Coastal West Sussex Mind is looking for new Trustees!

Coastal West Sussex Mind is a highly regarded local charity providing services and support to people with mental health issues. We are looking for new Trustees with financial experience to join our Board of Trustees.

What are we looking for?

You will have a strong financial background; are accountancy qualified or working towards a qualification. We’re open to a wide range of financial backgrounds, diverse experience and ages.

Who are we?

We are a long-standing West Sussex charity, celebrating our 50^th year in 2020. Recent years have seen strong growth and our current income is almost £1.3 million.

We are currently in the process of merging with another local mental health charity, which will bring our annual income to £1.8 million.

We are a stable and experienced Board including senior professionals from business, the public sector and local politicians. One third of our Board places are reserved for service users, reflecting our commitment to putting people with mental health issues at the heart of our work.

There is an experienced management team with highly motivated CEO and Deputy CEO. We are seen as a trusted and reputable local provider with strong links to NHS and local authority commissioners in the county.

What does it involve?

You would be one of a 14 strong Board of Trustees who lead and oversee the work of some very committed staff. You would help create strategy and ensure our services deliver for our beneficiaries. We do this through a mixture of formal Board meetings, workshops and service visits – your commitment would probably amount to about ten hours per month. Board meetings take place in the evening, although Finance Sub-Committee meetings take place during working hours (approximately 6 time per year). The role is voluntary but expenses are available.

What to do next?

To learn more about the role, feel free to contact one of our current Joint Treasurers, Daniel Bird, for an informal conversation. He can be reached by email at danielbird193@gmail.com or by telephone on 07834 537986.

Candidates who wish to apply for the position should then contact our Chair, Sally Lefroy, on sally.lefroy@coastalwestsussexmind.org with an expression of interest and a brief outline of the skills and experience you would bring to the role.

Those who take their interest further will be invited to informal interviews towards the end of July with the aim of joining the Board formally at the AGM in September.

Manufacturers remain Optimistic & Confident despite Brexit uncertainties

SME manufacturers and engineers remain broadly optimistic and confident about future growth, despite the uncertainties around Brexit, rising production costs and skill shortages. These are the findings of the recently published 2018/19 MHA Manufacturing and Engineering Report.

The findings of this year’s survey were gathered by Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, tax and business advisers, MHA Carpenter Box along with their national association MHA. The report draws on the national and regional insights from over 200 clients and contacts. It identifies opportunities and concerns facing UK manufacturing and engineering businesses and, despite uncertainties over Brexit, 71% reported that they achieved revenue growth over the last 12 months and 78% predict business growth over the next 12 months; for the South Coast, this figure is slightly lower at 60%.

The Report highlights that 58% of respondents export products and all of them export to the Eurozone but, interestingly, only 30% of respondents nationally cite Brexit uncertainty and trading tariff concerns as their main barrier to future success. Only 34% of respondents have a post-Brexit strategy in place and 66% report that they cannot plan for the impact of Brexit until they know the Government’s strategy and EU response.

92% of respondents expect their production costs to rise over the next 12 months, but 67% intend to absorb any price increases through improved productivity and efficiency, rather than pass them onto customers.   

In the South, staff retention and recruitment are even bigger issues this year than last year with 89% of respondents finding it difficult to recruit staff; this figure is 81% nationally. In addition, 27% of respondents in the South are already losing staff to the Brexit effect, with the national figure standing at 20%. Although not covered in the survey, there is also anecdotally a growing concern in the South around the lack of availability of commercial/factory space for both new and expanding businesses. It is also disappointing to see the survey’s finding regarding R&D tax credits as many businesses fail to make a claim despite the scope of the relief available.

MHA Carpenter Box Partner Chris Coopey, Head of Manufacturing at the firm, commented: “It is good to see that our manufacturers and engineers are remaining positive and optimistic about the future despite the uncertainties of the last two years around Brexit. That uncertainty is unlikely to dissipate any time soon, but I have no doubt that the sector will cope with whatever barriers appear.

“Without doubt, the long-standing issue of skill shortages in the sector has been made worse by Brexit and this is an issue we will be looking to address at our next meeting of the Manufacturing Engineering and Technology Alliance (METALL #10) on Thursday 11 April. At this meeting we will be bringing business and education professionals together to discuss the important role that schools and colleges can play in raising awareness of the great career opportunities there are in manufacturing and engineering for students wishing to pursue STEM subjects.”

