February 2016
CHICHESTER LOCAL and events to 7,000 5,900 homes homes in in this this area area every every month month through the door LocalLocal newsnews and events to over through the door
POLICING THE POLICE
Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner
WIN!
LOCAL NEWS
Charity & Community
WHAT’S ON
February events
Book - Gertigstrasse 56
PLUS
Local Walks, Recipe, Prize Crossword, Local Groups, Gardening, Local trades & services, Business Directory
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February ‘16 Cover Photo The Cross, Chichester gaylebardgettphotography.co.uk
Welcome... To February and at the time of writing the weather has finally turned cold... Don’t let that put you off getting outside - there’s always plenty to do in the garden and this month Bo Cook gives us her pruning tips, see page 15. A walk with like-minded people in our glorious countryside can really lift the soul at this time of year - there are local walks happening on most days, why not join one this month? See page 18. Our lead article this month by journalist Veronica Cowan is on Katy Bourne the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, see page 28. Do give our prize crossword a go, see page 24. You could win a £30 voucher for a treatment at Toucan Beauty (they offer gentlemen’s treatments too!).
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..................................................................What’s On ....................................WIN! Book - Gertigstrasse 56 ..........................................................In Your Garden ...............................................................Local Walks .......................................Charity & Community News .........................................................Prize Crossword .......................................................................Recipe ...............................Policing the Police, Katy Bourne .....................................................Business Directory ..................................................Index of Advertisers
March Deadlines Bookings, editorial - 1st February Finished artwork, events - 7th Feb
SUSSEX & CHICHESTER LOCAL 01903 868 474
info@sussexlocal.net www.sussexlocal.net Kay Publishing Ltd PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH Sussex Local & Chichester Local magazines are published monthly and delivered free of charge to over 30,800 homes and businesses in West Sussex. There are four editions and display advertising starts at just £23 a month per edition.
It’s half term later this month so don’t forget to take a look at our What’s On guide (page 4) for ideas to keep the children amused. If you ‘Like’ us on Facebook you can receive What’s On updates in your news feed. This month’s recipe is potato and red pepper frittata, the perfect antidote to all that rich festive fare ... see page 26. Until next month,
Kris & Jeff
Words of Wisdom "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." - DAVID BOWIE
Disclaimer - Whilst advertisements are printed in good faith, Sussex Local (Kay Publishing Ltd) is an independent company and does not endorse products or services that appear in this magazine. Sussex Local cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions or claims made by contributors. The views and opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.
Arundel edition - Arundel, Barnham, Burpham, Climping, Fontwell, Ford, Slindon, Walberton & Yapton Total homes - 7,000 Chichester edition - Chichester suburbs Total homes - 7,000 Findon edition - Findon Valley, Findon Village, Nepcote, High Salvington, Clapham & Patching plus Salvington/Selden (south of A27) Total homes - 6,000 Pulborough edition - Pulborough, Bury, Coldwaltham, Fittleworth, Marehill, Nutbourne, Stopham, West Chiltington village and Common. Total homes - 4,800 Storrington edition - Storrington, Amberley, Ashington, Cootham Thakeham, Sullington & Washington. Total homes - 6,000 The combined circulation of all five editions is over 30,800 homes.
