The number of cases across the county has been increasing over the past few weeks. In the 14 day period of 10 to 23 August 88 people across the county tested positive, compared to 51 people in the period 4 to 17 August.

The overall rate per 100,000 population across the county remains below the England rate.

• Over a 7-day period (to 23 August) the West Sussex rate was 6.4 cases per 100,000 compared with a rate of 10.5 per 100,000 across England overall.
  
• Over a 14-day period (to August 23) the West Sussex rate was 10.2 cases per 100,000 compared with 22.5 per 100,000 across England overall.
  

A weekly update report
with local data is available on our website.

As schools are set to welcome students, we have put together useful resources on our website to help parents and pupils feel more confident at the start of the new school year. More information is available below. 

Our cycleway scheme is now underway with Chichester’s being the first to open with more to come. We want your views on the scheme and there is a survey to take part in which is below. 

Looking after your mental health while we remain in lockdown is still very important and if you, or someone you know is struggling they can find information and resources on the NHS Every Mind Matters website. 

Hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend.

A special Council meeting took place on Wednesday 19 August to formally approve the new operating arrangements to ensure the leisure centres could re-open as soon as possible.

Testing – We still need everyone to play their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. One of the key elements to understanding where the virus is in the county, is to make sure that if you develop any symptoms you get tested. Testing is FREE and simple to organise. Visit NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) or call 119.

Businesses – Running a business that’s open to the public? You may find our template to record contact details useful. Download our printable version from our website here
or a digital version here.

Back to school with confidence. – A new webpage has been created to help West Sussex parents and children feel ready and confident to get back to school. It has videos guidance and key information on the changes put in place to keep all pupils and staff safe, including information on ‘bubbles’, transport, mealtimes and emotional wellbeing.

Support with results – Help is available from our careers advice service, with trained careers advisors on hand to talk through their options. Young people can call 0330 222 2700 or email careersadvice@westsussex.gov.uk .

The High Sheriff of West Sussex has launched a unique award to celebrate residents who have shown exceptional acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Special Recognition Volunteer Award is aimed at any resident in West Sussex who has acted in a voluntary capacity throughout lockdown and beyond.

Nominations can come from those who have either received or have observed a volunteer doing great things for others.

High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Timothy Fooks, said, “Although 2020 will always be linked to the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis, it will also be forever remembered for the great demonstration of care and support that many people have given to those around them, whether they be friend or stranger.

“Throughout West Sussex, I have met, and heard about, many volunteers who have responded to the needs of vulnerable and isolated people in remarkable ways.  They have been the beating heart at the centre of our response to this crisis and yet they have not sought any reward – they have simply wanted to help.

“This Award is designed to publicly thank those individuals who have served others and to celebrate the wonderfully positive impact that volunteering brings to every corner of our communities.”

To be eligible for the award, the following criteria needs to be met:

• the candidate must demonstrate outstanding voluntary activity in the community to support individuals or groups;
  
• the candidate has shown selfless acts of thoughtfulness and kindness;
  
• the candidate’s voluntary acts have benefited the community, particularly during the pandemic;
  
• the nominator must demonstrate why the care given has been so remarkable and special.
  

All individuals who are nominated will be acknowledged and those that are successful will receive a special certificate. 

If restrictions are lifted, they will also be invited as special guests to join the High Sheriff at a prestigious celebration event in 2021.

The closing date for the award is Wednesday 30 September.

Nominations are open now and the nomination forms will be available from hswestsussex2020@icloud.com.

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has prepared a new Character Appraisal and Management Plan for Poynings Conservation Area.

These documents periodically review the continued need and purpose of conservation area designation, are recommended in Government guidance and have proved useful tools for effective development management.

Poynings Conservation Area has been designated since 1984 and has not been reviewed since.

A consultation draft is available for six weeks and they look forward to receiving your comments on it by the 23^rd September, 2020, however, if you feel strongly about anything it would be best to get any comments in earlier as it goes to committee in October.

The final draft will be reviewed to reflect public responses, which will be reported to the SDNPA Planning Committee in the Autumn.

If you wish to make any observations, please contact HistoricBuildings@southdowns.gov.uk  or write to South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, GU29 9DH.

Residents of the Conservation Area will get a letter explaining later this week

If you would like a copy of the report but do not have a printer, let me know and I will get one to you.

The following application will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting on the 9^th September 2020, please contact the Parish Council if you have any comments or wish to join the meeting on Zoom.

Location: Punnyngs Folly. The Street. Poynings BN45 7AQ

Proposal: Side Dormers and Conversion

Ref: SDNP/20/03125/HOUS

https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage Where comments can be made.

For those of you that saw the attempt to build on Pondtail Wood a few years back may be interested to know that an application has gone in for an Agricultural building in the wood.

As this is in the Parish of Poynings, but the Postal address is Albourne (Hassocks), it does not show up on a “Poynings” search on the SDNPA site. You can do a search under SDNP/20/01731/FUL. Or go to https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=Q9LQ4ZTUMXT00

Location: Pondtail Wood Muddleswood Road Albourne West Sussex

Proposal: Planning application for the erection of an agricultural building. The agricultural building is required to assist with the management of the surrounding woodland.

In light of forecasted high temperatures continuing next week, Mid Sussex District Council have allowed Serco (our waste collection contractor) to begin emptying bins from 6am on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 12 August.

So, if you normally put your bin out in the morning, it will have to be out by 6am next week.

If you own woodland which contains ash you should be aware that:

• Markets for lower grade timber are available which may help reduce the cost of felling; and,
  

• There are grants available under Countryside Stewardship which can contribute towards the cost of restocking and ongoing management.
  
• There is a recently published guidance for homeowners and those with ash trees on their land from The Tree Council;
  
• Be aware that ash trees with tree preservation orders (TPOs) or trees in Conservation Areas will normally still require consent for any works from the local planning authority. Contact the district or borough council
  tree officer for specific advice.
  

For further information on managing your woodland please contact your local Forestry Commission Woodland Officer:

Julian Williams (Chichester, Arun, Worthing, Adur, Horsham, Crawley) julian.williams@forestrycommission.gov.uk or Matthew Smith (Mid Sussex) Matthew.smith@forestrycommission.gov.uk