme will also help put money back into residents’ pockets by making them aware of just how much food is wasted, so they shop smarter and waste less.

Leader, Cllr James Page said “We know the average family can save more than £50 a month by cutting food waste so this support from the Government is great news for Lewes people.

“By helping households reduce food waste we’re fulfilling our promise to save money and, where possible, put it back into people’s pockets.”

The food waste scheme will start next summer.

planning for the future

January there will be an opportunity to Iwillncomment on the draft Core Strategy, which set out how the district should develop up to 2030. It will identify key locations for new development and the numbers of houses and amount of employment development planned for each town and village.

Lead Member for Planning, Cllr Tom Jones said

This document sets out the Council’s and South Downs National Park Authority’s view on how the district should meet its various development needs, while preserving those aspects that make it a unique and special place to live and work.

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To comment or find out more visit www.lewes.gov.uk/corestrategy email ldf@lewes.gov.uk or telephone 01273 474417.

local access groups anice Eggers and her disabled son James live in Peacehaven.

James, 28, has a unique chromosome abnormality that results in J severe disabilities. He has a great sense of humour and enjoys going to a day centre in Lewes. Despite the restrictions that carers face Janice has joined many disability and carers groups as it is important to her to improve the life of disabled people.

With this in mind, she has recently joined the local access group which meets monthly in Peacehaven. The group campaigns to provide a more accessible environment for disabled people. Janice believes that recently there have been many improvements for disabled people but there is still work to do.

To find our more information about one of the three local access groups contact Sue on 01273 484409 or email her at sue.dunkley@lewes.gov.uk

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coast & country guide he Enjoy Sussex Partnership for 2013 has changed and to reflect this, the new partnership has created a new campaigning name, a new logo and new fresh style to the annual Visitor Guide.

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2013ountry

Visitor Guide

Lewes District Council and Wealden District Council have been working closely together to create the new www.enjoysu ssex.info style guide which will be available from Lewes and Seaford Tourist Information Centres, as well as national TICs from January next year.

The guide includes nationally quality assessed ‘places to stay’; suggests ‘places to go’ and has a ‘what’s on’ annual calendar of cultural events in Lewes and Wealden districts.

The guide is complemented by the destination website www.enjoysussex.info plus Twitter and Facebook giving-up-todate information on our beautiful districts. scheduled Lewes District Council meetings for These 2012-2013 are open to the public: Planning Applications Committee2 Cabinet1 Planning Applications Committee 2 Employment Committee1 Scrutiny Committee1 Audit & Standards Committee4 Cabinet1 Planning Applications Committee 2 Council 3 Scrutiny Committee1 Planning Applications Committee 2 Venues:

12 December 7 January 9 January 14 January 17 January 28 January 13 February 20 February 27 February 7 March 13 March

o your Christmas D shopping in Seaford and vote for your favourite shop there and you could win £100.

© Kai Crick

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LEWES WEA LDEN

Coast

support your local shops

5.00pm 2.30pm 5.00pm 10.00am 10.00am 3.30pm 2.30pm 5.00pm 2.30pm 10.00am 5.00pm

1 Warren Room, Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes 2 Council Chamber, County Hall, St Annes Crescent, Lewes 3 The Chamber, Pelham House, St Andrews Lane, Lewes 4 Garden Room, Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes For further information and to confirm meeting times, dates and locations, please contact the Committee Section at committees@lewes.gov.uk or call 01273 484201. Information is correct at time of going to press.

Cllr Sam Adeniji, Seaford South, is promoting Buy Your Christmas Presents in Seaford Month. Lead Member for Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Cllr Rob Blackman said

We are encouraging people to support local shops this Christmas so I’m pleased to see this initiative in Seaford, which has some great independent shops.

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You can vote by 23 December at www.seaford-favshop.org, at the tourist information centre or Morrisons in Dane Road.

The shop with the most votes will be declared the People’s Favourite Retailer of the Year 2012. One lucky shopper will win £100 to spend in the shop they voted for.

talking newhaven he Regeneration of Newhaven is a T Council priority and we are working hard to bring investment, jobs and new life to the town. Residents are key to the decision-making about proposed developments which is why we have made the following commitments in the way we will talk to them.

• making clear how we have used public input in the decisions that we make

• leaving behind a positive legacy of civic and democratic infrastructure in the town.

