Proposed budget to be examined

A budget that delivers to those most in need whilst also increasing funding across many county council services will be examined by our Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee next week.

The Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 25 January at 10.30am. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting at County Hall, Chichester, or follow the discussion online via a webcast.

The Cabinet is proposing that the county council will spend £1.86 billion next year (2023/24) to deliver vital services to a growing population of 882,676 residents and 37,400 businesses across West Sussex.

Stay safe and warm this winter

The Met Office has extended the Level 3 Cold Weather Alert to 0900 on Monday (23 January).

We've gathered together information to help you stay safe, well and warm during the cold weather on the link below.

The recent severe weather and temperature changes have sparked a new influx of pothole reports. Approximately 25,500 potholes were filled by our highway teams in just nine months in 2022 – but we are doing all we can to repair those that need filling for safety reasons as soon as possible. You can help us by reporting a pothole online, giving us as much detail as you can.

A29 Pulborough landslide – latest

Our Highways teams continue to scope potential solutions to complex issues following the A29 Pulborough landslide, when an embankment collapsed, sending debris on to the road below.

Geo-technical experts have assessed the embankments and advised it is not safe to reopen the road to vehicles and pedestrians – we must adhere to this expert advice as safety is our number one priority.

A dedicated webpage has been set up so residents, businesses and road users can be kept up to date with the latest information available.

Get around for just £2!

You can get around the county – and the whole of England – by bus for less this winter.

Until 31 March this year a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes under the Department for Transport's Help for Households funded Bus Fare Cap.

Managing winter illnesses

As winter illnesses continue to circulate at high levels, help keep yourself and others around you safe this winter.

• It’s not too late to get vaccinated. If you are aged 50 or over, pregnant, have a weakened immune system or long-term health condition, you are eligible for a free Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination. Getting your child vaccinated with the nasal spray flu vaccine will protect them and others they come into contact with.
  
  
• Try to stay home if you are unwell and avoid visiting healthcare settings or vulnerable people unless it’s urgent. If you do have to go out while you are ill, wear a face covering.
  
  
• Keep children off school if they are unwell or have a fever.
  
  
• Practice good hygiene – wash hands regularly with soap and warm water and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues then bin them.

Volunteers needed to support children in care

Are you a kind and caring person who could offer a few hours each month to provide friendship and to do something fun and interesting to support a child in care?

If the answer is yes, then volunteer to become an Independent Visitor and help make a real difference in the life of a child in care.

Join us for an informal online information session and find out more:

• Monday 30 January 1pm to 2.15pm  
• Wednesday 1 February 7pm to 8.15pm

Or email Independent.Visitors@westsussex.gov.uk.

Are you considering a career change in 2023?  Would you like to find out more about pathways into digital roles and job opportunities in your area?

Digital Futures West Sussex is a new collaborative project funded by us and the district and borough councils.

Free pop-up information hubs will run across the county throughout the year, with the first on 31 January at Crawley library from 10am to 3pm, and another at Wave Leisure Centre, Littlehampton, on 9 February from 2pm to 7pm. 

Jobseekers, those considering a new career and anyone with an interest in digital skills are invited to attend and find out more about local career opportunities, useful courses available and the salaries and benefits associated with a digital career.

• Register for the Crawley information hub on 31 January 2023.    
• Register for the Littlehampton information hub on 9 February 2023.

Free courses to help improve your maths skills

Good maths skills are important for everyday life both at home and work. They can help you to budget, support your children with their homework and progress your career.

We are part of the government’s 'Multiply' programme, offering free maths courses and learning opportunities for anyone aged 19+ who doesn’t already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in maths. Courses are available across West Sussex and take place online and in person.

Free weight management service

We have launched a new free digital weight management service for people who live or work in West Sussex.

The ‘Gro Health’ programme, which aims to support people to lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle, is being offered in addition to a range of existing funded weight management services available via West Sussex Wellbeing and the NHS.

Gro Health will offer an additional local programme for those wanting access to free digital support who do not qualify for the NHS digital weight management offer.

It offers personalised support for up to 12 months and helps people achieve self-selected goals through access to education, recipes, on-demand exercise classes, group and one-to-one coaching.

Unlike many digital apps, Gro Health can be accessed online using a phone, tablet or computer, without the need to download any special software. It is available in 19 languages and can also be accessed via apps available for both iPhone and Android.

It is the first time that people in West Sussex have been offered free access to such an innovative digital service for weight management without a GP referral.

Have your say on road improvements

Consultation has started on proposals for cycling and walking improvements on the A259 Shoreham to Brighton & Hove boundary, and three routes in Lancing and Sompting.

The proposals are part of our transport strategy for Adur, which aims to make walking and cycling a more attractive option for short trips.

We would like residents, businesses and users of the routes to tell us what they think of the proposals by completing the online surveys:

• Shoreham to Brighton & Hove
• Lancing & Sompting.

For details on all of our live consultations and surveys visit our Engagement Hub.

More news

Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news. Below are some highlights:

• The go-ahead has been given for speed limit policy changes which will help vulnerable road users and make active travel choices more attractive in West Sussex.
  
  
• Action has been taken, with more measures to follow, to address traffic-flow issues at a Burgess Hill junction.

Our Libraries want residents across the county to join the 2023 reading challenge. The challenge is to read twelve books in twelve months. The theme of each month differs to include genres that readers may have never experienced before, including books that celebrate the great outdoors, a prize-winning book, and a book with a Sussex connection.

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