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25th January 2012 - Crawley News

'Should council take cash to Revive park?'

A lottery grant of £2.4 million has been offered to Crawley Borough Council for the restoration of Worth Park Gardens. Two opposing councillors give their views on why the money should or should not be accepted by the council

For

Against

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25th January 2012 - Crawley Observer

'MP brands Worth Park protest pathetic'
Report by Laura Chase

MP Henry Smith has blasted Crawley Labour Group’s decision to "call in" a decision to accept a £2.4 million lottery grant to renovate Worth Park, calling it "pathetic" and saying "should be ashamed".

His remarks, on a social networking site, follow a Crawley Borough Council Cabinet meeting where members agreed a recommendation to accept the offer from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People fund.

But Labour stalled the process by "calling in" the decision and the bid will now be debated by the full council on February 29.

This is after the deadline set by the HLF on February 3 and Crawley Borough Council has asked to extend it.

Mr Smith wrote on his Facebook wall on Monday (January 16): "It’s pathetic that Crawley Labour councillors have put £2.42m Heritage Lottery funding to rejuvenate Work Park Gardens at risk by ‘calling in’ the decision, a scrutiny process which is often misused by them.
"They should be ashamed, it’s always the Party before Borough with Labour" The post has since received several likes’ and comments from other users.
Mr Smith told the Crawley Observer he was very disappointed in Labour’s decision.

He said: "I think it’s pathetic. The only reason I can think they have done it is they are opposing everything we do. "I don’t see why anyone should oppose for the sake of opposing."

He confirmed Tilgate Park would not be being privatised and it would still remain open to the public. He also accused Labour of scaremongering.

Mr Smith added: "If we can get £2.4 million in from outside Crawley to improve this town and to improve these facilities it has to be a good thing.

"It’s an important thing Crawley Borough Council is doing. "Why wouldn’t we want to attract investment to improve the town?" In response to Mr Smiths’ comment Labour’s Cllr Peter Lamb said: "Lottery funding only covers part of the cost, the rest has to be found from other bits of the budget, such as Tilgate Park.

"Considering the hundreds of millions of pounds in debt Mr Smith accrued as leader of West Sussex, his attempt to bring party politics into council budgeting is not welcome? During the four years it has taken to get to the stage of being offered a full grant, the HLF has already given the council £237,000 to progress the scheme and get to the final submission stage.

The council has contributed £70,000, while the Friends of Worth Park has also contributed £5,000 worth of volunteer time in assisting with surveys and consultation.

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18th January 2012 - Crawley News

'Council rift over £2.42m park grant'
Rival groups disagree on taking it
Report by Jenni Nuttall

OPPOSITION councillors have questioned whether Crawley Borough Council should accept a £2.42 million lottery grant towards improving Worth Park.

To receive the funding the council has to commit to spending £975,000 of its own money on the project.

At a Crawley Borough Council cabinet meeting last Wednesday Labour councillors expressed distaste at spending such a sum at a time when the council is considering outsourcing the management of parts of Tilgate Park to save £750,000.

Ruling Conservative councillors hit back, claiming the council would be mad to turn down such a huge sum of money.

The authority found out its bid for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund had been successful last month.

The money would allow the council to employ a head gardener and a gardening apprentice, while restoring the park in Pound Hill to its Victorian glory and paying for its maintenance for five years.

But Labour’s Ian Irvine asked if a head gardener was needed given the park’s small size.

Questioned

And colleague Michael Jones questioned the sense in spending money at Worth Park while saving money at Tilgate Park.

He said: “The decision comes at the same time as the cabinet is taking steps to commercialise the borough’s main park, Tilgate Park, in order to save money.

“If you were to ask most resident of Crawley what would they rather have, Worth Park being done up or to stop the privatisation of Tilgate Park, I think the vast majority of them would tell us Tilgate Park is the winner by a country mile.”

However, Tory councillors Sally Blake, Richard Burrett, Duncan Crow, Bob Lanzer and Lenny Walker all rejected Labour’s stance.

Mrs Blake said: “All the parks in the town are different types and they are all used by different people for different functions. “Work needs to be done or we’ll lose Worth Park altogether. Not to take the £2.42 million would be to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Mr Barrett claimed the Labour councillors were confusing what they wanted with what the town’s residents wanted and Mr Crow called Mr Jones’ comments appalling.

The Labour councillors “called in” the Tories’ decision to accept the grant, which means it, will be debated at the next full council meeting at the end of February.

