Click HERE to see the March South Downs National Park newsletter

MSDC to introduce more meadow areas

Mid Sussex District Council plans to create more meadows areas in local parks and open spaces this summer to encourage native insects, wildlife and grassland species to thrive.

Areas of open space in nearly 30 locations across Mid Sussex will be set aside and left to grow throughout the summer as part of the national Blue Campaign. This builds on a trial across a small number of sites last year and residents will be able to spot the protected areas because they will each be marked with a blue heart symbol.

A recent study by the Wildlife Trust suggests that 90% of lowland grassland has been lost in the 20^th Century, areas that form an essential part of the UK’s ecological infrastructure. It is this dramatic decline in biodiversity and biomass that led wildlife film maker Fergus Beeley to create the Blue Campaign, a conservation project, which aims to rewild areas across Great Britain by letting grass grow naturally.

Councillor John Belsey, MSDC Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery said:

“Biodiversity restoration is about so much more than wildflowers, it’s about restoring habitats that support so many different species.

“By letting the grass grow, native wildflowers begin to emerge, and they provide a natural canopy for smaller creatures like short tailed field voles, crickets and grasshoppers. Various types of beetle and caterpillar will start to feed off the native wildflowers and in turn, they will support families of growing blue tits.

“The Blue Heart Campaign is such a positive move towards increasing biodiversity in the UK and I’m delighted that we will be playing our part at Mid Sussex District Council. Over the next couple of weeks, we will begin roping off the identified areas to stop them being cut but the ropes will be removed as soon as the areas become established.

“If you’d like to find out more about rewilding and increasing biodiversity in the UK, just visit www.bluecampaignhub.com or email parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk.”

Census reminders will start to arrive next week and the field officers will begin their work on Tuesday, following up with households that have not returned their questionnaire.

We would like to clarify our guidance on what a member of the public should do if they are concerned that the person on their doorstep is not a genuine census official:

•    Census officers will carry an ID card with their photograph and name

•    Census officers will work through the day to make contact with residents but will not call before 09:00 or after 20:00

•    Census officers will never ask for money or bank details

•    Census officers will never need to enter someone’s home

•    Census officers will have census leaflets and paper questionnaires with them

•    If the householder is still concerned, they can ring the contact centre for further advice:

o    England 0800 141 2021

o    Wales 0800 169 2021

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Second Homes

As you are only too aware, the census is a count of population and housing and it is crucial everyone is counted in Census 2021 – that includes people who might be living in a holiday or second home during the pandemic.

It is important that we have a separate census return for both someone’s usual and second residence (used for whatever purpose) as local services will still be required at both addresses.

If the pandemic has changed where a person is currently living, for example if they are staying at what they might have classed as a second address prior to lockdown restrictions, they will still need to complete a census form for both households.

Whichever address you regard as your usual residence, you will be asked to complete a full set of census questions. For the other address you will be asked questions about the household as well as basic visitor questions, if someone is staying there on 21 March 2021.

For more information about completing the census for holiday homes or second homes, and how you can request online access codes, head to census.gov.uk.

More than 80,000 downloads from the West Sussex eLibrary in February

West Sussex residents are making the most of their West Sussex eLibrary service with an incredible 80,000 downloads in February 2021 – double the number of downloads in the same month last year!

The figures show that residents have welcomed the increased eLibrary offering from West Sussex Libraries, helping residents easily access ebooks, magazines and other materials during the pandemic.

February saw more than 80,000 downloads from the extensive eLibrary (including ebooks, eAudio, eMagazines and eComics) compared to 40,000 in February 2020 – a staggering 100% increase.

This is also reflected when comparing annually year on year, as ebook usage is up 235%, eAudio borrowing is up 100%, eMagazines are at 80% and eComics at a massive 500%.

Alongside the rising popularity in borrowing digitally, last week, West Sussex Libraries moved their eLibrary to the popular Libby app provided by Overdrive.

Libby is easy for first time users and offers a tailored collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks, including bestsellers and new releases on a variety of topics.

Readers of all ages can select from virtually every subject ranging from crime, romance, thrillers, children’s, business and more.

The service is compatible with all major computers and devices. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no overdue charges.

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities, said: “Since the start of the pandemic, residents across the county have been discovering our eLibrary for the first time. Many have been downloading eBooks for their children, listening to audiobooks on their daily walks or saving themselves a trip to the newsagents and downloading magazines or newspapers.

