New chairman tells residents of Greater Brighton Region: We are stronger together

The new chairman of the Greater Brighton Region today sent out a rallying cry to nearly one million residents: By sticking together we can make a real difference to our communities.

Councillor Garry Wall assumed the chairmanship of the Greater Brighton Economic Board this week and in a first interview he revealed his ambition to expand the region which currently covers the local authority areas of Brighton, Lewes, Adur, Worthing, Crawley, and Mid Sussex. It also includes Gatwick Airport.

Cllr Wall, who is leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “I am very ambitious for Greater Brighton. We have had a very good five years, bringing in multi-million pound investments and now we need to go even further.

“I want us to continue attracting investment but I also want us now to do much more, to shout about our region, tell of our success but also continue to press for more investment so that we can continue to make a strong contribution to the health of the UK economy.”

Cllr Wall said he bring more partners to the Region by helping them understand how successful it has been. In the last five years Greater Brighton has attracted investment to major projects totalling more than £160m.

Among the major projects funded or partly funded through Greater Brighton have been the Adur Tidal Walls, University of Brighton Advanced Engineering Centre, Newhaven Enterprise Zone, the Northern Arc in Burgess Hill, Forge Wood in Crawley, North Street Quarter in Lewes and Union Place in Worthing.

Cllr Wall said: “I’m keen for us to look to expand because the more partners we have, the bigger the area and population, the greater the diversity of businesses,  the more power we have to attract investment and to make our voice heard.

“On our own as local authorities or businesses of course we can do a lot but together we can achieve even more.

“Today we are connected as a region, we travel to work, rest and play from one part of it to the other, we are bound together in wealth creation, creativity and energy. If one part of the Region is successful it benefits us all.”

The Greater Brighton Region came into being in 2014 as part of the government’s devolution policies to give more control and power to the regions of England and which saw some opt to introduce a directly-elected Mayor to run the show.

In Greater Brighton the aim of protecting and growing the Region’s economy through creative, innovative initiatives which coordinate  economic development activities and investment throughout the area.

Six local authorities are involved, the districts of Mid Sussex, Adur, and Lewes, the boroughs of Worthing and Crawley and the city council of Brighton & Hove, with the chairman of the Greater Brighton Economic Board being taken by leaders of each on an annual basis.

In addition education providers the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College are on the board as are several business partnerships and other bodies including Gatwick Airport and the South Downs National Park Authority.

Greater Brighton is home to more than 900,000 people and there are 340,000 jobs in 40,000 businesses creating a diverse, vibrant, economic community. The Centre for Cities has rated Greater Brighton in the top 5 for jobs growth in the last 10 years and 37,000 more jobs are expected to be created by 2030.

However Cllr Wall warns there are no grounds for complacency and points to organisations like the Northern Powerhouse and the East Midlands Engine, similar organisations to Greater Brighton, lobbying for resources to be spent further north have stolen a march.

He said: “In a sense we have some catching up to do. Although we are a strong contributor to the wellbeing of the UK economy we must continue to convince that we need help to keep making that contribution.

“We also need to show government that we have our problems too despite common misconceptions. We have pockets of deprivation and we have skill shortages for which we need help. Our work is far from over.”

ETI staff support local beach clean

Staff from Electronic Temperature Instruments Limited (ETI) have participated in a Beach Clean event in Worthing, West Sussex this week.  Over 90 members of staff split into ten groups volunteered to collect rubbish from Worthing beach and seafront between Monday 25^th and Friday 29^th June 2018.

Jason Webb, ETI’s Commercial Director commented “The Beach Clean which was organised with the Councils support, was a huge success and we managed to fill 18 bin bags full of rubbish. This was a fantastic opportunity for staff to give back to the community and this initiative fits well with our ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility and Green policies.  Plastic in the oceans is one of the biggest problems facing our environment today and we were pleased to run this campaign in a bid to help raise awareness of the problem.”

Located on the East Worthing Trading Estate, ETI was founded in 1983 and is the UK’s leader in the manufacture and design of electronic thermometers and temperature probes. This year they won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, the fourth Queen’s Award for the company since gaining its first in 2012.

Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd

Easting Close, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8HQ

Phone 01903 202151   email sales@etiltd.com

www.etiltd.com

METALL Launches Masterclass Series for Sussex & Surrey Manufacturers

Manufacturers keen to develop a flexible digital production strategy are being invited to join free masterclasses being organised by METALL, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Alliance supporting businesses across Sussex and south Surrey.

METALL launched its new masterclass series at its latest event, at the South Lodge Hotel, Horsham, where Asif Moghal from Autodesk outlined how digital systems have the power to transform traditional silo-based design, manufacture and sale of products into one single, connected discipline.

“Digitalisation opens up opportunities for a more collaborative, flexible and personalised approach to designing, making and selling products,” he said. “This enables businesses to deliver greater product customisation, which can be the springboard to a range of connected, insight-based services and lead to ‘competitive separation’…creating a unique position in the market place.”

Asif also outlined the Future of British Manufacturing Initiative (www.autodesk.co.uk/fobmi), a collaboration between leading industry organisations like Autodesk, Lloyds Bank, Simon-Kucher & Partners, several universities, as well as MHA of which MHA Carpenter Box is a core partner. FOBMI offers practical help to small and medium size manufacturers who are interested in understanding how to make better products, sell more and generate greater profits in the so-called fourth industrial revolution driven by digitalisation (Industry 4.0). The programme includes free access to ‘digital catalysts’ – students from the UK’s leading design and engineering universities who can help companies fast-track the adoption of digital technologies.

METALL’s new masterclass series will also include sessions on top tax tips, employment and employee retention, as well as marketing for manufacturing and engineering businesses. The forum, supported by chartered accountants and tax advisors MHA Carpenter Box, asb law and technical recruitment specialists CBSbutler, will bring together Sussex coast and Gatwick Diamond manufacturing businesses to help them grow their businesses, network, share best practice and meet their challenges and take their opportunities.

To find out more about the upcoming masterclass series, visit www.metall.org.uk/masterclasses

Our photo (l-r) shows Neil Gardner (asb law), Asif Moghal (Autodesk), Chris Coopey (MHA Carpenter Box) and Alisna Magar (CBSbutler).

Hospice nurse shortlisted for British Heart Foundation ‘Heart Hero’ award

A specialist nurse at local hospice St Barnabas House has been shortlisted for a British Heart Foundation ‘Heart Hero’ award.

Michaela Wheatley, Advanced Heart Failure Nurse Specialist at the Worthing-based hospice, was nominated for the award by the family of a patient she supported at the end of his life.

John Crammond (known as Ian) was referred to St Barnabas House by the Cardiac Unit at Worthing Hospital.

His grandson, Harry Finnigan, said: “Michaela visited Grandpa at home and went through some very difficult questions with my mum, aunt and Grandpa to ensure his wishes were met. She was with us the whole way until he died.

“Michaela gave us all more valuable time with Grandpa during his last few weeks and made his life more comfortable, enabling him to have a dignified death surrounded by those he loved.”

St Barnabas House made the decision in 2016 to introduce a new Disease Specific Nursing Team in order to provide specialist palliative care for patients with specific illnesses, including Advanced Heart Failure.

The Advanced Heart Failure Service aims to provide a high quality service, managing the symptoms and providing specialist support for the psychological and emotional needs that may occur as a result of Advanced Heart Failure.

Michaela first learned of her nomination for a Heart Hero award in April. On Friday 13 July she received an official invitation, confirming she had made it down to the final three nominees.

She said: “I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award. I am really quite overwhelmed as it is always a wonderful feeling when our hard work and dedication is recognised

“It was a privilege to have been able to support Ian and his family and I am grateful that they have taken the time to pass on their thanks in such a lovely and thoughtful way. It really is important this service is recognised for the work we are doing here as the Advanced Heart Failure Service is still relatively new.”

The BHF Heart Hero Awards will take place at The Swan Restaurant, which is based underneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, on Friday 5 October 2018.

You can find more information about the Advanced Heart Failure Service provided by St Barnabas House at www.stbh.org.uk/heartservice

Brooklands Park boardwalk takes shape

The renovation work at Brooklands Park continues apace...

As wildlife and flowers continue to find the park’s wetlands a safe haven in the hot summer weather, the environmental management team from Five Rivers Environmental Contracting has returned to work on the new boardwalk.

Built on an oak base and with a decking made of highly durable recycled plastic, it will wind its way up the western side of the lake.