This looked to have put the whole scheme in jeopardy as the call in means the council will not meet a 20-day deadline to accept the money. But yesterday (Tuesday) the Heritage Lottery Fund granted the council an extension until after the council meeting.

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10th December 2011

Newsletter - Winter 2011

The Winter 2011 Newsletter - will be dropping through the door anytime soon.

With the latest updates on the following: -

• Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Expansion of Milton Mount School
• Extra Parking at Peterhouse Parade
• Council's All Set for the Snow
• North East Sector
• Grattons Drive Speed Restrain Programme
• Controlled Parking Zone in Pound Hill
• Volunteering Information

Thanks again to those who attended the AGM

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Alan Quine - Acting Chairman

9th November 2011 - Crawley News

Borough parking permit scheme unveiled

PROPOSALS for a new controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Pound Hill have Just been unveiled.

The plan has been drawn up by West Sussex County Council in response to complaints about congestion and access difficulties.

An informal consultation was held earlier this year to "test the water" and decide whether it was worth coming up with detailed plans.

Following the consultation the plans are to introduce the CPZ into eight roads in Pound Hill.

These are Alicia Avenue, Clive Way, Crawley Lane, Moat Walk, Pearson Road, Saunders Close, Worth Road and part of Worth Park Avenue.

Commuters using Three Bridges station and parents dropping off and collecting children from Pound Hill Junior School have been taking up spaces, leaving residents nowhere to park.

The proposed CPZ would operate from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

During these hours parking would only be permitted in designated parking bays.

Costs

Residents' permits would be available for these spaces at a probable cost of £40 a year for the first permit and £80 for a second.

Disabled drivers who live within the zone would be able to apply for a free first permit.

Visitor parking would be accommodated by purchasing visitor permits, available in books of ten.

The county council is now asking for feedback on the plans, with a deadline for comments set for November 25th.

Drop-in sessions, where residents can discuss the proposals with council officers, are taking place this week.

There are two sessions, both at Pound Hill Community Centre, on Friday 11th November between 1.30pm and 4.30pm and on Saturday 12 November between 2pm and 5pm.

PLEASE note this article reproduced from Crawley News and the opportunity to go to the drop in sessions has now passed.

12th November 2011

Clean-up at Milton Mount School

Fancy a bit of fresh air and exercise?

We are looking for volunteers for the annual Milton Mount School litter clearing on Saturday, 12th November, between 10 am and 1 pm. The necessary equipment will be provided but please wear suitable clothes and gloves.

• On Saturday 12th November
• between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm
• Milton Mount School

3rd November 2011

Talk with us - Meet your local county councillors

Agenda includes an update on Infrastructure Planning, a decision on Community Initiative Funding and a chance to have your say during ‘talk with us’.

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For further information and an agenda please contact: -

01243 752727

talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk

talkwith.westsussex.gov.uk

15th October 2011

Fields in Trust QEII Challenge

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, operated by Fields in Trust, is a new campaign to protect 2012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities all across the country as a permanent living legacy of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year.

The Challenge gives local communities an opportunity to vote for an outdoor space in their area to become part of the scheme and be permanently recognised as a tribute to the Diamond Jubilee.

Christian Harris (Head of Amenity Services) is putting together a range of initiatives to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, and as part of the celebrations has proposed six spaces in Crawley to become part of the scheme.

In selecting these sites, Amenity Services were keen to choose open spaces which are less well known, as a stimulus to these becoming more prominent and hopefully receive more public interest. It is also hoped that such recognition may lead to the setting up of their own 'friends group', if one does not already exist.

Grattons Park (in our area) has been chosen as one of the sites. The full list is as follows:-

1. Broadfield Park, Broadfield
2. Grattons Park (part of), Pound Hill
3. Northgate Avenue (behind playing fields), Northgate
4. Waterfield Gardens, Bewbush
5. Waterlea Flood Meadow, Furnace Green
6. Willoughby Fields, Langley Green

All these spaces contain a mixture of open space, trees, rivers and ponds and are great places for wildlife and nature. We hope they will become just as important to the local community as some of our better known parks like Tilgate and Goffs Park.

To secure these important places for generations to come they need public votes, and CBC will be publicising this national scheme later this month. Voting is due to start on 18th October and lasts for four weeks.

Please go to www.qe2fields.com to see the nominations and cast your vote. Should sites receive significant interest, they will be dedicated.

Voting opens on Tuesday 18th October for four weeks, so cast your vote then to see our very own Grattons Park permanently recognised as a living legacy in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year.

