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WHY BE A COUNCILLOR? If you are passionate about your community and want to help make a difference, being a Councillor is a rewarding opportunity to work with others to improve services and facilities in the village. To ensure that the Council is truly representative, it is vital that sufficient people put themselves forward for election.
WHAT DOES THE COUNCIL DO? The Village Council is the level of Government closest to the community and is usually the first point of contact when residents have any concerns. It makes decisions for the benefit of local residents. Its powers and responsibilities cover:
Bus shelters
Looking after Community buildings and open spaces
Community events
Grants
Street lighting
Reporting of highways and footpath issues
Litter and dog bin provision
Working with District and County Councils to secure infrastructure funding and improvements
Neighbourhood Planning
Commenting on planning applications as statutory consultee
Village services, such as community shopping bus and Youth Club
Street furniture
War memorial
Winter management planning with County Council
Liaison with Police The Council is funded by the Precept, which the Council sets each year and which is collected as part of the Council Tax bill.
ASHURST WOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL The Council was formed in April 2000 (as Ashurst Wood Parish Council). It has nine Councillors who are elected for four-year terms. The full Council meets ten times a year and there are separate Committees for Finance and Administration, Planning and Public Services. The Council employs a Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Youth Leader, Handyman and Cleaner. It manages the Pavilion and facilities at John Pears Recreation Ground and
owns the Village Hall (which is managed by Trustees). Achievements of the current Council have included building a new Council office and meeting room; completing work on the Neighbourhood Plan; constructing a new pedestrian footpath through John Pears Field; providing the Street Snooker Multi Games Wall; arranging for the extension and improvement of the basketball area; reopening the Youth Club; continuing to support the shopping bus; working closely with the County Council on highways issues and with the District Council on planning issues; organising community events including the popular Christmas Market, Children's Summer Sports Day and Ashstock Beer and Music Festival.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A COUNCILLOR? Specific qualifications or experience are not necessary, just an interest in your local community, an open mind and the desire to work with fellow Councillors. Current Councillors have a variety of backgrounds, experiences and interests. Training is available for new Councillors and is very much recommended. You will need to work within a Code of Conduct. Time devoted to the Council duties can be as much or as little as you wish but you will need to prepare for and attend full Council meetings on the first Tuesday evening of the month. Councillors choose to join one or more of the Committees and these meet on various Tuesday evenings during the year. Other activities could involve researching matters and reporting to the Council or helping to organise events. Access to a computer and email is highly recommended, but not essential. Councillors do not receive a salary or allowance, but can claim certain expenses.
WHO CAN STAND? You can stand if you are over 18 years old and a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen. You must be on the register of electors or live or work in the area. The nomination period runs from the 19th March to the 3rd April. Forms need to be delivered by hand to Mid Sussex District Council. Nomination packs are available from the Village Council’s office or on the District Council’s website: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/3682/may-2019-parish-council-nomination-pack-indy.pdf
FIND OUT MORE Contact the Clerk on 823770 or email [email protected], or come along to a drop-in session (see front page) or Council meeting.
Thinking of being a Councillor
DATES OF FORTHCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Village Council Meeting Tuesday 5th March, 7.45 pm Tuesday 2nd April, 7.45 pm
Planning Committee (Planning Meetings are held when necessary; this may be during the day or before other Council meetings.) Public Services Committee Tuesday 19th February, 7.45 pm Finance and Administration Committee Tuesday 19th March, 7.45 pm
All meetings are held at the Council meeting room, 20-22 Maypole Road unless otherwise notified. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Agendas are on display three clear days before meetings on the
Council’s notice boards and on its website www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk.
Annual Meeting of the Village Council (and new Council)
Tuesday 14th May, 7.45 pm
Annual Village Meeting Tuesday 21st May, 7.00 pm registration, 7.30 pm presentations held at the Village Hall, Maypole Road
For other Council news, updates, and information on village groups check out the Council’s website.
