Message from Director of Public Health, West Sussex

Below are two letters from Anna Raleigh, Director of Public Health, West Sussex that provide important COVID-19 Advice and Guidance for the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors.  

Now more than ever, with a number of lockdown conditions easing, we need your support to continue to stay alert and operate your business following current guidance. 

It’s important that you are aware of your key responsibilities and have access to all the information and guidance you need to carry out the necessary additional risk assessments and arrangements to make your business, employees and visitors safe. 

West Sussex Public Health have produced a comprehensive resource below that summarises the information that you will need to follow in order to reduce the risk of outbreaks. This includes key guidance, advice on prevention and what to do if any of your employees develop COVID-19 symptoms. You will also find other information and links to resources that we hope you will find useful.

Click here to view the letter for the hospitality industry 

Click here to view the tourism and leisure advice 

Latest issue of ThriveAW magazine celebrates the community spirit in Adur and Worthing during the pandemic

The community spirit of Adur and Worthing and extraordinary working partnerships between the Councils, local groups and businesses - as demonstrated during the COVID crisis - are the central themes in the latest issue of ThriveAW magazine. 

The 28-page magazine is produced by Adur & Worthing Councils to promote the work underway to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities. 

The summer 2020 issue leads with a story about the emergency response which was put into action at the start of the pandemic to support almost 2,000 vulnerable residents of Adur and Worthing. It also focuses on the vital role played by 500 volunteers, who signed up to support the community during the COVID crisis. They  provided a range of support, including shopping, collecting medicines and being someone to talk to for those who were living alone. 

This includes the story of 82-year-old June Cooper, who contacted Adur & Worthing Councils’ Community Response Helpline, which was set up to support vulnerable residents during the pandemic. She was paired with a volunteer called Annie, who according to June has been her lifeline: 

“It’s the little things like going to the shops to buy some cheese and onion flavoured crisps, when I couldn’t get them online, that I wouldn’t be able to do without Annie’s help,” said June.

“As I live on my own it’s been reassuring to know that I’ve had someone to turn to if I’ve needed help.”

The magazine also reports on a range of projects underway to protect young people from exploitation. This includes a ‘transition to high school’ mentoring programme, a time of life when young people are particularly at risk of being exposed to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation. It also highlights the important work of partner groups and organisations who are delivering projects to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. 

Cllr Carson Albury, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Customer Services, said: 

“I have been particularly struck by the response we received to our volunteer drive during the COVID crisis - as we go forward, we are keen to see how we can harness this energy to maintain the connections that people have made, and build on the community spirit that has been borne out of this crisis.” 

Cllr Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing said: 

“We have seen first hand how our communities have pulled together in response to the COVID pandemic - the Councils, our partner organisations and the mutual aid groups all working to support local residents. 

“We know that for many, the impact of the pandemic is far from over, but with the help of our partner organisations we will continue to help our communities through these challenging times.”

To read the magazine in full, visit https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/thrive-aw/

Businesses across the South East have benefitted from almost £6bn in Covid-19 financial support

New data from the British Business Bank shows that businesses across the South East have received a total of almost £6bn in funding under the government’s two largest Covid-19 loan schemes, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. These provide financial support to businesses across the UK that are losing revenue, and seeing their cashflow disrupted, as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

• Over 144,000 loans worth over £4.3bn have been offered across the South East under the Bounce Bank Loan Scheme, which provides a six-year term loan from £2,000 up to 25% of a business’ turnover, with a limit of £50,000
• Over 7,300 loans worth almost £1.6bn have been offered across the South East under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, which provides Business loans, overdrafts, invoice finance & asset finance of up to £5m to businesses with a turnover less than £45m

Total funding provided to South East businesses represents 14% of the national total, in line with the relative size of the South East’s business population (16%).

Click here to read full press release 

An Emergency Grassroots Music Fund is now open

An Emergency Grassroots Music Fund is now open, but for one week only (closing - Monday 3 August).  Please share with any music venues you are in contact with ASAP. Many thanks. Davina   - Arts Council

 The £2.25 million Emergency Grassroots Music Venues Fund seeks to ensure the survival of grassroots music venues from now until 30 September 2020.

This funding is available to venues whose main function is to present live music events for a public audience in the grassroots part of this sector.
It’s open to live music venues across all music genres, and also to multi-arts venues that host other events and entertainment other than music within which music forms a major part of their activity.

 https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/emergency-grassroots-music-venues-fund#section-1

Support a local charity by becoming a trustee - Community Works

Becoming a charity trustee is a really effective way for skilled people to engage with their community and progress their own professional development.

