Members’ Code Of Conduct

/ northhorshampc

At the last full Council meeting on Thursday 28th June 2012, the Parish Council adopted a new Code of Conduct for all Councillors.  This came into effect as from 1st July 2012.

The new arrangements for the standards and conduct of Members include a Code of Conduct based on the ‘Nolan Principles’, the involvement of an independent person in the investigation of allegations of misconduct, a register of Members’ Pecuniary interests and a new criminal offence of failing to declare or register Pecuniary Interests.

The new Code of Conduct continues with the behavioural aspects of the previous Code of Conduct and the provisions relating to Personal and Prejudicial Interests and ‘bolts on’ the new provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests as contained within the Regulations made under the Localism Act 2011.

The formal Notice of Adoption of the new Code of Conduct can be seen here. A signed copy of the Notice is displayed in the notice board outside the Parish Office at Roffey Millennium Hall.

The Parish Council’s new Code of Conduct can be read here.

Within the next 28 days all Parish Councillors will be required to complete a Register of Interests.  Under the new Code of Conduct these have to be displayed on the Council’s website and this will be done over the next couple of weeks.  You will be able to see them here.

Your Vote Counts

/ northhorshampc

Sussex Police LogoIn November an election will be held across Sussex (and indeed England and Wales, except London) to appoint a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Sussex.  You will be asked to vote for someone to represent you for policing and crime in the County.

This is the first time you will have had the chance to elect someone to be responsible for policing.  It is really important that you vote, as the PCC will be responsible for policing and crime in Sussex in its totality.  This will mean –

  • Setting the budget for Sussex Police
  • Appointing the Chief Constable
  • Listening to the people of Sussex, and
  • Setting a Police and Crime Plan based on those conversations

There will also be a Police and Crime Panel made up of local Councillors from each of the local authorities in Sussex.  Their role will be to advise and scrutinise the work of the PCC.  The Panel will have a range of powers that will see them –

  • Review the draft Police and Crime Plan
  • Review the PCC’s Annual Report, and
  • Hold a public meeting to question the PCC about it

For more information go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners or www.sussexpcc.co.uk or call 01273 481561.

Key Dates
18th October 2012 – Last full Sussex Police Authority meeting
15th November 2012 – Election Day
21st November 2012 – Last day of Sussex Police Authority in office
22nd November 2012- First day of Police and Crime Commissioner in office

Speaking Up For Disability

/ northhorshampc

Speaking Up For Disability LogoDisabled people living in West Sussex now have the chance to tell their own story, thanks to a £49,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).  Speaking up for Disability is managed by registered charity Independent Living Association.

This is a two year community history project recording and sharing the stories, experiences, achievements and struggles of disabled people in West Sussex from the 1940’s to the present day.  The project does not seek to present a definitive history of disability, but rather to hear from many people, telling their own stories in their own words.  In addition to a website, there will also be an exhibition and unique archive of materials that will capture the hidden area of history in the county.

The hidden histories of disabled people can now be explored.  Experiences of early life, school, work, families, the views of health professionals, and how relationships have altered will all be researched.  Volunteer interviewers will give disabled people the opportunity to record their own views and in so doing will build up a unique archive of first-hand accounts.  Working with the West Sussex Records Office, those taking part will create a lasting legacy for future researchers, professionals and the general public.

The resulting archive will have a fully searchable online catalogue as well as an online education pack for teachers.  Information gathered through research will be used to create a portable display.  This display will be made available to other organisations throughout the county to help raise general awareness about disability.

There are few records in existence that look at disability from the viewpoint of disabled people themselves because historical records tend to have been written by hospitals, institutions and other care providers, so this project is a groundbreaking way to tell those stories.

Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East England, said: “This project helps to redress the balance by providing a personal insight into the experiences and opinions of disabled people in West Sussex.  At last, their voices will be heard.”

Speaking Up for Disability is led by a Project Team comprising Nicola Benge, the project Coordinator, and a group of volunteers.  Please come and join us!  We are always looking for new volunteers across West Sussex who are interested in disability history and have some time to give.

Volunteers are needed to:

  • Record interviews with disabled people across the county
  • Undertake research in the West Sussex Records Office
  • Update the website
  • Plan the exhibition
  • Run reminiscence or life writing sessions
  • Support our Key Stage 3 Educational Resource Pack

If you are interested, get in touch with the ILA office on 01903 219482 ex218 or email nicola.benge@ilawestsussex.org

The Royal British Legion – Horsham Branch

/ northhorshampc

Royal British LegionThe Royal British Legion, founded in 1921, is the UK’s leading Service charity.  It provides care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families and dependents.  If you have served in the Forces for at least seven days, or are the dependent of someone who has Served then the Legion’s services are available to help you.  Around 9 million people in the UK are eligible for the Legion’s support and they spend nearly £1.7 million a week helping those in greatest need.

The Horsham Branch of the Legion is trying to raise awareness locally of the help they can bring to the people who need it.  They have two trained Welfare Caseworkers who will be glad to talk you through the procedure for making a claim and explain further the type of help the Legion can give.  If you, or someone you know, are struggling to make ends meet we can help you in all sorts of ways.  You can call the Sussex County Office for advice on 01444 441470 or contact the local Horsham Branch direct by emailing hrbl.welfare@hotmail.co.uk giving a contact telephone number if possible, to find out more.

Roffey Local Action Team

/ northhorshampc

Community Safety LogoFollowing on from the inaugural meeting of the Roffey Local Action Team (LAT), as per this previous post, the second meeting is scheduled to take place this coming Monday 25th June 2012 at the Roffey Millenium Hall, beginning at 7pm.

The Local Action Team is a community led group involving both the Horsham Community Safety Partnership and Sussex police, so is therefore an excellent opportunity for local residents to have their say on issues relating to crime and disorder.

For more information please contact PCSO Claire Bonnyman on 07917 501716 or Neil Worth, Community Safety Officer, on 01403 215116.