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The majority of homeowners will no longer need to get planning permission when extending their existing homes from the beginning of October, due to amendments to the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order. Other common building projects – such as fitting solar panels or building a garage – will also be easier to carry out following changes to the planning regulations.

‘The new regulations will benefit homeowners in a number of ways, saving people both time and money,' said Cllr Janet Duncton, Portfolio Holder for Planning at Chichester District Council. ‘Permitted development rights – minor developments to your home, which you don't need planning permission for – have also been clarified and extended to cover more building projects.

‘However, it is really important that people check the Council's web site or contact our planning team to ensure that their home improvements fall within the new regulations – otherwise it could prove costly at a later date.

'Although the regulations have been relaxed, there are still limits in place. Essentially, the changes move away from the existing ‘volume' based approach to the use of dimensions in determining whether proposed works are permitted without requiring planning permission. Also, in the more sensitive parts of the District - in conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Beauty - the amended Order restricts side and rear extensions of more than one storey and outbuildings.'

The new system is intended to be simpler to operate and generally more permissive. Those wanting to extend their homes or add a conservatory will no longer need planning permission as long as they meet certain conditions. Other home improvements that fall under the relaxed regulations include: creating loft conversions; paving your front garden (in a material that allows water to soak to the ground); altering or building a garage; outbuildings; and roof alterations.

Mr Graham Palfrey was fined £37,500 at Chichester Crown Court on 28 August, after failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice issued by Chichester District Council.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of failure to comply with the Enforcement Notice after refusing to remove two mobile homes and a substantial amount of building materials from Rival Lodge Farm, Durford Lane, Rogate.

The Judge drew particular attention to the unauthorised storage of building materials, which he referred to as ‘an eyesore'. He went on to describe the adverse effect that had been caused to the area, which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He emphasised that there should not be profit obtained from the breach of environmental legislation.

The Judge also imposed a custodial sentence of 18 months in the event that the defendant does not pay the fines within six months of the date of the hearing. The Judge ordered that the defendant should also pay Chichester District Council's costs of £1,978 together with a victim surcharge of £15.

Steve Carvell, Director of Environment at Chichester District Council, said, ‘Planning policies are in place to protect the beauty and attractiveness of Chichester District and so it is vitally important that we take action when they are not adhered to. We are very pleased that the court considered this as a serious case and hope that it will discourage others from breaching planning controls.'

At a special meeting of its full Council yesterday (Tuesday 2 September 2008) Chichester District Council decided to apply to the High Court for permission to judicially review the decision of the West Sussex Primary Care Trust to make Worthing Hospital the only major general hospital in West Sussex and to downgrade St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.

The District Council has previously made strong representations to the West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) and to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) to object to the PCT's decision, saying that it was not in the best interest of the local community because of the flawed nature of the decision-making process. Concerns included lack of due regard to the rural deprivation in our District, issues surrounding accessibility and transport, the ability of the ambulance service to meet its already overstretched targets, and retention of the workforce. The Council sought assurances from the Primary Care Trust on these and other issues but unfortunately their response did not satisfy the Council's concerns.

Councillor Myles Cullen, Leader of Chichester District Council, said: “Whilst we are mindful to avoid incurring unnecessary public expenditure on court proceedings, we feel it is in the interests of our Chichester District community to apply for Judicial Review of the West Sussex Primary Care Trust's decision over St Richard's Hospital. 

“The PCT's decision must be roundly challenged for the sake of the community. It is absolutely right that this Council does everything possible to make sure that we look after the best interests of our community.”

Councillor Andrew Smith (Liberal Democrat), leader of the Opposition, agreed: “I fully support this decision to apply for Judicial Review. The public expect us to protect their interests, and it is quite right that we should be exploring every possible avenue.”

Chichester District Council is also fully supportive of the formal reference by the JHOSC to the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, for him to make the final decision. Within that process the District Council has made its own detailed submission to the Secretary of State.

