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

New bypass will benefit all road users

There were celebrations last week when the new Lyminster bypass opened, as it heralded quicker and more convenient road journeys in the area around Littlehampton.

The new road features a Pegasus crossing so that horse riders, pedestrians, cyclists and farm traffic can all safely cross the road at the same set of traffic lights. This is one of the first of its kind to accommodate all four in the UK.

There is also a shared footpath and cycle lane along the side of the road.

The road will dramatically reduce the volume of traffic travelling through Lyminster and Wick and will make it much easier to get to and from Littlehampton for walkers and cyclists as well as drivers.

SEE ALSO: Figures for the 2024 to 2025 financial year have highlighted the significant progress made by our highways team in improving the condition of the county’s 2,500 miles of roads. Read more.

Could you help give our children the childhood they deserve?

Sam* is a lively, confident, happy five-year-old with three siblings. He loves playing with his toys, particularly his dinosaurs and enjoys being outdoors and riding his bicycle. Sam is doing well at school, engages well in lessons, and has a good group of friends. (*Name and image changed to protect child’s identity).

Could you help a child like Sam to grow and thrive?

There are over 980 children in West Sussex who need someone like you to give them a safe and loving home.

While these children are all in safe accommodation, a number are living a significant distance from their school and friends, or apart from their siblings.

Become a foster carer with West Sussex County Council and receive comprehensive training, ongoing professional support and a competitive financial package of up to £31,338 per year, per child.

Local help for unpaid carers

Do you support someone with a long-term illness or disability?

If so, you may be an unpaid carer, and you're not alone.

Carers Support can help you find the right support, from practical advice to local services, and offers free carer groups, activities, carer hubs, and a helpline.

Beware of the lottery letter scam

Postal scams are getting more sophisticated, and it can be difficult to spot the difference between scam mail, junk mail and offers from legitimate companies.

Recently, the team at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove spotted a postal scam attempt whilst they were with one of their elderly Home Help customers.

The customer had rung a number from a fake People’s Postcode Lottery letter, which stated she had won £395,000. On the call, the scammer was asking her to pay a £1,800 fee so she could get the money and was asking her to keep the news private.

Luckily, Home Help heard this conversation and stepped in to stop the scam going any further.

To make sure you don’t become a postal scam victim, click on the link below for advice and guidance.

Do you use funded childcare?

Our Early Years Team would like to understand more about the experience of families in the county who have accessed the new childcare funding offers. Last year the government began an expansion of childcare funding support available for eligible working families. This included the introduction of:

• 2 year old Early Years Funded Entitlement for Working Families
• 9 months plus Early Years Funded Entitlement for Working Families

To help assess the impact of this expansion we would like families who have received this new support to complete a short survey.

This will take around 10 minutes and is anonymous. If you have more than one child accessing the funding, please complete one survey per child.

Thank you in advance - we really value your feedback to help shape future planning and support.

Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news.

• Top up your protection against Covid-19 by getting vaccinated this spring if you (or your child) are eligible. You don’t need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. Visit the NHS App, the NHS website or call 119 for free. You may also be able to visit a walk-in site which doesn’t require a booking. Remember to get your RSV vaccine if you’re pregnant or aged 75 to 79. Find out more or speak to your GP or maternity service.
• A Worthing kebab shop has been ordered to pay over £11,000 after admitting to serious food safety offences, including failing to protect customers with food allergies.
• Be tick aware in warmer weather as they can carry infections like Lyme diseaseand tick-borne encephalitis. For more information watch this video. You can also report a tick through the Tick Surveillance Scheme.
• Find out how to contact us over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend if you need to.
• Could you become a volunteer for our Library Service? Find out more.
• Increase your skills and awareness on the road as a biker, pillion rider and/or general road user by attending a free Biker Down course in Horsham on 29 May.
• The Annual Meeting of all West Sussex county councillors takes place tomorrow (Friday) 16 May - read the meeting papers in full and watch the debate live or catch up via the webcast.
• Don't miss out! We want to hear your feedback on over 35 proposed new electric vehicle chargepoint sitesacross West Sussex. The consultation will end on Sunday (16 May).

Head along to your local library for some scrumptious stories to tantalise your tastebuds, and some fun craft activities this half term, which runs from 26 May.

The theme of the free activities is Food, Glorious Food!

These sessions are suitable for children aged four years and over and booking is essential. Please contact libraries directly to reserve a place.

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