This
project is financed by the LSC, SEEDA and
the European Social Fund
LOCAL
NEWS
SUSSEX
NEWS
Brighton's Rok Helps Company Profits
The Brighton division of building group Rok significantly helped the company post a 75 per cent rise in half-year profits. The company known as the ‘nation's local builder’, which has an administrative base in Crawley, announced pre-tax profits of £11.2 million for the six months to June 30 and said it had made a "very strong start" to 2007 as turnover soared 44 per cent to £434 million.
The team at Woodingdean Business Park in Sea View Way, Brighton, contributed to Rok’s financial success by working on two major social housing schemes, worth more than £3 million. The more valuable of the two schemes is worth £2.6 million and is a project for the Southern Housing Group on Roedale Road, providing 14 apartments and seven houses. In Hawkhurst Road the construction outfit is also working on a £550,000 scheme for the Downland Housing Association to build two semi-detached houses.
Source: The Argus, 21st August 2007
Cash Flow Improving For Sussex's Hospitals
According to forecasts announced by the Prime Minister and Health Secretary, eleven of Sussex's thirteen health trusts will be at break-even point or in surplus by the end of this financial year. Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust remain in debt however their deficits will be significantly reduced.
However many of the cost savings were made at the expense of a number of jobs and cancelled services, and numerous hospitals across Sussex are still under threat of downgrading.
Source: The Argus, 31st August 2007
Sussex Society For ME Sufferers Reaches 20th Anniversary
A society which was set up to help the 5,000 ME sufferers there are believed to be in Sussex is celebrating its 20th Anniversary
The Sussex ME/Chronic Fatigue Society was set up in 1987 by Colin Barton and has not only helped develop local services, but has also had an input in national policy.
Source: The Argus, 30th August 2007
19 Schools In Sussex Begin Term Without Headteachers
19 schools across Sussex have begun the year without a headteacher, reinforcing concerns that teachers are being put off applying for headships because of the increasing workload they face. Most of the affected schools are in East Sussex, where nine primaries, one secondary and one special school have vacancies for a permanent headteacher. Four schools in West Sussex started the term with acting headteachers.
Source: The Argus, 7th September 2007
ITV Meridian to Cut Jobs
ITV Meridian faces a major cost-cutting exercise that will result in less local news broadcasting and job losses across the Meridian area. Due to pressure on advertising revenue and increased competition ITV has stated that it cannot sustain the regional news structure. In order to save £40million, ITV wants to reduce the number of regions across the UK from seventeen to nine. In the Meridian area, this would result in reducing three sub-regions into one. As a result of this reduction the newly created programme would cover Hampshire, Kent, Sussex and parts of Essex, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Surrey.
It is too early to predict the exact effect this will have on staff at Meridian, however the Managing Director of ITV Meridian says “clearly it is likely to lead to some job losses in future”.
Source: Kent News.co.uk, 12th September 2007
Thousands of Half-Days Lost at Sussex Schools
New figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families reveal that more than 120,000 half-days were lost in a single term in Sussex secondary schools due to ‘unauthorised absence’. The absences include truancy, lateness and children who aren’t at school because their parents took them on holiday during term time. The news follows warnings by Ministers that taking children out of school during term time could seriously harm their education and affect their ability to achieve good grades.
Source: The Argus, 12th September 2007
Food Hub Will Create Dozens of Jobs
Dozens of jobs are being created as an innovative million pound scheme takes place to provide a base for Sussex food producers.
Tony Meredith owns the food innovation centre at Ockham Farm in Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, and uses it to run his three small businesses. Mr Meredith wants to create a ‘food hub’ by expanding the farm to provide production units for other local food producers. The ‘hub’ has gained the support of Rother District Council which has granted him £7,500 to develop a business plan. Work is due to start at Easter next year and is expected to take about six to nine months at a cost of around £1 million.
Source: The Argus, 12th September 2007
Thousands Of Youths To Receive Discounted Bus Fares
6,000 of West Sussex’s youngsters have this month received a ‘three-in-one’ card to allow them to travel on buses at hugely reduced fares and take advantage of discounts at a number of shops and attractions. The youngsters were the first to apply for the new card launched by the County Council designed for young people aged 5-19 and in full-time education. More are expected to sign up for the ‘three-in-one’ card once they see the benefits their class mates are receiving, including bus fare discounts, and discounts from 45 different shops and attractions in Sussex. The card also acts as a nationally recognised proof-of-age, putting an end to the need to carry a birth certificate or passport.