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1st December 2008

We launch hunt for Crawley Community Champions

Do you know a community champion that deserves a great big thank-you?
This week the News is launching our Crawley Community Champions competition in tandem with Crawley Police and ASDA.

We want you, the reader, to nominate individuals or small groups who have gone the extra yard to be good neighbours and citizens.

We want to reward those whose acts of kindness make life more pleasant for everyone else in the town.


Maybe you know someone who works hard to keep their street clean and beautiful, a committed but unknown community group, a kind soul who helps an elderly neighbour with the shopping, or someone who works their socks off for Neighbourhood Watch.

Their regular good deed could be anything at all - so long as it helps others.

We want to find the unsung community heroes who have not previously featured in our paper. Once we have received a range of nominations, Sgt Darren Taylor of Crawley Police and the News team will pick the most impressive six as finalists.

The winner will then be voted by the public on our website www.thisiscrawley.co.uk.

Those who come first, second and third will win gift cards that can be spent in ASDA's store on Pegler Way on goodies for the upcoming festive season.

Both the nominator and the Crawley Champion they are nominating must live or work in Crawley.

Please email editor Crawley news with -
1) Your name, street and contact number.
2) Your Crawley Community Champion's name, street and contact number.
3) Why you are nominating this person.
Please leave 'Crawley Community Champions' in the subject line.

 

1st December 2008

Highways Works - talk with us

Invitation from the East & West Crawley County Local Committees to air you views on highways Works in Crawley.

Please use the following link if you require any additional copies Highways Works

For further information and an agenda please contact: -

01243 753686

talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk

talkwith.westsussex.gov.uk

17th September 2008 - Peter Ainsworth MP

Gatwick Airport Sale

PRESS RELEASE
from
PETER AINSWORTH MP
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

Press release for immediate release: 17 September 2008

EAST SURREY MP REACTS TO GATWICK AIRPORT SALE ANNOUNCEMENT

East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth, has expressed caution over the future of Gatwick Airport following today’s announcement that it has been put up for sale.

Gatwick’s owners, BAA, have made the decision to sell the airport as a result of an interim ruling by the Competition Commission, which had raised concerns over the company’s market dominance.

The airport has been valued at £1.8 billion, and was used by 35 million passengers in 2007. Several firms have already shown an interest in the sale, including Virgin Atlantic.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Ainsworth said:

"Following the Competition Commission Report earlier this summer, which indicated that BAA should be required to sell off some of its businesses in order to increase competition between UK airports, this news is not unexpected. BAA's announcement should at least mark the beginning of the end of the uncertainty which has faced Gatwick staff over recent months. Inevitably, the sale is likely to take some time to complete, but I hope that matters can be resolved as soon as possible for all concerned.

"Gatwick employs, directly and indirectly, over 25,000 people in the local area, and is especially vital to the economic wellbeing of Horley. I support Gatwick as a successful one runway airport. There must be some concern that any new owner will increase the pressure to build another runway after 2019, when the single runway legal agreement expires. Any prospective bidder for Gatwick should be aware that such a proposal would meet with fierce and united opposition. A further runway would not only mean an unacceptable increase in noise and carbon pollution, but also involve the building of thousands of new homes on greenfield land, and place an intolerable strain on local roads and other services.

"The collapse of XL tells us that these are already very uncertain times for the aviation industry, and my thoughts are with those whose jobs depend on the future success of Gatwick."

ENDS
PRESS CONTACT: 020 7219 6880

Download this article Press Release

Peter Ainsworth is in the Conservative Shadow

Secretary of State for the environment and rural affairs

Gatwick Airport Sale - Further Information

There is a further press release from Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign GACC, that was published on the 17th September, see download below.

Download this article Press Release

Documents marked with the icon require Adobe

Reader to view them - click below to download

2nd July 2008 - Crawley News

'Yellow lines do not solve broader issue'
by Alex Morrison

Residents near train stations and work places find their roads packed with commuters' cars, leading to tension and even violence. As Crawley continues to expand, ALEX MORRISON investigates the worsening parking problem around Three Bridges station

A DECADE ago, angry homeowners formed a group to address the problem of commuters parking near their properties.

But members of the Pound Hill (North) Residents' Association admit they have made little progress.
Chairman Keith Greenleaves said: "Commuters have enjoyed free parking at the expense of residents for years.

"Some people even use the area for Gatwick parking. So far, we've failed to get something serious done about it.
 

