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

Preparing our roads for winter weather

Our highways team has spent the first six months of this financial year delivering essential works to keep West Sussex moving this winter, whatever the weather brings.

While there has been a continued focus on repairing safety defects such as potholes, ensuring that the highways network is prepared for winter weather has been a top priority. Between 1 April and 30 September 2025, we have:

• Completed 164.6 miles of surfacing and large-scale patching
• Fulfilled 8 large scale and 25 small scale capital drainage schemes
• Repaired 13,977 potholes
• Cleansed 45,793 drainage gullies
• Carried out 250 drainage jetting jobs

But it's not just the rain that can cause disruption, falling temperatures and falling trees can also make roads difficult to navigate.

We've recently carried out checks on our gritting vehicles and completed a test drive of all routes to ensure there are no issues when using the 9,000 tonnes of salt we keep in our highways depots.

We have also removed 1,277 diseased or dangerous trees, cut back vegetation and cleaned roadside signs to improve visibility and keep our roads, footways, and public rights of way safe.

Be prepared for winter disruption

While we’re busy preparing for the winter weather, there are also steps you can take to prepare for any possible disruption to power, water, and other services caused by storms and cold snaps.

Older people – particularly those who are not online or who live alone – can be more quickly and severely affected when services are disrupted.

The Sussex Resilience Campaign aims to help older people across Sussex who are not online, and those who support them, take practical steps to be ready for whatever winter brings.

These situations are rare, but being prepared means you can feel confident and in control.

Taking three simple steps now will help you be ready for whatever winter brings:

• Join the Priority Services Register – free extra support for those who need it.
• Pack a “just in case” bag – having some essentials to hand makes all the difference.
• Know who you can call – write a list of key numbers to keep with your bag.

For more information on staying safe in emergencies, call 0800 998 7103 for free or visit the Sussex Police webpage below.

Support for unpaid carers

This Carers Rights Day (20 November) we're encouraging carers to ‘know your rights, use your rights’!

As an unpaid carer, knowing your rights will help you learn about what you’re entitled to. This will help you feel more confident when asking for what you need.

If you or someone you know is an unpaid carer you can:

• If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone you can ask for a carers assessment to see what support might be available to you.
• Ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. You can request a free flu jab if you are in receipt of carer's allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person.
• If you are or know a carer under the age of 18, please advise them that they have the right to a young carers assessment to identify their needs and access tailored support. Young carers approaching their 18^th birthday have the right to a transition assessment. Support and information for young carers can be found here.

Help shape the West Sussex Carers Strategy

We’re reviewing our joint Carers Strategy with the NHS and we’d like your feedback on what the priorities should be. The strategy guides how we identify and support unpaid carers across the county. Carers of all ages are encouraged to take part. To find out more please email carercommissioning@westsussex.gov.ukor call 0330 2226111.

Investing to protect the environment

A flood management scheme in the Upper Beeding area is the first project to benefit thanks to our plans to invest £2.5 million to boost nature recovery.

We're investing £100k with the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust towards the Adur Adaptation Project, which aims to equip the area to deal with the increased risk of flooding caused by climate change.

The initiative supports the council’s new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and is part of a wider £10 million capital investment to protect the environment.

Photo shows:Councillor Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Paul Marshall, Leader, and Leigh Whitehouse, Chief Executive, during a visit to the Adur Adaptation Project.

Feel your best this autumn - explore free weight management support

As the days get shorter and the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to build healthy habits.

West Sussex residents have access to a range of free weight management services to support healthier living this autumn. Whether you prefer in-person guidance or digital tools, there’s something to suit your lifestyle.

Gro Health is your free digital wellbeing and weight management programme, designed to support you in creating lasting lifestyle changes that boost your energy, confidence, and wellbeing.

Eligible residents can access Gro Health free for 12 months and become part of a friendly, supportive online community focused on eating well and feeling great.

Have a heart this White Ribbon Day

We’re working with the South East Community Rail Partnership to create environments at stations where kindness, safety, and awareness come first, and anyone experiencing abuse, harassment or feeling unsafe knows support is available.

On White Ribbon Day (November 25) volunteers will be at stations to hand out knitted white hearts, handmade and donated by West Sussex residents, as a visible symbol of compassion and support to rail passengers and staff.

The White Ribbon campaign calls on men and boys to stand against violence towards women and girls, but its message is one for everyone — to challenge behaviours that normalise abuse and to create spaces where respect and safety are the norm.

On the rail network, anyone who feels unsafe can text the British Transport Police discreetly on 61016, or in an emergency, always call 999.

Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news.

• The government’s Connect to Work programme in West Sussex provides employment advisors offering one-to-one support to people who have difficulty finding work due to disabilities, health problems and other complex issues.
• We are making it easier than ever for residents to recycle everyday items, like toothpaste tubes, both at home and at local Recycling Centres, helping to reduce waste and support a greener future.
• The council is writing to the Government to urge them to lower business rates for hospitality and night-time businesses, in a bid to boost local economy and protect jobs across the county.
• We need volunteers to help with our school admissions appeals. People from all walks of life are welcome, no specific qualifications are needed, just fairness and impartiality. Full training is provided and expenses paid. Email appealsadministrator@westsussex.gov.uk to find out more.
• Have your say on proposed improvements to walking, cycling and public transport around Victoria Business Park in Burgess Hill. These ideas aim to support sustainable travel and strengthen one of Mid Sussex’s key employment hubs. Survey closes: 28 November 2025.
• The NHS is offering free vaccinations for those at higher risk of serious complications from flu and Covid-19. Make sure you check your eligibility before booking an appointment as the criteria are different for each. Those eligible can book a vaccination appointment via the NHS App, the NHS website, through their local GP practice, or by calling 119. If you’re eligible you can also get a Covid-19 vaccination without an appointment. Find a walk-in session near you.
• Movember raises awareness of men’s health issues. This year, we’re particularly highlighting Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening, offered to men in the year they turn 65. It detects swelling and potential weakness in the wall of the aorta, a major blood vessel, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Early detection allows for effective monitoring or treatment. If you receive a screening invitation, please take up the opportunity up. West Sussex men aged 65 and over who missed their appointment, have not been screened before, or want to self-refer can find out more here.

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