Source: Chichester Observer, 24 August 2007
Special Research Project Aims To Banish Homophobia In West Sussex
A special research project into homophobic incidents in West Sussex has begun. The project is being led by the County Council’s Community Safety Unit, West Sussex Primary Care Trust, Sussex Police and the district and borough councils. An anonymous questionnaire has been drawn up for anyone who has witnessed an incident or who feels they’ve been a victim. The results will be used to map the nature of homophobia within West Sussex and help the County Council review and develop policies to prevent and deal with incidents.
Anyone wanting to take part in the Homophobic Incidents Research Project should follow the link http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/lgbt or call 0845 0751021.
Source: www.westsussex.gov.uk, 30th August 2007
Achievement Awards For Drop-In Centre Volunteers
Fifteen volunteers are to receive Achievement Awards for their key role in the success of drop-in centres designed to help people affected by a relative or friends misuse of alcohol or drugs. The centres have been set up in the last 18 months by West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team’s Families and Friends Project.
Source: www.westsussex.gov.uk, 20th August 2007
Job Losses In Littlehampton
Thirty jobs are to be cut from The Body Shop's distribution centre in Littlehampton. The company which is now owned by L’Oreal has announced that the reason for the job losses is that improved efficiency in the warehouse has reduced the number of employees needed.
The Body Shop is consulting with the appointed employee representatives on reducing the warehouse staff numbers and have agreed with the representatives that the company will proceed by way of voluntary redundancies to avoid the need for compulsory redundancies. The company are said to be offering full support to any employees who are made redundant, including outplacement and retraining support, as well as help with identifying other suitable vacancies within the business."
The Body Shop’s founder, Dame Anita Roddick, died on Monday 10th September 2007 of a brain haemorrhage at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.
Source: Worthing Herald, 30th July 2007 & bbc.co.uk, 11th September 2007
English Test Anger For Another Couple
The husband of a woman from the Ukraine has slammed new government regulations requiring her to pass English Language or Culture tests. Tanya Edwards had hoped she would be given indefinite permission to stay in the UK when her temporary permit ran out this summer. However the couple were shocked to find that the conditions of her stay had changed substantially.
Tanya may still apply for a temporary permit, however her husband is angered that they weren’t given any notice about the changes as he claims there was not sufficient time for Tanya to gain the necessary qualifications.
Only five weeks were available for Mrs Edwards to study for the test, which she subsequently failed. It is usual for a 19 week course to be undertaken before sitting the test for an ESOL certificate.
Tanya has now asked to be allowed to stay for two years to give her time to gain the qualifications, and for the £395 application fee to be refunded, as a further £750 will still need to be paid for her indefinite leave application once she has passed the test.
Source: Worthing Herald, 27th July 2007
Eco Alternative To Polystyrene
A West Sussex Research and Development laboratory, RKS Laboratories in Petworth, has developed an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene and polyurethane foams. The company hopes that the material will be used in packaging, car parts and construction parts, as it can be used in exactly the same ways as polyurethane and polystyrene foams. The key difference is that it is made from almost 50% natural or recycled materials, and can be disposed of as ‘green waste’ and composted.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 21st August 2007
Extension For Pizza Takeaway
Lancing’s The Great Italian Pizza in South Street is seeking planning permission to allow extended opening hours. Adur council's licensing committee have approved an extra hour of opening - until midnight Monday to Thursday, with telephone orders and deliveries midnight to 1am. Deliveries can also be made from midnight until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and open until 11pm on Sundays if the conditions of its planning permission are also amended. As the business is licensed for the sale of alcohol until 11pm and with delivery food, some concerns have been raised about public order and crime.
Source: Worthing Herald, 21st August 2007
Revamped Playground And BMX Track
A new adventure playground has opened in Shadwells Road in Lancing, after a £65,000 facelift. Adur District Council was able to use part of a £200,000 lottery grant for children's play projects, to revamp to the facility, which includes a BMX track in response to local demand consultations.
Source: Worthing Herald, 30th August 2007
Rustington Gives £8m Flats Scheme Mixed Reception
Rustington citizens have given a mixed reception to a proposed £8m development of 67 ‘extra-care’ flats on the site of the former Abbotswood home.
In August a public consultation was held by Saxon Weald Housing Association on its plans at the Woodland Centre, Rustington, and a planning application is due to be submitted in September. The development will consist of one and two bedroom flats reserved mainly for elderly people already living in the area. Two-thirds of the flats will be available for rent, and the rest will be in shared ownership, split 75/25 between the occupants and Saxon Weald.