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01243 850076 01903 890129
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What’s On 7
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10 What’s On
Chasing Income By Richard Cohen JP FPFS ACII MCSI Chartered Financial Planner There is a worrying increase in the number of adverts for funds and products targeting high levels of income. I’ve seen marketing material that boasts of income in excess of 6% that they have been or are expecting to pay. What is less prominent is the risk to capital involved in paying such a high income. Naturally people compare this to a savings account where the income might be 2% in today’s market. This comparison is inappropriate when a savings account is protected by Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), up to the new reduced limit of £75,000, whereas the potential losses to your capital from the higher paying product are unlimited. With a savings account backed by the FSCS chasing the highest interest rate for the term you are willing to tie your money up for makes complete sense. If you disregard inflation there is no risk to capital and no chance for capital growth so the
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only thing to compare is the interest rate. With any other type of product or fund it is the return you receive after any capital gain or loss that matters. Focussing just on the income is dangerous. Savings accounts remain the most appropriate place for shorter term savings but the safety they offer comes at the cost of lower returns. A higher return is always going to involve taking more risk. When managing investments for clients I don’t like to categorise them as income investors or growth investors. I believe that everyone is a “total return investor”. Viewing investments in any other way means you disregard a substantial number of otherwise suitable opportunities for the sake of pigeonholing the type of return you require. The total return will be made up of a mix of income and growth and there will of course be times when the returns are negative. Whether you choose to spend that return or leave it in the investment is a matter for you. A regular disinvestment of capital growth can be spent in the same way as an income and reinvesting dividends, rent or interest can provide growth. The reality is stable long-term returns are likely to require a mixture of both. For more information or to arrange a free review please contact Sarah Gray on 01903 821010 or visit www.nsurefinancial.co.uk
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12 Competition
Resistance in WW2 Fascinating account of a local family’s struggle against fascism in wartime Germany Storrington author, Ruth Stender has taken her father’s wartime adventures and created an insightful and thought provoking first novel. Spanning twentyfive eventful years, from 1914 to 1939, it relates the true story of her father and two brothers during this turbulent period. This is a rare opportunity for the reader to experience insight to such a momentous, but little known, period of history. “Gertigstrasse 56 came into fruition after my father retired and opened a very large suitcase crammed full of fascinating documents and letters. I had no idea how deeply he’d been involved in the anti-fascist resistance movement or the full extent of his two brothers’ commitment to fight for democracy,” observes Ruth. “I was finally able to understand the trauma they must have been through and the nightmares Dad still suffered from right up until his recent death” she
adds. At a time when Hitler and the Nazi Party were becoming more powerful in Germany, three young brothers Rudolf, Ernst and Werner Stender join an anti-fascist resistance movement in Hamburg. Their aim is to warn the German people of the risk of a world war to come and the harsh reality of life under a Nazi regime. The siblings are catapulted into different experiences. “As the book has been written in a narrative form I have been able to ‘bring alive’ the personalities of my family, expanding on their emotional feelings during this traumatic period between the First and Second World Wars,” adds Ruth. The book is available in local bookshops and online ISBN 978-1-78462-376-0.
Win a copy of Gertigstrasse 56 Q: How many years does the book span? A:
A) 20
B) 30
C) 25
Send your answer and full contact details including daytime telephone number to: ‘Gertigstrasse 56 Competition, PO Box 2237, Pulborough RH20 9AH or email competitions@sussexlocal.net Winner will be first entry drawn after the closing date 29th February 2016. Please indicate if you wish to remain on our mailing list.
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Gardening 15
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In Your Garden Monthly gardening ideas and tasks by Bo Cook from Alitura Landscape & Garden Design such as Veronicastrum will have died right back and their shoots won’t have pushed through the ground yet so you may be trampling over their crowns. Grasses and sedges such as Carex testacea and Anemanthele lessoniana should not be cut back until they are actively growing, and then only to around 2/3-1/2 their height. Comb through Stipa tennuisima with your fingers and pull out the dead leaves.
Wet, wet, wet. Not the band of the 1980’s, but the weather. The UK flooded. Our office doors were so swollen I couldn’t get in once – obviously nothing compared to what they experienced up north. But this winter weather has been uncharacteristically warm and wet – in line with climate change predictions. I’ve had Geums flowering and, more notably, people have had daffodils performing to the max already. My lawn is long and lush and needs mowing! We cannot claim this is normal. As designers, we should be designing gardens with future climate in mind…I will discuss this in a future issue. Let’s get on February.
What you shouldn’t cut back on is mulching. If you didn’t get to this in the autumn, do it now. Once all your beds are cut back and tidy, add a good thickness of either compost, manure, leaf mould or rotted bark. This has the double effect of adding nutrition to the soil and improving soil structure, and also making the beds look tidy. You can’t beat the look of fresh green foliage breaking through fresh dark composted beds.
Cutting Back Some of you may have left your grasses long and retained your perennial seed heads in situ. I did. And it has given me structure in the garden all winter long. The buff grasses have slowly lost their seeds leaving behind their thin wavering stems. Perennial stems have stood proud and their seeds heads very slowly decayed in front of me. Birds have enjoyed the sustenance from them. All through November to February I have had substance to rest my eyes on when I have taken time to ponder over my designs. But now I can see the bases of some of the plants are starting to green up and it is time to cut everything back (everything applicable! - not evergreens of course!). Most perennials you can cut right back to the base of the rosette, or base of the plant. Some, like Agastache like a bit of stem left proud. Be careful though when walking over your beds as plants
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16 Gardening
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clipping and cutting, pulling and weeding and then realised I haven’t been prepared (I’d probably only popped out to have a wander and got myself completely off track!). The garden is so often strewn with little piles of green waste, which my husband then clears up. Essentially I need my good gardener’s bucket. But then I fill my gardener’s bucket in seconds and regret not getting out the wheelbarrow. Then I hate the wheelbarrow because it’s clumsy and unwieldy. So I get out the 4-wheel trolley that has always been filled with other things. Much better! What you choose to use in the garden to carry about your waste, be it a vintage trug or a barrow attached to a motorised vehicle will depend on the size of your garden. But for me, the great middle ground - particularly now we are cutting back our overwintered stems - is a 4-wheel trolley with a plastic barrow. These last longer, don’t rust so fast and are dead easy to pull around. Not always cheap, but worth the investment in my book.
