22nd May, 2024
Proposed Burfield & Phoenix Academy Merger: STEP Academy have formally proposed the merger of the two schools on to the Phoenix Academy site. I have been providing support/advice to parents who have approached me. I encourage them to reply to the school consultation as this is important and will carry weight. Cllr Murphy & I have also met with the Education Lead Member, Cllr Standley, and reflected our concerns. The merger proposal will be considered at the County Council Lead Member for Education meeting later this week. East Sussex County Council is a consultee in this process, but has no veto over the decision. The decision sits with the Department for Education. The county officer recommendation to the Lead Member, in his role as a consultee, is not to oppose the merger. Although, there is a modest surplus of school places in the area projected post merger, as the report describes, and STEP are operating (on a combined school basis) at substantial under capacity (~62%), I don’t think that the report provided by county officers to the Lead Member adequately addresses the probable increase in primary school numbers associated with housing already granted planning permission in the Town or indeed that proposed in the draft Wealden District local plan. Regardless, I think that a more elaborate Travel Plan would be required on the Phoenix site if the merger were to become permanent. I will be attending the Lead Member meeting to express these concerns.
ESCC A22 MRN bid: The Department for Transport has awarded Outline Business Case stage approval to the A22 Corridor Improvements transport scheme promoted by East Sussex County Council. DfT has earmarked a maximum of £39.551 million towards the total estimated £46.530 million. The scheme comprises a package of highway improvements on the A22 in the south of Wealden in the Hailsham and Eastbourne area. The County Council must now complete legal and procurement processes before submitting a full business case for approval from the Department.
Six month Extension of Household Support Fund: On 6th March 2024, national government announced that the Fund would be extended for a further six months, from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2024. East Sussex County Council has been allocated £3,896,783.88 for the six-month extension period. On 25 April 2024, the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health approved a plan for the local use of the funds. As with previous years, funds will be distributed among district and borough councils, food banks and other voluntary sector groups and directly to households eligible for Free School Meals.
Residents Invited to Respond to Wildlife & Nature Survey: People are being asked to share their experiences and observations of nature and wildlife in Sussex as part of a nationwide initiative to address declining habitats and species. Residents are being asked for feedback about what aspects of nature and wildlife are important to them and what changes they have noticed locally, which will help inform Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The easiest way for residents to get involved is to complete the survey which asks questions about how and where they connect with nature, the habitats or species they value, any changes they’ve noticed, and any wider benefits they’d like to see in their local area. It should take around 5-10 minutes to complete.
The survey can be found here and will close on 30 June. For more information about the strategies and how local people can get involved, visit: www.sussexnaturerecovery.org.uk.
Last Call for Community Groups Applying for Crowdfunder campaign support:
Projects enhancing the lives of local residents are invited to apply to the Crowdfund East Sussex campaign, which will match fund public donations from the county council’s Community Wellbeing Fund up to a total of £25,000. Projects that promote cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability across East Sussex are encouraged to apply and up to 10 projects will be chosen to receive a share of the match funding. Applications for Crowdfund East Sussex 2024 opened on 29 April and will close at midnight on 23 May. The fundraising campaign will start on 27 May. Information about how to apply, can be found here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/east-sussex-community-wellbeing
New App to Help Residents Prepare for the Future: A new app designed to help residents lead a full and healthy life in older age has been officially launched. Residents are being encouraged to download the Life Transitions app to support them to prepare and plan for their future life, including events such as retirement, moving home, changes in health and mobility, finding new roles and purpose, becoming a carer, or experiencing bereavement. The app is part of a pilot scheme supported by UK Research and Innovation funding as part of the Healthy Ageing Challenge. It will help people think about what’s important to them, what resources they have, and what they will need to feel prepared for significant changes. It has been developed based on feedback from residents about the kind of help and support they might benefit from.
For support with the app, information about volunteering or getting support from a volunteer email [email protected] or call 07724 287034.
For more information, visit Life Transitions Service – East Sussex 1Space.
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Views Sought to Shape Future Autism Services: Autistic people who live and work in East Sussex are encouraged to have their say about their experiences of health and care services, as well as transport, housing and education, and the availability and scope of employment and volunteering opportunities.
Find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting the county council’s consultations website. Residents can also give their feedback via email at [email protected], over the phone by calling 07745 106 727
Gerard Fox
County Councillor
Hailsham New Town
