As you are aware, the results of the recent County Council Elections (Thursday 4 May) were announced on 5 May.

Following the local elections, a series of appointments were confirmed at the first meeting of West Sussex County Council on Tuesday 16 May.

Please circulate our press release outlining the approved installments for the next four-year term.

WSCC held a partnership event with Sussex Police, South Downs National Park, Public Rights of Way and RSPB to help raise awareness with dog owners and those that work in the industry about their responsibilities when walking a dog in the countryside.

One of the main reasons for the event was to show what can happen if you don’t keep your dog on a lead or under close control when requested.  Livestock worrying; including dogs attacking sheep can result in injury or death to the animal, but also stress can result in ewes miscarrying, or even death days later.

Issues of dog fowling, dogs disturbing ground nesting birds and the consequences of livestock worrying to local famers were also discussed.  

‘Sheep in this field!’ posters are being distributed and are available on request from:

Community Safety Team: communitysafety.wellbeing@westsussex.gov.uk

To read the Farmers Weekly article about the events click here. 

West Sussex County Council shared common myths about the care industry with care workers, healthcare assistants, home care and care home managers working in the county.

They give myth-busting answers to comments such as:

• It’s just a job where you wipe bottoms and feed people
• Adult social care is not a job for men
• It’s all about working with old people
• You can’t turn care work into a career
• The hours are long and unsociable.

Their reactions are being shown across social media and at recruitment events around the county in a bid to attract more people to join them and work in care.

Please watch the video and share it with others to encourage more of your local residents to consider a career in care.

The video is part of a wider campaign West Sussex County Council and care providers are running to encourage more people in our communities to work in the care industry, to support our residents. Find out about the campaign and recruitment events here.

Saturday 20th May saw 24 volunteers muck in at the rain garden along Maltravers Road, Littlehampton.

Along with the weeding and general tidying up the group planted a batch of new plants donated by the RSPB and the ARC project.

The Rain Garden has been in place for just under a year. It is a good example of what communities can do to reduce the risk of localised flooding and is the first to be retrofitted into a highway verge.

Local volunteers were involved from

Littlehampton Civic Society, Littlehampton Flood Action Group, Wick Information Centre, Wick Traders Association, West Downs Neighbourhood Watch Task Force, 5th Littlehampton Sea Scouts and Cubs, 7th Littlehampton Scouts and WSCC Operation Watershed.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service helped with watering in the 70 metre long garden.

To read Littlehampton Civic Society article on the rain garden click here.

To watch a couple of videos of the day click on the links below

Littlehampton Scout Groups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JCspIsT5VA&feature=youtu.be

Wick Traders Association

https://www.facebook.com/wickvillagetraders/videos/438989566478737/

If this project has inspired you or there are any local projects that will alleviate flooding issues in your area, you can find more details about Operation Watershed here.

We’re being urged to become more carer friendly this Carers Week (12-18 June).

West Sussex County Council, Carers Support West Sussex and the NHS are partnering to raise awareness of the contribution family and friend carers make within communities.

Over 40 events will take place during the week throughout several different West Sussex locations. The varied activities include Punjabi street food and afternoon tea. Find out about the events here www.westsussex.gov.uk/carersweek.

Keep an eye on social media throughout the week as video diaries will be published on Facebook: West Sussex Matters and Twitter: @WSCCNews.

You might have heard about the Tesco community grant before. If you weren’t eligible before, you might be now as the funding has changed to be accessible to any group or organisation running projects benefitting their community.

They don’t have to be outdoor related projects anymore. The set up stays similar: You can now win up to £4000 for your project, and three projects are voted for in local Tesco stores and awarded on a bi-monthly basis. More information can be found here.

Or you can contact your local Community Enabler with any questions on anke.thurm@groundwork.org.uk or telephone 01273 022320. Go for it!

Ahead of Men’s Health Week (12-18 June), the county’s Public Health team are highlighting the local obesity statistics.

In Arun, 67% of adults are overweight with a higher Body Mass Index than 25 – this is above the national average of 64.8%.

This year’s Men’s Health Week is focusing on belly fat as it surrounds the vital organs and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer and high blood pressure. Could you encourage your residents to eat more healthy?

Please encourage your communities to visit the West Sussex Wellbeing website for support and an online BMI tool.