You can review the full Manufacturing & Engineering report at:

www.carpenterbox.com/manufacturing-report 

If you would like to find out more information and attend METALL #10, please click on the following link:

www.metall.org.uk/events/ 

www.carpenterbox.com

New Brighton Office and new look for Award Winning Advisory Firm

MHA Carpenter Box, the award-winning accountancy, tax and wealth management practice has announced the opening of a new Brighton office in Ship Street in the south lanes area of the city. The opening of the latest addition to the firm’s two existing offices coincides with the launch of their new branding, so it will be an exciting time for the Gatwick and Worthing based firm.

Managing Partner, Alan Edwards commented: “Our new office and new look mark an important phase in the development of the firm. With a headcount of around 170 and a client care strategy that matches our new “Now, for tomorrow” tagline, we aim to deliver the kind of business advice that our clients need to help them on their business and personal journeys. Our new presence in Brighton is aimed at making conversations easier as we embed ourselves into the local business landscape and start to build new relationships.”

The office will be led by Partner elect Sam Uwins, who specialises in the digital media sector. He will be joined by a team of experienced tax and wealth management advisers who will help to deploy the firm’s considerable business advisory expertise to existing and new clients across Brighton and Hove. The office will be introducing itself by way of a launch party in May.

In a way, the new office is a homecoming for the MHA Carpenter Box. Robert Carpenter, one of the founding partners, practiced as a Chartered Accountant from Midland Bank Chambers in North Street when the firm came into being in 1924. Ninety-five years later MHA Carpenter Box has become a top 100 firm in its own right. As well as belonging to the national association MHA, the firm is an independent member of Baker Tilly International giving it the resource to help clients locally, nationally and internationally, with a global reach for its clients that stretches across 140 countries.

www.carpenterbox.com

Open letter to businesses in Worthing Town Centre

In January of this year Worthing Borough Council wrote to inform you about the issues being

experienced, our collective actions being taken and the challenges we have around

anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

We - the Council, Sussex Police and Worthing Town Centre Initiative - feel it is important to

provide you with another update.

Firstly, we know town centres are changing and appreciate that businesses are having to

work extremely hard through these challenging times. Thanks to your hard work Worthing’s

reputation as a place where people want to shop, visit and invest continues to grow.

It is important to us all that we continue to attract people into the town centre, making sure it

is a safe and welcoming environment where people want to spend time and money.

However, we share the concern about how recent events - particularly those which have

attracted a lot of social media attention - have created a negative impression.

We know these issues are not new and that Worthing - like other similar towns - is not

unique in experiencing these problems. However, the high-profile nature of some of this

anti-social behaviour has accelerated the need for organisations that support the town centre

- including you, the businesses - to come together and look at ways we can collectively

improve the situation for everyone.

What are we doing at the moment...

There are a number of evidence gathering and enforcement measures we have been

working on to alleviate some of the issues we have experienced against individuals and

items of concern. You will see, for example, the Section 41 notices being put in place along

Montague Street in the next few weeks, aimed at removing items accumulating in spaces, to

prevent encampments developing. For instance, some of you will have noticed the

‘encampment’ outside of Laura Ashley/Waterstones has now been cleared.

We are working on the issues of street drinking with a relatively small number of individuals

(up to 6 key individuals - a mixture of homeless and those accommodated) that have been

involved in ASB or drunk and disorderly behaviour. There is a small number of individuals

consuming, without causing any issues but who are very visible in prominent locations. The

Police continue to address these issues in line with the Council’s Public Space Protection

Order (PSPO) , i.e. remove opened alcohol, where there is associated anti-social behaviour.

The current PSPO is in place until August 2019 and the Council has committed to extending

this power and the other PSPOs until August 2022.

As partner organisations, we have recently met to discuss these issues and started to

explore different solutions. Some of the suggestions to be considered include:

- How we can support the development and use of DISC (Worthing Shopwatch) to

assist with gathering information and reports to support enforcement?

- How can we improve the reporting process for businesses that are concerned?

- Can we make interventions to those empty properties to minimise the wrong type of

use?

These are just some of the initial suggestions. We will work together to develop immediate

and longer term interventions to improve the situation.

It is important to note that some of the issues that have led to concerns are not

homelessness issues and as outlined above, some of the behaviours are by those that are

not homeless. Worthing, like other towns, is working hard to address the issue of

homelessness with its partners, using assertive outreach to move people into support and

into accommodation.

How you can continue to help...

Your support in helping us improve the town centre continues to be valued; it is only by

working together that we can improve things. We ask that you continue to share these key

messages to staff, customers and the wider public.

● This is a national concern and we are not the only town experiencing these

issues. However, the Council, Police, TCI, businesses and other partners are

working together to help improve the situation.

