Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats call to halt the consultation on West Sussex Children and Family Centres following Government's new commitment to family hubs

Conservative led West Sussex County Council are currently consulting on proposed changes to its Early Help service which risk the closure of 32 Children and Family Centres and all Youth Centres. Burgess Hill will be left with NO Children and Family Centres or Youth Centres if these plans proceed, with services at The Gattons, Sidney West and Park Centre in Burgess Hill all slated for closure.

Concerns have been raised about school places at Downlands Community School in Hassocks being oversubscribed

Fiona Jackson, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Hurstpierpoint and Bolney in May's elections to West Sussex County Council, has called for the Conservative controlled Council to get on the front foot in providing enough school places at Downlands Community School in Hassocks.

Mid Sussex District Council have refused to make The Orion Cinema site, in Burgess Hill, an asset of community value, claiming its use is purely commercial, despite listing multiple pubs which of course are commercial.

We are calling upon them to reconsider, as the cinema has long provided an important social and cultural hub in the town for local people for example through screening of National Theatre productions, silver screen sessions and watching a good movie together!

Speaking after Conservative Councillors failed to back a plea for all party support to urge the government to reform council tax, Liberal Democrat councillor Simon Hicks highlighted that average council tax is now over £2,000 for some parishes in Mid Sussex. "It is vital that local services are properly funded yet council tax is out of date and unfair. It is the 'not quite poor' who suffer the most. Those who have enough income that means they don't qualify for benefits but get hit by above inflation council tax increases which costs them more than income tax."

Great News! In a dramatic turn of events Mid Sussex District Council agreed in the High Court on Tuesday to withdraw the decision of the Cabinet to permanently close Clair Hall. The Council was taken to court by Haywards Heath CIC, supported by the Save Clair Hall campaign group and 'it's Magic', who challenged the decision on the grounds that the Council was unlawful in not consulting in accordance with legal requirements and the rules in MSDC's own constitution.

Mid Sussex Lib Dems warn that the Government's planning proposalswill allow developers to ride roughshod over local communities' wishes

Lib Dems in Mid Sussex have led calls to challenge Government's power grab on planning. A motion proposed by Liberal Democrats at Mid Sussex District Council laid bare the risks of the Government's proposals, which the Party argues amount to a Government power grab that will reduce investment in affordable housing in Mid Sussex.

COVID is catastrophic for the events industry and venues here

The pandemic must not be allowed to destroy the events industry and threaten events spaces in Mid Sussex.

The events industry was the first to close and will be the last to reopen. The Government has not provided specific support for a sector that employs 600,000 people nationally. Alison met Hurst residents whose livelihoods and businesses are under threat as part of #LightItInRed in Sept.

Introducing Fiona: Your County Council Candidate

Hurstpierpoint Lib Dems have selected Fiona Jackson, a local business woman, to fight for the Hurstpierpoint and Bolney seat in next May's County Council Elections.

Fiona lives in Hurstpierpoint with her husband and two sons having moved here seventeen years ago to work for a local energy company. In 2019 Fiona founded her own consulting business as well as running a Women's Business Club to support female business owners.