The North Horsham Parish Plan was devised in 2007, and the time has come for a complete review of the Plan, to see which issues have been resolved as well as identifying any new issues.

The Parish Plan is led by the residents of the Parish, and is your opportunity to become involved and help develop the local community for the future.  It can cover anything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the Parish and will be used to inform other decision making bodies of the needs and concerns of the community and can also be used to support funding applications.  The Parish Council itself will use the Parish Plan as a focus for their ongoing work.

If you would like to be a part of this important process and join the Steering Group, please fill in our online contact form which can be found on the North Horsham Parish Plan page of this site.

Sussex Police are warning that metal theft is a growing problem with railways, utilities substations, businesses, houses and even manhole covers being targeted by criminals.  There were over 100 reports of metal theft last year on West Sussex Division alone.

The thefts have been fuelled by spiraling metal prices on the world markets.  Police forces are exploring new methods of tackling the problem together with colleagues other industries.  Some may think that it is a victimless crime but it has far-ranging ripple effects to infrastructure and people’s lives – whether it is a delayed train or no electricity for hours at a time.

Sussex Police are committed to tackling metal thefts.  Officers carry out action days and have good relationships with BT, the British Transport Police and community groups.

Consider this crime prevention advice to protect your property against metal theft:

• Remove any easy access on to building roofs, such as water butts and waste bins located near to the building.
• Cut back tall trees which could provide a screen for intruders to hide behind, or help them clamber into your property.  Remember to get any necessary approval from your local authority for tree cutting before work starts.
• Where possible, keep any gates locked and restrict vehicle access to the site.
• Make it difficult for thieves to move stolen goods by putting wheelbarrows and wheelie bins in a secure place.
• Regularly check your roofs so that any theft of roofing materials is found before it rains and water enters the building, causing further damage.
• Watch out for workmen arriving unexpectedly at a building.

There is more advice at www.sussex.police.uk

Anyone with information about people involved in metal theft or dealing in stolen metal is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  If you see a crime in progress, call 999.

Are you patient, energetic, and with a good sense of humour? If so, have you thought about becoming a foster carer for children and young people?

Foster Care Fortnight runs this year from Monday May 14 to Sunday May 27 – West Sussex County Council is using the national campaign to highlight the need for more foster carers to come forward and give security and stability to children in care.

Foster carers come from all walks of life and from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. People from a variety of backgrounds can apply to foster, regardless of their marital status or sexuality. You don’t just need to be a good parent. Other important skills are patience, energy, a good sense of humour and the ability to treat children and young people as individuals.

Fostering can be either short or long-term and can range from just a few days to several years. There are also several types of fostering including short and long-term, respite, and parent and baby. Foster carers give children the chance to develop and flourish in a safe, secure environment. The County Council aims to try and place children with foster carers in their local area, so they can continue to stay close to their school, friends, people and places they know.

Being a foster carer is very rewarding and is a chance to help support children and young people. Foster carers receive a comprehensive support package from the Council, including ongoing training and financial allowances to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care.

Informal fostering drop-in sessions are being held throughout West Sussex this year and are a chance for anyone interested to find out more and ask any questions they may have. For further information visit the website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering or call 01403 229333.

Fostering drop-in sessions run from 10am to 4pm. The sessions taking place in West Sussex in 2012 are:

• Saturday 19 May, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6HG.
• Tuesday 22 May, Chichester Library, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QJ
• Monday 18 June, East Grinstead Library, 32-40 West Street, East Grinstead, RH19 4SR.
• Tuesday 17 July, Bognor Regis Library, London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DE.
• Wednesday 15 August, Burgess Hill Library, The Martlets, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NN.
• Tuesday 18 September, Selsey Library, School Lane, Selsey, PO20 9EH.
• Tuesday 16 October, Worthing Library, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1HD.
• Tuesday 20 November, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6HG.
• Thursday 6 December, Henfield Library, off High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HN.