FREE SWIMMING FOR THE OVER 60s

Those aged 60 or over will be able to swim at Westgate Leisure for free from April, after Chichester District Council voted to back the scheme for a trial period of two years.

“The Government is keen to encourage local authorities to make swimming free for those aged 60 or above and so it is making grants available to cover part of the costs. The Council has agreed to cover the remaining amount,” said Heather Caird, Portfolio Holder for Health at Chichester District Council.

“The initiative will be available at Westgate Leisure in Chichester from April, and we will be looking into whether we can extend this initiative to those under the age of 16 in the future.”

“We believe that this will not only help improve the health and fitness of those taking part, but it will also be a great social activity,” she added

Swimming is the most popular activity for the over 60s, with 7% nationally taking part in swimming at least once a month. Swimming has the same health benefits as other forms of physical activity. Additionally, regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio vascular fitness and as a low impact activity is ideal for the elderly and those recovering from injury.

SEPTEMBER DATE FOR FIRST CHICHESTER LOCAL FOOD FARE

Local food producers and traders have the chance to showcase their products at the first Chichester Local Food Fare taking place from Friday September 12 to Sunday September 14.

Organised by Chichester District Council's Farmers' Market team, the day's events include free food tasting sessions, discounts at local food outlets and  cookery demonstrations from food writer and critic Rosemary Moon. Local produce on offer at the stalls will include meats, cheeses, vegetables, cooking and gardening equipment, beer, chutneys, and pastries.

Existing City Centre food and drink businesses are being encouraged to attract customers to their premises by supporting the event with special offers and discounts. By registering these offers by Friday September 5 with the event co-ordinator Pip Frederick on 01243 785166, Ext 4242, they can promote their businesses and be in with a chance of winning a prize (£100 first prize, £75 second prize) for the “Best Food Fare Promotion”. Registered businesses will be featured, together with Food Fare traders, on a specially produced  Food Fare event map.

The Food Fare is open on Friday and Saturday from 9am-5pm  and on Sunday from 10am-4pm. Entry is free.

WASTE DISPOSAL: CHECK ON THE ‘MAN WITH A VAN'

Chichester District Council has warned residents to check that anyone offering to take away items of household rubbish is legally able to do so.

This follows a recent Council conviction for fly tipping, which saw a householder ordered to pay an £80 fine and costs of £100 after his rubbish was dumped on public land in Marlpit Lane, Hambrook . The resident was identified by personal correspondence found in the pile of debris at Marlpit Lane, Hambrook. 

Councillor Heather Caird, Portfolio Holder for Health at Chichester District Council, said:  “This is a significant prosecution which reinforces the message that fly tipping will not be tolerated within this District. It also highlights the dangers of dumping personal correspondence illegally, leaving the individual susceptible to identity fraud.”

In 2006/07 Chichester District Council recorded 860 incidents of fly tipping and collected 95 tonnes of material. To clear up fly tips alone across the District costs approximately £57,000 a year. Holders of an Environment Agency Waste Carriers Licence can recover, transport, deposit or dispose of waste at officially authorised sites.

Lloyd Harris, Clean Neighbourhoods Officer at Chichester District Council added:
“I would urge all residents having any type of work undertaken on their house to check that their builder or contractor has a Waste Transfer Licence to remove the rubbish to a proper waste disposal site. The member of the public who was prosecuted failed to check this with the tradesman, who just fly tipped it.

“Individuals have a duty of care for ensuring that their waste is handled by  properly licensed tradesmen, so always request to see their Environment Agency Waste Carriers Licence. Failure to do so will make the householder liable to prosecution.”

Chichester District Council offer a chargeable service to dispose of such bulky items as three piece suites or bedroom furniture. Ring 01243 534619 for further details and to arrange collection.

For further information regarding Waste Carriers Licenses and householders obligations contact Lloyd Harris on 01243 521100, Ext 2142. If you witness fly tipping, ring the District Watch hotline on 01243 521100.

To find registered waste carriers in your area, ring the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Chichester District Council  is supporting the national ‘Keep Britain Tidy – Big Tidy Up' campaign by launching its very own ‘Big Tidy Up'.