"You ought to be entitled as a householder to have at least one space outside your house."
 

Mr Greenleaves says councils and rail bosses have ignored the problem. "Three Bridges station should be forced to supply car parking," he said.
 

"If the will was there, the borough and county councils could surely get their heads together and become jointly responsible for improving parking.
"A quick fix is some double yellow lines in particularly vulnerable places, but it doesn't solve the broader issue.
 

"As soon as they put yellow lines in one road the problem just moves to the next one."
 

Some commuters have even parked in residents' drives, while angry homeowners have vandalised cars which persistently park outside their houses.
 

But Pound Hill councillor Claire Denman says steps are being taken to improve the situation. "Network Rail has been working hard to bring forward a planning application for a new station and new car parking," she said.
 

"It will be quite a complicated application, but negotiations are taking place.
 

"It is clear that we need improvements at Three Bridges and we need them soon."
 

A Network Rail spokesman added: "We note the concerns of residents and are discussing parking requirements for this site with the local council and the train operators.
 

"Given this site's close proximity to Gatwick stream, which is prone to flooding, we will need to conduct a thorough feasibility study before any decision can be made."
 

Crawley Police says it does everything in its power to enforce parking rules.
 

A spokesman said: "It's fair to say that parking problems affect the whole town, not just the town centre and Three Bridges.
 

"We do receive calls from the public expressing concerns about parking issues and we invariably deploy officers and traffic wardens to look into them."

Parked Up: Commuters park regularly in Park

Way, Pound Hill, near Three Bridges Station

No Parking: Members of the residents association

29th April 2008

East Crawley County Local Committee - Meeting 22nd May 2008

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Contact West Sussex County Council

01293 753686

talkwithus.westsussex.gov.uk

talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk

23rd February 2008

Health Matters - talk with us

Invitation from the East & West Crawley County Local Committees to air you views on health matters in Crawley.

Please use the following link if you require any additional copies Health Matters

For further information and an agenda please contact: -

01243 753686

talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk

talkwith.westsussex.gov.uk

24th January 2007 - Crawley News

New neighbourhood inspector outlines back-to-basics policy

'Bobbies on beat are best way to make town safer'

by Jocelyn Cook

OLD-fashioned bobbies on the beat are the best way to tackle crime.

That's the view of the town's new inspector in charge of neighbourhood policing.

Inspector Jon Brydon, who now heads the Neighbourhood Specialist Team, said officers working in the heart of communities are the future for Crawley policing.

"I want to make Crawley a safer place by getting officers on the beat," he said. "I want to reduce the fear of crime at the same time as tackling criminal activity in the town."

The team, set up in March 2005, is made up of police constables and police community support officers (PCSOs) who are each assigned to particular neighbourhoods in Crawley.

Victor Finch, PCSO for Pound Hill, said: "We love our jobs and we will always put in that extra mile to get results.

"When people get to know us, they trust us and give us intelligence. It is then that we can make a real difference."

PCSO Finch put his local knowledge to use when he headed up an operation on Peterhouse Parade in Pound Hill after reports of youths loitering around the area.

Officers patrolled the area on Friday nights and visited schools to speak and educate children about antisocial behaviour.

PC Darren Taylor said: "Good old beat policing is back.

"We are getting to know people and listening to what they want. The response has been fabulous. The warmth people have shown us has been great."

PC Taylor and PCSO Finch were at St Barnabas Church last Wednesday to meet the residents of Pound Hill as part of their efforts to work closely with the community.

Father Craig Barber said: "Policing is at the heart of people's concerns in the area. Residents have told me they feel a lot safer since the officers have been more visible."

17th January 2007 - Crawley News

Getting to know your beat bobby

CRAWLEY residents can now find out all about their local beat bobbies at the click of a button.

Sussex Police has launched a new way of getting in touch with officers for non-urgent matters.

By logging onto www.sussex.police.uk and typing in a postcode, residents can find the names and photographs of all neighbourhood officers.

Clicking on their pictures will bring up a personal profile and contact details. The new system is the result of a six month project by Sussex Police's in-house web team to give every neighbourhood specialist team across Sussex its own web page.

Police community support officer Kelly Winter, from the East Crawley neighbourhood specialist team, said: "It's the contact with the public that I particularly enjoy about my role.

However, as much as I try, I can't be everywhere at once so this new facility is an excellent way for people to get in touch and let us know what their local concerns are."