A Good Carrying Item! Vague I know! The number of times I have gone into the garden and started
Bo Cook telephone 01273 401581 or visit www.alitura.co.uk
Getting the Children Inspired How about starting them on plant ID. There is no time too early to teach plants to our children. My two year old would refer to the daffodils in our access road last year, as well as ‘Holly Ouch’ when she was even younger! I am planning on creating a plant chart for my daughter (now approaching 3). We will regularly go into the garden and assess the growth of the plants as they slowly wake up this spring. Snowdrops, Iris, and Primulas are already way ahead of the crowd. She really feels the excitement of each trip into the garden and runs out to see what she can find. We are putting photos on our chart as she’s obviously not able to read, but you can gauge this to your children’s/grandchildren’s age group – be that a chart with just picture, to common names, through to botanical names and then the meanings of these botanical names (my own particular interest!!). You can even encourage them to sketch the flowers. Any way to connect our children to nature and its beauty and I’m on it! I personally feel it is essential.
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Garden Tasks for February
Prune it: Prune winter flowering shrubs after flowering. Cut back deciduous grasses and perennials left to overwinter. Prune deciduous summer flowering shrubs such as Buddleja, Sambucus and Hydrangea. Some of these plants can be cut right down to the base to encourage bushy, full growth. Late summer and autumn flowering Clematis can be cut back to the lowest pair of strong buds. Prepare ahead: Cut cornus stems back now to encourage fresh stems and ensure some vibrancy for next winter.
Gardening 17 Feed it: Topdress all beds with a compost after cutting back and pruning. Add general purpose fertiliser around the base of all plants. Divide it: Divide clumps of herbaceous perennials and grasses if not done in the autumn. Plant it: The very last of the bare root hedging, trees and shrubs may still be for sale, and maybe on sale if you are lucky. Edge it: (normally) when not mowing our lawns we can use this time to neatly edge them. This warm winter has meant we are still mowing, but do find time to clip back the edges that have encroached into the borders..
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Local Walks - February
These walks are supported by Chichester District Council, are led by volunteers and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. No booking is required but please arrive 10 minutes before the walk is due to start. Dogs are welcome unless otherwise stated but must be kept on the lead. If the weather is poor the walk may be cancelled, if unsure please check. 01243 534589 health@chichester.gov.uk www.chichesterwellbeing.org.uk. L = Walk Leader Mon 1st February 10:30am ARUNDEL L: Andrew 1 hour 30 minutes 3 miles Wander around lake, park, castle, cathedral, port and town. Meet: Swanbourne Lake; park in Mill Road Fri 5th February 10:30am IPING-STEDHAM L: Jane This walk returns close to the River Rother. Meet: Iping Common CP SU852220.
2 hours
4 miles
Mon 8th February 10:30am EMSWORTH-PRINSTED Easy flat walk. Meet: Meet in Emsworth town square.
1 hour 30 mins
3 miles
L: Anne
Wed 10th February 10.45am CLIMPING L: Dominic 1 hour 15 mins 2.5 miles Along dunes and beach to Climping Mill, then across fields to Ferry Road and Rope Walk to club. Refreshments available at the Yacht Club on the return. Meet: Arun Yacht Club Car Park, BN17 5DL. Fri 12th February 10.30am CHICHESTER CANAL L: Janet 1 hour 30mins 3.5 miles A level walk. Return by bus. Can be muddy. Meet: Chichester Canal, Basin Road, Chichester PO19 8DT. Sun 14th February 10:30am BURPHAM TO RACKHAM BANKS L: Dominic 2 hours 45 mins A hilly walk along South Downs Way to Amberley Mount and back via Pepperingham High Barn. Meet: cricket ground car park behind the ‘George at Burpham’ inn (SU038088)
4 miles
Mon 15th February 10:30am PETWORTH PARK DOG'S FACE L: Gerald 1 hour 30 mins Come and see the fallow deer, The Monument & a surprise Dog’s Face in Petworth Park. Meet: The Horse Guards Inn, Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF. SU963 220.