Throughout September, Chichester District Council - in conjunction with parish councils, local residents' groups and the community - will be taking part in the biggest litter pick even seen in Chichester.

As part of the Council's District Watch project, which aims to create a cleaner, safer and greener District,  the ‘Big Tidy Up' is focusing on clearing the streets of rubbish. If every resident in Chichester picked up an empty drinks can and a crisp packet, this would amount to nearly two tonnes of rubbish.

To take part, register on the website ( www.bigtidyup.org ) and get your free kit containing everything you'll need to organise an event. Or call Lloyd Harris, Cleaner Neighbourhoods Officer on 01243 521100, Ext 2142, to find out if there are any local schemes near you and for information on free cleaning kits from the council.

But District Watch deals with much more then litter, encompassing fly tipping, dog fouling, fly posting, nuisance and abandoned vehicles, abandoned shopping trolleys and graffiti. A hotline number (01243 521100) also allows callers to confidentially report incidents for possible investigation.

Councillor Heather Caird, Portfolio Holder for Health at Chichester District Council, said: “ We all have to take responsibility for ensuring Chichester remains a cleaner, safer and healthier District. The Big Tidy Up is a fun way for all the community, young and old, to get involved in caring for their own areas and tackling the issues of littering that we face day in, day out.”

Another deterrent for litter louts is the possibility of a fixed penalty notice of £75 for throwing food cartons, wrappers or other rubbish onto the floor or from car windows.  Councils have had prosecution powers since April 2006 when legislation within the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 was released to councils. If anyone witnesses littering from cars, take details of a vehicle's make and registration, and description of the driver and call the hotline number.

Chichester District Council's fourth annual ‘Get Active' Festival on Sunday September 14 is expected to be bigger then ever this year.

The event, formerly known as the Family Fun Day, is taking place in Oaklands Park from 12noon-4pm. A marching band will open the day's fun by leading a parade from the Market Cross to the park where an Olympic 2012 flag will be raised to signify the handover of the Games from Beijing to London.

Over 20 local sports' groups are offering free taster sessions for all the family, including fencing, judo, bungee run, rifle shooting, circus skills, golf, football, rugby, cricket, climbing, dry sailing and gladiator jousting. After participants have collected stickers from at least 5 different sporting groups, they will be entered into a free draw to win lots of sport-related prizes. Arts and heritage groups from across the District will also showcase their talents and recruit new members.

Other entertainment on offer includes Street Funk dancers and local bands on the HydeMartlet Performance Stage. The Spirit FM roadshow will entertain the crowds, and Chichester District Council teams will also be on hand to offer information and advice on the services they provide. The Council's Community Safety officers will run free bicycle marking sessions on site, while Chichester District Museum has set up a sporting timeline to illustrate the popularity of sporting activities through the ages.

Councillor Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport at Chichester District Council, said : “The event seems to get bigger and better each year and we hope that 2008, with its Olympic theme, will enjoy the same success. The Get Active Festival aims to encourage the whole family to try new sports and lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.”

DON'T LOSE YOUR VOTE, CONFIRM YOUR ELECTORAL ROLL DETAILS

Chichester District Council's FREEPHONE telephone or Internet registration service helps to ensure that you don't lose your right to vote in any elections.

Using one of the automated registration services means that a household's details can be confirmed in a matter of minutes, saving time for residents and postage costs for the Council.

By utilising either of the fully-automated services, residents will continue to be on the electoral roll and not disenfranchised from voting in any election or referendum in 2009 . Voter registration forms will be sent to all households from Friday (August 22).

For those households where the electoral roll details remain unchanged , re-register by dialling the FREEPHONE number or logon to the web address shown on the voter registration form, and key in the two-part security code printed on the form.  Follow the prompts to confirm the household details.

To use the FREEPHONE telephone service you will need a Star (*) button on your telephone and calls from mobiles may be charged at standard network rates.  Services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week throughout the registration period which runs up to November 21. To register a change to any of the details on the voter registration form, a member of the household will need to make the amendment, sign the form and return it by post.