Most people who attended the public consultation were pleased that the rambling old building was to be demolished, following problems with vandals, anti-social behaviour and even squatters. However some local residents are concerned about traffic levels in the area. In defence of the development, Stuart Fullwood, project development manager for Saxon Weald, said most of the residents would be in the 80-90 age group and it was unlikely that many would have cars. He also pointed out that at a similar scheme in Billingshurst, only three or four residents in the 40 homes had cars.
Subject to planning approval, work on the development could start in autumn 2008.
Source: Worthing Herald, 22nd August 2007
New Development To Bring Homes And Employment
1,500 new homes are in the pipeline to be built on land north of the railway at Toddington. As well as the homes, it is proposed that some business units, a primary school, a health centre and shops shall be built on the development.
The area north of Littlehampton is one of two locations marked out for major development over the nest 20 years – with a further 1,500 homes north-west of Bogner Regis. The proposal to develop the Littlehampton area is seen as a bid to help regenerate the whole town by promoting and supporting economic and social regeneration, and enhancing the town’s role as a place of employment.
Source: Worthing Herald, 16th August 2007
Amberley Castle Sold To Hotel Chain For £15m
Amberley Castle has been sold to the von Essen hotel chain for around £15m. The hotel was established 19 years ago by Martin Cummings, 64, and his wife Joy, 63 who have agreed to sell the 900 year old castle in order for them to retire. They were first approached by von Essen to sell the castle in October but the business was only officially handed over on 30th August for a sum said to be around £15million.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 31st August 2007
Parking Enforcement Change In Worthing
Worthing saw a major change in the way that parking is enforced earlier this month. The County Council launched the Local Authority Parking Enforcement (LAPE) which sees parking attendants replacing traffic wardens to enforce on-street parking regulations and will mean safer and less congested streets.
The new enforcement is operated under contract to Worthing Borough Council by NCP Services and sees an average of 21 parking attendants a day deployed across the borough, compared to around 12 traffic wardens that Sussex Police were able to provide.
Source: www.westsussex.gov.uk, 4th September 2007
Work Started on Children and Family Centre for Angmering
Work began on building a new Children and Family Centre in Angmering Library earlier this month. The new centre will provide a range of family support services accessible to parents, children and young people. Major alterations will be made inside the building to combine Library and Children and Family Centre services under one roof. It is hoped that the Library will be able to remain open during most of the planned building work.
The new facility is part of an £11m expansion of Children’s Centres which will see an extra 30 centres opening across the county.
Source: www.westsussex.gov.uk, 28th August 2007
£10m Hotel Plan Approved
A six-storey hotel is on its way to Perrymount Road in Haywards. The £10 million hotel was approved with a narrow margin of six votes to five. Councillors hope the 100-room hotel will help revitalise the town centre and provide a source of local employment. The building is due to be completed in 2010 when it will be leased out to a hotel chain.
Source: The Argus, 17th August 2007
Online Travel Firm's Call Centre Boost
50 jobs are being created in East Grinstead as online travel company, Lowcostravelgroup.com, increases the size of its Sussex call centre by 50 per cent. The expansion has been made in order to cope with growing demand for ‘pick-and-choose’ holidays. The number of people visiting the company's website has grown, therefore so has the number of people picking up the phone to make enquiries before booking a holiday.
Source: The Argus, 21st August 2007
Laura Ashley Moves To East Grinstead
It has been announced the clothing and home furnishings chain Laura Ashley will be opening a new branch in East Grinstead this autumn. The store at 67-69 London Road will focus predominantly on home goods. Current estimates are that 15 staff will be required in a range of roles and shift patterns.
Source: East Grinstead Courier, 16th August 2007
Youth Group Clears Litter And Makes A Masterpiece
Youth group ‘Glo Youth’ took part in a litter pick operation in the Stone Quarry area over the summer holidays and creatively used the litter to create a piece of art! As well as catching the public’s attention with their masterpiece, the youngsters donned homemade sandwich boards with messages about littering, slave trade, and other issues chosen by the young people. The litter pick was organised by Glo Youth, community development co-ordinator Annette Weatherald, and East Grinstead Town Council.