Ashurst Wood Village Council, 20-22 Maypole Road, Ashurst Wood, West Sussex, RH19 3QN. Telephone: 01342 823770; email: [email protected]; website: www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk
Office opening hours are usually: Monday to Thursday 9.00 am—12.30 pm
NEWSLETTER February 2019
Village Councillors NeededVillage Councillors NeededVillage Councillors Needed Elections are on 2nd May, 9 seats to be filledElections are on 2nd May, 9 seats to be filledElections are on 2nd May, 9 seats to be filled
If you:If you:If you: Want to make a difference in your communityWant to make a difference in your communityWant to make a difference in your community Have an enquiring mindHave an enquiring mindHave an enquiring mind Like to help peopleLike to help peopleLike to help people Like a worthwhile and rewarding challengeLike a worthwhile and rewarding challengeLike a worthwhile and rewarding challenge
Stand for what you believe in and become a CouncillorStand for what you believe in and become a CouncillorStand for what you believe in and become a Councillor
See back page for more information See back page for more information See back page for more information
IN THIS EDITION: Council Committees report; important information about voting; other community news
Come along and meet with some of our current Councillors to find out more about being a Councillor. Alternatively, contact the Clerk on 823770 or email [email protected]
Drop-in sessions at the Council’s meeting room from 7.00-8.00 pm on: Tuesday 26th February Tuesday 5th March (prior to the full Council meeting) Tuesday 12th March
COUNCIL NEWS and information
PHOTOCOPYING FACILITIES: The Council office photocopier is available for use by members of the public. Charges per copy: A4/A3 black & white 10p; or colour 50p.
Council and Committee Reports The Full Council held its regular meetings on the 4th December and 5th February. Matters dealt with included approving the budget for 2019/20; discussion on the winter management arrangements for the village; a mourning protocol in the event of the death of a senior member of the Royal Family; office equipment; and grants were awarded to Ashurst Wood Short Mat Bowls, 4Sight and St Catherine’s Hospice. The Planning Committee met four times during December, January and on 5th February and considered six planning applications. The Finance and Administration Committee met on the 20th November and 15th January. At both meetings it considered the budget and Precept for 2019/20 with particular attention to the staffing and salaries budget. While keen to maintain the Council’s existing services, the Committee acknowledged the need to minimise any increase to the Precept and therefore, agreed that there should be no staff overtime during the year. The Committee also considered draft Special Leave and Document Retention Policies; both were later approved by the full Council. The Public Services Committee met on 11th December 2018. The Winter Management and snow ploughing arrangements were reviewed and it agreed that the Council would fund a local contractor to clear snow from the roads if it was deemed necessary. It agreed to continue to support a joint partnership project with Mid Sussex District Council looking at improving the tennis court access with a view to piloting a new electronic scan technology system. The results from the recent speed survey on the A22, near the Hammerwood Road junction, were received; it was noted that the majority of traffic was not above 40 mph and therefore within the acceptable margins. The work at the War Memorial had been completed. It also agreed to support a contribution to a shared Speed Indicator Device. Minutes of the meetings of the full Village Council and the Committees are available on the Council’s website www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk. Copies can also be requested from the office.
VILLAGE COUNCIL PRECEPT 2019/20 The Council has agreed its budget and Precept for 2019/20. Each year, the Council carefully considers its budget, the services provided for the community and any future projects with a view to keeping increases to a minimum. Over the past few years the role of the Council has increased and residents have benefitted from the extra services now available. The Council is funded by the proportion of the Council Tax known as the Precept and other sources of income such as grants. The Finance and Administration Committee made a recommendation to the full Council at its December meeting. The draft budget was published on the website for comments. At the Council’s meeting on 5
th
February, it approved the budget and the proposed increase to the Precept from £67,000 to £68,000. This is an increase of 1.49%, but only a 0.35% increase on the actual proportion of the Ashurst Wood Council Tax. This means an increase of just £0.31 for the year for a Band D property, or less than £0.03 per month. The Council will continue supporting the community shopping bus, funding the youth worker for the youth club, managing John Pears Pavilion, providing the street lighting supply and dog bin collections. It will also be increasing the community amenity refuse collections to three times a year. The budget is available to view on the Council’s website www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Everyone voting at Mid Sussex polling stations at the local elections on Thursday 2nd May
2019 will need a form of ID. You will need to present your unique security-coded poll card or
photo ID at the polling station. Polling cards should be received on or soon after 21st March 2019.
You will not receive it before then. On polling day, if you do not have your poll card, you will be
able to vote only if you have formal identification; this includes a United Kingdom, European or
Commonwealth Passport; or UK or EU photo-card driving licence; or another recognised formal identification as detail
on www.midsussex.gov.uk/voterID. Nothing else will change – just remember to bring your poll card with you when you
come to vote. There will be no change to the way you vote if you have a postal vote.
In the event of the death of a senior member of the Royal Family, the Council will open a Book of Condolence for residents to sign.
Volunteers will be needed to help supervise whilst the Book
of Condolence is open. If you would like to be involved then please contact the Clerk for more details on [email protected]
VACANCY: The Council is looking for cleaner to clean John Pears Pavilion once a week and the Council facilities fortnightly. We will consider employed or self-employed basis. If you are interested, please contact the Clerk for more information: 823770 or [email protected] by Wednesday 27th February.