Chichester District Council is supporting a national pledge from Tetra Pak to encourage more people to recycle their paper-based liquid food and drinks cartons.

The Council worked with the carton industry to introduce public carton recycling banks in Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, and Selsey. In Chichester District alone, 5.86 million cartons are used each year, all of which can now be recycled instead of being thrown into the rubbish bin . 

Even though cartons cannot currently be placed into the household burgundy recycling bins in Chichester District, used cartons are now being recycled successfully through special recycling banks at Waitrose and Sainsbury's in Chichester, East Beach car park in Selsey, Budgens in Midhurst, and Damersbridge car park, Petworth.

Once collected, the cartons are taken away to be baled, stored at central hubs until full loads are ready, and then transported to a recycling mill. Cartons can be recycled into a number of different products, ranging from plasterboard liner to high-strength paper bags and envelopes.

Cartons should be rinsed and squashed before recycling. Only paper-based liquid food and drinks cartons should go in the public recycling banks. From April 2009, residents will be able to place cartons in the burgundy household recycling bins.

Residents can pledge to recycle their cartons by visiting www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/ipledge and clicking on the I Pledge To Recycle My Cartons button. The pledge will then ‘come to life' in the shape of a new carton in a tree, alongside the pledges of other committed recyclers from across the country.  One keen recycler will also win the chance for Tetra Pak to help transform a local community green area of their Council's choice, as well as a Nintendo Wii for themselves.

Councillor Pieter Montyn, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Chichester District Council, said: “We are supporting the carton recycling pledge to dispel the myth that cartons can't be recycled. In fact, I've already signed up to the pledge myself. Residents in this District are among the best recyclers in the country and this latest development is exciting in that we can now be part of a national move to recycle more cartons than ever.”

Fay Dashper, National Recycling Operations Manager at Tetra Pak, added: “The summer is a great opportunity to remind people that they can recycle their smoothie, juice, soup or milk cartons, rather than sending them to landfill. We have seen a fantastic uplift in the number of cartons being recycled in Chichester District, and we want to encourage those keen recyclers to spread the message and get their friends and family to sign up to the pledge.”

Each year, UK beverage carton manufacturers produce approximately 55,000 tonnes of paper-based cartons for milk and juices. Since the introduction of carton recycling schemes across the nation by the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK) last year, cartons can now be recycled in 82% of the UK, and Tetra Pak plans to achieve national coverage by the end of this year .

PRE-SEASON FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY

Chichester District Football In The Community Scheme is celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer. The holiday courses are run by Chichester District Council in partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Downland Housing, Kelsey Housing Association, Home, Hyde Martlet, and Raglan Housing Association.

Each course, running from 10am to 3pm daily, offers professional football coaching for children and young people aged 6 to 15. They are designed to cater for all abilities and comprises many different training drills, skills, games and tournaments.  A new session for 2008 will look at the best ingredients for healthy packed lunches, and what nutrients are required for a growing child – and budding footballer.

As well as offering young people professional football coaching and promoting a healthy lifestyle, the scheme also aims to tackle issues of social inclusion and to reduce youth crime. The courses aim to develop essential life skills such as team work, respect, discipline and loyalty.

The Football in the Community programme now reaches more than 3,000 young people each week through Holiday Courses, Friday Night Football sessions, PE lessons, pre-school and after-school clubs and skills training centres. The high standard of the project was acknowledged at the 2007 Football League Awards when Brighton scooped the Community Club of the Year title. This year, it took the Football League's Best Community Initiative Award for the football inclusion projects.

Football In The Community Holiday Courses in Chichester District:

Thursday 31 July, Friday 1 August: Florence Park, Chichester
Thursday 7 August: Tangmere Recreation Ground
Friday 8 August: Fernhurst Recreation Ground
Friday 15 August: Manhood Community College, Selsey
Monday 18 August, Tuesday 19 August: Midhurst Grammar School

A special celebration game, to mark five years of the project has also been organised for Friday 1st August, immediately after the Holiday Course at Florence Park, Chichester. This will involve some of the Brighton and Hove Albion FC coaching staff taking on a team of Community Wardens and Chichester District Council Officers, Housing Association Officers, and Police Community Support Officers.