Source: East Grinstead Courier, 30th August 2007
East Grinstead Town Square Makeover
A makeover is in store for the town centre as the Queen's Walk redevelopment takes a step closer. Among the proposals are a new town square, an underground car park, a 16,000 sq m shopping space and almost 400 homes. The development will have two floors of shops and flats above, including affordable homes for first-time buyers.
Building is expected to start in early 2009 and be completed in 2014.
Source: www.icSurreyonline.co.uk, 29 August 2007
Ashington-Based Bakery Sold
Ashington-based Kate's Cakes has been sold for £32 million to CSM, a Dutch bakery and food ingredients supplier. Kate’s Cakes unbranded products are sold in some of the UK’s biggest high street retailers including Marks & Spencer, Pret A Manger, Starbucks, Bhs, Caffé Nero and Waitrose and currently employ 470 people at two Sussex factories.
Source: The Argus, 14th August 2007
Work Has Started On New Skate Park
Work began mid-August on an exciting street sports facility for Southwater's youngsters which includes platforms for rollerbladers and skaters. A grand opening is also being planned and is likely to take place at the end of September dependent on how the weather affects the progress of the construction.
The scheme attracted a great amount of support from both residents of the village and the parish council, who spoke of the need for the facility in the village. However a few villagers opposed the proposal when planning permission was applied for because of concerns about vandalism and its remote location. A petition of 50 names opposing the skate park was submitted to the council, but the opposition was deemed fruitless when a petition speaking for the skate park was also sent in - with 110 names on it.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 29th August 2007
Residents Fury Over School Plan
Ashington Parish Council and residents are furious over plans for an independent faith school to be built at Oast House Farm on Billingshurst Road. Local residents believe the site is completely unsuitable and say they do not want the school to be 'dumped' on them.
The school would provide secondary education for 60 children, aged 11 to 17 from Horsham, Mid Sussex, Worthing and Arun districts.
On Tuesday 21 August the Horsham District Council development control committee south meeting was held and the plans were discussed at great length. Councillors decided to defer the decision of planning permission until a site visit has been carried out and an inspector's report is finalised.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 24th August 2007
Sheltered Home And Employment Opportunities For Severely Disabled
Disability charity, the Lorica Trust, has gained planning permission to convert a farm in Storrington to house eight severely handicapped people. The new accommodation will provide the residents with their own individual units which they will co-own and there will also be the opportunity for them to work on the surrounding land as part of a rural apprenticeship programme.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 24th August 2007
Rentokil's Move To Horsham
Horsham may soon see the arrival of global pest control giant Rentokil as it considers moving its product testing headquarters to Horsham. The product testing headquarters, known as the European Technical Centre, will mainly focus on insects, and will include researching and developing products to tackle the recent rise in bedbugs in the UK.
Although Rentokil bosses are considering Horsham among a list of possible venues for its new European Technical Centre, no deal has yet been made.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 17th August 2007
New Management Consultants On Roffey Park Team
Horsham-based Roffey Park has made two key appointments to its consultant team due to increasing demand for management training programmes. The company is one of the UK's oldest education and research providers, and continues to go from strength to strength.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 24th August 2007
Bus Company Cease In Trading Will Not Affect School Transport
Following bus company Palaeobus’ decision to cease trading, West Sussex County Council has taken action to ensure school transport contracts with the company are covered by other providers. Arrangements have been made to ensure the 100 children entitled to free school transport continue to receive an uninterrupted service.
Palaeobus also carries around 250-300 children a day to and from three secondary schools in Horsham in commercial services. The County Council stresses that it will do all it can on behalf of the travelling public affected by the loss of commercial services too.
Source: westsussex.gov.uk, 12th September 2007
Oil Plans For John
Partridge Green farmer, John Ford, is launching his own brand of cold-presses rapeseed oil which he hopes will compete with olive oils. While many farmers grow oil seed rape, most sell the crop in bulk for processing in to commercial cooking oil, cosmetics and bio fuel. However, John is the only farmer in the South East who is seeking to cut out the middleman and use chemical free crushing to release the oils.
John estimates that he could produce and bottle up to 55,000 litres of Sussex Gold each year. The oil will retail at £4.95 for 500ml bottles, and it is hoped that a supermarket distribution deal can be struck soon. If trials are successful, cold-pressed sunflower oils will be the next product line.
Source: West Sussex County Times, 24th August 2007
Job Cuts At BAA
The UK’s largest airport operator, BAA, has announced it is to cut jobs. BAA, which owns Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, is yet to announce the number of positions due to go, but has played down reports that 2000 jobs will be lost. The positions are being removed as part of an efficiency review and is said to not affect its security and customer service roles.
