West Sussex schools could get a cash boost by encouraging parents, carers and staff to switch to their local, council-backed energy supplier.

New customers signing up to buy their gas and electricity from Your Energy Sussex this summer can nominate a West Sussex school to receive a £20 donation from the supplier when they switch. The school will receive £10 for a single fuel switch.

The offer is open to all residents in Sussex until 24 July, but the nominated school must be located in West Sussex.

Your Energy Sussex is a new, local energy supplier that was set up by West Sussex County Council to encourage households to switch and save money. It is run on a not-for-profit basis, using any surplus to help local people who are struggling to pay their bills, and works hard to keep customers on its best available tariff.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The Your Energy Sussex schools offer is an excellent opportunity for residents, particularly those on expensive ‘standard variable’ energy tariffs, to save money off their own household bills while doing something positive to support their community.”

Your Energy Sussex is a partnership between West Sussex County Council and Robin Hood Energy, the not-for-profit licensed energy company owned and run by Nottingham City Council. It is supported by councils across Sussex, including East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

You can get a quote from Your Energy Sussex online or by calling 0800 952 0001. Information about the schools offer is available at www.yourenergysussex.org.uk/schools

If you prefer to switch over the phone, please quote ‘WS Schools’ and tell the customer advisor which school you would like to benefit from the donation. 

Customers should note that this offer is not currently available to schools in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Mid Sussex District Council is offering local micro businesses grant funding of up to £2000 to help them grow and expand.

The grants are available to any Mid Sussex business that has less than 10 employees and an idea for a project that will help their business grow. Up to £1500 is also available to help micro businesses take on an apprentice.
This is the second year that Mid Sussex District Council has offered grant funding to help support the local economy and encourage sustainable business growth. One of the companies to benefit dramatically from a micro business grant last year was Haywards Heath based Aquapax.

Aquapax produce natural water with a near perfect pH balance, that is packaged in renewable and sustainably produced, paper cartons. They applied for a micro business grant in 2017 to raise the profile of their brand with a targeted digital marketing campaign and they shot to prominence with a series of high profile partnerships.

The campaign enabled Aquapax to secure formal supply agreements with The Kia Oval, home of Surrey County Cricket Club, and a contract to be the Official on course water for the Dunhill Masters International Golf Championship.
“Mid Sussex is one of the strongest local economies in the country but we’re keen to do more to support businesses and economic growth,” said Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Mid Sussex District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and Economic Growth.

“The planned growth of Mid Sussex over the coming years will create thousands of jobs, see new business parks being built and bring investment in infrastructure. We want local small businesses to be able to benefit from these opportunities, grow and thrive. Last year, our micro-business grants helped more than 40 local companies to expand and develop their business in Mid Sussex and we’re keen to have the same impact in 2018.

“Funding of up to £1500 is also available to take on an apprentice and I would urge local employers to consider creating apprenticeships, especially to give more young people the opportunity of starting their career while learning a skill”.

For more information or to apply online visit
www.midsussex.gov.uk/businessgrants.

The next meeting of Poynings Parish Council to be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 8^th May 2018 at 7pm.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence
   
2. Minutes
   
3. Matters Arising
   
4. Public Participation
   
   1. Expenditure for March and April
      
   2. Planning applications
      9 Mill Close Poynings BN45 7AF – Part single storey part two storey side extension.
      Punnyngs Folly, The Street, Poynings, BN45 7AQ – Small rear glazed extension, alterations to existing windows, gable ends, soffits and associated works
      
5. Operation Watershed
   
6. Insurance renewal
   
7. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
   
   1. Items for Next month’s Agenda
      
8. Dates of Next Month’s Meeting
   

    

This meeting will be followed at 7.30pm by the Annual Parish Council Meeting

Clerk to the Council
Mr Colin Warburton

POYNINGS PARISH COUNCIL

The Annual Parish Meeting of Poynings Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 8^th May 2017 at 7.30pm.

Agenda

1. Outgoing Chairman’s welcome
   

    

2. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
   

1. Chairman’s allowance
   

1. Chairman’s Report
   

1. Financial Report – Clerk
   

1. Local Talks
   SDNP – Rob Ainslie Development Manager for Planning
   

   MSDC Councillor
   WSCC Councillor
   National Trust Ranger    Charlie Cain
   

2. Open Forum
   

Refreshments will be served

Clerk to the Council

Mr Colin Warburton

Submit nominations now for the Mid Sussex Young Volunteer of the Year Awards 2018

Mid Sussex District Council is asking the community to nominate young people who go the extra mile to help others, or who work to improve the local area, for a special award.

Many young people give up their time and effort to make Mid Sussex a better place and Mid Sussex District Council think it’s important to recognise these exceptional individuals.

Nominations are open now for the Mid Sussex District Council Young Volunteer of the Year Awards 2018 and the Council is asking local people to give outstanding young individuals their moment in the spotlight by nominating them.

The awards are open to anyone aged 14-21 who has completed a minimum of 10 hours volunteering. In previous years nominees have been involved with a range of projects including volunteering at a disabled riding school, working to raise awareness of domestic abuse and helping the Police to build relationships with the gypsy and traveller community.

There are three Young Volunteer of the Year Award categories:

• Young Community Volunteer
  

Recognising those young people who have made a difference in their local community

• Young Leader
  

Awarded to a young person who has demonstrated their leadership in a project or organisation

• Young Achiever
  

Against all the odds, someone who has overcome significant obstacles and made a positive difference to their own lives or to other young people through education, campaigning or helping another overcome a difficult situation or personal problem

“If you know a young person who volunteers in Mid Sussex and you would like them to receive recognition for all their hard work then please nominate them for a Young Volunteer of the Year Award,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community.

“Young people make a huge contribution to the Mid Sussex community and these awards are our chance to thank them for everything they do.
Don’t let the efforts of these exceptional young people go unnoticed.”

All shortlisted young people
will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony to receive their certificates from the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council and celebrate their achievements.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is 16 May 2018. For more information about the Young Volunteer of the Year Awards visit www.midsussex.go.uk/youthawards or call 01444 477495.