‘Biggest Regeneration Project for a Generation’ to be discussed at SPA

The next meeting of the Sussex Property Alliance will discuss what is arguably the biggest regeneration project in Worthing for a generation. The bold plans for the redevelopment of the Teville Gate site, which will be known as Station Square, will be on the agenda and will no doubt attract a lot of interest from local property professionals.

Aized Sheikh, Chief Executive of Mosaic, the current site owner, will discuss the transformation of Teville Gate into a community hub with housing, leisure and retail spaces. It promises to become one of the best-connected and serviced sites in Worthing for public transport and improvements to the road and underpass will encourage more walking and cycling around the town than ever before.

Aized has been leading property-backed development projects for almost 30 years and just two years ago, he saw the potential in property-backed commercial/residential developments in ‘rising star’ locations such as Worthing. Despite its huge potential, Teville Gate was ignored for nearly 20 years, however, progress is now being made with a team of architects, planners and project delivery specialists all working closely together.

Aized will share the story so far, discuss why he’s drawn to develop difficult sites and why he’s in ‘for the long haul’ on the South Coast.

The meeting will take place on Friday 9^th March between 12pm and 3pm at Long Furlong Barn, Worthing. For more information and to register for the event, please visit, http://www.sussexpropertyalliance.co.uk/events/

The Sussex Property Alliance provides a forum where property professionals get together, exchange ideas, and build relationships. It is supported by MHA Carpenter Box chartered accountants, Bennett Griffin solicitors and Michael Jones commercial real estate agents.

FIFTY YEARS OF DEDICATION AND CARE AT WORLD-FAMOUS HIGHDOWN GARDENS CELEBRATED NEXT WEEK.

The world-famous Highdown Gardens will next week celebrate 50 years in the ownership of Worthing Borough Council.

It is extremely rare that a garden of such importance is under municipal control and to celebrate the Council is placing a memorial bench in the Millennium Garden on the anniversary of the day 50 years ago that Lady Sybil Stern handed over the gardens on the wishes of her husband, Sir Frederick.

The Sterns created the world’s first chalk garden high up on Highdown Hill at the beginning of the 20th Century. Sir Frederick sponsored swashbuckling plant hunting expeditions to China and the Far East to bring back exotic plants which thrived on the chalk and are still there today.

Sir Frederick, who died in 1967, stipulated that the Council should look after the gardens using his famous book A Chalk Garden as a reference and ever since then a succession of head gardeners and their staff have been dedicated to keeping his legacy alive.

Thanks to the never ceasing work,  expertise and  dedication of Council head gardeners including John Bassendale, Ron Read, Chris Beardsley, Jo Hooper and Gary Prescod, their staff  and an army of volunteers the gardens continue to win plaudits from gardening experts and visitors from around the world.

And last month the Council was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of almost £100,000 to explore ways of preserving and enhancing the gardens further. A new visitor centre is planned and an archivist and plant expert would be employed to tell the remarkable story of the gardens and record the stunning variety of plants thriving in the grounds.

The landmark anniversary next Monday (February 19) follows the first Highdown 50 event in June 2017 which marked the 50th anniversary of Sir Frederick Stern’s death.

Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Diane Guest, said:

“Every visit to the gardens fills me with pride and gratitude to those who work hard to maintain Sir Frederick’s vision. It’s a true gem and without the passion of the Highdown team and the volunteers the integrity of Stern’s legacy would be lost.”

The Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Alex Harman who will be in attendance at the anniversary event said:

“Highdown is a very special place to come whether to enjoy a day out in nature or visiting to explore Stern’s impressive ability to grow in seemingly impossible conditions.

“It’s a testament to the amazing efforts of the Highdown team to stay true to Stern’s growing techniques since Sir Frederick's widow, Lady Sybil, handed over the gardens to the people of Worthing”

As well as the newly installed commemorative bench, the Millennium Garden is receiving a facelift as part of wider plans to preserve Highdown’s future following the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

Hard landscaping has already began with hardwood bark chips being laid around the newly created island beds. The sunny location and dry, chalk ground is a prime site to welcome a botanical style herb garden in the Spring.

Of the plans, Interim Head Gardener Gary Prescod said:

“I envision the air being fragrant with the sun-baked oils of lavender, rosemary, pinks, and fennel. A delicious place to sit and dream of the Mediterranean, before dropping down to the coast for a dip in the English channel!”

In a busy year for the gardens, several of its rare plant specimens have been selected as valuable additions to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place, West Sussex.

Previously Sarah Gattiker of the Millennium Seed Partnership wrote:

“We are very happy to support the efforts of Worthing Borough Council to conserve the special collections at Highdown Gardens. This seed collection is the first step of a long-term project to preserve the genetic importance of the plants grown by Sir Frederick Stern at Highdown.”

