Lyminster and Crossbush - News and events

ARUN NEWSLETTER 45 – September 2024

In this news update

· Littlehampton Seafront Scheme update

· The Annual Canvass for electoral registration has begun – 2024

· Council Tax charges on second homes and empty properties

· New WSCC strategy to support children in West Sussex

· Changes to business waste disposal regulations

· Get your electric blanket tested for free this autumn!

Littlehampton Seafront Scheme update

Work to improve Littlehampton seafront is now underway. Temporary toilets are in position which will be serviced by generators until the main electrical connection is made.

Storage containers for the foreshore equipment are being delivered along with the container for the land train, which needs to be stored on the prom due to its size. Protective fencing will be placed around the trees which are being retained.

The contractor will be using Banjo Road for their site compound, which will be closed to the public from 23 September. Signage at roundabouts on the A259 will divert coaches to a temporary drop-off point in Sea Road (opposite Norfolk Gardens).

Read the latest news on the project here

https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive/littlehampton-seafront-scheme-update-30-august-2024-9057

The Annual Canvass for electoral registration has begun – 2024

Arun District Council has begun the Annual Canvass, and you may soon receive an important a letter through your door.

To start the process, we are sending letters to around 9,500 households this month and if you receive one of these letters you need to respond by 29 September 2024.

This is so we can make sure we have the correct information about who currently lives at your address. It is a legal obligation to respond. The letter contains clear instructions about what you need to do.

If you don’t receive one of these letters in the next few weeks, then we will be in touch in November instead, either by email or by letter, and we will share more information about that nearer the time.

Find out more about the Annual Canvass here

https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive/the-annual-canvass-for-electoral-registration-has-begun-2024-9054

Council Tax charges on second homes and empty properties

Council Tax charges on second homes in Arun are to be doubled, along with Council Tax due on properties that have been empty for at least a year.

This follows a change in the law as part of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, which means councils can now charge a council tax premium on properties that are not someone’s main residence but are substantially furnished.

The change, which was approved by Arun District Council’s Policy and Finance Committee on 7 March 2024 and Full Council on 13 March 2024, must be agreed a year before the first charges are made. Therefore, we will charge the new rate on second homes from 1 April 2025.

New WSCC strategy to support children in West Sussex

The West Sussex County Council ’Right from the Start: Early Years and Childcare Strategy‘ sets out their vision and priorities for supporting children in West Sussex.

The four-year strategy aims to improve the wellbeing of young children, reduce inequalities and support positive choices for families.
The strategy will be embedded across all their services supporting young children to help every child in West Sussex achieve their full potential.

You can read the full strategy on the WSCC website

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/about-the-council/policies-and-reports/school-policy-and-reports/right-from-the-start-west-sussex-early-years-and-childcare-strategy-2024-to-2027/

Changes to business waste disposal regulations

The government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation will require all businesses to separate food waste from general waste and to implement a comprehensive recycling system for materials like glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard.

Coming in March 2025, these changes aim to reduce waste and increase recycling rates across the country.

Chichester District Council offers a Business Waste & Recycling Service to the Arun district with tailored solutions to ensure your business is fully compliant with the new rules. Whether you need to set up a separate food waste collection or streamline your recycling process, their team is ready to assist.

For more information:

email them at

wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk

call them at

01243 534617

or visit their website

https://www.chichester.gov.uk/businesswasteandrecycling

Get your electric blanket tested for free this autumn

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is running a series of free electric blanket testing sessions for residents in October.

Faulty electric blankets are a common cause of fire in the home. Last year 36% of the blankets tested by the service were defective and posed a serious risk of starting a fire.

Regular testing is recommended for blankets over two years old to ensure they are still safe to use. Blankets over ten years old should be replaced.

Find out more about when and where the sessions are here

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/get-your-electric-blanket-tested-for-free-this-autumn/