Ben Sharp, Environmental Site Manager for Five Rivers, said:

“All credit to the Council for using this recycled material. I’d not seen it before and it’s very tough and quite impressive. The great advantage of the boardwalk is that you are actually on the water which brings you much closer to the wonderful flora and fauna in and around the edges of the lake.”

The team is also due to install a floating raft for nesting terns and a floating island for wildlife on the lake. The work will continue until late August. The new work and habitats will then be allowed to rest for about six weeks before the fencing around the lake is removed.

Councillor Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services, said:

“I am impressed with the pace of the work at Brooklands and excited to see the boardwalk taking shape. It’s really encouraging to see what can be done when the strong community spirit represented by the Friends of Brooklands Park works together with the Council to make things happen.”

Worthing Borough Council has funded a six-month programme to drain the lake removing tonnes of silt that had accumulated over the years, rebuild banks with new flora and create a new island on the lake to be used by wildlife.

Rags to riches for Worthing textile recycling

It’s been a bumper year for recycling textiles and old clothes in Worthing.

A record 100 tonnes of materials has been donated to 14 textile recycling banks in the town. This is nearly 50 per cent more than the year before, generating over £20,000 for charitable projects, £8,000 more than in the previous year.

The money raised is distributed by local charity Community Chest to support projects in Worthing which promote social and economic well being. Grants of up to £1,500 have been paid out to groups such as the Worthing Rugby Minis, One Love Worthing  and Worthing Children’s Parade.

And there is no need to stop donating now. With the school year at an end, think about donating those old, but clean, hole-in-the-toe school socks and that school blouse which has seen one too many a wash.

A Council spokeswoman said: “This really is a wonderful achievement. Not only are we sending fewer textiles to landfill, but we are raising money for local charities. I wonder if we can recycle even more over the next year?”

Click here to see where you can donate your old clothes and textiles: http://www.worthingcommunitychest.org/donate-your-old-clothes/

Worthing Churches Homeless Project has a couple of Trustee vacancies

Worthing Churches Homeless Project (WCHP) are seeking to recruit new trustees to become part of our Board. WCHP have been supporting homeless and insecurely housed people in Worthing and surrounding areas for over 25 years. The charity has grown considerably and now offer services in Horsham, Mid Sussex and Littlehampton. Last financial year (2017/18) we worked with over 1,700 clients across all our projects. We have a highly committed and effective volunteer community of over 300 and over 100 paid staff. Our vision is for a community where no local person needs to sleep out and everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

The voluntary trustee role brings with it various responsibilities, such as governing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is financially sound; along with a commitment to attend scheduled meetings throughout the year.

No specific qualifications are necessary to become a trustee. We currently have several vacancies and welcome applications from anyone interested in our charitable mission, with both the willingness and enthusiasm to offer their expertise and time. We hope to increase the board’s diversity and therefore welcome applications from all our community. For one of our vacancies we are appealing to those who have specific skills and experience in community engagement and fundraising.

Being a trustee is a rewarding and enriching experience as emphasized by our Chair of Trustees, Ian Mintram: “.. it has been a great opportunity to continue to learn and develop, whilst contributing to WCHP.” To find out more about our current board please read their profiles

Should you have any questions about the trustee role you can download further information below. Additionally, you are welcome to have an informal telephone conversation with our current Chair of Trustees.

Please complete the application form and send an up-to-date CV, if you have one, to: sarah.clark@wchp.org.uk

Closing date for applications: Thursday 23rd August 2018 (midnight)
Interviews held on Friday 7th September 2018 at Worthing Town Hall

For more information click here

Nelson Mandela, Centenary Address at Indigo Restaurant 

 August 1^st 2018 7:00pm - 9:30pm 

 The Reverend Colin Chambers was the Prison Chaplain on Robben Island for 12 years of Nelson Mandela’s internment during which they built a very strong friendship that lasted to the very end of the Presidents life.

Colin will share with you his experiences on Robben Island along with those of its interns and reflect on the life and legacy of the late President.

The Menu

Poached fillet of salmon and prawns, cucumber, mint and dill yoghurt, mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, hot new potatoes.

