West Sussex County Council is working in partnership to support people and families who are struggling the most with the rising cost of living.

The County Council is using its £4.8 million Household Support Fund, from Government, to provide a package of financial and practical assistance to people this winter. Working closely with district and borough councils and charities we will get help to those most in need.

Our Community Hub continues to offer direct support to vulnerable households, providing essentials such as food and supplies, as well as grants to those who are eligible.

Our 36 West Sussex libraries offer a warm welcome to all visitors. Friendly library staff are on hand to help and advise people on a range of topics, from money management to energy saving, job seeking and benefits guidance. Regular library events like Story Time are free for families of young children.

On our ‘Here to help – Cost of living’ webpages, people can find lots of practical advice and information about how to apply for extra local and national support.

Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “Families and households across our county are understandably worried about increasing cost-of-living pressures, in the face of rising energy prices, inflation and interest rates.

“These are national issues, driven in part by international factors, and in response the government has introduced a range of measures to help reduce the pressures on UK households.

“This includes the £4.8m this council has been allocated through the Household Support Fund, which will be going to households most in need and those who support them this winter.

“Together with our partners, we are here to help anyone who needs it, so I would urge those who are struggling to seek the support that is available to them.”

The Council is using part of the £4.8m Household Support Fund to provide food vouchers for every West Sussex child who receives benefits-related free school meals this October half-term. Over 17,000 children will be given a £15 supermarket voucher through their school, supporting around 10,000 households.

Household Support Funds will also be available through a range of different distribution methods, including via district and borough councils, direct support through applications via the Community Hub and also distributed in partnership with other organisations including Citizens Advice and Food and Fuel Banks.

Over the Christmas school holiday, the Council will again be running its popular Holiday Activities and Food programme for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Over the summer, 2,395 eligible children took part, and this Christmas we will be offering a range of free holiday club places where all children will be given a nutritious meal.

For children starting school in West Sussex next year, it’s now time to apply for places.

Applications are now open for children who start in reception at primary and infant schools in September 2023. The quickest and easiest way is to apply online and the deadline for applications is 15 January 2023. Children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 are eligible to start school next September.

Children who are currently in Year 2 at infant school will also need to apply for a place to start junior school in September next year.

It is strongly advised that parents and carers apply on time, before 15 January 2023, so as to give themselves the best chance of being offered one of their three preferences. Those who apply late are far less likely to get a place at one of their three preferred schools and will still need to apply, as they will not automatically be given a place.

Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Helping people and communities to fulfil their potential is one of the key priorities in Our Council Plan and our schools play a significant role in helping to achieve this.
“When considering your three preferences, I encourage families to do as much research into the schools as possible. Please look at a school’s website and make contact with schools directly to ask questions and find out about their open days.”

All of the information about applying is on the Council website. Free use of computers with internet access is available in all West Sussex libraries, there’s no need to book. Those unable to apply online can request a form through the post by calling 033 301 42903.

Parents/carers are advised:
• to include three preference schools on your application, listing them in order of preference.
• Parents/carers who want their child to go to their catchment school will need to include that school as a preference for it to be considered.
• If you apply after the closing date you are far less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools.

County Council admissions staff are available for those who need help with their application. Contact the admissions team by phoning 033 301 42903 or emailing the admissions team north: admissions.north@westsussex.gov.uk or the admissions team south: admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk
Secondary school applications are currently open for September 2023 and close on 31 October 2022.

PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

An Extra Ordinary planning meeting of Poynings Parish Council is to be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 5th October 2022 at 7pm.

Agenda

1) Apologies for Absence
2) Minutes
3) Planning
Planning applications
a. SDNP/22/04225/CND | Variation of condition no. 1 on 10/03771/FUL to allow the year-round use of the marquee. | The Royal Oak Inn The Street Poynings BN45 7AQ
https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RHVYZFTUG2X00&activeTab=summary

b. SDNP/22/04056/FUL | Retrospective planning application for 25sqm additional paving consisting of 22sqm paving to marquee area along with 3sqm additional paving for hand washing station. | The Royal Oak Inn The Street Poynings BN45 7AQ
https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RHFNKETUFUJ00&activeTab=summary

Mr John Digby
Chair of the Council

The County Council is urging residents not to miss out on funding to make their homes more energy efficient.