Our area is home to many local charities and community groups. They’ve been doing amazing work during the lockdown and will continue to play a vital part in the community’s recovery.  But there are tough times ahead and big decisions to make.  The ‘new normal’ may mean charities have to adopt different strategies, enter into new collaborations or change their operating models. So many are now recruiting new trustees because they know they will need skilled and diverse boards to evaluate options and make the big decisions.

All kinds of people, of all ages and characteristics are encouraged to become charity trustees. You don’t need to have sat on a board before - trusteeship can be an excellent professional and personal development opportunity. You don’t need to have a specialist professional skill (although such skills are always welcomed) – your value might be your life experience or a connection with the charity’s cause.   And you don’t need to have years of experience behind you. Young trustees (18-35 year olds) are especially encouraged.

To find out more about being a trustee and how to find a suitable role, please get in touch with the Community Works’ Volunteer Centre  volunteercentre@bhcommunityworks.org.uk or click Could you be a trustee? for information about what’s involved and to browse current vacancies.

SustainableAW magazine goes live: “collaboration key to climate crisis response”

A rallying call for communities in Adur and Worthing to come together and tackle the climate crisis is the key theme in the first ever edition of SustainableAW.

The bright new publication has been created by Adur & Worthing Councils to highlight the breadth of work being done on issues like carbon reduction, transport, energy and biodiversity. 

The aim is to raise awareness of these key green issues while supporting better connections and collaboration between residents, businesses and organisations.

The cover story of the 28-page online magazine focuses on the recent Zero 2030 climate change conference held at Worthing Assembly Hall.

Organised by Worthing Climate Action Network, Transition Town Worthing and the Councils, the community-led event brought together 300 people and 125 organisations to share knowledge and get inspired.

The magazine includes reports and features on the event, along with a Q&A with Isabella Tree, who has pioneered rewilding at the Knepp Estate, just outside of Horsham.

Speaking to SustainableAW, she said: “We’re facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions and it’s affecting all life on this planet, including our own. We can talk and talk and talk about it, and theorise about where we went wrong and what we should be doing, but unless we act, nothing will change. Setting targets and acting on those targets is absolutely vital.”

The central thread to the magazine is the SustainableAW programme, a shared plan between communities and the Councils, which recognises that residents can have greater impact by working together.

The publication includes details on the work the Councils are doing, such as declaring a climate emergency, implementing a plan to be carbon neutral by 2030 through changes to council transport and energy, and rolling out plans for a climate assembly for later this year. 

The magazine also includes features projects run by the wider community, such as Eco Open Houses Worthing and the EPIC scheme to bring a new watercourse, walks and wildlife into Sompting’s Church Farm.

Cllr Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “The last few months have been dominated by a global pandemic. But, as we move out of COVID lockdown it’s vital that we do not lose sight of the bigger picture and responding to the climate emergency. Within this magazine you’ll see what could appear to be an abstract goal turn into a realistic plan of action.”

Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services, said: “As a Council we have made good progress on reducing carbon emissions, but it’s vital that we as civic leaders show commitment and direction on this extremely important issue. 

“We invite everyone, all our partners and residents to join us in local action to tackle the climate emergency, which is ambitious, but achievable, and will help protect our local community for future generations.”

To read the magazine in full, visit: www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/sustainable-aw-magazine.

Worthing Theatres and Museum CEO Statement

WTM’s CEO Amanda O’Reilly confirms our plans for a phased  reopening of venues  from Saturday 8th August,  first to open - the permanent collections in Worthing Museum closely followed by a Screen Arts Programme at the Connaught Theatre and later in the year, comedy nights at the Pavilion Theatre
 
When Worthing Theatres and Museum (WTM) closed its doors in March, no one could have imagined the gravity of the crisis, and the impact it would have on our team, our audiences and the wider culture sector. Leaving the building on 24th March, with all five venues simply empty spaces, I thought back to less than two weeks earlier; we launched our new season and shared our new brand as WTM to our supporters, patrons and press - the building buzzing with excitement for everything we had in store as a newly established charity. 
 
We’d programmed Jitney by the incredible Headlong Theatre and were thrilled to have the awe-inspiring Bryony Kimmings performing I’m A Phoenix, Bitch. We were co-programming Rhum and Clay’s The War of the Worlds, and Joseph Toonga’s Born To Manifest with Brighton Festival. We welcomed TRIBE// as our first ever dance company in residence, and launched Anthony Bennett’s Indian Yellow exhibition planned to open in May. Top all this off with a stand out cinema and screen arts programme and it would be fair to say this season marked a new era for us and a spectacular first step in realising our vision as a multi arts and heritage charity that could enrich people’s lives with an incredible and varied programme of culture. This vision was driven by the tireless passion and efforts of the team over the last five years finally making the charitable trust a reality in November 2020. 
 
