I’m supporting the MSDC opposition Conservative Councillors’ counter proposal for the Mid Sussex District Council budget which had called for wide-spread and unwelcome changes to parking charges and systems in the district. It is understood the existing Liberal Democrat Cabinet leadership is currently bringing forward to the Council on Wednesday various changes which would create differential parking rates across the area with parking charges increasing by 30% in East Grinstead, 20% in Haywards Heath and 10% in Burgess Hill whilst also introducing a very unwelcome and detrimental commencement of evening, Sunday and bank holiday charges affecting the night time economy.
I’ve already received multiple approaches from concerned residents and businesses about the current proposal by the Cabinet to introduce new charges in some areas, but not others, and some query why, for example, there are plans to delay the introduction of charges in Hassocks, when this is an area that is impacted heavily by train commuter parking, but to penalise instead residents elsewhere in the District. Others suggest setting different prices structures in different areas will be detrimental to businesses and is biased to residents. This approach is unacceptable and inharmonious therefore all eyes will be on the Council meeting this Wednesday.
The Government has announced our largest ever package of competitions and grants for farmers worth £427 million, a UK-wide Food Security Index and new rules to make sure farmers always get fair prices for their products plus cuts to planning red tape to help farmers grow their business. In Mid Sussex alone, we’ve invested £1,866,562.87 in farming since last April. Our farmers daily work extremely hard to keep great quality food on our plates and we must ensure they’ve the support to keep going.
Parents who’ve experienced the devastation of losing a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can apply for a certificate to have their grief and loss recognised. Parents can now access a voluntary scheme to record and receive a certificate to provide recognition of their loss. The certificates will not be compulsory, but the choice of all parents based on their feelings with details on Gov.uk.