BAA have said that the job cuts are about building a much leaner and more efficient business as opposed to cutting costs, however Unions have criticised airport operator’s actions believing it to be illogical to resolve its difficulties through slashing jobs. Unions have also said that efficiency problems were partly due to lack of trained staff and therefore any future cuts would only make conditions worse.
Source: BBC online, 30th August 2007
The Future Of Gatwick Airport
An aviation expert has announced that Gatwick Airport could be sold off within a year.
Last week a national newspaper reported that potential buyers were positioning themselves ahead of a £3 billion plus auction for the airport, which is currently owned by BAA.
Peter Villa, managing director of consultancy firm Apollo Aviation, said, "It's difficult to answer what might happen to Gatwick workers if there is a sale. I would say that their jobs would be safe for at least the medium term as a new owner would need them to keep the airport running."
Source: icSurrey online, 29th August 2007
Gatwick No Border Camp Location Revealed
The organisers of the Gatwick Area No Border Camp have announced the location of their camp site to be a rented field near Salfords, Surrey. The protest camp will be held between September 20 – 23 and is part of a campaign to stop the building of a new detention centre at the airport. Over the four days demonstrations will be held in Crawley, Croydon and Gatwick, as well as workshops and activities on various migration and detention related issues.
Source: www.uk-airport-news.info, 11th September 2007
BAA Reward Gatwick Staff with Coffee
900 Gatwick Airport employees who worked on the airport’s busiest day of the year have been rewarded with a £1.50 coffee voucher. The voucher will buy two cups of subsidised latte in a Gatwick branch of Starbucks and according to a national newspaper, the reward has not gone down too well with airport employees.
Source: www.uk-airport-news.info, 5th September 2007
Low Cost London Shuttle Service Introduced From Gatwick and Heathrow
National Express is introducing a new airport transfer service named ‘dot2dot’ with the aim of undercutting the cost of taxis (revamping the old Holtelink service). The service which uses custom-build mini-buses runs between Heathrow and Gatwick and central London hotels, and will launch in November and transfers will be able to be booked online at http://www.dot2.com.
Source: www.uk-airport-news.info, 4th September 2007
Gatwick and Aberdeen Airport Hotels Bought
Menzies Hotels has bought eight Thistle hotels from Curzon Hotel Properties for a total of £54m. The hotels included the Thistle London Gatwick, in Brighton Road, Horley. £12m will be spent on refurbishing and repositioning the eight properties in line with its existing hotels during the next 18 months. No comment has been made about changes to staffing level.
Source: www.uk-airport-news.info, 30th August 2007
Gatwick Airport's Future Under The Spotlight At Select Committee Meeting
Members of a West Sussex County Council scrutiny took off for Crawley to hold a meeting devoted to finding out more about the future development of Gatwick Airport. Councillors were given a series of presentations at the meeting on 12th September, on topics ranging from BAA’s Master Plan for managing anticipated passenger growth to proposed road and rail improvements. Plans for the 2012 Olympic Games were also discussed as Gatwick is due to be a major gateway into the UK for competitors and spectators.
Source: www.westsussex.gov.uk, 31st August 2007
Climate Protesters Hit Office Of Crawley Firm
Climate campaigners stormed an airline office at Gatwick in a bid to “highlight the destroying of our planet with short-haul flights and cheap flights." 10 activists from Camp for Climate Action chained themselves to a stairwell at the Gatwick South Terminal Offices of Crawley firm XL Airways on Friday 17 August. The campaigners were quickly removed by police but soon re-emerged outside with a banner proclaiming “cheap flights, cheap lives”.
Although Gatwick is under a legal agreement not to build a second runway until 2019, there are still plans to increase passenger numbers from 34 million per year to 40 million in the next 8 years.
Source: icSurrey online, 22nd August 2007
Sites Approved For 2,600 New Homes
Plans to build at least 2,600 new homes built have been approved by Government inspectors.
Crawley Council's core strategy outlines the way the town will look in the next decade and identifies eight brownfield sites where planners say the 2,600 homes could go. However, council planners are already 944 new homes behind an earlier target to build 300 every year between 2001 and 2016. The plan also focuses on the regeneration of town centre north with the intention of bringing in big name retailers. This project is due to start in 2010.