20th December 2006

Refuse & Recycling Collections (latest Information)

   Christmas Refuse/Recycling Collection

4th December 2006

Youth Matters Meeting

A West Sussex County Local Committee for East Crawley
Pound Hill, Worth, Tilgate, Three Bridges, Maidenbower, Northgate & Furnace Green
 

Youth Matters:

Provision of Services for Young People in the East of Crawley and Education Out of School

a meeting of the committee will take place in public

• at 7:00PM
• on Tuesday 5th December 2006
• in The South Hall, Hazelwick School, Three Bridges

On the Agenda:

• Youth Matters - Provision for young people and Education Out of School
• Update on Highways Issues
• Manor Royal, Proposed Crossing Decision

Let us hear your views at the meeting or contact us in advance with any questions you would like answered.

For further information and an agenda please contact:

• Telephone County Local Committees Team on (01243) 777732
• e-mail at countylocalcommittees@westsussex.gov.uk

Youth Matter Meeting Leaflet

9th October 2006

Useful Contact Numbers

Following the recent "Rave" we have been asked to provide the relevant contact numbers for a future occurrence or unacceptably noisy neighbours. We have also listed a few other numbers that residents may wish to have.

Police, Community Wardens & Emergency Services

• Emergencies - 999

• Non Emergencies - Police 0845 6070999

• Community Wardens 07884 492324

Noise & Anti Social Behaviour

For unacceptable noisy neighbours and Rave's

• Environmental Health (Office Hours) 01293 438218

• Environmental Health (Out of Hours) 01293 551636

• Community Wardens 07884 492324

Rubbish & Recycling Problems
Rubbish not collected or litter left by Collection Vehicles

• 01293 438000

• 0800 587 5888
  
  
   

Crawley Borough Council - Contact Details

26th September 2006

Near Accident on Chaucer Road

On the Afternoon of Monday 18th September, a car travelling up Park Way was approaching Chaucer at such a high speed that even though the driver braked very early for the junction the vehicle was unable to stop.

With too much braking the car started skidding about 50 meters before the give way markings on the road and the car continued through the junction where it narrowly missed a Ford Sierra travelling along Chaucer road.

Not finished yet the car was still skidding (completely out of control) when it mounted the pavement on the other side of the road, it actually crossed the pavement before it finally came to rest on someone's driveway.

The two male occupant of the vehicle left briskly on foot from the scene and the Police were contacted, it is not certain at this time whether the car was stolen or not.

Skid marks extending into Park Road	Final resting position

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At the moment PH(N)RA are campaigning to introduce speed calming measures into the area, in this instance any measure on Park Way may have been able to stop this vehicle from reaching such a high speed possibly averting this incident.

In the case of stolen vehicles, car thieves are known to avoid areas containing traffic calming measures as the measures slow them down, increasing the chance they may get caught.

In this particular case it is very lucky that no one was injured or killed, with the wheels locked up the car was completely out of control and it is clear from the photographs that the speed of the vehicle was considerably over the legal speed limit.

22nd September 2006

Worth Conservation Area

We recently received an email from Gary Anstee of the Worth Conservation Area Advisory Committee, he informs us that A proposal has been put forward by developers to move the built-up area boundary to include the land around Worth Church (see full text below).

Worth Conservation Area Advisory Committee

In Conjunction With Local Ward Councillors

22nd September 2006

East of Crawley County Committee

The East of Crawley County Committee is a committee of the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Councillors for Pound Hill, Maidenbower, Three Bridges, Northgate, Tilgate and Furnace Green with officers from WSCC Highways and Transport.

This Committee holds a "public" meeting every 3 months to discuss issues and approve decisions mainly relating to roads and transport for the east of Crawley, but also other topics for which WSCC are responsible, e.g. Schools and Youth Services.

Recent topics were parking in and around Three Bridges and Traffic Calming/ Pelican Crossing on Maidenbower Drive and various traffic light issues on Haslett Avenue

We understand that it is this Committee, now chaired by our own local County Councillor, David Dewdney, and includes Councillor Henry Smith (Leader of WSCC), that will have the final say on the solution to any traffic / parking issues for Pound Hill North.

This Committee has a budget allocation of £20,000 from the Public Service Agreement (PSA1) Funding for County Committees and is seeking suggestions from our local councillors on where grants may be allocated.

Perhaps you may have some suggestions to be passed onto our own councillors.
Please either email the councillors direct or via PH(N)RA email or via our Feedback facility.

The next meeting of the East of Crawley County Committee is scheduled for Tuesday September 5th, the venue and agenda are still to be announced.

