Residents and visitors to the Horsham District are being reminded to take care if they are approached by street or door to door charity collectors this Christmas and New Year period.

The message comes from Horsham District Council and Sussex Police at a time of year when there tends to be an increase in the number of bogus charity collectors.  Unlicensed collectors can sometimes be found in Horsham town centre and other busy town and village locations, usually selling charitable tickets.

In a normal year, Horsham District Council licenses over 150 street collections and takes great care to ensure that collection permits are only granted to genuine charities.  If in doubt, remember that:

• All collectors should be able to produce a valid permit issued by Horsham District Council
• Charity collectors should have a sealed collection container with the charity registration number and name on it. A business or company registration number is not a charity registration number
• Collectors should be able to describe the charity’s work in sufficient detail
• Door to Door collectors should be wearing badges issued by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO).

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

“Whilst thankfully charity fraud is rare, there are some people who set out to prey on the generosity of others.  It’s not our intention to stop people giving to charity but to encourage them simply to be aware of who, what, where and why they are giving.  If in doubt, don’t be afraid to say no and report the matter to Horsham District Council or the Police.”

Horsham District Commander Chief Inspector Howard Hodges of Sussex Police said:

“Christmas shoppers should take care when opening their wallets and purses in public view.  Our advice would be to avoid giving out any personal information in the street, including address and bank details, which could be used by an unscrupulous person to access your finances or to allow them to use your identity.  Instead, consider researching the organisation on the internet when you get home.”

Further information and advice is available from Horsham District Council on 01403 215488 or from Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or 101 (non emergency telephone number) or the Charity Commission on 0845 3000 218.

The Forestry Commission and partners have been surveying ash trees in woodlands and hedgerows across the South East to estimate the distribution of the disease.  They are regularly updating their website – www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara –  to keep the public informed.  The website includes a map showing the latest confirmed distribution of Chalara across the country, as well as detailed information on the disease.

As of 14th November, 14 confirmed outbreak sites in the wider environment have been identified across the South East; in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Kent.  However, there have been no signs of the disease in the Horsham District to date.

For further information or to report a suspected affected tree, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara.

Spotted a pothole?  Noticed a fallen tree, flooding or damaged street sign?

Now there is a simple, quick and efficient way to report these sorts of problems to West Sussex County Council – either online or via your smartphone.

‘Love West Sussex’ is designed to make it easier for people to report their concerns regarding the environment and roads – and to keep track of their complaint.

You are now able to show them where the problem is in three easy steps:

1. Take a photo
2. Check the location (detected for you automatically by GPS)
3. Pick a report category, and submit your photo.

Your report is then sent to the relevant department.  If you sign up to receive updates you will get an acknowledgment that they have received it and they will let you know when the problem is resolved.  You will also be able to track the progress of every other reported fault across the West Sussex network through the website.  Other street scene problems you can report include overgrown vegetation, missing or cracked kerbs and broken paving slabs.

People who do not have access to the internet can still call 01243 642105.  For more information visit https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-problem-with-a-road-or-pavement/#report-problems-online.

Have you been inspired by the various sporting events this past Summer?

Enjoyed the spectacle of the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, or the triumphs of Andy Murray winning Olympic Gold and his first major tournament at the US Open?

If so the Parish Council has two Multi Courts that are available for hire and can be used for both football and tennis as well as netball.  The courts are well used during weekday evenings but there are a few time slots still available as the new football season gets under way.

There is also availability during the daytime for both weekdays and weekends for the more casual game of football or tennis.

For more information, or to make a booking either call the Parish Office on 01403 750786 or email hall.bookings@northhorsham-pc.gov.uk

Letting someone take your rubbish away when you don’t know what they are going to do with it isn’t the answer.  It is illegal to get rid of waste using an unlicensed waste carrier and you could be committing a duty of care offence.  Should your items later be fly-tipped, you may be held responsible and could face prosecution or a fixed penalty notice of up to £300.

Only holders of an Environment Agency Waste Management License can recover, transport, deposit, or dispose of waste at officially authorised sites.  If you are unsure, you should ask:

• If they are registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency;
• Where your rubbish is being taken; and,
• For a signed receipt with their carrier registration number and vehicle registration number.

If they can’t answer your questions or provide the paperwork, they may be getting rid of your waste illegally.  You can also check the Environment Agency’s website to see if they have a license and find out more at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/40047.aspx.