Welcome to the Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats
We exist to bring liberal democratic values to our area and support the ideal of a powerful community politics based on the idea of local power for local people.
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
Latest News
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Article: Oct 12, 2020Ahead of a special MSDC meeting to review the decision to permanently close Clair Hall, the Lib Dems say that these questions need answers:
- 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?
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Article: Oct 10, 2020
We are fighting the Tory Cabinet's irrational decision to close Clair Hall - but to save it we're going to need a little help from you.
As a result of our formal challenge, a special meeting of the Mid Sussex District Council Scrutiny Committee has been set for 13th October. At that meeting Liberal Democrats will challenge the decision on the grounds that there was:
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Article: Oct 2, 2020Liberal Democrats have warned that the Government's planning proposals will disempower local authorities like Mid Sussex District Council and allow developers to run roughshod over local communities' wishes.
A motion proposed by Liberal Democrats at Mid Sussex District Council on Wednesday 30th September laid bare the risks of the Government's proposals, which the Party argue amount to a Government power grab that will reduce investment in affordable housing in Mid Sussex.
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Article: Oct 1, 2020Following a month of fundraising and awareness raising about refugees and asylum in the UK, we look back at what we have achieved and the areas where there is more work to be done.
Over £2700 raised for the Red Cross
A team of nine Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats have completed their 'Miles for Refugees' challenge. By walking, running cycling and even rowing, they have travelled more than 1400 miles and raised over £2,700. There is still time to donate here: https://miles-for-refugees-2020.everydayhero.com/uk/mid-sussex-lib-dems
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Article: Sep 20, 2020West Sussex County Councillors Unite to acknowledge support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
Councillors gave their unanimous support for a Liberal Democrat motion that acknowledges the vital role that West Sussex County Council plays in supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
At a meeting of the full council of West Sussex County Council on Friday 18th September, Cllr Kirsty Lord (Lib Dem, Hassocks and Burgess Hill South) gained unanimous cross party support for a motion recognising the work of West Sussex County Council in caring for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). Cllr Lord was prompted to table the motion following a summer in which increasing numbers of people have arrived by boat to seek asylum in the UK.
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Document: Sep 14, 202034.62 KiB drawing or desktop publishing document
Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet decision to permanently close Clair Hall will remove half the community meeting space in Haywards Heath. Alternatives to closure not seriously considered by Cabinet.
Mid Sussex District Council's Cabinet met today and unanimously voted1 to permanently close Clair Hall, the principal community centre in Haywards Heath.
The decision was made as an executive decision by the Conservative Cabinet alone. The Cabinet have decided not to put the matter to the full council.
This means that the final decision on the future of the Hall was be made with absolutely no public consultation by the Council and without even allowing the views of the rest of the council to be heard.
Cabinet members conceded during their meeting that there are no plans for the replacement of Clair Hall nor is there any certainty about how, when and where such a replacement could be provided.
Councillor Robert Eggleston, Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader on MSDC said "The Cabinet at MSDC have shown a total disregard for the people of Haywards Heath. At the District Council elections only last year, permanently closing Clair Hall was never mentioned by the Conservatives, yet Conservative councillors feel that they have the right to steamroller the closure of Haywards Heath's largest community facility through without public consultation."
Local organisations which regularly use the Hall are up in arms about this serious blow to cultural life in the community. Social media has reflected the widespread dismay felt in the town and two petitions have been launched - including the Liberal Democrats' here - so that residents could make their views felt.
Liberal Democrat and Lindfield resident Anne-Marie Cooke said, "We believe that there are ways to keep Clair Hall in operation, at little or no cost to the Council, until an alternative community centre can be put in place. However, the Conservative leadership of the Council would not listen."
Liberal Democrats will continue to use all means at their disposal to fight for Clair Hall to be kept open until there is a full legal commitment to a modern, state of the art replacement.
Liberal Democrats are still urging residents to make their feelings about the closure of Clair Hall clear by either signing the petition at https://midsussexlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/petition-to-save-clair-hall or lobbying their councillor directly.
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ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Councillor Robert Eggleston, Mid Sussex District Councillor for Burgess Hill Meeds Ward:
Telephone - 07947 792033, Email - theeggs57@talktalk.net
Anne-Marie Cooke, Liberal Democrats Save Clair Hall Campaign:
Telephone - 07487 783968, Email - Annemarie_cooke@yahoo.com
NOTES TO EDITOR:
1. The Cabinet at MSDC comprises seven Conservative Councillors, two of whom represent wards in Haywards Heath Cllr Ruth de Mierre Haywards Heath Lucastes Cllr Stephen Hillier, Haywards Heath Bentswood
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Article: Sep 13, 2020
Petition Launched to Save Clair Hall
Liberal Democrats urge residents to help save Haywards Heath's Key Community Venue by signing online petition: midsussexlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/petition-to-save-clair-hall
On Monday, 14th September, Mid Sussex District Council's Cabinet will consider a proposal to permanently close Clair Hall, the prime community centre in Haywards Heath. If the Cabinet proceeds with the proposal it will be put to the full council at the end of September. That will almost certainly be the final curtain for an arts, entertainment and meeting venue which has served the town so well for decades.
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Article: Aug 28, 2020Throughout September Liberal Democrats in Mid Sussex will be running a local campaign in support of refugees.
YouGov Polling from August 2020 suggests that almost half of Britons don't have sympathy for the people travelling across the Channel to seek asylum in the UK.
This does not reflect the kind, compassionate Britain we know and love. We know that refugees contribute so much to our country. More importantly, they have just as much right to safety, family, and opportunity as we do.
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Article: Jun 22, 2020
You can find all the most up to date, offical Government and NHS advice at www.gov.ukl/coronavirus
If you need support locally, get in touch with Haywards Heath Town Council.
The Town Council is working with voluntary groups in the Town to administer help available to residents.
If you do need help, contact the Town Council:
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Article: Jun 22, 2020The community response across Haywards Heath, Cuckfield, Lindfield and surrounding villages to the Coronavirus outbreak has been absolutely amazing. The local Lib Dem team would like to thank all those involved with action groups that have been created to help the most vulnerable in our communities.