EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR SEVERE WEATHER
A meeting arranged by Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) was held on 8th January to discuss the above subject. Councillors from Lindfield Rural Parish Council attended that meeting, as did other members of Parish Councils, Town Councils, West Sussex County Council (WSCC), MSDC, Emergency Service’s personnel, Rt. Hon Nicholas Soames MP, Contractors and other stakeholders.
We were regaled by various authorities as to the action being taken and proposed for the future. It was, however, disappointing to note that only scant reference was made to the problems experienced by residents living in minor roads. We think self- help featured strongly and reference was made to what is expected from residents in Detroit.
The Emergency Planning Officer for MSDC confirmed that their emphasis was in ensuring that the public were their main priority in this period of extreme weather but that was clearly for people living on a road classified by WSCC as Priority 1 or possibly Priority 2. Minor roads were not treated and emergency vehicles were certainly unable to access those roads.
We believe that Government and Public Authorities need to evaluate whether it is cost effective to grit all public roads and areas owned by public authorities (schools) not only in the financial sense but for the well-being of the communities they serve.
As a minimum the following questions should be asked and the answers assessed:
What increase in cost to the NHS (hospitals and GPs) would be attributable to residents injuring themselves when falling on untreated surfaces?
How much does it cost businesses when personnel are unable to attend for work or children’s education suffers through lack of schooling? (We have noted certain fee paying schools paid private contractors to clear access around their schools)
What is an acceptable heath and safety risk when the emergency services are unable to access residential areas?
Should we allow refuse to remain uncollected from residential roads for a protracted period?
What cost to the community in the order of increased insurance costs where damage to vehicles and people is substantially increased?
We trust all the above has been considered and we appreciate WSCC’s dilemma particularly concerning ever-decreasing funds within the County. Additionally, of course, we have the added factor that we may not experience such a hard winter for another 25 years but can we take that chance again?
We still believe, however, that if all the extra costs were evaluated (it may not be possible in some cases) we would receive a substantial benefit for a small investment by Government (in proportion to the whole) and, at the same time, alleviate most of the type of hardships experienced by the public over those weeks.
Most of the capital equipment that would be required for this enhanced effort is available in the private and public sector and by dint of planning on a just-in-time basis we should be able to achieve our objectives as and when required. (e.g. we could have paid the farmers to assist in the endeavour)
Our Parish awaits MSDC’s guidance to how parishes can assist in the future. As far as our Parish is concerned Emergency Planning is back on the agenda.
WHAT DO RESIDENTS BELIEVE SHOULD BE ORGANISED FOR THE FUTURE – SHOULD MORE BE ACHIEVED BY CLEARING ALL ROADS INCLUDING THOSE IN RESIDENTAL AREAS?
FINGERPOSTS
Residents may have noticed that most of these historic directional road signs are in a dire need of repair or replacement. There are nine such signs within the Parish but, although West Sussex County Council (who are responsible for them) are keen to repair them, they need financial assistance from the Parish Councils. We believe that the funding arrangements are now in place and we can commence the refurbishment work within the next few months. For the future, the Parish Councils will then take full responsibility for their maintenance.
RENEWED LANDFILL THREAT AT FRESHFIELD LANE BRICKWORKS (FLB)
In April 2007 following a 16 day Public Inquiry the FLB was refused planning permission to use their site as a non-inert waste landfill.
In December 2008, FLB volunteered their site to be considered as an INERT landfill site.
The issues raised by the current proposals were examined EXHAUSTIVELY at the 2007 Public Inquiry – why are they now, apparently, being ignored by West Sussex County Council?
In one aspect this new proposal is more intrusive to a wider area as WSCC will have no control over the movement or size of vehicles - they could include articulated lorries and arrive from roads all around the district which includes Lindfield and Scaynes Hill.
WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ARE INVITING COMMENTS AND ALTHOUGH LETTERS/EMAILS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY 12TH FEBRUARY 2010, WE SUGGEST YOU CONTINUE TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS TO:
Mineral and Waste Policy Team, WSCC, County Hall, Tower Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RG
ALL CHANGE FOR SCOUTS
For many years Scout Groups in our area have been part of Haywards Heath District. A new district of Mid Sussex is to be formed on the 1st April 2010 comprising Lindfield, Scaynes Hill, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Hurstpierpoint. A new District Commissioner and a new district executive will be appointed. The groups are always looking for enthusiastic new leaders to make scouting possible.
KEEPING OUR COMMON SAFE & CLEAN
In Scaynes Hill we are very fortunate to have a large unspoilt common that is used by many people. Children play there and locals walk their dogs through the area. Until recently these two activities have co-existed happily side by side. More recently however there has been a significant problem with owners not cleaning up after their dogs. In order to keep the common safe for our children to play please would all dog owners be particularly conscientious when walking their pets over areas where children may play. Many thanks!
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - Monday 12th April 2010
at the Millennium Village Centre, Scaynes Hill at 20.00hr. This meeting will afford residents the opportunity to meet the Councillors who will report on this year’s business. Our guest speaker will be Carolyn Collard, Chair of Sussex Crimestoppers. There will be an opportunity for residents to raise any questions. A glass of wine will be offered from 19.45hr and all residents are welcome.
SCAYNES HILL VILLAGE PLAN
The Steering Group to develop the village plan is now in place and responsibilities have been agreed!
During the coming months the group will be collecting the views of villagers about the direction that they would like the village to go over the coming years. What facilities are needed, how we could improve village life etc. The success of this exercise will depend largely on the involvement and efforts of everyone. Already we have had lots of great ideas.
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