Here you can read about some of the proposals to regenerate and revive Newhaven and rural parts of the district.

WE are COMMITTED to:

• creating an independent process for • • •

democratic and open conversation in Newhaven ensuring that as wide a network of Newhaven residents and organisations as possible are involved, and that the Town Council and other key bodies have a voice providing timely and accurate information to ensure that discussions are based on good information taking part in that conversation ourselves, and listening and responding to what people are saying

funding for rural revival ural businesses and groups in Lewes are benefiting from grants to help R projects succeed in the rural economy and communities.

The LEADER scheme has already provided £1.3 million to kick start 68 projects – worth £5.2 million – in the Sussex Downs and Low Weald area since 2008. Grants are available until December 2013. For information visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/rdpeleader or email rdpeleader@westsussex.gov.uk

Spring Barn Farm (owner Louise Posseger (née Carr) pictured right) has been run by the Carr family since 1917. They have had to diversify to survive. LEADER funding helped them develop a farm shop which now employs 11 full time staff, four students and the four family members.

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wind farm nother major boost for A Newhaven’s future is E-On’s choice of Newhaven Port for the base for their proposed off-shore wind farm.

university technical college bidding to create a University Technical College WeinareNewhaven to equip young people with marine and environmental engineering skills to meet the needs of local employers.

This is the result of a strong partnership between Lewes District Council, The University of Brighton and educational charity The Aldridge Foundation, and is supported by local schools, colleges and businesses. These new government-funded colleges for 14-19 year olds bring together the expertise of local business, further education colleges, vocational education experts and universities.

Leader, Cllr James Page said “Newhaven has a long history of marine engineering and manufacturing and yet a significant number of young people not in education, employment or training. This college would help our young people to make the most of opportunities arising from the growth in marine and renewable energy industries locally.”

For more information visit www.cleantech-utc.org

your views sought on water park he developer proposing to build a water park in Newhaven followed our principles for community engagement when they held open meetings and used an independent facilitator to capture people’s views.

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More than 1,000 people visited the launch in October to hear more about the £350 million development which could create up to 650 jobs.

The survey results are published by the developer on www.roundtableentertainments.com Consultation is set to start again in January 2013.

Energy giant, E-On proposes a cluster of wind turbines 13km offshore, from Newhaven to Worthing, that would generate enough renewable electricity to power two-thirds of Sussex homes. If planning consent is granted next year, Newhaven is set to benefit from the operations and maintenance activity and other supply chain opportunities.

With this in mind, LDC has part funded an initiative seeking to identify and prepare businesses to ensure they maximise this opportunity.

Leader, Cllr James Page said

This is fantastic news for Newhaven and a tribute to the excellent work and vision of Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP). It’s also a testament to working in partnership.

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welcome to housing news Twenty information stands gave advice on issues such as fire safety at home, repairs, anti social behaviour and what to do if you have a wasps’ nest.

“I really enjoyed the conference, it was well planned and the lunch was delicious”, said one tenant who attended.

RECORD turnout for Conference

Thanks to everyone involved. For more information contact Ruth or Sue on 01273 487249.

There was a record turnout for the annual tenants’ conference held at Lewes Priory School in October.

Topics discussed that could have a far reaching impact on tenants included new homes and changes to the right to buy, the impact of welfare reform, spending on home improvements (see below) and the impact of the Localism Act. In-depth workshops enabled tenants and leaseholders to give views and information that will inform our future housing policies and services.

R l to r: Laurence Steer ToLD Committee Member, Andy Chequers and Cllr Ron Maskell, Lead Member for Housing.

more spending on tenants’ priorities hanges in the way council housing is funded mean C we have nearly twice as much money to spend on improving tenants’ homes – up from £2.7 million to £5.2 million a year.

We asked tenants what their priorities were and as a result are spending more on their top five improvements.

TOP 5 PRIORITIES £ this year

£ next year

1. Better heating

1.3m

1.65m

80,000

100,000

70,000

140,000

360,000

600,000

800,000

850,000

2. More insulation

3. Rooms in the roof

4. New windows and doors

5. New kitchens & bathrooms

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“bedroom tax”

junior savers

f you claim Housing Benefit in a council or housing association property your benefit could be restricted in April next year. You could end up paying around £14 for one spare bedroom and £25 for two or more. Around 250 Lewes District Council tenants are affected – are you one?

ast Sussex Credit Union E is offering 1% interest for junior savers this year.