We were delivering the mission we hold dear; to enable everyone to access arts and heritage by creating shared experiences that entertain, educate and inspire. Last year we welcomed over 340,000 people to our venues, exceeding all expectations and previous records. However now we are met with a new mission: given the current crisis, how do we bring those spaces back to life and give you a programme of inspiring events, most importantly in a way that is both safe and retains the experience you love?
 
In short, we do it in stages.
 
Stage 1 - Reopening Worthing Museum
 
We will be reopening the museum on Saturday 8th August and every Saturday through to November with pre booked sessions and bespoke talks from our curators. We will be constantly reviewing the offer so that if we can extend the  number of visits, we will.
 
We’re lucky that the design and architecture of the Museum make it possible to open with social distancing in place; for example our large open space on entry and the beautiful galleries. Our exclusive pre booked sessions will have limited numbers and clear guidance on social distancing will be in place throughout the building. With measures including deep cleans and additional cleaning between each session we  can safely welcome you back to your museum.
 
Stage 2 - Reopening the Connaught Theatre for our Screen Arts Cinema Programme
 
The Connaught Theatre will open on the 29th August with the launch of a wonderful Screen Arts programme including: Andre Rieu, Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes, Pink Floyd: A Delicate Sound of Thunder, National Theatre: Fleabag and Ball & Boe: Back Together.
 
While we are aware that the Government stated cinemas could reopen from 4th July, we wanted to take the time to ensure we made the necessary adjustments to the buildings, to train and support our staff team and to speak to our audiences. 
 
We will have fewer screenings per day to allow social distancing and avoid crowds, we are completing deep cleans of all spaces with additional cleaning between every screening and will have clear signage directing customers through the venue to avoid bottlenecks.  We will have all the necessary measures in place to provide a safe space for you to enjoy a great night out so we can confidently welcome you all back to the Connaught Theatre. 
 
Stage 3 - Reopening the Live Events Programme - a laughter filled autumn at the Pavilion Theatre
 
We welcome the government announcement that indoor performances with socially distanced audiences would be able to take place from 1st August, but bringing live events back in a safe and affordable way will take time particularly as most shows and events have now been rescheduled to 2021.  Live performance remains one the most challenging areas for the WTM venues because social distancing and reduced seating capacity makes the economics impossible for the majority of large scale shows and events. 
 
However we do have good news. On the 26th September we will be launching a stand up comedy season at the Pavilion Theatre, opening with a comedy fundraiser. Seats will be limited to meet the social distancing guidelines so these will be hot tickets! Join our mailing list to make sure you don’t miss out.
 
We know that not everyone will want to return to public venues immediately: but we want to be open for those who do in a safe manner that retains the spirit of WTM and your experiences with us. For those of you who want to wait a little longer - we will be here when you are ready.
 
Ways you can support WTM
 
The crisis has placed many arts charities like us on unstable ground. We need to prepare for the long term shock to the UK’s economy, or the chance that measures in social distancing might change again in the future. 
 
Working to reopen all our beautiful venues and safeguarding as many jobs as possible has been a priority for WTM, but we do have to find ways to save money to get us through this crisis. We sadly do have to reduce the majority of the teams hours and make a number of redundancies, while incredibly painful, this is  necessary to ensure the future survival of WTM.
 
We still need your help – here’s how you can get involved
 
There are three ways that our audiences can help us right now:
 
Become a Member - https://wtam.uk/members/
 
Make a donation - https://wtam.uk/donate/
 
Buy a ticket - https://wtam.uk/whats-on/all/

Adur & Worthing Councils gain major recognition for their work for the second time this year

Adur & Worthing Councils have been shortlisted for a prestigious Council of the Year award - the second such recognition in 2020.

Leading local authority publication the Municipal Journal has today (thurs) announced the Councils have been picked out by judges for the strength of their activities over the year. Adur & Worthing are joining big cities such as Bristol and Aberdeen on the shortlist for the prize category at the Journal’s Achievement Awards.

Earlier this year Adur & Worthing Councils were also shortlisted for Council of the Year for the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2020. The Chronicle is another leading journal covering political and policy issues on local government. On that shortlist the Councils were the only district and borough authorities selected for the shortlist and, again, are up against much bigger city and metropolitan areas.

Both shortlists were compiled by specialist judges with extensive knowledge of the operations of local government. Announcements on the winners of both awards take place later this year.