Details will be posted on our Website as soon as we are notified.

In the meantime, you may wish to view the WSCC web site that contains details about this committee. www.westsussex.gov.uk then search East of Crawley County Committee.

The previous minutes make interesting reading as to the views of the committee and WSCC traffic officers.

Previous Minutes

15th July 2006

Have Your Say

The "Have Your Say" event proved to be very popular on Tuesday (11th July), many people came along and were able to voice their opinions to local councillors, community Police officers and members of Crawley Borough Council.

Hot topics included: - traffic calming to reduce the amount of speeding in the neighbourhood, the nuisance of mini motor cycles particularly during the hot weather, parking on the estate by people using the train station and various other issues. 

Anti-social behaviours including noise disturbances, noise during emptying times from our public houses, vandalism and youngsters congregating on the local parades also got a mention.

The proposals for the North East sector development were also on the agenda.

Overall a very worthwhile exercise, with the highest number of people recorded for any of these events, proving yet again that we care about out local environment and are prepared to do something about it.

21st June 2006 - Crawley Observer

Neighbourhood plans

By Claire Hutchinson

NEW plans for the North East Sector neighbourhood have been revealed by developers. George Wimpey and Persimmon Homes have outlined a scheme which includes:

• About 1,900 homes

• A community hall

• A new primary school

• Public open space and playing fields

• Employment and retail space

• New local shops and other community facilities

• Access from Crawley Avenue

And residents will get their chance to find out more about the plans and put forward their views when a public consultation is held later this month.

A spokesperson for George Wimpey and Persimmon Homes said the land had been long set aside to give the town room to grow. He said: "The new neighbourhood will help meet demand for new homes in Crawley, including from people who already work in the area. "We have designed the plan carefully to meet the needs of local people and the requirements of Crawley Borough Council."

Plans for the area were first put forward in 1998 but the intervention of the Secretary of State meant the council could not give them the go-ahead until the government had decided its policy on the future of Gatwick.

George Wimpey and Persimmon Homes launched an appeal because the council was unable to make any decision about the land and this has led to the current inquiry. The Planning Inquiry is set to take place on October 3 at loam in the Town Hall and an inspector will make a decision about the plans. The neighbourhood is planned for land north of Crawley Avenue and to the south and east of Tinsley Green And developers are confident that the plans can go ahead whatever decisions are made about future Gatwick expansion.

A spokesperson for George Wimpey and Persimmon Homes said: "The masterplan has been designed so it can be delivered along with relevant community facilities and infrastructure regardless of whether Gatwick expands or not." Councillor Claire Denman, Executive member for planning and economic development, said the final masterplan would not be put forward to the relevant committee until next month.

And she confirmed the council's current position not to make a decision until the future of Gatwick was decided.

She said: "At the moment the council's position is not to determine planning applications for the NE Sector mainly because of the Aviation White Paper and the impact on the environment and local residents if the airport expanded at some time in the future. "

See the plans for yourself at the exhibition which will be held in Milton Mount Community Hall on Friday June 30 from 2.30-9pm and Saturday July 1 from 12.30-6.30pm.

29th April 2006

Community Suggestions

In order to keep the website topical to the local community we asked for feedback on which issues you feel are the most important.

These were the results from our online questionnaire as of 31st March 2006, the results are shown as a percentage of the people who responded. i.e. (50.00%) means half the people who responded to the survey ticked this box

Parking	(54.29%)
Traffic - Speeding / Dangerous Driving	(62.86%)
Mobile Phone Masts	(31.43%)
Airport Expansion	(45.71%)
Local Facilities, Schools, Transport, Leisure	(42.86%)
Anti Social Behaviour, Crime Prevention, Neighbourhood Watch	(85.71%)
Travellers	(85.71%)

If we were able to use a local community centre as a "Youth Club" to give young adults a safer venue to meet-up than the streets, what activities would your children like to see?

Cyber Cafe, internet access, chat-room, downloads (Supervised)	(17.14%)
Movie Night	(31.43%)
Music	(28.57%)
Network Games - PC Based, X-Box, X-Box 360, PS2 or PS3 (when available)	(22.86%)
Conventional Games - Board Games	(  5.71%)
Real World PC Based Training (uploading ring tones, network gaming, Creating MP3s)	(17.14%)
Arts & Crafts - Painting, Candle making	(14.29%)
Training - Hairdressing, Manicures, Makeup	(14.29%)

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