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If you have more than one bedroom and everyone in your household is born after 6 October 1951 you could have to pay more towards your rent. The new rules allow one bedroom for: • Each adult couple • Any other person age 16 or over • Two children of the same sex under 16 • Two children regardless of sex under 10 • Any other child • A carer, or a team of carers, with a home elsewhere.

There is no distinction between large and smaller bedrooms.

If separated parents share childcare, the child is only taken into account in the claim of the ‘main carer’ or person receiving child benefit. Foster children are not taken into consideration. Couples using a spare bedroom when recovering from illness will still be considered to be under-occupying.

Disabled people in adapted properties with more bedrooms than permitted by the size criteria will have their housing benefit reduced (unless it is designated as ‘exempt’ – speak to your landlord).

Think about YOUR OPTIONS

• Think about how you will manage your money to pay • • • •

your rent Ask a family member who has moved out if they would like to move back in, or advertise for a lodger Find out about our Homemove Scheme Look for someone to exchange with Claim Discretionary Housing Payment.

If you think you might be affected now is the time to act. Speak to your Housing Officer, Rent Officer or your housing association now.

Credit Union Vice President Alex Bailey said

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Learning a savings habit early in life is valuable for all young people in all financial climates.

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The annual dividend to adult savers will be announced later.

The credit union has opened a school based savings scheme to teach children the value of money and prudent saving. Students run their own scheme in school with adult supervision. Other schools are being encouraged to join in.

Anybody who lives or works in Brighton and Hove or East Sussex is eligible to join East Sussex Credit Union.

Savers’ money is fully protected by the Financial Services Authority.

is there enough affordable housing? e are reviewing the W need for affordable housing in the towns in the district. Cllr Sarah Osborne, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, said

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Lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing those in our district.

We are working hard to do whatever we can to help overcome the problem. Hearing from local residents, councillors and local businesses is a vital part of that process.

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Information gathered at two drop-in sessions will help the Panel establish recommendations that reflect the needs of Lewes district.

A similar review of rural housing has been done.

Options for meeting housing needs will be put to the council cabinet next year.

interscheme quiz nthusiastic quizzers converged on Newhaven Social Club for the annual Supported Housing interscheme quiz in October. Quiz Master was Graham Frankish, Churchill House scheme manager, with Alison Hall keeping score.

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Rathan Rascals snatched victory and the coveted trophy was presented by Mike Keeping, former Head of Housing at Lewes District Council.

Teams from sheltered schemes are invited to put themselves forward for next year’s quiz in October 2013.

new committee enants of Lewes District (TOLD) elected a new committee at their AGM T in September. They will work closely with housing staff to involve tenants in changes coming over the next year.

New Chair, Jayne Marshall (pictured) said “With so many potential changes such as possible fixed term tenancies, a new allocations policy and reforms to benefits, it is important that we have a strong and dedicated committee representing the needs of tenants.”

welfare reforms: community-led innovation

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housing advice surgeries

ignificant reforms are coming to the welfare benefit f you are having difficulties S system, starting next year. From next April, council tax Ipaying your rent/mortgage, benefit schemes will be devolved to local councils to shape need advice on your rights as a and run.

We have consulted on three different scheme options and had more than 450 responses. And you have until December 19 to respond to a survey on the Have Your Say section of our website on proposals to alter discounts and exemptions in Council Tax Benefit.

Decisions on which scheme to adopt and alterations to discounts and exemptions will be made in January.

Taking THE LEAD We are also putting ourselves and our East Sussex partners at the forefront of developing enhanced local support schemes to incentivise work and protect the vulnerable in future years.

To help understand what the changes mean for the community at large and the impact on lives of individual households we are commissioning pioneering research with FutureGov, a company renowned for innovation in public service delivery.

During the initial phase of the reforms, FutureGov will do research with benefit recipients, council staff and community organisations. FutureGov intend to approach funding bodies that are keen to support radical innovation in public services to take the research further. Eastbourne Borough Council and the County Council are keen to join in this groundbreaking study.

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, 4 Fisher Street 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.

greener leisure centres ave Leisure Trust Ltd and Lewes District Council have been working together to generate greener and cheaper electricity for two of the local leisure centres.

