District Wardens working for Horsham District Council are taking a new approach to enforcement on the streets of the Horsham District.  The District Wardens who are patrolling the streets now have new powers which allow them to deal with a range of civil enforcement and environmental issues that used to be undertaken by separate teams.

Following on from a successful trial, the District Council now has a full team of District Wardens who can now deal with a number of issues, which could be anything from anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, littering, fly tipping investigation to parking enforcement.

This is in contrast to previous enforcement roles, which saw wardens deal with a particular type of enforcement activity separately.

In addition to this, patrol hours start at 8am and extend up to 10pm from Monday to Saturday, which assists with issues linked to evening parking control measures and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Sue Rogers, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for a Safer and Healthier District, said:

“These new powers will allow the District Wardens to respond to a wider number of situations and address many of the issues that affect residents negatively and it represents excellent value for our residents.”

For more information on the District Wardens’ civil enforcement and parking duties, contact Horsham District Council by calling 01403 215077 or for environmental issues call 01403 733144.

Here are some suggestions from West Sussex County Council for the simple things you can do to help you and your family keep warm, healthy and safe through the cold weather – as well as saving money.

Protecting your home – Find out more on how to protect your home in advance of the winter weather:

• Order winter fuel
• Check pipes are lagged to prevent them bursting and know where to turn your water off
• Find out about the Warm Front Scheme
• Prepare an emergency bag in case you or your family have to move elsewhere at short notice due to weather
• Floods happen. Be prepared. Check if you are at risk from flooding and sign up for free flood warnings

Health and wellbeing – Steps you can take to protect your health this winter:

• Fight the flu this winter – get a flu jab
• Check NHS Choices for health guidance on winter ailments (flu, winter vomiting, cold temperatures)
• Wash your hands to prevent viruses spreading
• Check you have had your heating and cooking appliances serviced by an approved trader – carbon monoxide is a killer
• Have sufficient supplies including food, see WSCC Meals on Wheels service

Winter travel – Hints and tips on travelling safely during severe weather:

• Ensure you have shoes with good grip
• Follow GOV.UK’s advice about driving in adverse weather conditions
• Follow WSCC winter driving advice
• Check out the routes that will be gritted by West Sussex County Council and plan your route if you have to travel
• Keep up to date with the latest travel information around the county or around the UK
• Sign up for notifications of disruption to train services (email alerts are free and can be set for up to 12 weeks)

Helping your community – This guidance challenges misconceptions about health and safety laws getting in the way of action and volunteering.  We need the Big Society most in times of adversity, when communities have to pull together.  This guidance sets out how you can survive the ice and snow and help your neighbours to do the same:

• Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact WSCC
• Check you know who might need help in your community by speaking to your local Parish Clerk.
• Sign up for UK weather warnings from the Met Office
• Help your community by volunteering

With memories of the floods that devastated much of the county in ‘Monsoon June’ still fresh in our minds, here are some ideas for things you can do now to ensure you are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us!

Health And Wellbeing

• Get your flu jab.  If you are over 65, in an ‘at risk’ group, a carer, or are pregnant, you can get a free seasonal flu vaccination.  Book through your GP.
• Take action to stay warm.  You may qualify for a Cold Weather payment if you are on certain benefits.
• Check that your electric blanket meets safety standards.
• Make sure you have sufficient supplies of food and basic necessities.  Book WSCC Meals on Wheels service.  It provides hot and frozen meals with free home delivery.
• Find out if you have any elderly or poorly neighbours.  They may need a visit and extra help.

Protecting Your Home

• Clear your drains and gutters, and ditches if they are your responsibility.
• Check pipes are lagged to prevent them bursting and know how to turn your water supply off.
• Find out about heating and insulation grants to help you stay warm.
• Get your boiler serviced by a Buy with Confidence Approved trader.
• Make sure you have carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and that all are working and buy spare batteries for the alarms and torches.
• Buy a snow shovel, a supply of sand or grit and – if your home is in a flood risk area – some sandbags.  All tend to be in short supply when bad weather hits.
• Prepare an emergency bag in case you or your family have to move elsewhere at short notice.
• Move irreplaceable items like photos from the ground floor where they could be ruined by flooding.
• Sweep your chimneys.

Out And About

• Ensure you and your vehicle are prepared for the weather, following the latest travel advice before you head off.
• Help your community by volunteering.
• There are misconceptions about health and safety laws getting in the way of action and volunteering.  We need the Big Society most in times of adversity, when communities have to pull together.