Agenda item

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

Councillor Claire Vickers, Cabinet Member for Community & Wellbeing, announced that a number of residents were finding it difficult to get a GP appointment and she would look into what could be done to ensure older and vulnerable residents were able to visit their surgeries.  The Chairman stated that he was aware of this issue and supported the Cabinet Member in taking this forward.

Councillor Chris Brown, Cabinet Member for the Local Economy, made the following announcements:

·         The Y-Wish Youth Employment Hub, located in Swan Walk, had fully opened after lockdown restrictions.  The Cabinet Member had recently spoken on Radio Sussex about this valuable resource for helping 18 – 24 year olds get back into employment.

·         The Cabinet Member urged Councillors to tell retailers in their wards about the West Sussex Retail Hub.  This was an on-line resource supporting retailers across West Sussex, offering training and advice with a focus on getting people back into the high streets. 

·         This year’s Jobs Fair was taking place in the Drill Hall on 2 October. Over 20 employers had signed up already.

·         The current round of the Council’s LEAP grants had just opened for applications.  These grants were for small to medium enterprises in the district and an important resource to help recovery.

·         So far 12 Shop Improvement Grants had been approved.  There was still approximately £50,000 worth of grants available and the Cabinet Member encouraged independent retailers in the district to apply.

Councillor Roger Noel, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture, made the following announcements:

·         The Wider Horsham District board had signed off the completed Nature Recovery Network.  This was a major milestone for recovering the natural environment and would give residents the opportunity to be part of our move towards a low carbon future.  He thanked the officers who had worked so hard to complete the NRN, and also thanked Councillor Jonathan Chowen, the previous Cabinet Member who had been instrumental in setting up the Wilder Horsham District project.

·         Jeremy Knight, Horsham Museum’s curator for 32 years, had announced his retirement.  The Cabinet Member thanked him for his commitment and expertise over the years and for the quality of the exhibitions he had curated. While the museum was closed during the pandemic its collections had been completely reorganised.  There would be a special evening event on 1 October for staff, volunteers and friends of the museum ahead of its opening to the public on 2 October.  The Chairman of the Council endorsed the Cabinet Member’s sentiments regarding Jeremy’s contribution and legacy.

Councillor Philip Circus, Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste, Recycling & Cleansing, made the following announcements:

·         He had visited the Depot with the Chief Executive and Director of Community Services to thank staff for their hard work in running the services within his portfolio.  Their loyalty had helped run a comprehensive service throughout the challenges brought by the pandemic.

·         Food waste collections were going to be trialled shortly, beginning with a number of properties in Billingshurst in September.  The Cabinet Member advised that this would also potentially include changes to the current routine of waste collections.

Councillor Louise Potter, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, formally thanked Godfrey Newman, who had resigned as a District Councillor last month because of ill health, for his many years of service, including his commitment to residents of Forest ward.  She spoke of his warmth, pragmatism and sense of humour.

Councillor Peter Burgess, the Council’s Armed Forces representative, made the following announcements:

·         On 15 September the Council would organise a celebration of the Battle of Britain.  It would be a low-key occasion of about half an hour at the War Memorial.

·         Remembrance Day on Sunday 14 November would be organised by the Royal British Legion and the Council.  He hoped that this year it would be possible to hold a parade.