Broadwater Osteopathic Practice- Free Workplace Wellbeing Checks

Alongside working with our clients at the practice, Broadwater Osteopathic Practice also works with many local companies, offering Workplace Wellbeing solutions. Workplace Wellbeing makes good financial sense and means employees can return to work quicker, suffer less discomfort and feel better looked after. We offer bespoke packages, designed around your specific workplace issues.

Our Free Wellbeing Checks, on offer to local companies, have proved to be extremely popular. Initially the check involves a review of your primary work place issues, from aches, pains, and repetitive strains to stress related issues and ergonomic problems. Our team  then tailor a Free package of mini treatments, talks or assessments to take place at your workplace to start addressing these concerns. Any follow up treatments take place back on-site with us at BOP. These can be arranged out of working hours, so as to minimise time off work and to enable attendees to fully benefit from their treatment sessions.

We have been retained locally by several large companies to provide their Workplace Wellbeing solutions following these free checks. All the companies we have worked with have provided nothing but positive feedback on this service and have noticed a reduction in staff absence as a result. The costs of many of our treatments can be re-claimed by mostprivate health insurers if your company has a policy in place. 

For more information, please email Susan Bunce oninfo@bop.uk.net  or see our website at worthingosteopathy.com. 

Adur & Worthing urge Sussex PCC to reconsider community safety cuts

Leaders in Adur and Worthing are calling on the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner to think again before stripping the areas of more than half of its funding to keep communities safe.

The Adur & Worthing Safer Communities Partnership, which is led by Adur & Worthing Councils, has an excellent track record of working with the public, private and third sector groups to make the area a safer place to live, work and visit.

But, the partnership says it must consider stripping back its pioneering services after Sussex PCC Katy Bourne announced funding cuts of more than £40,000 from the service - the largest amount of any area in the county.

While other areas across Sussex receive only funding from the police to pay for its community safety work, Adur & Worthing has brought in large amounts of money from other sources.

This has led to a number of pioneering projects in supporting some of its most vulnerable people, such as rough sleepers.

Despite overall funding for services across Sussex remaining the same, Ms Bourne has recommended that Adur & Worthing lose 55% of its grant from 2019/20 - reducing the annual sum from £95,160 to £42,872.95.

Leaders locally claim their track record in bringing in external funding has seen it lose out at the expense of others.

In a joint statement, Councillor Dave Simmons and Councillor Val Turner, of the Adur & Worthing Safer Communities Partnership, said: “We received the Police and Crime Commissioner's funding proposals for 2019/20 just over a week ago and are currently reviewing them before issuing a detailed response.

“On initial viewing, we are disappointed that the Police Commissioner has failed to recognise the innovation of our partnership.

“Unlike many other Community Safety Partnerships across Sussex, Adur & Worthing has been successful in bidding for and generating significant amounts of additional income to deliver bespoke services such as supporting outreach workers for women and the street community. This approach has achieved considerable success and been replicated in other areas of the county.

“Any reduction in funding will impact on front line services that promote safety across our communities.

“We sincerely hope the Police and Crime Commissioner will reconsider this unwelcome approach once we have submitted our formal response on behalf of the communities of Adur and Worthing.”

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Connect with your audience through skilled performance, Preparing a Presentation, Dealing with Nerves, Preparing yourself, Delivering your Presentation.

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Sourcing Candidates, Preparing, Conducting and Analysing an Interview, Evaluating Candidates, Assessing Potential. The General Principles of Appraisals, Designing a Successful System, Conducting the Appraisal Interview, Planning Continuous Professional Development.

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Win a £2,000 bed for the wonderful of Worthing

In and around Worthing, there are many unsung heroes who act selflessly for the benefit of others.  These people often go unrecognised, but now you have the chance of nominating them for a Sussex Beds Wonderful Award.

The family-run, independent bed retailer is looking to hear about outstanding people in the area who go the extra mile to make a difference.

The winner will receive a bed of their choice worth up to £2,000 - because the least they deserve is a great night’s sleep!

Nominations are now open and people are being urged to put names forward to compete for the title. 

To make a submission email wonderfulawards@pmwcom.co.uk with a short description of the nominee, why they deserve to win, their contact details and the area they live in. Please also include your own contact details. Nominations can be made until midnight on Sunday 11^th March.

Steve Pickering, MD of Sussex Beds, said, “We opened our Worthing store last year and have been made to feel a part of the neighbourhood very quickly.  As a local business we want to give something back to those who help make our communities a great place to live and work.

“Perhaps your neighbour works for the emergency services and deserves a great night’s sleep because of their shifts, or maybe you know someone who gives their time to help a good cause.  Whatever it is they do that makes a difference to other people’s lives, we want to hear about it.”

Greater Brighton is expanding: Crawley and Gatwick join the City Region

Greater Brighton is ready to take the next step in bringing national and global investment into the area after Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick Airport were officially welcomed into the City Region.

As both were voted on to the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB), City Region leaders said the move was significant in increasing the scale and profile of its work.

The addition of Crawley, one of the south east's powerhouse economies, means the City Region's economy is now worth more than £21 billion and represents nearly 900,000 residents.