On the latest announcement, Cllr Daniel Humphreys, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said, ‘I’m delighted by this news. It reflects fantastically well on Councils’ staff and the innovative work they are engaged upon to serve our communities.’

Cllr Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Councils, said, ‘To be shortlisted once is fantastic enough for a council of our size but to be named twice in a year by the two leading journals that report and analyse local government is praise indeed.’

The judges were impressed by the range of activities the Councils were engaged in including pioneering digital work, well being initiatives in the community, the delivery of major building projects and their partnerships with scores of organisations and groups to improve local environments.

Although Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council are two separate political authorities they share staff services and collaborate on many policies which caught the judges’ eyes. They were the first authorities to merge staff services more than10 years ago, subsequently cost saving millions of pounds.

https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/

Top marks once again for Chichester College marketing students

Marketing students at Chichester College have once again recorded a 100% pass rate across the board.

The students – studying CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) qualifications at levels 3, 4 and 6 – all passed their year with flying colours, with more than 70% receiving Merits or Distinctions.

It’s the sixth year to see the college return such high success rates, which consistently places Chichester among the best in the world for CIM courses.

Shelagh Legrave OBE, Chief Executive of the Chichester College Group, said: “We are extremely proud of our record of success for our CIM courses.

“We have an incredible pedigree – to achieve 100% pass rates for six consecutive years across all levels is no mean feat.

“And what makes this even more impressive, is when we consider the students are mostly also in full-time employment and are juggling work and study, along with their home lives.

“We see people come in to study CIM from all walks of life, and we frequently hear from former students who have progressed further in their careers since qualifying with us.

“It is truly inspiring.”

Over the past few years, students at Chichester College also recorded the highest marks internationally -  that’s according to the CIM results tables in 2018 and 2019.

Luke Haskell was one of those students in 2018, having completed his level 4 and then level 6 qualifications at the college.

Luke started on a marketing apprenticeship, working for TJ Waste & Recycling and studying at Chichester College. Since completing his CIM studies, he has progressed to become General Manager at the firm.

Luke said: “I thought a CIM qualification was one of the best qualifications for me to undertake and I have never looked back.

“The courses were both really good and the quality of teaching, as well as the support we received, was exceptional.

“I think it has helped my career – it has certainly given me credibility and many of the concepts that we covered actually feed into other areas of the business. It’s more than ‘just’ marketing.

“I’ve now just completed an MBA in Business and I found I was able to draw upon what I learnt for that too.”

Chichester College runs a variety of marketing qualifications, all accredited through the CIM, designed for both experienced practitioners as well as those who are new to marketing.

In September, the college is launching the CIM Level 4 Applied Marketing qualification as an online course and will be delivering the CIM Level 6 Marketing and Digital Strategy course over three Saturdays, supported with remote tutorials.

You can also climb onto the first step in your marketing career with a CIM Level 3 in Marketing Principles.

Find out more by visiting www.chichester.ac.uk and search ‘marketing’.

Adur Community Leisure: Statement from Leader of Adur District Council

The leader of Adur District Council assured residents that it will take all steps possible to secure sustainable leisure services in the future following the announcement that the company running centres has placed itself into voluntary liquidation..

Adur Community Leisure, an arm of the Impulse Leisure company, runs all leisure and recreational services from three centres in the district as well as the Gym Hub in Worthing and the leisure centre at Storrington. Its collapse places 150 jobs at risk.

The leisure centres affected in Adur are Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Southwick Leisure Centre and Wadurs Community Pool in Shoreham which are all owned by Adur District Council. The Council awarded Impulse a 30-year contract to run leisure services out of the centres in 2005. Any financial surplus goes to the company, not to the Council, in addition to the Council paying an annual Service Fee to ACL to deliver the services.  

Given the costs required by ACL to get them through this lockdown period in addition to its own existing running costs and the current stability of the company, the Council's view was that there was a substantial risk that any public money loaned will not be recovered. 

The money originally asked for, more than £1m, was more than half of the Council’s working reserves. This request was withdrawn at the last minute ahead of a meeting of the Council which was set to make a decision and a subsequent new lower bid was submitted. This was being considered when the company made its announcement.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Neil Parkin, said, ‘We are very sorry this has happened and our sympathies go out to those whose jobs are now threatened.

‘The Council has done everything possible to support Impulse moving forward. But we also have a duty to local taxpayers to ensure that local services are operated efficiently and cannot place a large financial burden on the authority to prop up an external organisation.

‘We found ourselves in an impossible situation in that the sums asked of us were far too large with a significant risk that we wouldn’t get it back and that the operators would still fail.

This latest news proves we were right to be circumspect

‘However we will begin the process right now of finding a way to return leisure services to the community. ‘