The document provides updates from Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) in May 2009. It summarizes that residents have the best rural quality of life in the region according to a survey. MSDC is supporting the local economy by removing pre-planning fees and offering advertising and business advice. It also discusses town center revitalization projects and initiatives to increase economic focus like appointing a Head of Economic Promotion. Finally, it notes community events and a graffiti reduction project underway with local partners.

1. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 1
MSDC Update
May 2009
The quarterly newsletter for Parish & Town Councils in Mid Sussex, focusing on Mid Sussex District
Council’s current work and key issues.
Residents of Mid Sussex have the best ‘rural’ quality of life in the South East according to the
second Halifax ‘Rural’ Areas Quality of Life survey. The Mid Sussex district has come 1st
in the
South East and 5th
overall out of 114 rural local authorities in the country. The survey
compiles data according to categories such as the labour market, the housing market, the
environment, education and health to give a quality of life assessment.
Supporting the Local Economy
MSDC has pledged to remove pre-planning advice charges for applications under 300 square
metres and is contacting small businesses to find out if they are entitled to rate relief. The
Council is offering discounted introductory advertising on www.midsussex.gov.uk and is
working with Business Link to offer support and arrange free drop in advice sessions. These
free sessions start in June and will be held every 3rd
Wednesday from 12pm – 2pm.
Strengthening the Council’s Economic Focus
Achieving a sustainable economy is vital to a better Mid Sussex, and as part of the Council’s increased
focus on economic development, Claire Tester, previously District Planner, has taken on the new role of
Head of Economic Promotion and Planning. Steve Tilbury, in a new role as Economic Development
Officer, will focus on engaging with local businesses to ensure their voice is heard. He will also ensure
that the Council’s efforts are coordinated with other partner organisations to give the best support to the
local economy in these challenging times. This will ensure that economic development objectives are
recognised across the Council’s services.
Contact: Steve Tilbury, Economic Development Officer: 01444 477347 / stevet@midsussex.gov.uk
Mid Sussex Partnership Economic Summit
The MSP recently hosted an Economic Summit, which looked at the economic vitality of the District. 25
business organisations attended the Summit, which was chaired by MSP Chairman, Cllr Gordon Marples.
Views expressed at this event will help shape how both the Council and the MSP develop their work on
economic issues over the coming year.
Contact:
Paul Turner, Community Planning Officer: 01444 477360 / paulmt@midsussex.gov.uk
Ioni Sullivan, Senior Community Partnerships Officer: 01444 477204/ ionis@midsussex.gov.uk
Open 4 Business
MSDC works as part of the Mid Sussex Partnership to create economic vitality in the region, and on
Thursday 14th
May around 100 local business representatives gathered at Ardingly for Open 4 Business,
a business support, information and networking event organised by Mid Sussex District Council and
Business Link. The event featured presentations from leading business experts on the future of the Mid
Sussex economy and offered advice on how to cope with the recession.

2. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 2
Cabinet and Chairman changes at Mid Sussex District Council
To align with the new Economic Development officer roles, at the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday
13 May, Councillors voted to increase the number of Cabinet Members by creating a new Cabinet
position with responsibility for supporting the local economy. The Cabinet now comprises the Leader and
five portfolio holders, increasing from five to six.
Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards takes on the new role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Service
Delivery and Councillor James Temple-Smithson takes over from Councillor Susanna Kemp as the
Cabinet Member for Planning.
Councillor Sue Seward continues as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member but with the new portfolio of
Economic Investment and Regeneration. Councillors Christopher Snowling and Garry Wall continue their
existing portfolios of Health and Community and Leisure and Sustainability, respectively.
New Chairman for Mid Sussex District Council
Councillor Jane Keel is the newly elected Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council. Councillor Keel will
hold the position for 12 months during the civic year that runs until next May. Councillor Keel has
represented Lucastes Ward as a District Councillor for the last two years. Since becoming a District
Councillor in 2007, Councillor Keel has served on a number of important committees including Licensing,
Central Area Planning and a period as Chairman of the Better Environment Advisory Group. Councillor
Sophia Harrison has been elected as the Vice Chairman for the same period.
Better Mid Sussex - Creating Sustainable Town Centres
Schemes to revitalise the town centres of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath
are progressing well. Mid Sussex District Council and Thornfield Properties met on 16th April
at the BMS Board Meeting to discuss the development of the Better Mid Sussex project.
East Grinstead is the most advanced of the three projects, with negotiations over the Development
Agreement almost complete. Only final drafting is required before the agreement is signed, at which
point, Thornfield Properties will be clear to move the scheme forward. It is anticipated that pre-planning
community engagement will take place towards the end of the year and a planning application is
expected to be submitted in 2010.
The Council, as landowner, has also agreed the Concept Scheme in Burgess Hill and negotiations are
now ongoing to finalise the Heads of Terms of the Development Agreement. With the Concept Scheme
for the centre of the town now firmly in place, the Council is asking Network Rail for an update on their
re-development proposals for the area in and around Burgess Hill Station.
In Haywards Heath town centre, Thornfield is in discussions with key stakeholders and is undertaking
research into the retail opportunities, including assessing how the town’s shops are performing, as well
as compiling further information on site constraints and opportunities. In light of feedback from the
Council, Thornfield Properties is currently reviewing the Concept Scheme for the Station Quarter in
Haywards Heath and an amended scheme is expected in late summer.
Have Your Say – County and European Elections
European and County Council elections are taking place on Thursday 4th
June 2009. Both organisations
have an impact on services in the District, and residents are urged to take the opportunity to vote.
Contact: Mid Sussex Electoral Services: 01444 477003 / committeeselections@midsussex.gov.uk

3. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 3
Mid Sussex Partnership (MSP)
Mid Sussex Partnership Conference
The second Mid Sussex Partnership held on 25th
March 09, discussed which
parts of the new Mid Sussex Sustainable Community Strategy people thought
were most important.
Town and Parish Councils, West Sussex County Council, District and County
Councillors, Police and Fire services, Mid Sussex Council for Voluntary Service, Anchor Staying Put,
Learning Skills Council, East Grinstead Business Association, Friends of the Earth, Working Links were
among the many local organisations that came to the conference and participated in a lively debate.
The Sustainable Community Strategy, which will be published shortly, consists of four themes:
Protecting and Enhancing the Environment, Cohesive and Safe Communities, Economic Vitality and
Healthy Lifestyles with 43 goals/areas of activity (sub-objectives). The Strategy will be sent to all Parish
and Town Councils in June.
MSP Conference - 30th
September 2009
The Partnership will work on key information collected at the March conference, with progress being
reported at the next MSP Conference being held on Wednesday 30th
September at Martlets Hall, Burgess
Hill from 10am to 2pm. Organisations and businesses are encouraged to attend.
Contact:
Paul Turner, Community Planning Officer: 01444 477360 / paulmt@midsussex.gov.uk
Ioni Sullivan, Senior Community Partnerships Officer: 01444 477204/ ionis@midsussex.gov.uk
Health Panel Update
The Health Panel, a cross-party advisory panel of Members working with the responsible Cabinet
Member, met on 14th
May. The Council’s main concern is to lobby for the protection of, and
improvements to, local health services. It has been, and will continue to be, heavily involved in the Fit
for the Future consultation and, more recently, the North East West Sussex Review of Health Services.
Over the next few months the Panel will be meeting with representatives of the various local NHS trusts
to discuss and press for improvements to the following services which are the Panel’s current areas of
focus;
• The provision of stroke services
• Services for people with mental health problems, particularly for older people suffering with
dementia, and for children.
• Ambulance response times in rural areas.
Contact:
Jo Harper, Business Unit Leader - Membership Support and Partnerships: 01444 477421 /
joeh@midsussex.gov.uk
Participate Mid Sussex
MSDC is launching ‘participatemidsussex’, a 3-year campaign, which aims to get more people
involved in sports, physical activity, arts, healthy lifestyles, sustainability, training and decision making.
It focuses on promoting all the fantastic opportunities for people living and working in the District to take
part in a variety of activities which include: Arts Gigantic, Burgess Hill Bike Ride, Sussex Parallel Games,
and The Life Show.
Contact:
Helen Bridgeman, Sport & Healthy Lifestyles Officer: 01444 477012 / helenb@midsussex.gov.uk
Donna Hall, Arts Development Officer: 01444 477275 / donnah@midsussex.gov.uk

4. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 4
Planning
Planning Services awarded Royal Town Planning Institute Learning Partner Status
On the 20th
April 2009 the Planning Services team was awarded the RTPI Learning Partner status. The
Royal Town Planning Institute is the planning officers professional body and only ten Local Authorities
across the country have been awarded Learning Partner status.
The award is a mark of excellence for the training and on going development of staff, whether they are
involved in professional, technical or support functions. It is recognition of the District Council’s
investment in the ‘grow our own’ planners policy over a number of years, given the well documented
problem of a lack of planners nationally, and reflects our key aim to maintain a highly professional team
to promote sustainable development and an attractive and prosperous Mid Sussex.
Contact:
Nick Rogers, Development Control Manager: 01444 477341 / nickr@midsussex.gov.uk
Mid Sussex Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP)
We work with our partners to improve the local communities and make them better and safer
places to live, and the Mid Sussex Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is continuing to
maintain low crime levels across the District. The most recent figures show that crime has
fallen by 6.9% that’s 444 fewer crimes between May 2008 and April 2009 compared to the
same period for the previous year.
Graffiti Project
The Partnership is currently tackling graffiti after a slight increase in the number of reported incidents in
February. We have been working alongside Sussex Police, MSDC’s Park Rangers and the Youth Service
to deliver school assemblies with an anti-graffiti message. Three assemblies have already been held, and
a further one is planned for June.
Alongside the assemblies the Partnership has been running a competition for young people to design an
anti-graffiti poster. Lots of entries have already been received and these will be displayed across the
District over the summer months with the winning entry receiving an IPOD shuffle. If you would like
further information on this project please contact Lucie Venables.
Residents who experience antisocial behaviour problems can report any incidents online
www.midsussex.gov.uk and clicking ‘report it’ or by calling 01444 477489.
National Drugs Week, 8th
–12th
June 2009
During National Drugs Week the CDRP will be displaying information in the main reception area of the
District Council Offices on how residents can seek advice about drugs.
Contact:
Nicolette Russell, Community Safety Officer: 01444 477550 / nicoletter@midsussex.gov.uk
Lucie Venables, Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator: 01444 477489 / luciev@midsussex.gov.uk

5. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 5
Promoting a Sustainable Mid Sussex
Eco Fair - Sunday 7th
June, St John’s Park, Burgess Hill
The Mid Sussex Community Eco Fair is being organised by a team from CVS South, Mid Sussex District
Council, Burgess Hill Town Council and local volunteers. The event brings together local community and
voluntary groups in Mid Sussex with an environmental focus, and will give them the opportunity to
showcase their work, publicise their activities and recruit new members and volunteers.
The aim is to raise public awareness of environmental issues and the groups and activities taking place
locally, as well as providing residents with ideas about practical and sustainable actions they can take to
reduce their environmental footprint. Lots of exciting activities for kids and adults including a 26-foot
climbing wall, learn poi, free face paining bouncy castles, fair ground attractions including a fun fair.
Contact:
Celia Austin, Sustainability Officer: Tel: 01444 477370 / celiaa@midsussex.gov.uk
Press Releases
Here is a short summary of key press releases from the past 3 months.
March 09
Mid Sussex District Council is pressing for a healthy future for the District
Following the North East Review and the announcement that full Maternity Services will be retained at
the Princess Royal Hospital, Mid Sussex District Council has announced it will continue the push for
improved healthcare provision in Mid Sussex.
Council helps graffiti artists to clean up their act
Pupils at St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill have given a thumbs down to graffiti after a visit from
Mid Sussex District Council and Sussex Police. MSDC is working alongside Sussex Police to reduce the
amount of graffiti in the District. The District Council Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator, Park Rangers
and Sussex Police officers are visiting local schools to make children aware that graffiti is a serious issue.
Freedom Leisure comes first in the bid to run Mid Sussex District Council leisure centres
Freedom Leisure, currently the largest provider of community leisure in Sussex, has been awarded a
five-year contract to run the three Olympos leisure centres in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards
Heath. Alongside its partner Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), Freedom Leisure will also take over the
management of Clair Hall and Martlets Hall.
April 09
Full steam ahead for Bluebell railway after £25,000 grant from Mid Sussex District Council
Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet grants panel has allocated £25,000 towards the expansion of The
Bluebell Railway and improvements to Imberhorne Viaduct.
Mid Sussex District Council increases Economic Development focus
At a time of economic challenge, Mid Sussex District Council is re-focusing its resources to support local
businesses and traders. As part of the Council’s increased focus on economic development a senior
Management Team member has taken on the new role of Head of Economic Promotion and Planning.
This will ensure that economic development objectives are recognised across the Council’s services.
Town centre projects are on track
Schemes to revitalise the town centres of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath are
progressing well. Mid Sussex District Council and Thornfield Properties met on 16 April at the BMS Board
Meeting to discuss the development of the Better Mid Sussex project.

6. MSDC Update – May 09. Customer Services and Communications Business Unit, Mid Sussex District Council. 6
May 09
Council helps businesses attract customers by using the web
Businesses are being invited to get their message across using the internet, with special introductory
rates for Mid Sussex District traders. Mid Sussex District Council has introduced advertising on its
website pages, providing local businesses and services with a new way of reaching customers in the
area.
Voluntary organisations benefit from grants totalling £13,114 from MSDC
Eight voluntary organisations from across the District have been awarded grants from the Council,
supporting their work in the community.
Council welcomes the return of Post Office services to Bolney
Mid Sussex District Council has welcomed the arrival of a new Post Office branch in the village of Bolney.
The new Post Office is due to open on Wednesday 13 May.
Feedback
So that we can ensure that we are providing you with information you require, please let us have any
comments regarding this newsletter. Please email janep@midsussex.gov.uk