MSDC is inviting residents to join its Independent Remuneration Panel which reviews Councillors’ Allowances.
This is a voluntary role, although a small allowance is paid. For further information and details of how to apply, please see the website at
www.midsussex.gov.uk/allowancespanel. The closing date 22nd February.
OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS
ASHURST WOOD COMMUNITY CAFÉ at St Dunstan’s Church is open on Tuesdays 12.00 noon-2.00 pm for residents offering wholesome home cooked food in a relaxed, friendly environment at very reasonable prices. One of the Village’s best eateries, if you haven’t been, do go and try it. The Cafe is run by volunteers.
Ashurst Wood Primary School is collecting your old pens as part of an eco-friendly recycling scheme. Anyone can drop off their old pens: felt tips, highlighters, marker pens, fountain pens and ink cartridges. This scheme is run through the company TerraCycle who send the pens to France, where they get recycled into garden equipment and furniture. A collection box is available in the foyer at the front of the school.
Youth Club: Wednesday evenings 7.00 –8.30 pm at John Pears Pavilion Open to young people who attend secondary school. If you are aged 11 to 16 years old or you know a young person interested in coming along, please contact the Council office (details below). The Club would like to thank the Ashurst Wood Community Cafe for its recent generous donation. The Club is currently upgrading some of its equipment and improving the storage facilities. It also organises baking and craft activities, and this donation will make a significant difference. It is also grateful to C Johnson for a donation raised from Christmas tree collections. This will help support an activity evening in the summer at Blacklands Farm which we hope to organise for members.
VOLUNTEER HELPERS NEEDED: The Youth Club relies on the support of volunteers. If you would like to get involved with the Club and can offer two hours on Wednesday evenings (6.45—8.45 pm), term-time only, please get in touch with the Clerk by either emailing [email protected] or call 823770.
Reporting crime: Fortunately, Ashurst Wood experiences minimal crime incidents. However, if you are a victim of crime or witness any incidents including anti-social behaviour these should be reported to the Police. Reports can be made online; visit sussex.police.uk/reportonline. Alternatively, to report an incident or if you see suspicious behaviour or are concerned that a crime may have been committed, contact the Police using telephone number 101. If however, a crime is being committed or if you feel that you are under a threat of harm call 999.
The Council office has a variety of leaflets for residents including, ‘no cold
caller’ signs, information and advice on scams. The Neighbourhood Watch
co-ordinator for Ashurst Wood provides regular updates on incidents and
scams; contact [email protected].
HALLS TO HIRE: JOHN PEARS PAVILION: Ideal for small events such as children’s parties, meetings or clubs. To hire call or email the Council office: 823770 or [email protected] VILLAGE HALL: Ideal for larger groups and parties. To hire the Hall, call 825559 or email [email protected]
Tap to pay and you’re on your way: Metrobus goes contactless No more fumbling for change or bus passes, passengers can now pay for tickets on Metrobus using contactless cards and phones. Passengers just need to tap their phones or bank cards on the ticket machine when they get on the bus: face down for cards, face up for phones. No need to plan your journey or worry about having the right change, just get on the bus and go. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard or with your phone using Apple or Android Pay. For more information visit: www.metrobus.co.uk/ticketmachines. Keep up to date with bus timetable changes on the Council’s website, including recent changes to the 261: www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk transport pages.
Anyone can receive this type of mail. Scam mail is illegal mail, it involves fraudsters sending convincing letters that are designed to trick people out of money or other valuables and can include bogus competitions
and fake prize draws. If you suspect you are, or someone you know, is receiving large amounts of mail or sending money in response to this mail, contact Royal Mail scam team on 0800 0113 466 or email [email protected].
THE HISTORIANS meet on the second Tuesday of the month, 7.30 pm at St Dunstan’s Church Hall. As follows: 12
th March, ‘Windmills, watermills and
tide mills’ by Brian Brady; 9th April, ‘Ashurst Wood in the 20th Century’, an informal evening to reminisce, look at old photos and documents. Visitors are welcome, £3 per meeting or an annual subscription £15 per person.
CALL FOR NEW VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
The Friday Morning Community Shopping Bus provides a valuable service for those who can’t normally get to the shops and is funded by the Village Council. We are looking for new drivers to join our volunteer drivers; we operate a six to eight weekly rota. If you can help, then please contact Rebecca on 823770 or email [email protected].