Source: icSurrey online, 29th August 2007
The Huge Carbon Footprint Of Crawley
Crawley has been named the worst in the region in a table of carbon emissions per household. The calculations were made by British Gas on the basis of the amount of energy consumed by households, excluding that used for the households’ vehicles. According to the findings, dwellings in the Crawley produce an average of 5,820kg of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of driving for more than 15,000 miles.
Other offenders in the region were Brighton and Hove, with 4,905kg per dwelling, and Portsmouth, with 4,675kg per dwelling.
Source: The Argus, 31st August 2007
Skatepark Opens
A new skatepark for Crawley has been opened by Crawley Council in Southgate Playing Fields. Hundreds of skaters and BMXers have already hit the ramps this summer to show off an practise their skills on the grind rails, jumps and in the bowl area. The floodlit skatepark is open until 10pm everyday, and benefits from CCTV cameras and a bicycle padlock area for security.
Source: Crawley Observer, 28th August 2007
Crawley Care Home To Close
Crawley-based Woodhall Care Home will be closed despite there being no approval to build replacement housing yet. The home which cares for men and women with learning difficulties has been deemed as unable to meet the needs of its 15 residents.
Eight of the residents will be re-homed by the Council into wheelchair accessible flats at a proposed development at Ifield Community College and the 26 members of staff will either be moved or helped to find alternative employment.
Source: The Argus, 28th August 2007
Heathfield Street Festival Success
August Bank Holiday Monday saw Heathfield’s most successful Le Marche yet. More than 100 stalls served festival goers, with many food sellers from the local area and France selling out completely. Three mini-buses supported a park & ride from the edge of the village, allowing visitors to access the High Street shops and restaurants.
Source: Sussex Express Series, 30th August 2007
Fight To Save Care Home
The closure of Polegate’s Gilda Crescent care home and William Daly Centre is being considered by East Sussex County Council as part of a review of adult social care. Gilda Crescent offers 20 respite care places, eight living-at-home places, eight nurse assessment places and two long term residents. Ten day places are also provided. Local politicians from more than one party have already expressed their concerns about the potential loss of this community facility.
Source: Sussex Express Series, 30th August 2007
Hailsham Bus Cuts
Eastbourne Buses have announced significant night bus service cuts for Hailsham. The last bus leaving Hailsham for Eastbourne was the number 51 leaving at 10.11pm, but from 30th September will be the number 52, leaving at 8:45pm. Even more dramatically, the last bus from Eastbourne to Hailsham will no longer be the 11pm number 51, but will be the 6:40pm number 54 service. Early morning bus services to Polegate will also to be changed at the same time, affecting commuters.
Hailsham Mayor, Nick Ellwood, has pointed out that these cuts will be detrimental to the town and surrounding villages, especially young people and shift workers. It is known that at least one person is seeking new employment in response to the loss of suitable public transport.
Eastbourne Buses say that the evening services are no longer viable without financial support due to spiralling costs and dwindling full-fare paying usage.
Source: Sussex Express Series, 30th August 2007
DIY Superstore Closure Prospect
Eastbourne’s Focus DIY store in Marshall Road, Hampden Park in Eastbourne is expected to close in the next few months. The troubled retail chain was purchased by private equity firm Cerberus earlier this year, but has announce that the Eastbourne store is ‘non-core’ and ‘underperforming’ so will close unless it can be sold. The store has suspended its discount scheme in anticipation of the closure and selling off a range of products at reduced prices. The potential closure puts 25 full and part time jobs in the town at risk. However, the company’s Hailsham store on the Diplocks Industrial estate will be unaffected.
Source: Eastbourne Herald, 1st September 2007
Sussex Shouldn’t Bear Brunt Of SE Housing Increases
Government inspectors have reviewed the South East Plan, and concluded that the region’s target for new housing should be increased by just 10 percent, from 28,900 to 32,000 homes per year. This 20 year plan was drawn up by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA), with significant input from several local authorities.
The recommendations for East Sussex are for the numbers proposed in the plan to remain unchanged, or be increased by a modest five per cent. Districts for which the proposed numbers were also felt to be correct were Eastbourne and Hastings Boroughs, and Rother and Lewes Districts. Within East Sussex, only Wealden was recommended for and increased number of new homes per year, 80 more per year. Specifically, the inspectors suggested that over the 20 years covered by the Plan, that Uckfield should see the development of 600 of these extra homes.
In response to the report, County councillors have said the believe the recommendations do not support government plans for three million new homes in the UK by 2020, which could mean many for the Sussex and the rest of the South East. However, the Council continues to warn against building homes at a greater rate than the county’s economic development can support. It is now expected that government will consult on changes to the Plan within the next 12 months.