Councillor Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport at Chichester District Council, said, “These courses have proved to be an extremely successful way of offering young people an engaging and exciting positive activity which meets their needs, and supports their personal development. There are also opportunities for talented individuals to progress in football, and access funding for FA coaching courses. Chichester District Council is proud to work with all of its partners to deliver this very worthwhile project.”

To check if spaces are available on the courses, ring Ben Polhill, Sport and Physical Activity Development Officer at Chichester District Council, on 01243 534857

Chichester District Museum is hosting an Archaeology Day, a free day out for all the family, on Saturday 19th July as part of National Archaeology Week.

If you have stumbled upon a curious find - maybe a coin, a piece of flint or pottery - come and have it identified by Sussex Finds' Liaison Officer, Laura Burnett, at the Guildhall in Priory Park.

Members of Chichester District Archaeology Society will be on hand with information on the wide range of activities and on how you can get involved. Learn more about archaeology from the museum staff, take the opportunity to handle artefacts and have a go at a range of activities including mini-digs, pottery identification and much much more.

Archaeology Day, Saturday 19th July, 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm at the Guildhall, Priory Park, Chichester.

For further information, please contact: Chichester District Museum, 29 Little London, Chichester, PO19 1PB. Tues-Sat 10.00am-5.30pm. 01243 784683

A free air quality alert service for asthma sufferers and people with other respiratory conditions has been launched in Chichester.

airAlert is designed to send messages to mobile or home telephones and via email at times when poor air quality is predicted. The service is designed to inform sensitive people who may suffer from the effects of pollution a day before it is expected, helping them to make informed choices about managing their respiratory health.

AirAlert-4-Schools is a similar service where a message will be sent to the school office in order to inform teachers who may be planning events outdoors where air quality should be considered.

Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council co-launched the airAlert-4-schools service at Central School in Chichester on June 5 to coincide with World Environment Day. Children were shown around an air quality monitoring station and given a chance to see the equipment used to measure and predict future air quality. They were also given the opportunity to take part in a competition.

The service is provided by the Sussex Air Quality Partnership (Sussex–air), which is made up of members from East and West Sussex local and county authorities, the Sussex Primary Care Trusts, the Health Protection Agency, the Environment Agency and the Sussex Universities (Brighton and Sussex). The partnership also has close ties with King's College London (Environment Research Group) and Environmental Protection UK.

Anyone with asthma or a respiratory complaint can register for free on-line at www.airalert.info or by post by returning a freepost response form in the airAlert leaflets that are available at GP surgeries and clinics.

Councillor Heather Caird, Portfolio Holder for Health at Chichester District Council, said: “The airAlert service will help raise the profile of air quality in the District and reinforce the message that good air quality is essential for good health.”

Dr David Hagen, Health Protection Agency consultant, said: "airAlerts provide valuable information to enable people to better manage their own health which should result in reduced hospital admissions or GP visits.”

For more information please contact Nigel Jenkins, Sussex Air Quality Partnership project officer on 01273 484331 or email nigel.jenkins@lewes.gov.uk .

A national theatre group, Quantum Theatre, visited Chichester District this week to stage Bin Raider, a play that looks at waste and what to do with it. Organised by Chichester District Council as part of Recycle Week 2008 (June 2 – 6), over 1200 Key Stage 2 pupils saw the drama.

The 7 to 11-year-olds watched the play, which encouraged children to walk or cycle rather than using the car, at Tangmere, St Richard's, Conifers, St Margaret's, Westbourne; Seal, Medmerry and Kingsham Primary Schools.

