We have some notification from the Railways about a new timetable coming into force on Sunday. “From 17 May 2020, the UK rail industry will introduce a new timetable, to support the United Kingdom’s efforts to tackle coronavirus. The focus is on increasing space for key workers, safely and reliably. […]
Sussex Police Focus Remains on Core Policing Services
Police across Sussex will focus on their core role of preventing and detecting crime and protecting the most vulnerable, as people enjoy new freedom to spend more time outside. Changes were made by the Government earlier this week to moderate stringent lockdown rules, in place to reduce the spread of […]
Schools should only open more widely when it is safe to do so; show us the science
A statement has been received from the the National Education Council stating their views on the re-opening of schools:- The Prime Minister’s announcement that schools, colleges and nurseries should start opening more widely from 1st June was rushed and reckless. Schools should only open when it is safe. Safe for the […]
Tree planting is a branch of council’s climate action strategy
Lewes District Council is planting 60 new trees across the district as part of its ambition to deliver full climate resilience by 2030. Landscaping contractors Idverde are working in pairs to plant the young trees while keeping to two-metre social distancing guidelines and travelling in separate vehicles. Councillor Matthew Bird, […]
South coast bereavement centre supports thousands of people in 20 years
A free bereavement care service is celebrating its 20th anniversary after touching the lives of more than 59,200 people. The Bereavement Centre, part of the regional co-operative Southern Co-op, was the brainchild of one of its colleagues who worked in its Co-operative Funeralcare services. After 24 years at Southern Co-op and […]
DISTRICT’S COVID RESPONSE “ACKNOWLEDGED AND PRAISED”
Residents and business owners across the Lewes district have been thanked for their fortitude during the current health crisis. The largest elected group on Lewes District Council has praised the response of individuals, voluntary organisations, health workers and council staff during these unprecedented times. Conservative councillors have uniformly welcomed the […]
The Havens Community Hub CIC has welcomed a new Director to their board.
Recognised in the Queens New Year Honours list in 2016 with a British Empire Medal for her dedication to community work for over 40 years, Marilyn Nolan works with a variety of local charities and groups across the Havens area including the Seaford Musical Theatre (Barn Theatre), Meridian Mature Citizens […]
Free delivery of caddy liners promotes food recycling during pandemic
Lewes District Council is introducing free delivery of compostable liners to encourage residents to continue recycling their leftover food during the Covid-19 crisis. While free compostable liners for food waste have long been available to residents, these had to be collected from locations across the district such as council offices or tourist information centres. With these pick-up locations currently closed and vulnerable residents unable to leave their homes to […]
Council waste team praised for extra clean-ups
Lewes District Council’s street cleansing crews have gone into overdrive during lockdown taking on extra duties to keep the district looking its best. The Environment First team has extended its rounds into areas the council is not responsible for cleaning, to ensure people can enjoy clean and litter free surroundings when they go out for exercise. Councillor Julie Carr, Cabinet member […]
Furlough scheme extended
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October. Furloughed workers across UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500 a month. From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being […]
Council Leaders call for Covid19 workplace safety plans
Co-operative Alliance Council Leaders on Lewes District Council have called for workplaces to have a certified and published plan for Covid-safety to be in place before employees are required to return to work. Following the Prime Minister’s call for a return to work, council leaders are clear that the return […]
Public Embraces Email Reporting Service Created After Spike In Coronavirus-Related Scams
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) launched the pioneering ‘Suspicious Email Reporting Service’ in April to make it easier than ever to flag suspicious emails – including those claiming to offer services related to coronavirus. As part of the Cyber Aware campaign, the NCSC successfully launched its suspicious email reporting service, resulting […]
Council Leaders Slam Government guidance ” Stay Alert”
Co-operative Alliance Leaders at Lewes District Council, today slammed the Government for its new guidance opening up tourist spots for recreation Today the government implemented a relaxation in lock down measures, including allowing people to drive to outdoor publicly accessible open spaces irrespective of distance. James MacCleary, Lib Dem councillor […]
Council ”leads from the front” with Covid-19 response
Cabinet councillors were updated about Lewes District Council’s rapid and far-reaching response to the pandemic at its first “remote” meeting since the Coivid-19 outbreak. The Co-operative Alliance welcomed the raft of council schemes that were speedily implemented with positive impacts for residents and businesses, such as setting up a community […]
Safe Space For Victims Re-Launched In Lockdown
‘Safe Space Sussex’ is an online directory of local victim services, created by Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. In response to the ‘lockdown’ and concerns raised around crimes like Domestic Abuse, this site has been upgraded and a campaign has been launched on social media (@SussexPCC) to help victims […]
Seahaven FM superstar
Seahaven FM is sending a massive congratulations to Ryan Millns, who this morning at 7am became the first radio presenter ever to present on 24 Radio Stations In 24 Hours! He has currently raised over £1,400 for the NHS. You can still donate by clicking www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Ryan-Millns What a Fantastic achievement! Well […]
