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` Chairman again A UNANIMOUS vote has seen Cllr Lilian Richardson re-elected as Aldwick Parish Council's chairman. Cllr Richardson was chosen to lead the council for a further year at its annual meeting on Monday. She told her fellow councillors: "Thank you for your support. I really do appreciate it." Cllr John Bass said Cllr Richardson had done a very good job in the past three years. He was elected as her vicechairman. But he said he would be willing to step down if the previous vice-chairman, Cllr Stella Coppard, returned after some poor health.
` Lights smashed FIVE vehicles parked in Durban Park, North Bersted, had ther quarter-lights smashed overnight on May 6. A wing mirror was also stolen from a vehicle parked in Sandringham Way, Bognor Regis, overnight on April 29.
` Pier's birthday MEMBERS of Bognor Regis Pierwatch marked the landmark's 153rd birthday last Friday with a gazebo in the Place St Maur the next day where new members could join.
` iPads stolen A BURGLAR stole two iPads from 8.05am-9am on April 25 from a property in Shellbridge Road, Slindon Common.
Friday, May 11, 2018
Parishes are set to merge HISTORIC boundaries are set to be removed as Barnham and Eastergate councils become one. The merger of the two local authorities is on course to take place this year. If it goes ahead, the centuries-old administrative division between the two areas will be removed. Eastergate Parish Council chairman Cllr Chris Allington welcomed the progress of the combining of the councils in December. "I'm looking forward to a combined authority if it goes ahead. I've been working towards it for a number of years," he said. "Half of what people think of as Barnham village is in Eastergate parish. The situation disenfranchises people in my opinion. A large majority of people think they are in Barnham parish but they're not, due to boundaries which date back centuries." The parish of Eastergate ends to the east at the stream which runs alongside the Barnham Trading Post shop to mean what is considered to be the village centre, as well as the railway station, are included. Barnham parish is focused around the 900-year-old St Mary's Church at the southern end of Church Lane. A formal initial backing for the merger was given unanimously by Arun District Council's electoral review subcommittee last week. The final decision will be made a meeting of the full council in the next few months.
f Primary pupils make music at the academy
Arun group head of policy Jackie Follis told the sub-committee the merger had to follow strict legal procedures after the district council had agreed last January to start the process. Letters were sent to Eastergate and Barnham residents two months ago. The result of a ballot among them announced last month showed 80.59 per cent support among those who voted. The turnout was 37.69 per cent. "What is quite interesting is that the proportion in each parish voting in favour was identical. It couldn't be closer," she said. "I'm of the view that is indicative of a concensus in favour across both parishes." She said Arun had to be satisfied that guidance from the Local Boundary Commission was being met. This included the impact on community cohesion of the merger, the population of the combined parish, public opinion and how the new council would be run. The combined population of some 5,000 residents was near the middle of parishes in the district, she said. The parish councils have agreed the new authority will have 13 members. Sub-committee member Cllr John Charles (C, Barnham) said: "It's great the parish councils have done a lot of work and I think it's admirable the way they have done that work. "This needs to be done. Half the people don't know where they are living. They think they are in Barnham but they are in Eastergate. This will clarify everything."
Primary pupils enjoy lessons in learning to broaden horizons PUPILS from primary schools around Westergate have been given the chance to find out about their future education. The scores of Year 6 pupils have enjoyed unique enrichment weeks at Ormiston Six Villages Academy to prepare them for joining it this September. The weeks have included the chance to take part in activities like ethical debating to stretch and inspire them, treasure hunts around the Lime Avenue site to develop their geography skills and sessions for music, science and the arts. Academy principal Umbar Sharif said: "We have been delighted to welcome primary school pupils from the local area to the academy for our specially designed enrichment activities.
"We hope they will provide them with the confidence, knowledge and aspirations to successfully embark on their next steps to secondary school." The enrichment programme builds on the academy's ongoing work with its area's primary schools. It will culminate next month in a weeklong festival. The after-school activities will feature music tuition, 'mad science' sports coaching, debating and art. The initiative follows what the academy designs as a significant increase in its next Year 7 intake after a 'Good' rating from Ofsted. "We look forward to welcoming them and making them feel part of the very special project we are building at Six Villages," added Ms Sharif.
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Proud to foster A mother has spoken of her pride in being a foster carer ahead of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight. The theme for this year’s national awareness campaign is ‘Proud to foster’ and will be run by The Fostering Network from May 14 to 27. West Sussex County Council, which is looking for more people to consider fostering, especially teenagers and sibling groups, is backing the national campaign. The council will be holding a number of drop-in and chat events for Foster Care Fortnight to meet people and answering any questions they may have about fostering. The national awareness fortnight will also be highlighting the diversity of people who foster – including single carers, professionals who foster alongside work, and people from all backgrounds and religions. Ahead of this, a West Sussex foster carer, Nikki has spoken of how her family decided to open their home to vulnerable children. Nikki was inspired to foster children after her role as a sessional worker brought her into contact with foster carers and the children they supported. She is particularly proud of her own son who has played a big part in fostering children. He was very young when they made the decision to foster. Nikki said: “My own son has played more of a part than he realises. He has grown up more aware of the inequalities of life and it
has made him a better person. “I have a really big community of other foster carers around me, some of whom we met all those years ago on our Skills to Foster training. And our social work support has been fantastic.” Nikki and her family have supported a number of children over the years – many of whom they are still in touch with. They are currently fostering siblings on a longterm basis. Nikki said: “People assume brothers and sisters will be there for each other but like all siblings, they don’t always get on. It can be a challenge, but with some therapeutic support we are getting there. “We can be proud that their time with us allowed them to move on and make good attachments elsewhere.” A number of drop in and chat events are being held by the county council’s fostering team in May. • Southbourne Library - May 9 from 2pm to 4pm • Arun Leisure Centre - May 14 from
2pm to 5pm • Felpham Community College - May 15 from 6.30 to 8.30pm • Starbucks Broadwater - May 24 from 10am to 12noon Stephen Hillier, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Every single one of our foster carers in the county should be proud of the support they give to our children and young people. “Some children may only need a few nights of support, others may need to spend a lot longer in foster care, but all of them need a friendly face who can give them the love and care they deserve. “Thank you to everyone who gives up their time to give a child a loving home. Your help is invaluable.” With more foster carers currently needed in West Sussex, the team is looking forward to talking to residents interested in fostering. People can also find out more about fostering by visiting www.westsussex.gov. uk/fostering or calling 0330 222 7775.
