Mid Sussex District Council is hosting free family events across the district this February half term. 

Building on the success of 2023, the popular Play Days are set to return in 2024, kicking off the year on Monday 12 February, at Haywards Heath College. 

The Play Days offer free activities and are aimed at families with children under the age of 10. Activities for the February half-term include: DJ workshop, circus skills, puppet shows, sports skills, arts and crafts and much more.  

Alison Bennett, Deputy Leader at Mid Sussex District Council, said: “I am thrilled that our popular Play Days are making a return in 2024. They have been such a great success and in 2023 we saw record breaking numbers getting involved in the events across the district. 

 “These activities are just one aspect of our dedication to delivering engaging, free and accessible events tailored for children. We look forward to welcoming families during our February half term events, and for those unable to attend, rest assured we will have a variety of free events for families to attend throughout the year.” 

All events will run from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. The locations are: 

• Monday 12 Feb, Haywards Heath College, Haywards Heath
• Tuesday 13 Feb, Kings Centre, Burgess Hill 
• Wednesday 14 Feb, Jubilee Centre, East Grinstead 

Due to limited parking at some locations, Mid Sussex District Council is advising that attendees walk, cycle or use public transport, if possible. 

To find out more, please visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/playdays.  

Mid Sussex District Council is working with the Department of Work and Pensions to support residents in need across the district. The Household Support Fund will allocate funds to aid low-income households in coping with the rising cost of living.  

Running until March 31 this year, the initiative aims to provide additional support for families struggling with the increasing costs of food, white goods and other essentials. Eligible individuals and families will receive vouchers, ensuring that the assistance directly addresses crucial needs. 

Alison Bennett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications said: “The increased cost of living is having a huge impact on communities across our district. It’s a difficult time for everyone, but there is a huge amount of support available. 

“You could be eligible to receive household support to help pay for food, white goods and energy, so please do reach out so we can see how we can help you. The Household Support Fund is a helping hand for those navigating financial challenges, and we want to ensure that every eligible household in Mid Sussex is aware of the assistance available.” 

This funding is designed to benefit a diverse range of individuals and families, including, families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, disabled individuals and more. 

This initiative aligns with the Council’s commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community during challenging times. The aim is to relieve the financial strain on households, promoting stability and well-being. 

For more information, please visit https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support/ or contact the customer service team at 01444 458166. 

EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.     

An Extraordinary meeting of Poynings Parish Council is to be held in Royal Oak (upstairs) on Tuesday 6^th February 2024 at 6pm.

Agenda

1) Apologies for absence

2) Minutes

3) Planning
SDNP/23/05088/FUL – Stationing a shepherds hut for use as holiday accommodation. Rushfields Plant Centre Henfield Road Poynings BN45 7AY
https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=S4XWXUTUK4100&activeTab=summary 

 John Digby – Chairman

3rd Feb 2024

A Parish Council meeting was held recently in the village hall; as a reminder the PC councillors are Jan Scott, Mike Crowther, Andy Delaney, Neville Searle and me, with Colin Warburton as Clerk.

We were updated by Geoff Zeidler, our MSDC Downlands Villages Councillor, on the district plan, in particular the housing developments primarily in and around Sayers Common – you may have received his recent letter updating us all.

We’d like to launch a regular coffee morning at the pub one day each month, between 10:30 and 12:00, just so anyone who feels like it can go along and see other villagers. We’ll try to make sure a Parish Councillor attends to answer any questions you may have. We’ll see how it goes, if it is popular, we’ll make it a regular event – starting February, date to be announced ……

We will have a summer party at the Village Hall – date to be confirmed but probably in June, and a harvest festival lunch or dinner, most likely to be held in the Royal Oak.

We objected to “Little Acorns” pre-app (to see if a steel barn could be built under permitted development rights).

We’ll be writing out to members of the community who leave lights on all night, in contravention of “Dark Night Skies Policy.”

If anyone wants to do any litter picking – surprisingly satisfying – I have litter pickers and hi-vis jackets. Just let me know.

Welcome to Charlie and Charlotte – the new management team at the Oak – please support them.

The dates of the PC meetings for this year are as follows:

Wednesday March 6th.

Wednesday May 15th Annual Parish Council meeting.

Wednesday July 3rd.

Wednesday September 3rd.

Wednesday November 6th.

Finally, the Annual Parish Meeting will follow the Annual Parish Council Meeting on May 15th – so please put that date in your diary. We’ll have a speaker to talk about something of interest to our community, plus free refreshments.

Best wishes,

John Digby

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 Poynings Road, Poynings from junction with Church Lane Roundabout to junction with Mill Lane is temporarily prohibited from 15/11/23.   
The restriction will be in place 24hrs.   
This emergency closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to complete essential safety lining works.    
It is anticipated the works will be completed by 16/11/23.   
Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.    
The alternative route for traffic will be signed on site.    
This notice will be effective for a maximum of 21 days from the date given above.    
Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact the West Sussex Contact Centre on 01243 642105.    
Dated 10 November 2023.    
Matt Davey.    
Assistant Director of Highways, Transport and Planning

The next meeting of Poynings Parish Council to be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 15^th November 2023 at 7pm.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes
3. Matters Arising
4. MSDC and WSCC
5. Public Participation
6. Expenditure for Aug 2023 and Sept 2023
7. Planning applications
   a) Shepherds Hey The Street Poynings West Sussex BN45 7AQ
   Insertion of a rear door to the western façade.
   Decision
   b) Royal Ook. The Street Poynings.
   Marquee and Paving.
   Decision
8. Village gates
9. CIL Funds
10. WSCC/MSDC- Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
11. Speed limits and parking
    Poynings.- 50mph Ginger Fox.- 40mph Tates/Poynings (Newtimber) – 40mph? Poynings to Small Dole (Fulking)
12. Village Hall
13. Clerk remuneration.
14. Items for next month’s Agenda
15.  Dates of next year’s Meetings
    
    C Warburton
    Clerk to the Council
    
    

WSCC Highways Contractor, Balfour Beatty, will be coming to Poynings Road on Thursday 14th September to complete a number of pothole repairs. Repairs will commence after the school drop off to try and minimise disruption. (About 9.30) The repairs being undertaken will include the use of a Jet Patcher and a Bobcat Planer to help demonstrate these pieces of equipment and how repairs are undertaken.

In terms of attendance, the works will be completed on a live site and therefore they are trying to keep visitors to invite only for safety purposes. Those in attendance will be given a site safety briefing and must be wearing the required PPE. If anyone would like to come to site to watch they should report to the Balfour Beatty Site Manager in the first instance who will advise on where they can place themselves in order to maintain safety.