Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats

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.

England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has called for people to 'Stay at Home' unless absolutely necessary. Some parents have chosen not to send their children to pre-school and nursery in order to reduce social contact.

The County Council has proposed to cut nursery funding for those children not physically in attendance at nurseries next week (week commencing 18th January).

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.

Building consensus to treat refugees with dignity, compassion and respect

Local members decided to make September a month of campaigning on the issues faced by refugees.

A team of nine Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats have completed their 'Miles forRefugees' challenge. By walking, running, cycling, and even rowing, they have travelled more than 1400 miles and raised over £3,000 for the Red Cross.

Cllr Kirsty Lord, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, has called on West Sussex County Council to ensure West Sussex children don't go hungry in the holidays.

In light of the decision by government last week not to support the provision of free school meals over the October half term, Cllr Lord has twice written to Cllr Nigel Jupp (Cabinet Member for Education) on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group to ask that West Sussex County Council doesn't let children go hungry. Cllr Lord has been supported by other Liberal Democrats, including Cllr Adrian Moss at Chichester and Cllr Alison Bennett at Mid Sussex who have called on their district councils to work with WSCC to provide support for our families

Opposition District Councillors have written a report which sets out the facts about Clair Hall that the Council wanted to conceal

Four Lib Dem, and two Independent Mid Sussex District Councillors have jointly submitted a 'minority report' to the Council about the Conservative's September decision to close Clair Hall. The minority report examines each of the grounds for the original call-in. A number of these concerns were excluded from discussion when the decision was re-examined by a special scrutiny committee on 13^th October.

Ahead of a special MSDC meeting to review the decision to permanently close Clair Hall, the Lib Dems say that these questions need answers:

1. Why the Rush?

What is driving the decision to push the closure of Clair Hall through at breakneck speed without proper regard to the Council's own decision-making rules?