Cllr Pieter Montyn, Portfolio Holder for  Environment at Chichester District Council, said: “This was a terrific way to hit the message home, and the drama helped the young people to think about energy and waste saving in a whole new way. By working in partnership, the local authorities in West Sussex will reduce landfill through their work as leaders in waste prevention and recycling; and by using the remaining waste as a resource.”

Research undertaken by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to mark the start of Recycle Week (2- 6 June 2008) has highlighted a series of  ‘hotspots' in the home of ‘forgotten' items of recyclable household waste. 

• 62% of consumers recycle household items from their kitchen
• only 36% and 34% respectively remember to recycle items from their bathroom and bedroom

*   41% of people throwaway recyclable items from the bathroom

• nearly 850,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent saved – the same as taking over a quarter of a million cars off the road each year - if every household recycled ‘one more thing'.
  

Whilst nearly two thirds (62%) of consumers said that they always remembered to recycle items from their kitchen, this falls dramatically to around a third for waste in other areas of the home, such as the bathroom (36%) and bedroom (34%) .

From the Recycle Week survey the top five items which people say they don't recycle are:

1. aerosol containers for deodorant, air freshener or polish, etc (62%)
2. biscuit and sweet tins (53%)
3. plastic shampoo and toiletry bottles (32%)
4. plastic bottles of cleaning products, eg bleach, cleaner or disinfectants (31%)
5. glass jars, such as those for cooking sauces (20%)
   

The research also showed that 59% of people focused on recycling cans, plastic drinks bottles, glass bottles, paper and card.  Over a quarter (26%) were unaware that items such as aerosols, plastic detergent bottles, magazines and biscuit and sweet tins could often be recycled.

This year Recycle Week is about highlighting the extra things we can easily do to recycle more and increase the impact of our recycling efforts.

According to Recycle Now, recycling ‘one more thing' could have a significant impact on increasing household recycling rates and help tackle climate change.  If every household in England recycled one additional item from a range of common household products such as aluminium drinks cans, steel food cans, glass cooking sauce jars, plastic milk bottles and glossy magazines every week for a year, the total amount collected for recycling could increase by more than three quarters of a million tonnes and could potentially raise the national household recycling rate by up to 3% .

Recycling ‘one more thing' would also help tackle climate change by saving nearly 850,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent - the same as taking over a quarter of a million cars off the road each year, or saving the amount of energy required to power 4 million 32” plasma televisions for a year .

Fridey Cordingley, Head of Recycle Now, said:
“Sometimes we don't realise how much of our household waste can be easily recycled, or we think that recycling one more thing won't make a real difference.  Recycle Week aims to inspire us all to try and recycle a bit more and highlight that there is a real benefit in doing so.

“If everyone in England recycled one more plastic shampoo bottle, the energy saved would be enough for 46,000 households to watch a 32” plasma TV six hours a day for a whole year.”

CHICHESTER DISTRICT COUNCIL URGES PRIMARY CARE TRUST TO DEFER HOSPITAL DECISION

Chichester District Council has written to West Sussex Primary Care Trust today, asking members to defer a final decision regarding location of the Major General Hospital (MGH) for West Sussex at their Board Meeting tomorrow (June 4).

Councillor Myles Cullen, Leader of Chichester District Council, wrote to PCT Chairman, Michael Harris, after a meeting of the Council's Executive Board this morning (copy of letter attached).  He urged the PCT Board to defer decision on last week's recommendation, by PCT Officers, that Worthing be made the county's MGH as opposed to St Richard's, Chichester.

He also wrote to the chairman of the Joint Health, Overview and Security Committee (JHOSC) to highlight the Council's ‘grave concerns at the flawed process' used by the PCT Officers in coming to their decision.

He said: “We say the system used to determine this decision is gravely flawed, and we must do everything we can to expose with clarity how these recommendations were arrived at.  This whole thing is urban centric, ignoring rural poverty and rural deprivation.”

Chichester District Council's Executive Board also authorised the Leader of the Council to incur the necessary expenditure to obtain professional consultancy and specialist professional advice if a legal challenge is judged to be necessary in future.