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Q Cllr Andy Smith, Peter Crowley, MD for Wave Leisure and Leader, Cllr James Page mark the installation of the solar Pv panels

Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy. These cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run appliances and lighting.

The Downs Leisure Centre and Lewes Leisure Centre have benefited from an investment of £170,000 by Lewes District Council to install the panels. Installation took place in February and March 2012. The income from the Feed In Tariffs has already generated over £16,000.

In the first 6 months after their installation the Downs Leisure Centre’s panels created 23,000kw of energy, with Lewes producing 49,000kw. In total this has contributed to a reduction of 66 tonnes in CO2 – the equivalent of taking 11 cars off the road for a year.

social enterprise award

What’s new at Wave Leisure Wave’s Big Night Out 11-15 year olds Last Friday of every month 7.30-9.30pm Shakespeare Hall, Newhaven Wave Swim Clinic 16 years + Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm Seahaven Swim & Fitness Centre, Newhaven Rev’s Up 16 years + Thursdays 7.15-8.00am Peacehaven Leisure Centre No strings badminton Thursdays 8.00-10.00pm Lewes Leisure Centre No need to book – just turn up Swimathon 2013 26-28th April Lewes, Newhaven, Ringmer and Seaford Register at www.swimathon.org

Wave Leisure Trust Ltd has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. The Social Enterprise Mark is the only authority which certifies genuine social enterprises, having society and the environment at the heart of the business.

According to “Fightback Britain” (2011), a report from Social Enterprise UK and the Co-operative Bank, 82% of social enterprises reinvest their profits locally, in the communities where they work.

For more information visit

www.waveleisure.co.uk

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ininPeacehaven, Peacehaven,Newhaven, Newhaven,Seaford, Seaford, Lewes Lewesand andsurrounding surroundingvillages villages

Merry Christmas from the Bluebird Care Team

christmas bank holiday collection days for clinical waste (see back page for domestic rubbish, cardboard and paper collections) Monday 24 December 2012 to Sunday 6 January 2013

CLINICAL WASTE COLLECTIONS Normal Collection

Altered Collection

Booking Deadline

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Thursday 27 December

Monday 24 December 12.00pm

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Thursday 27 December

Monday 24 December 12.00pm

Thursday 27 December 2012

Friday 28 December

Monday 24 December 12.00pm

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Wednesday 2 January

Monday 31 December 12.00pm

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Thursday 3 January

Wednesday 2 January 12.00pm

Thursday 3 January 2013

Friday 4 January

Thursday 3 January 12.00pm

christmas bank holiday collection days Monday 24 December 2012 to Sunday 6 January 2013

DOMESTIC RUBBISH COLLECTIONS Normal Rubbish Collection

Altered Rubbish Collection

Monday 24 December 2012

Normal collections

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Put rubbish out from Thursday 27 December

Wednesday 26 December 2012 Put rubbish out from Thursday 27 December Thursday 27 December 2012

Put rubbish out from Friday 28 December

Friday 28 December 2012

To be collected on Saturday 29 December

Monday 31 December 2012

Normal collections

Tuesday 1 January 2013

To be collected on Wednesday 2 January

Wednesday 2 January 2013

To be collected on Thursday 3 January

Thursday 3 January 2013

To be collected on Friday 4 January

Friday 4 January 2013

To be collected on Saturday 5 January

We would appreciate your understanding that we may not run to our normal times over the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays.

Please ensure that your rubbish is put out by 6am on the altered day.

COMMERCIAL CARDBOARD COLLECTIONS Normal Recycling Collection

Altered Recycling Collection

Monday 24 December 2012

Normal collections

Tuesday 25 December 2012

To be collected on Thursday 27 December

Wednesday 26 December 2012 To be collected on Friday 28 December Thursday 27 December 2012

To be collected on Saturday 29 December

Friday 28 December 2012

To be collected on Saturday 29 December

COMMERCIAL PAPER COLLECTIONS Normal Recycling Collection

Altered Recycling Collection

Monday 31 December 2012

Normal collections

Tuesday 1 January 2013

To be collected on Wednesday 2 January

Wednesday 2 January 2013

To be collected on Thursday 3 January

Thursday 3 January 2013

To be collected on Friday 4 January

Friday 4 January 2013

Normal collections

See page 15 for clinical waste collection days

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