Crispy leg of slow cooked leg of duck, sweet potato, organic plum sauce, green beans

Chickpea cake, red pepper and olive tapenade, caponata and rocket V/VG

 …

Caramel roasted pineapple, Toasted coconut ice cream, Passion fruit syrup

 Steeped raspberry trifle

 A selection of British and European cheese, Biscuits and homemade pickle

 …

Freshly ground coffee.

Tea infusions

Brownies

 £21:00 per person

_______________

Call 01903 230451

Email: reservations@indigorestaurant.info

Managing during periods of hot weather

Working in hot temperatures

Although the Great British Summer often doesn't result in hot temperatures there will be times when the sun does come out and workers find themselves working in hot conditions. In the UK there is no maximum temperature that a workplace is allowed to be, rather advice from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) states "during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable". What is reasonable depends on the type of work being done (manual, office, etc) and the type of workplace (kitchen, air conditioned office, etc).

The HSE offers further guidance on workplace temperatures including details on carrying out an optional thermal comfort risk assessment if staff are unhappy with the temperature - Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Temperature.

Getting to work

Generally hot weather shouldn't affect journeys to work, but occasionally in the UK there might be an impact on public transport if temperatures go over a certain level. Train companies may limit the speed of trains in case the tracks buckle which may result in the late arrival of your train. You should check with your local train company to see if speed restrictions are in place or cancellations are expected and plan accordingly.

Keeping cool in work

While employers are not legally obliged to provide air conditioning in workplaces  they are expected to provide reasonable temperatures. If you have air conditioning switch it on, if you have blinds or curtains use them to block out sunlight and if you're working outside wear appropriate clothing and use sun screen to protect from sunburn.

It is also important to drink plenty of water and employers must provide you with suitable drinking water in the workplace. It is important to drink water regularly throughout the day and not to wait until you are thirsty as this is an indication that you are already dehydrated.

Fasting during hot weather

Many Muslims will fast each day from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan as part of their faith. This includes not eating food, drinking liquids or smoking. When Ramadan falls in the summer months it can be particularly challenging as the days are longer. Employees may wish to use annual leave when observing the Ramadan rules, and employers may help by holding meetings etc. in the mornings when energy levels are higher. Where possible employers could consider a temporary change in working hours.

Vulnerable workers

The hot weather can make workers feel tired and less energetic especially for those who are young, older, pregnant or those on medication. Employers may wish to give these workers, more frequent rest breaks and ensure ventilation is adequate by providing fans, or portable air cooling units.

Dress code in the workplace during hot weather

Employers often have a dress code in the workplace for many reasons such as health and safety, or workers may be asked to wear a uniform to communicate a corporate image. A dress code can often be used to ensure workers are dressed appropriately.

While employers are under no obligation to relax their dress code or uniform requirements during hot weather, some may allow workers to wear more casual clothes, or allow "dress down" days. This does not necessarily mean that shorts and flip flops are appropriate, rather employers may relax the rules in regards to wearing ties or suits.

Article by Acas

Sussex Property Professionals Dive Deep into Port’s Plans

Property professionals from across Sussex took to the water to hear about future plans for Shoreham Port, a thriving commercial Trust Port on the South Coast which manages the movement of 900 ships and 2 million tonnes of cargo every year.

Tim Hague, Director of Property & Development at Shoreham Port, led a water-borne tour of the port for members of the Sussex Property Alliance (SPA), with a particular focus on estate management, development opportunities and the increasing investment in renewable energy generation. 

Central to future plans is the release of land for development at the Western Arm, which will support the expansion of commercial shipping activities on the Eastern Arm and Canal through better use of vacant and underused sites.

“The aim is to increase capacity to achieve 25% growth in trade over the next few years through investment in new port facilities, such as increased warehousing and in terminals,” said Mr Hague.

Shoreham Port is currently home to 150 companies, generating £4m property income annually, with the huge demand for space resulting in 100% occupancy for the last eight years.

Robert Dowling, Partner at chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box, which supports the SPA jointly with Bennett Griffin solicitors and Michael Jones commercial real estate agents, said: “Shoreham Port is vital to the fabric of the South East economy, particularly for the construction industry given the volume of timber, steel and aggregates that it handles. It has ambitious plans for the future that will not only increase growth in trade but also contribute to wider economic development and improved community facilities.”

The Sussex Property Alliance provides a forum where property professionals get together, exchange ideas, and build relationships.

www.sussexpropertyalliance.co.uk