Speaking about the ‘ rude awakening ' experienced as a result of the PCT recommendation, Councillor Myles Cullen reiterated some of the key issues previously highlighted by Chichester District Council. “ It is shocking that the PCT appears to have ignored the considerable local concerns about ‘ blue light ' access times and how long it may take to travel to a major general hospital when seriously ill. There is no doubt such a decision, as it stands, will lead to a serious degradation of care in this District. We urge the PCT to hold back on making that final decision, and take another look at the weighting and scoring process that has been utilised. ”

Notes : The PCT Board meet to consider the PCT Officers ' recommendation on June 4. On June 25, the Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee meet to review the PCT Board ' s decision. The PCT Board meet again on July 10 to review JHOSC ' s report. JHOSC will meet on July  23 to review the PCT ' s position and decide whether they wish to refer the decision to the Secretary of State for Health.

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE VOLUNTEERS IN CHICHESTER DISTRICT TO BE LAUNCHED

Do you know of any unsung heroes giving their time and talents for voluntary groups in your area? As part of National Volunteers' Week (June 1-7), Chichester District Council is launching its first Volunteer of the Year Awards, and is looking for nominations from voluntary organisations, community groups and residents across the area.

The awards, a District Council initiative backed by the Chichester and District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Volunteer Centre, will be held in the autumn. They aim to recognise the work of formal volunteering, which includes volunteers who are members of, or provide unpaid work for, a recognised voluntary sector group in the Chichester District. It may also be someone who is given voluntary work through the Volunteer Centre.

The awards will be launched at a Community Lunch in Chichester on June 4th, organised as part of the National Volunteers' Week celebrations by the CVS for local voluntary and community groups.

The categories include:
Volunteer of the Year Award – for volunteers over 25 years of age who have made an impact or shown particular commitment and dedication to a community group, association or voluntary organisation;

Young Volunteer of the Year Award – for volunteers up to 25 years of age;
Voluntary Organisation Achievement Award – for the organisation that has responded to an identified local need and provided the most innovative and creative solution in the past 12 months.

Councillor Myles Cullen, Leader of Chichester District Council, said: “This is a great way to recognise the contributions of those who give their time and energy in caring for the needs of others, or make a very real difference without thought of personal gain.”

Nominated volunteers do not need to live within the District but their work must benefit those who do. Nomination forms will be available on the Chichester District Council website ( www.chichester.gov.uk ) or from Council offices from June 4th. The closing date for nominations is September 8th 2008.

For more information, contact Andrew Pilley, Community Development and Wardens Manager, Chichester District Council, on community@chichester.gov.uk.

CHAIRMAN AND LEADER RE-ELECTED AT DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor John Ridd and Councillor Myles Cullen have been re-elected as the Chairman and Leader of Chichester District Council respectively.

The appointments were confirmed at the Council's Annual Meeting in Chichester on May 20.

Councillor Ridd, who has been Chairman for the past three years, acts as the Council's Civic Head and will represent the Council at civic and ceremonial functions. The role of the Chairman is non-political and as such, he presides over Council meetings.

Councillor Graham Hicks, who was re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council, will support him in his duties.

Councillor Cullen will continue to be the political leader of the Council and, together with the other members of the Executive Board, will work closely with senior officers to achieve the Council's objectives. Although the Executive Board has extensive delegated authority, major policy decisions go to Full Council meetings to be determined. This offers an opportunity for all Councillors to question the Leader and other members of the Executive Board about current Council work and decisions.

Councillor John Cherry was re-appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council.

The members of the Council's Executive Board remain unchanged for the 2008/9 Council year. They are:

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK BACKGROUND STUDY GETS UNDERWAY

Chichester District Council is carrying out a detailed study of possible housing sites that have the potential to accommodate five or more homes.

The study, known as the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, is being done as part of the background work to produce the Local Development Framework, which will set out a framework for planning for housing and other development across the District to 2026.

An essential aspect of this study, which is in an early stage, is ensuring the Council has details of all possible opportunities for housing development across the District, from local landowners , developers, agents, Parish Councils and any other interested parties .

