West Sussex Residents eNewsletter

West Sussex Residents eNewsletter

22/08/2025

August 2025 West Sussex County Council eNewsletter

Residents' enewsletter

Welcome to the August 2025 edition of our Residents’ eNewsletter, featuring the latest news and updates from your county council.


end of summer beach sunset

Bank holiday then back to school safely

The holidays are still here! The new school term starts in less than a fortnight, but there’s still a bank holiday to look forward to.

We’re here 24/7 if you need to contact us over the bank holiday weekend (23 to 25 August), and if you're looking for something to do visit Experience Sussex for some late summer inspiration.

Schools return on Wednesday 3 September. Check out the term dates for the next year here.

If your child is moving up to secondary school, this brings new challenges including some pupils travelling to school independently for the first time.

If they plan to walk or bike to school on their own or with friends, now is a good time to sit down with your child and talk through their new route to school and how to keep themselves safe whilst making these journeys without you.

Road casualty data shows that the number of child pedestrian casualties doubles between the ages of nine and 11, with incidents more likely to happen during school drop-off and pick up times.

This free, printable activity sheet is a great way to interact with your child to help them prepare for this significant transition to secondary school.


Shoreham

Remembering the Shoreham Airshow disaster victims

Tomorrow (Friday 22 August) marks the 10th anniversary of the Shoreham Airshow disaster.

Eleven people lost their lives that day and our thoughts remain with them, their loved ones, and everyone in our community affected by what happened.

To honour those who died, West Sussex County Council is commemorating the anniversary with a minute’s silence.

We invite everyone to join us, wherever you may be, in pausing at 1.22pm tomorrow, which is the time the tragedy occurred 10 years ago.

All flags at county council and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service buildings will be lowered to half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect.

emergency alert

Emergency Alerts system test in September

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Compatible mobile phones and tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate. You will not need to take any action.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse with a concealed phone, it may be more appropriate to turn off alerts.

How you opt out depends on your device, but if you aren't sure how to do it, Refuge, the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK, has a guide on how to turn off emergency alerts and secure your device on their Tech Safety website.

Find out more

group of babies

Childhood vaccinations update

Illnesses like measles and whooping cough can spread very easily between children who are not vaccinated. These illnesses can make children very sick, leading to hospital stays or lifelong problems.

It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. If your child is not vaccinated, they are not protected.

It’s never too late to have vaccinations, and the school holidays are an ideal time to make sure children are up to date with their vaccinations.

There have been recent changes to the childhood vaccination schedule.

Please check the updated schedule to ensure your child has received all recommended vaccinations and is fully protected.

You can also check your child’s red book or speak to your GP practice or health visitor to see if they have missed any of their vaccinations

Find out more

health and wellbeing

New strategy to improve West Sussex residents’ health and wellbeing

A new five-year strategy has been published which is the county’s overarching plan to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and communities across West Sussex and reduce health inequalities.

Developed by the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board and wider partners, the plan also includes feedback following a public consultation on the draft strategy held earlier this year.

The strategy presents the board’s vision of ‘Improving Lives Together in West Sussex.’

It focuses on five priority areas, with three principles which are central to its delivery.

The five priority areas are:

  • Food and nutrition
  • School readiness
  • Transitioning to adulthood – children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
  • Tobacco control
  • Health and wellbeing in temporary accommodation

Watch our short animation to find out more about this work.

Find out more

plastic recyclables

Think Before You Throw survey results

There were more than 3,000 respondents to our recent recycling survey and 92% said that recycling is very important, and we agree!

The survey also revealed there’s still some confusion around recycling plastics.

In West Sussex, you can recycle all colours of plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays, as long as they’re clean, dry, and loose.

Plastic bags and wrapping, like crisp packets and carrier bags, cannot be recycled at home due to the way our recycling facility works.

You can, however, take these materials to your local supermarket for recycling. Find your nearest participating store online here.

View a video about plastics recycling, or find out more below.

Find out more

environment and climate change news

If you are passionate about our local environment and climate change and want to know more, then take a look at our latest Environment and Climate Change eNewsletter here.

This month's edition includes news about the updated flood risk management strategy, a new pollinator highway, and how you can reduce waste by visiting one of our reuse shops.


more news


Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news.

did you know

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