With one of Europe’s leading international airports also on board, it brings Greater Brighton’s profile in line with other City Region’s that are high on Government’s radar – Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle.

More importantly it incorporates fully the A23 corridor into the region, meaning there is now a united voice for the body to clearly articulate the case for investment into the area.

Board members pledged to use the move to step up the campaign for better transport infrastructure, especially much-needed improvements in the Brighton Main Line; as well as developing a proactive Inward Investment and Trade strategy which will drive further growth.

Councillor Andy Smith, GBEB Chairman, said: “Greater Brighton has made great strides since being formed in 2011 - attracting £150 million of direct investment which has unlocked tens of thousands of homes and seen many more jobs created.

“The addition of Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick means we can step up this work, elevating our city region further into the minds of decision makers on a national and international stage.

“The London-Gatwick-Brighton Growth Corridor has been recognised as one of nine corridors in England that have been at the heart of growth over the last decade. Our region is almost certain to maintain that pivotal role in the future so it's crucial we do everything we can to maximise our potential.

“Our work, bringing together local authorities, businesses and academia, is vital to that.”

The move was formally ratified at a meeting of the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB) held yesterday (Tuesday February 6).

Members of the board heard how Crawley was a real economic powerhouse - representing just two per cent of the land mass in West Sussex and only 110,000 residents, yet generating 25 per cent of the county's wealth and 40 per cent of the business rates.

With more jobs than residents, thousands of people travel into the area to work every day - which makes investment in transport, particularly the rail network, a crucial aim.

Crawley leaders said they were looking forward to working with GBEB to drive forward investment in jobs along the A23 corridor; as well as developing a strategic approach to workforce skills.

They also wanted to use Greater Brighton to build business relationships between its globally-recognised STEM workforce and Greater Brighton's digital and creative sector.

Councillor Peter Lamb, leader of Crawley Borough Council, said: “The challenges we face on the ground as councils increasingly require us to look beyond our own borders. By joining with the other members of Greater Brighton, we seek to resolve the combined challenges faced by residents across all our communities.”

Gatwick is one of the South East’s most high profile and important anchor businesses with 24,000 direct employees, as well as 13,000 indirect employees, from across the region.

Board members heard how the airport is a major investor in growth, having invested £1.7 billion since 2009 with plans to invest a further £1 billion before 2021. It is also an attractor for inward investment, providing access to markets for business as well as supporting the ongoing growth of tourism.

Gatwick representatives said being part of the board meant they were looking forward to work together with local authorities and business partnerships to tackle the challenges faced by the region.

Tim Norwood, Gatwick Airport’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Planning and Sustainability, said: “Gatwick is delighted to have been invited to join the Greater Brighton Economic Board and we look forward to working with representatives from the region to ensure continued prosperity and economic growth.

“Gatwick plays a key role in the local economy and, in addition to the 24,000 jobs sustained on the airport campus, provides a global gateway for thriving local business sectors.”  

Adur & Worthing Councils’ watchdog to quiz police chiefs

Police chiefs will be grilled on operational issues by Adur & Worthing Councils’ watchdog at its next meeting - and the public are invited to have their say.

Following concerns around response times and antisocial behaviour, Adur & Worthing Councils’ Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) requested Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and the local district commander answer questions on a range of topics.

Despite Ms Bourne now being unavailable due to other commitments, Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell, Adur & Worthing District Police Commander, will take questions from the panel of councillors.

Members of the public are invited to submit their questions by Tuesday (February 13) ahead of the open meeting on February 15, which will take place from 6.30pm in the Gordon Room of Worthing Town Hall.

Councillor Stephen Chipp, Adur District Council’s joint chairman of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “Local policing is an area of concern for all of our communities.

“While we are disappointed Mrs Bourne can no longer attend, we want to thank Chief Inspector Ockwell for being available and hope he can shed some light on some of the major concerns that councillors and members of the public have on this issue.

Councillor Roy Barraclough, Worthing Borough Council’s joint chairman of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “Although not a decision making body, JOSC is the watchdog of Adur & Worthing. It has enormous potential to influence and inform decisions made by both the Councils and organisations connected with the areas.

“I hope as many members of the public as possible can attend this session and help us find answers to concerns over this crucial area of public service.”

JOSC made the request to examine local policing after a number of concerns raised by local councillors. These include:

· A heavy reliance on PCSO’s;

· Claims there are very few Police on the ‘beat and not many were in cars due to a lack of resourcing;

· Claims the public were waiting 45 minutes to get a reply to 101 and there were delays in the 999 response;

· Claims it was taking over 24 hours to get a reply from the online reporting service;

· Claims that follow ups were often non existent;

· issues with drug dealing being reported but no action taken and issues with homeless/rough sleepers causing disturbances in Lancing.

To submit a question, members of the public are asked to email democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk by 6.30pm on Tuesday February 13.

For full details on the meeting visit here.