Anyone who knows of or has an interest in a potential housing site within Chichester District, that would like it to be considered in this a ssessment, needs to complete and return a site assessment form, available from the District Council's website www.chichester.gov.uk , by May 9.

Councillor Janet Duncton, Portfolio Holder for Planning at Chichester District Council, said: “ It should be emphasised that this assessment will be a technical study and not a policy document, so we really are at an early stage in the process. Decisions on which sites should be brought forward for development will be made through the Local Development Framework process , and this study is only one input .

“ In addition, t he consideration of sites in the study will not affect the need to apply for planning permission. There is a long way to go before any final decisions are made, so people should not be concerned. We simply want to make sure we consider all possible sites to best plan for the housing need in the South East in the coming years.”

The information provided will be used by the Council to inform the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the Chichester District Local Development Framework. By responding, people are accepting that their response and the information within it will be made publicly available. However, any published information will not contain personal details of individuals.

CONCESSIONARY BUS FARES UPDATE

From 1 April the new National Concessionary Fares Scheme will come into force, offering free bus travel across England to residents over 60, and those eligible for a bus pass as a result of disability.

Chichester District Council has been working hard to prepare nearly 18,000 new bus passes, needed by residents in time for the start of the new scheme. Unfortunately, the Council has just been told that there may be a slight delay issuing some of the new passes, due to a problem experienced by an external contractor, and in a small number of cases residents may not receive their new national scheme pass before 1 April.   

The bulk of the passes will be issued and posted by the 31 March, and be received shortly thereafter. To minimise disruption and ensure that residents do not suffer a loss of service, an agreement is in place with local bus operators that all existing bus passes with an expiry date of 31 March or later will still be valid for journeys within East and West Sussex, until the end of April.

For more information about the new bus pass regulations, contact Chichester District Council on 01243 785166.

CHANGES TO CONCESSIONARY BUS FARES FOR CHICHESTER DISTRICT RESIDENTS

From 1 April 2008, there will be major changes to the bus pass regulations nationally, which will change the way Chichester District Council provides bus passes for elderly and disabled residents. 

The government has introduced a new national concessionary fares scheme, which will entitle anyone with a valid bus pass to free off-peak bus travel on any registered bus route in England, from 1 April 2008.  The current CountyCard scheme only offers free travel on journeys that begin or end in East or West Sussex.

In the past, local authorities were allowed to choose their own design for the bus pass, but the new government scheme introduces a standard layout and wording that all local authorities must use. This will enable pass holders to claim free bus travel throughout England and will also help bus drivers anywhere in the country to identify valid passes. 

Bus passes are currently issued when a resident reaches the age of 60 or to disabled residents on request, at any time throughout the year.  To comply with the new rules, all existing pass holders will receive a new bus pass, with effect from 1 April 2008, regardless of when their current pass expires. 

Those people who turn 60 between now and the end of March, or those who have to renew their current bus pass before the end of March, will be issued with a short-term pass that will only be valid until 31 March 2008.  They will then receive a new-style pass, which they must use from 1 April 2008.

The new bus passes can be used from 1 April 2008, and will allow travel on any registered local bus route between 09.30 and 23.00 Monday to Fridays, and all day on weekends and Bank Holidays. 

The current CountyCard bus pass system will remain in place until 31 March 2008, so existing pass holders should continue using their current bus pass, to ensure that they will experience no loss of service

Cllr Melva Bateman, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Chichester District Council, said,

‘On this occasion, we may find we have to issue some bus passes that are valid for less than a month, but this is the only way we can comply with the new legislation and ensure our residents do not suffer a loss of their free bus service.

‘We appreciate that some residents may find it confusing to receive a new style bus pass when their current one is still in date.  The important thing to remember is that you should not try to use your new pass before 1 April, as bus drivers will reject them and you may be charged the full fare.'

For more information about the new concessionary fares scheme, please contact the Concessionary Fares Team at Chichester District Council on 01243 534734.