The Government-funded Warmer Homes programme is offering energy efficiency measures such as insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps to eligible households on a first come, first served basis.

The funding is available subject to eligibility, technical feasibility and your home’s energy efficiency rating shown on its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Your home has an EPC rating of E, F or G (limited funding is available for EPC D rated properties).

And either:

• You have a total household annual income of £30,000 or less (before housing costs/bills)

Or:

• You receive a means-tested benefit or meet additional eligibility criteria specified by your local authority (this is known as the ECO flexible eligibility ‘statement of intent’).

Homes with a mains gas supply could receive up to £10,000 while those that are off gas could receive up to £25,000.

Councillor Deborah Urquhart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “This is a significant opportunity for eligible residents to make changes at home that will have an impact on the twin challenge of rising energy costs and climate change. We would encourage our residents to take a close look at this opportunity and to pass on the information to friends and family they feel could qualify.”

The Warmer Homes programme is available to owner occupiers and private rental tenants only. If you are a private rental tenant, your landlord will be required to make a financial contribution.

To apply online visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk/programme and click ‘apply now’. You can also call 0800 038 5737 to see whether you are eligible.

The next meeting of Poynings Parish Council is to be held on the Village Hall on Tuesday 6th September 2022 at 7pm.
Agenda

1) Apologies for absence
2) Minutes
3) Matters Arising
4) MSDC and WSCC
5) Public Participation
6) Expenditure for June 2022 and July 2022
8) Planning applications
a) SDNP/22/03989/TCA – Laurel (T1) – remove. Bay (T2)- reduce by half in height and width. Sycamore (T3) – remove Ash (T4) – remove |Oak Cottage The Street Poynings West Sussex BN45 7AQ
https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RH48DETUFQA00&activeTab=summary
b) SDNP/22/02252/FUL | Installation of 30 solar panels on ground mounted consoles | Rushfield Paddock Henfield Road Poynings BN45 7AY
Application withdrawn
Unfortunately some aspects of SDNP planning site are offline until 5th September so there may be some missing applications/decisions
9) Village events
10) Village Hall
11) Investment account
12) Water shortages
13) Beacon
14) Item’s for next month’s Agenda
15) Dates of Next month’s Meeting

Clerk – Poynings Parish Council

Residents will continue to enjoy more than just a meal thanks to new partnership

Elderly and vulnerable people across the county will continue to receive more than just a meal after West Sussex County Council agreed an innovative new partnership that is set to commence in October this year.

Meals on wheels customers will still get to enjoy award-winning food made and supplied by apetito, which will now be delivered by Health and Independent Living Support (HILS) West Sussex, for at least the next five years.

HILS drivers and customer support teams will continue to offer important welfare checks while delivering meals, to ensure customers are well, healthy and safe. They also provide company to those who might not otherwise have any visitors and become isolated.

Councillor Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Our new five-year partnership with HILS West Sussex demonstrates our long-term commitment to providing a meals on wheels service that provides a lifeline to so many of our residents, at a time when many local authorities have chosen to end theirs.

“It helps many people continue to live independently in their own homes and provides the peace of mind that they will receive regular visits that not only offer hot and nutritious meals, but also a friendly face, company and someone to check they are safe and well. It’s a service which really does offer more than just a meal.”

Sarah Wren OBE, HILS Chief Executive and Associate Member of the Malnutrition Task Force, added: “We are thrilled to be working with our long-standing partner, apetito, and a great supporter of meals on wheels services, West Sussex County Council, to continue their excellent work. Our caring teams have been supporting thousands of people in Hertfordshire for nearly 15 years. It is a great privilege to be able to help many hundreds more in a new area.”

Ian Stone, Chief Commercial Officer for apetito said: “This is a perfect combination of specialist partners adding real value to the meals on wheels provision. Whist apetito are clear market leaders in food provision, the introduction of HILS, who have a celebrated and award-winning history of provision of meals on wheels in Hertforshire, with a range of added-value services, will add real benefit to local residents.”

For more information about the meals on wheels service, or to sign up to receive meals in West Sussex contact please call 01225 759691.