ENORMOUS GRATITUDE PAID TO HARD-WORKING COUNCIL STAFF
Using the first public opportunity to praise the work of Lewes District Council staff, the Conservative opposition group on the council paid tribute to the enormous effort put in by all the authority’s workers during the current Covid-19 crisis. Speaking during the council’s first virtual Cabinet Meeting (7 May), the […]
Council ‘leads from the front’ with Covid-19 response
Cabinet councillors were today (May 7) updated about Lewes District Council’s rapid and far-reaching response to the pandemic at its first ‘remote’ meeting since the Covid-19 outbreak. The Co-operative Alliance welcomed the raft of council schemes that were speedily implemented with positive impacts for residents and businesses, such as setting up a community hub to distribute thousands of food parcels to vulnerable people, writing to every resident in […]
Operation Blitz – Tackling ASB in your towns and villages
Operation Blitz is a designated ASB patrol, and an on-going drive, each Friday and Saturday night between 4pm-10pm (during the Spring months, and in addition to weekly patrols across the district), in which officers from the Lewes district Prevention team take to the streets in areas which have seen an […]
Covid-19 cost to council could be as high as £380,000 a week
Cabinet councillors today (May 7) heard that Covid-19 is having an ‘unprecedented, detrimental impact’ on council finances and further government support is needed to cover huge losses caused by the pandemic. In line with many local authorities across the country, Lewes District Council’s income could fall drastically because of the coronoavirus crisis, planned savings are not being achieved and spending has soared. The council estimates that additional […]
CASHFLOW CRUNCH SET TO CAUSE CHAOS FOR LOGISTICS IF CBILS ISN’T SORTED, SAYS FTA
The government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is still failing to protect businesses from across the logistics sector from financial calamity, claims leading business organisation FTA ( Freight Transport association), thanks to the failure of those implementing the scheme to speed decision-making and process applications in good time. And, […]
Covid-19 posters for your customers
A selection of posters have been made available for business owners to display on their premises, including guidance on delivery and collection services, reminders for social distancing and closed due to Covid-19 messages. To access and download the posters visit here: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community/covid-19/licensing-and-environmental-health. Emergency funding for artists and creative freelancers The £1.5m […]
Education in and Beyond Lockdown
On Monday 4th May, 280 teachers, parents, support staff, heads and governors in Brighton and Hove took part in a webinar hosted by the National Education Union. The lively discussion was led by five guest panellists: Caroline Lucas MP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, Dr Mary Bousted Joint General Secretary of the NEU, […]
LATE STARTS AND MORE BREAKS: HOW BRITS ARE JUGGLING ‘WORKING FROM HOME’ DURING THE PANDEMIC
Work days shortened by 63 minutes means people are having to work smarter With UK businesses facing challenges across many sectors and unemployment expected to hit 12 million, the nation’s workers are battling to stay productive in this new world of working from home. Being locked down presents its own […]
Council victory over shooting planning appeal: ‘common sense has prevailed’
Cabinet councillors at Lewes District Council have welcomed the announcement by the Planning Inspectorate to dismiss the appeal of Iford Farm against a council decision to restrict shooting on its land. Previously, council officers had investigated an alleged breach of planning control on Iford Farm concerning the shooting of game. […]
Return of bulky waste collections to Lewes district is welcomed
Bookings have re-opened for bulky waste collections in Lewes district after the service was temporarily suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis. Bulky waste covers items which cannot be recycled or disposed of in household or communal bins such as kitchen appliances and furniture. With household waste, recycling and garden waste collections continuing as usual, bulky waste was the only element of Lewes […]
Waste sites: latest news from Lewes Council
THE county’s waste sites will begin reopening to the public from 10am on Monday, May 18, following new guidance issued by central Government. East Sussex’s 10 Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) closed in late March amid the Covid-19 outbreak, to ensure the safety of staff and residents.Although the county council […]
Maria Caulfield MP welcomes early scrapping of reading tax
Maria Caulfield MP has welcomed plans to scrap VAT on e-books and e-newspapers being significantly fast-tracked in a boost to readers and publishers during the coronavirus outbreak. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the zero rate of VAT will now apply to all e-publications from 1 May 2020 – seven months […]
Planning and Building Control Services Update
Planning applications The councils continue to receive and process all planning applications. From week commencing 11 May they will reinstate full public consultation and engagement on all valid applications. This will enable them in the fullness of time, to continue to determine applications including those received since the shutdown was introduced […]
FIRE AUTHORITY IS KEEPING SUSSEX SAFE
Councillor Carolyn Lambert, Vice Chair of East Sussex Fire Authority is encouraging residents to read the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s Risk Management Plan that is currently out for consultation. Cllr Lambert explains: “Our risk management plan is at the heart of what we do as a Fire and […]
Domestic abuse – you are not alone
Following the Government guidance and staying at home isn’t easy for anyone, but it is particularly difficult if you are living with an abuser. The stay-at-home instruction does not apply if you need to leave home to escape domestic abuse. These strange circumstances can increase the risk of harm. Survivors […]