Source: Eastbourne Herald, 2nd September 2007
Newhaven Port Housing Prospect
Housing firm, Oakdene Homes, has announced plans to buy 147 acres at Newhaven Port, to develop the site for housing, shops and a new ferry terminal. The port’s French owners, Societe d'Economie Mixte Locale de Co-operation Transmanche has given Oakdene first refusal on the land. As yet, the deal has no firm price tag attached, but it is clear that Transmanche Ferries would retain permission to run its services from the port for at least 25 years, with a new port access road into the ferry terminal would also be built.
Reigate-based Oakdene is already building in Newhaven, having started a development of 105 flats and six shops, with more planned to follow on the same site.
Source: The Argus, 22nd August 2007
£1m Community Centre Construction Begins
The groundbreaking ceremony has taken place for a £1m community centre on the site of a former coach and lorry depot on Wartling Road, Eastbourne. Completion of the development, supported by house-builder George Wimpy, is expected in early 2008. The community centre will provide a variety of activities for all sections of the town, including the new Regency Park development, which will include apartments and three and four-bedroom homes. It is hoped that these facilities will help to attract first-time buyers and young professionals to the town.
Work has also just got underway on a 78-home development in Susans Road, with 59 two-bedroom apartments and a further 19 affordable housing properties being built by Barratt Homes.
Source: Eastbourne Herald, 30th and 31st August 2007
Child Employment Check Success
East Sussex County Council is hailing its week-long campaign to monitor and promote good practice in the employment of school children as a success.
More than 120 businesses in East Sussex were visited by education welfare officers to ensure that summer holiday employment was safe and within the law. 44 children were found to be working illegally, in most cases without the necessary work permit, which informs the local authority of the prospective employment as allows them to check out safety concerns and to monitor the hours worked, to protect the well-being of young people. Spot checks on employers will continue alongside awareness raising exercises.
Source: Eastbourne Herald, 29th August 2007
Survey of Migrant Community
A survey of Eastbourne’s migrant community is being developed by students at English in the Community (EITC). It is hoped that the responses will provide a valuable insight into the views and concerns of foreign nationals in the town, and help to shape the content of a leaflet for new arrivees. It is envisaged that the leaflet will cover how to find a place to rent, open a bank account and access services within the community.
EITC provides English language lessons tailored for specific needs, and introduces migrants to appropriate service providers, as well as encouraging voluntary work within the community. EITC would like to share the template of the finished leaflet with organisation which can help to distribute them. EITC can be contacted on 07971 908141 or e-mail info@englishinthecommunty.co.uk
Source: Eastbourne Herald, 28th August 2007
200 Jobs Created In Lewes?
As many as 200 jobs could be created in Lewes if plans to redevelop a 48,000sqft derelict site are given the go-ahead. A planning application has been submitted to the Council and if given the go-ahead, 5,500 sqm of office space and 14 two and three-bedroom flats will be built on the former base of pharmaceutical company Roche Diagnostics on Bell Lane.
Source: The Argus, 17th August 2007
Goods Yard Project To Create 120 Jobs
120 jobs could be created through a £2.1 million project to transform a former goods yard.
Rother District Council is funding part of the redevelopment of Sidley Goods Yard, while an application for the rest of the money required has been submitted to the Area Investment Framework (AIF). The AIF is responsible for distributing money on behalf of the regional government body, South East England Development Agency.
The proposals for the site near Bexhill include between 15 and 20 small, serviced units for new businesses and a similar number of standard business space units of between 50 and 150sqm. The council will own and manage the site and will begin advertising the new spaces when building work starts next year. The project is expected to be completed by 2009.
Source: The Argus, 29th August 2007
200 New Jobs Put On Hold
Plans for the major redevelopment of Shoreham Airport, which could create 200 new jobs, have been hit by two new blows.
The first blow was when transport bosses ordered approval of the scheme to be put on hold for three months. And secondly, the airport's historic municipal hangar dating from the Second World War has just been declared a listed building. These issues mean it could now be November before Adur District Council can finally give the plans the green light.
Source: The Argus, 27th August 2007
Over 100 Brighton Jobs May Be Saved
More than 100 call-centre jobs could be saved after a strategic review by operator Inkfish.