● Those sleeping rough are often very vulnerable, the majority need immediate help

and support. If you see someone sleeping rough please report through

www.streetlink.org.uk

● If appropriate, give food and drink to those people in need, not money.

● Reporting crime/anti-social behaviour, including alcohol related incidents, is

necessary - without this resources can not be directed effectively and action cannot

be taken. This can be done via 101 or online via

www.sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/

● If a crime is happening and/or if anyone is at risk please call 999.

We believe we’re all working towards the same goal of making Worthing a great town to visit,

stay and spend. We would welcome your continued help in doing this.

If you feel you would like more information or want to get in touch please feel free to contact

us on the details below.

Kind regards

Contact details:

Worthing Borough Council

Email: safer-communities@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Sussex Police

Email: adurandworthing@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Worthing Town Centre Initiative

Email: info@worthingtowncentre.co.uk

Government back New Monks Farm decision

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin has welcomed news that the application to build 600 homes and an IKEA superstore in Lancing will not be reviewed by the government.

The Council’s Planning Committee approved the proposal for New Monks Farm in October 2018 subject to it being referred to the Secretary of State for Communities.

Today (22nd May, 2019), the Council received notification from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government it would not be called in - meaning the decision to approve the application stands.

Speaking after receiving the news, Cllr Parkin said: ”After seven months of waiting, I very much welcome this decision from the government which gives certainty to the developer while also providing a massive shot in the arm for our local economy.

“This application was one of the largest ever in Adur’s history promising an investment of more than £150 million and the creation of hundreds of homes and jobs, along with community space, in our area.”

The application from New Monks Farm Development, a subsidiary of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, is for land between Shoreham and Lancing which borders the A27 and Shoreham Airport.

Thirty per cent of the homes are affordable and 108 families from Adur's housing waiting list will get the chance to move to the new development.

Plans also include the provision of a new roundabout on the A27, a country park, land for a school and a community hub. It will also see the relocation and expansion of the Withy Patch Gypsy and Traveller site.

New Mayor of Worthing is elected

The next Mayor of Worthing is pledging to support people in our communities who can often be forgotten or unheard.

Councillor Hazel Thorpe has put on the Borough's century-old robes and chain for the first time (17th May 2019) when she was appointed to the post at Worthing Borough Council's annual meeting.

In the next 12 months, the avid gardener and theatre fan will be the town's first citizen, attending hundreds of events and supporting three local charities.

Cllr Thorpe will be supporting: Care For Veterans, The NSPCC local district and Coastal West Sussex Mind.

After putting on the mayoral robes for the first time, Cllr Thorpe will be looking forward to the mayor's inaugural dinner on June 1st.

She will be accompanied throughout the year by her husband Robin. They recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

Cllr Thorpe's Deputy Mayor will be Councillor Lionel Harman, who lives in Worthing and represents Castle ward.

She succeeds Councillor Paul Baker. In the last year, Cllr Baker raised £15,000 for his chosen local charities - Guild Care Haviland House dementia care home; Ferring Country Centre; and Love Your Hospital.

Read the Q&A below to find out more about the new mayor Hazel Thorpe:

What is your background?

My background is in engineering, I later became a teacher, and then I was asked to become a Councillor in 2000.

What are your interests away from being a Councillor?

Theatre, I really love live theatre, and I have performed in Am Dram years ago. I am very interested in anything to do with handicrafts, I knit, I used to do printing, all sorts of things like that. I love reading and most of all I really love looking after my garden.  I’ve got a husband and family and I like to spend a lot of time with them. Anything that’s active I like.

Why did you become a Councillor?

“I became a Councillor, partly because I was asked to, partly because there was an issue in my village in Tarring that needed the residents to speak out for, and I have always been one to speak up for people who need a bit of extra help.”

What are your priorities for the coming year as Mayor?

“My priorities as I enter the mayoralty is to put the town of Worthing on the map, and I intend to do it via the music and art, and to some extent the environment, but focusing on the people, because there are a lot of people behind the scenes who don’t get any recognition or who don’t seem to be valued, but I value them.”

Which charities will you be supporting as Mayor?

“I will be supporting Care For Veterans, they are celebrating 100 years’ service for families of people who’ve come back from wars rather differently, they actually cover a lot of things including rehabilitation. My second charity is the NSPCC and that’s the local district and that’s to help young people speak out against cyber bullying. My third charity is Coastal West Sussex Mind for families, because I think the families of people with mental health issues need a bit of extra help and support. I will be organising events, and we’ve got one on June 1st which is my inaugural dinner which is really the launch of my mayoralty and that will be at The Ardington.

What are your three favourite things about Worthing?