“We quickly saw the increasing use in this service and decided to invest in providing many more titles that people can borrow digitally. We hope that the new Libby app makes the experience of reading or listening to items online even more enjoyable and the service can’t wait to hear how users are finding the experience.”

Libby’s eBook reader makes it easy to customise how you read. Users can adjust an eBook’s font size, book layout, and lighting. As they read, they can also add bookmarks, create notes and define words. It is intuitive, user-friendly and a great way to access the West Sussex eLibrary.

Find out more about how to download Libby at the West Sussex Library Service website www.westsussex.gov.uk/elibrary.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC REGULATION

POYNINGS ROAD, POYNINGS

NOTICE IS hereby given that in pursuance of the provisions of Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, as amended, the use of (and parking on) Poynings Road, Poynings from its junctions with The Street and Saddlescombe Road is temporarily prohibited from 29/03/2021

The restriction will be in place between 09.30 – 15.00

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake urgent carriageway pothole repairs on behalf of WSCC

Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times

The alternative route for traffic will be signed on site

This restriction will be effective for a maximum of 5 days from the start date given above

Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact West Sussex County Council on 01243 642105

Any queries about the works please contact Balfour Beatty on 01243 642105

Dated 11 March 2021

Adults in West Sussex who have to leave home for work or caring responsibilities can now book a symptom-free Covid-19 test.

As efforts to combat the spread of the virus continue, more local testing is being rolled to help identify as many people as possible who have Covid-19 but not the symptoms.

The pan-Sussex Community Testing Programme launches this week as a partnership between West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

It offers free, rapid lateral flow tests to anyone who isn’t showing signs of Covid-19, who can’t work from home and who can’t access testing via other means.

Anyone over the age of 18 can book a test at a participating pharmacy anywhere in Sussex, or at one of two dedicated testing sites, one at the Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre in Brighton and one at Hove Town Hall.

Further details, including how to book, are available on the West Sussex County Council website www.westsussex.gov.uk/communitytesting 

Chair of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board Councillor Amanda Jupp said: “It is encouraging to see the rate of infection fall across West Sussex, but it is still the case that a third of people with Covid-19 may be passing it on without knowing it.

“The ability to test people who need to leave home for work, but who don’t have symptoms, is another important step that will help us return to normal life as soon as possible.

“I’d like to thank our partners in East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council for working with us on launching the pan-Sussex Community Testing Programme, and to the pharmacies who are on board supporting the rollout.”

Dr Tony Hill, Interim Director of Public Health at West Sussex County Council, said: “We know that around one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms, so you could be passing the virus on even if you’re feeling fine.

“Symptom-free testing is an additional tool in the fight against the pandemic and keeping West Sussex safe. It will help us to identify more people who have the virus and encourage them and their contacts to self-isolate in order to further protect our friends, families, colleagues and communities. This form of testing is especially important if you have to leave home for work, and you’re unable to access testing by other means.”

More pharmacies will be available across Sussex in the coming weeks, making it even easier to get a test close to where you live or work.

People across West Sussex are urged to continue to ‘act like you have the it’ as the best way to avoid spreading coronavirus, keep West Sussex safe and help us come out of lockdown.

Go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/coronavirus for further information and support.

Mid Sussex District Council is reminding new food businesses that they need to register with their local authority.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic many have turned to the kitchen during lockdown. With more people cooking and baking from home, some have started to sell to their local community or online as a source of revenue and a potential career. Equally, some catering and hospitality workers have switched to their own kitchen to operate food delivery businesses from home.

Councillor Norman Webster, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Community said:

“Selling food that has been prepared at home is an enterprising way to make a living in these difficult times and we want to support new food businesses by providing them with sound, reliable and appropriate advice.

“New businesses may not necessarily be aware but everyone who sells food from their homes on a regular basis is required to register with their local authority. We’re encouraging all new food businesses to register as soon as possible so we can help them with the latest food hygiene and safety guidance.”

The Food Standard Agency has produced a handy online guide for new food businesses to help them stay compliant and protect their customers. You can find full details at www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-home.

To register a food business, or to check if a food business is registered with Mid Sussex District Council before deciding to make a food purchase visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/environment/food-safety