3 miles
Wed 17th February 10.30am BURTON MILL L: Bruce 1 hour 45 mins Flat (50m ascent). Outstanding wetland and heath plus and an extra loop to Shopham Bridge. Meet: Burton Mill SU979181 (Nearest postcode GU28 0JR).
4.2 miles
Thurs 18th February 10:30am EARTHAM WOODS AND STANE ST L: Peter 2 hours. 4 miles Ups and downs with one short steep climb. Meet: Free Forestry Commission car park on the right, ¾ of a mile north of The George PH at Eartham. SU938106 Mon 22nd February 10.30am EMSWORTH TO POOK LANE A level walk along the shore. Meet: Emsworth Square
L: Anne
1 hour 30 mins
3 miles
Tues 23rd February 10.30am DROVER’S ESTATE WEST WALK L: Fiona 1.5 hours 3 miles A pleasant, gently undulating walk, taking in woods, farmland and rolling hills. Meet: at Singleton cricket pavilion Wed 24th February 10.30am *BEGINNERS* TANGMERE L: Peter Br 2 hours 3 miles Flat walk via Aviation Museum to Tangmere, 12c church with WWII memories. Then around the old airfield. Meet: In Oving park roadside on Church Lane, and meet outside the church. SU887218 Thurs 25th February 10.30am BOGNOR TO FELPHAM L: Jane 30 minutes 1 or 2.5 miles This can be a 30 minute,1 mile or a longer 2.5 mile walk. Starts at Bognor Regis pier and goes along to seafront to Felpham where there is an optional coffee stop. We return the same way. Meet: Bognor Regis pier on the seafront. Fri 26th February 10:30am CHARLTON L: Andrew 2 hours 30 mins 5 miles Climb up Charlton Forest to Heyshott Down. Meet: The ‘Fox Goes Free’ inn car park, just east of the inn (SU889131) Sun 28th February 10.30am ARUN RIVERBANK - BLACK RABBIT L: Dominic 2 hours An easy, flat riverside walk, no stiles. Meet: Mill Road car park by the river in town centre (charge).
5 or 3 miles
Mon 29th February 10:30am ROWLANDS CASTLE L: Anne 1 hour 30 mins Hilly, some stiles. Not suitable for beginners. Meet: Recreation Ground off Links Lane
4 miles
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20 Charity & Community Sussex Snippets The Worthing-based Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH) has been awarded a Greenwich Hospital grant of £40,000 through the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). The first half of a two-part donation has been received, with the remaining £20,000 to be paid to the charity in March 2016 – the grant is towards the costs of delivering a tailored rehabilitation programme to disabled Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans and their dependants. www.qahh.org.uk A large area of the South Downs between Brighton and Eastbourne is a bovine TB High Risk Area, and with the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) own grazing project (a fundamental tool in the management of nature reserves) under threat the trust is taking a number of steps to manage the disease, including a badger vaccination programme. Thanks to donations provided by the Sussex Badger Appeal the trust has - in partnership with the volunteer led Sussex Badger Vaccination Group - begun a five year programme of badger vaccinations at both their Malling Down and Southerham nature reserves.