“My three favourite things about Worthing are the pier, particularly the windows that show off the amazing things that we have done, the theatres, I love going to theatres and concerts, and I also think the food here is very good too. “

Three new Partners appointed at MHA Carpenter Box

Sussex-based chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box has appointed three new Partners to further strengthen its leadership team, including the youngest Partner to be appointed in the firm’s 95-year history.

The practice has enjoyed significant growth over recent years at its offices in Worthing and Gatwick, and the three new appointments bring the total number of Partners to 16, supported by 170 staff.

Sam Uwins joined the firm in 2009 on six weeks’ work experience and was offered a trainee role at the age of 17. He was the youngest trainee ever to qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant at the firm at just 22 and has now been appointed Partner in the Business Services Group at only 27 – the youngest Partner ever be appointed at the firm.

Sam works within the media and entertainment sector providing tax and business advice to social influencers and online content creators. He has built the reputation of MHA Carpenter Box to market leader in this very niche sector. Sam commented: “Having trained at MHA Carpenter Box, I am delighted to become a Partner and very much look forward to helping the firm continue to grow over the coming years.”

David Crowter has been appointed Tax Partner after a career of nearly 20 years providing tax advice to clients of every size. He is a specialist in property tax and tax reliefs available to young, innovative businesses and currently oversees all of the work of the Tax Team at the Gatwick office. David also supports other fee earners at MHA Carpenter Box in resolving complex tax issues.

David said: “I feel honoured to have been made a Partner at such an exciting time in the firm’s evolution. The tax environment is increasingly fast moving and complex and the needs of our client base for our specialist services will no doubt continue to grow in the years ahead.”

Dan Hobbs joined MHA Carpenter Box in 2016 and after 17 years in the industry, has been appointed Partner in the Tax Services Group. Dan is a specialist VAT adviser, helping clients to structure their business transactions that will give them an optimal level of tax efficiency.

“I’m delighted to become a Partner at MHA Carpenter Box,” said Dan “I’ll be working hard to support the ever-growing number of VAT clients that the firm now has. They really value the level of VAT advice we provide. This in-house expertise benefits our clients and gives us a competitive edge, as, unlike us, many accountancy firms have to use external consultants to deal with non-routine VAT questions.”  

www.carpenterbox.com

Photo shows (l-r): David Crowter, Sam Uwins and Dan Hobbs.

Gatwick celebrates new ownership with continued investment to “put passengers at heart” of exciting new chapter

London Gatwick today announced a new chapter in its ownership as VINCI Airports completed the purchase of a 50.01% stake in the airport. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) will continue to manage the remaining 49.99% interest in Gatwick. The new partnership promises continued investment to put passengers at the heart of Gatwick’s future plans.

VINCI Airports, the world’s leading private airport operator, will bring its expertise to Gatwick including a strong focus on quality of service and programme management. Now part of a global network of 46 airports in 12 countries, Gatwick teams will have access to broader opportunities particularly in international career development and in-house training. As the world’s most efficient single runway airport, Gatwick will also share best practice with VINCI Airports as the company continues to pursue its operational improvement strategy.

The completion of the transaction is the ideal opportunity for Gatwick’s shareholders to express their shared vision for the future of the airport and to announce the evolution of Gatwick’s governance based on continuity. Sir David Higgins, Stewart Wingate and Nick Dunn will remain respectively Chairman, CEO and CFO of the airport, and will be joined by Cédric Laurier, from VINCI Airports, as CTO (Chief Technical Officer).

The airport’s ambitious plans for the future remain, with a further £1.1 billion Capital Investment Programme (CIP) set to deliver a range of passenger improvements by 2023.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, said:

“This partnership marks the beginning of a very exciting future for London Gatwick and VINCI Airports. Applying our joint skills will add significant value to both VINCI Airports and London Gatwick Airport and benefit all our stakeholders, notably airlines and passengers. Combining our expertise will further improve our operational excellence and sustain our shared vision of putting passengers’ satisfaction at the heart of everything we do.”

Sir David Higgins, Chairman, Gatwick, said:

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new era for Gatwick, its airlines and passengers. We welcome VINCI Airports to Gatwick and are grateful for this strong vote of confidence in Gatwick and the UK.”

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, Gatwick, said:

“Today is the start of a new chapter for Gatwick, with new owners and further investment enabling the airport to continue on its successful journey. The management team and I will remain focused on delivering exceptional service to our passengers and to developing longer-term plans to grow our airport.”