Last month, managers at Inkfish devastated Brighton workers when they announced that 250 jobs were being transferred to Northern Ireland following the loss of its key Post Office account. However, now it looks like those jobs could be saved after Inkfish’s owner, Domestic & General (D&G), decided to carry out a review which concluded in the decision to shut offices in Slough and transfer jobs to Brighton. Staff at Slough will be offered the chance to move to Brighton and it is expected that some will take this opportunity. However it is hoped those that choose not to take up the offer will create jobs for workers in Brighton.
Source: The Argus, Tuesday 14th August 2007
Brighton Bus Fares Rise Again
From September 23, bus fares in Brighton will rise, the fourth time in three years. Another 20p will go on single and day saver tickets, taking prices to £1.70 for a single and £3.20 for an all day ticket. However, there will no longer be higher charges for journeys before 9am, cold comfort for the city’s commuters. Price comparisons of all-day tickets in other cities conducted by the Argus revealed prices both lower and higher than Brighton’s.
Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company announced these increases just as a new rival bus service was launched. The Big Lemon, a Community Interest Company, which will run it’s busses on bio-fuel from vegetable oil, will charge £1 for a single and £2 for an all day ticket on its new service between Falmer Station and Brighton Station from Saturday 1st September. Big Lemon services will run from 7am to 1am, and will invest at least 65% of its profits for the benefit of local people.
Source: The Argus, 30th August 2007 and Brighton Business, 31st August 2007
City's Population Of Pensioners To Grow
Brighton and Hove's population of pensioners is set to increase by 15 per cent over the next two decades. Council chiefs expect this rise to generate an increased requirement for bespoke alterations on council housing to help tenants who have problems with their mobility. This demand will also be increased by the trend towards retaining independence in one’s own home.
Meanwhile, according to official figures the population of East Sussex has topped half a million for the first time. Data shows that the population has increased by 13,000 over the past five years to 506,200 people. The continuing population growth is thought to have been caused by increasing numbers of working age people moving to the south coast from other parts of the UK.
Source: The Argus, 29th August 2007
City College’s New Principal
Phil Frier has stepped into the role of Principal of City College Brighton and Hove for the new academic year. City College is one of the ten largest employers in Brighton and Hove. It offers around 700 courses to 12,000 students each year, and is seeking capital funding from the Learning and Skills Council for new buildings.
Frier has thirty years experience in Further Education, including time as the Executive Director of Sussex Downs College. He has stated that his preferred approach will be to work collaboratively with key partners, including Secondary Schools, Sixth Form Colleges, the City Council and local businesses.
Source: Brighton Business, 30th August 2007
More Homes For Ropetackle
Plans have been submitted for a further 53 flats on Shoreham’s Ropetackle site. The former Ballamys car showroom may allow developers to add more homes, a restaurant and two shops. Berkeley Homes and the South East England Development Agency recently staged an exhibition of proposals for the rest of the site. The proposal includes around 30 per cent ‘affordable homes’, and 55 to 60 car parking spaces. If planning permission is given, building work could start by next spring.
Source: Worthing Herald, 30th August 2007
New Extension Plans For Brighton School
New plans have been drawn up for the school extension after architects were forced to rethink their original proposals for a new building at Varndean School in Brighton.
Members of Brighton and Hove City Council rejected the original proposal after 80 residents in the area complained about the plans. As a result the new building will now have to be smaller than the original proposal and will be located on a different side of the school. The Head Teacher of the school is said to be very disappointed with the complaints received as the smaller building will now mean the children are unable to benefit from the facilities they would have had, including a new library and IT suite.
Source: The Argus, 29th August 2007
A Thousand New Jobs At Brighton Centre
More than 1000 jobs will be created in Brighton as part of a huge scheme to redevelop the Brighton Centre. Nearly £400m will be put into the project with Brighton and Hove City Council contributing £31.7m, Seeda £18.5m and Standard Life investing £349m. 1,006 jobs will be generated and 470 current employees safeguarded in the new development.
Source: The Argus, 24th August 2007
Technology Company Targeted In Arms Protest
EDO MBM Technology in Fishersgate, Shoreham was targeted by anti-arms trade protesters recently, and two arrests took place after protesters mounted a roof-top protest. The company manufactures specialist circuit boards for weapons and bomb release components for fighter jets. While the week-long protests had been peaceful, the roof-top sit-down protest triggered the scrambling of a Police helicopter and Fire
Brigade support to assess and monitor the safety of the protesters’ position.
Source: Shoreham Herald, 31st August 2007