Michael McGhee, GIP Partner, said:

“The GIP-VINCI partnership is focused on continuing the transformation of the airport. VINCI’s global airport expertise, coupled with GIP’s intimate knowledge of Gatwick and the UK market, offer a unique and complementary world-class airport capability to carry on delivering exceptional performance.” 

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”), as part of the 49.99% interest managed by GIP, will retain a 9.99% stake in Gatwick.

Paul Mouchakkaa, Managing Investment Director - Real Assets, CalPERS, said: “CalPERS is excited to be a part of this new chapter of Gatwick’s future.”

Since December 2009, Gatwick has grown passenger numbers from 32 million to more than 46 million in 2019, while maintaining very high passenger satisfaction scores. In December 2018, Gatwick’s Quality of Service Monitor (QSM) score was 4.29 out of 5.0 – a ten-year high.

Throughout this time, the airport has focused on delivering on its mission to be the UK’s most sustainable airport through its Decade of Change programme. Highlights include achieving a Zero Waste to Landfill accreditation from the Carbon Trust, as well as becoming a carbon neutral airport.

Gatwick has also achieved much success in growing its long haul network, with over 60 long haul routes now available across Asia, North and South America and beyond. Gatwick flies to more destinations than any other UK airport. Recent route launches include Shanghai, Rio De Janeiro and San Francisco.

This has been supported by strong levels of investment in airport facilities, with more than £2 billion spent on improving Gatwick since 2009 including the world’s largest self-service bag drop in North Terminal, a brand-new Pier 1 and a state-of-the-art security area in both terminals, through which 95% of passengers pass through in less than five minutes.

The airport also continues to look to the future and recently consulted on its Draft Master Plan for the next 15 years, looking at how Gatwick could make best use of its existing infrastructure and, notably, its existing standby runway. The final master plan is due to be published later this year.

Extension To Brighton and Hove Albion’s Training Ground Approved

Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club has been given the green light by Adur District Council’s Planning Committee to extend their Lancing training ground.

The Premier League side received backing to invest a further £22million to transform a corner of land to the southeast of the £22 million American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

The designs include building a ‘Club Hub’ and three additional football pitches.

One of the Club Hub facilities would be to provide a dedicated facility for the club’s womens and girls teams, who currently are based at the University of Sussex.

Other resources include an advanced medical and sports science facilities, yoga and Pilates studio and changing rooms, which would be accessible for people with complex needs.

The proposals were submitted by The Community Stadium Ltd to Adur District Council whose Planning Committee approved the plans at a meeting last night (Monday May 13, 2019).

The club hope that work would begin in the summer.

Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “I am pleased to see Albion continue their investment in Lancing and the wider District.  This is a Premier League investment by a Premier League club which will create world-class accessible facilities for footballers across Sussex.

“Albion have shown that they are committed to investing in our community and I look forward to continuing to work this partnership for many years to come.”

Councillor Carol Albury, Chairman of Adur District Council’s Planning Committee, said: “The Albion training ground has been a welcome addition to Lancing and over the years there has been a steady growth in the use of the community pitch.

“The committee took into consideration the concerns of neighbours but on balance felt this investment in world-class sporting facilities was the right decision. Personally I’m delighted to see that this investment will support the growth of the women’s game and I hope this will allow Albion to remain a Women’s Super League club for many years to come.”

Worthing Beach Wins Top National Award

Worthing Beach has been recognised as one of the best in the country after winning the coveted Seaside Award for the third year running.

Overseen by Keep Britain Tidy, the honour identifies and rewards beaches achieving the highest standards of beach management and water quality.

Worthing Beach, a seven mile stretch of shingle, soft sand and rock pools, was one of those selected, joining the best beaches in England.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration said:

“The seafront is the lifeblood of any coastal town.”

“Worthing beach hosts a wide spacious prom, independent traders, world-class water sports, and soon we’ll be home to the largest observation wheel on the south coast.

“This area of Worthing is a community resource for all ages, which is why I'm delighted we have won this award again.”

“It is a real stamp of approval showing Worthing and its seafront is ready for summer.”

The accolade comes as work continues on the SustainableAW programme, which strives to tackle some of the largest environmental challenges of our time.

This ambitious project for the local area operates with the local community and partners to tackle areas such as water efficiency, clean energy and waste recycling.

This year environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy is presenting 208 awards to England’s very best beaches, including 71 international Blue Flags and 137 Seaside Awards, with 52 beaches achieving both awards.

All the beaches are united in cleanliness safety and meeting the highest environmental standards, as well as the tough international bathing water quality standards.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said:

“The success of the 156 beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards is a testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers and volunteers to local people and businesses.

“When you enjoy a trip to a beach flying an international Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.”