CHICHESTER LOCAL February is Heart Month and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is amongst those organisations encouraging everyone to make small changes towards a healthier lifestyle and look after their heart health. The BHF website offers a range of heart-friendly things to do, from guidelines on healthy eating, alcohol and staying active to free booklets on keeping your heart healthy, and a free Health at Work programme – to help promote health and wellbeing in your workplace. The West Sussex Social Enterprise Network, which is funded by West Sussex County Council, is holding a series of workshops throughout February and March across the county, to inspire a new audience into setting up social enterprises. Social enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment; they make their money from selling goods and services in the open market, but they reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community. Information and contact: wssen.eventbrite.com or call Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester on 01243 840305. A public consultation on plans to ease congestion, shorten journey times and boost the local economy along the A259 has started with residents invited to give their opinion on proposals to make parts of the A259 between Littlehampton and Goring dual carriageway. The consultation period runs until Friday, February 19th and comments can be made by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk/a259 Owners of tablets, e-readers or computers are now able to visit West Sussex County Council’s 24 -hour virtual library service, which offers free access to a wide range of eBooks and audio books, eMagazines and eNewspapers, allowing library customers to borrow ten eBook titles and ten eAudio titles for up to three weeks – with no charge and no overdue fees. For advice on how to use the service, a series of drop-ins are being held at various libraries to help get readers started; to find out where drop-ins are being held contact your local library or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries www.westsussex.gov.uk/ebooks
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22 Charity & Community Half Term Splash Children of all ages are being encouraged to get out into the fresh air and have fun jumping in puddles this February half term with the Wildlife and Wetland Trust (WWT)’s Big Splash. The national puddle jumping championship is taking place across the UK at all nine WWT wetland centres. At Arundel Wetland Centre, kids will be able to compete against each other to see who can produce the biggest splash from their puddle jump. They will also be judged on their enthusiasm and jumping style. Daily winners will be announced at centres throughout half term and each lucky ‘supersplasher’ will receive a prize, presented at a special award ceremony. At the end of half term, the regional winner from each centre and the overall UK national winner will be crowned and receive further splash-tastic prizes. Contestants will receive a sticker to acknowledge their puddle jumping skills. wwt.org.uk/bigsplash or follow #wwtbigsplash.
CHICHESTER LOCAL Pagham Pram Race 70 pram racers ran in 2015’s Pagham Pram Race, the 70th anniversary of the fun event. Participants turned out in a variety of costumes from the very little to the very spectacular, and a romantic highlight was provided when Gary Clarke proposed (as he raced) to Zoe Shepherd and, to the delight of the crows, she said Yes to him on the rostrum. The overall winners were: ‘The Pram Strikes Back’, Simon Morris and team who received a pair of yellow tee-shirts to assist with bragging rights and a free entry into next year’s race. Held on Boxing Day, the event attracted around 5,400 spectators and raised approximately £3,800 for local good causes. The World’s Oldest Continuously Run Pram Race was started in 1946 by a group of demobbed servicemen, and the prize was a Christmas fruitcake made by local ladies. This year, Ladies of the Sugercraft Guild, Bognor Regis branch, provided the cake. Derek Bell M.B.E., former twice World International Sportscar racing Champion, five times winner of Le Mans 24Hour Race (and many other world race car events) attended the event to cut the cake and assist the commentator. www.paghampramrace.com
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Love Your Hospice Month February is St Wilfrid’s Hospice ‘Love Your Hospice Month’, a chance to raise money by joining in a number of activities. Quiz Night: Thursday 11th February, Bishop Luffa School, Chichester. 7pm for 7.30pm, teams are of six people, entry fee of £60 including a fish and chip supper. Zumbathon: Sunday 21st February, Westgate Leisure Centre, 10am – 1pm. Suitable for any fitness level, entry fee £10 plus individual sponsorship. Community Cuppa: gather friends, family or colleagues together and ask for a donation for a cuppa and cake! 01243 755827 or fundraising@stwh.co.uk www.stwh.co.uk
University Offers Degree Apprenticeship College students from across the south who are currently deciding on whether to go to university or out to work when their courses finish are now being offered an alternative route. An innovative option is giving students the chance to undertake a degree apprenticeship developed by the University of Chichester in partnership with SSE in Havant. A degree apprenticeship is a new
Charity & Community 23 government programme that enables the successful applicant to work as an apprentice for four days a week while studying for a degree one day a week. The apprenticeship lasts for four years, the apprentice doesn’t pay tuition fees and earns a salary. The University of Chichester/SSE Degree Apprenticeship focuses on IT skills. Apprentices will work with the IT Team at SSE developing their IT skills, while studying for a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions at the University. More information including details of how to apply can be found online at www.students.sse.com/ apprenticeship.html. Find out more about the Business School at http:// www.chi.ac.uk/business-school or about SSE and how to apply at http://students.sse.com/ apprenticeship.html
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24 Crossword
Prize Crossword
Win a ÂŁ30 Toucan Beauty voucher
Chichester February 16 December 2015 solution shown below.
Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. Entries to: Sussex Local Crossword, PO Box 2237 Pulborough, RH20 9AH or scan and email the page to crosswords@sussexlocal.net.
Across
Down
7 Morsel (8)
1 Small bird (4)
8 Eager (4)
2 Unbeliever (8)
9 Metal brick (5)
3 Pray (3)
10 Struggle (7)
4 Everlasting (7)
11 Hit (5)
5 Large concentration (4)
13 Spanish drink (7)
6 Environmental slope (8)
16 Acquire (7)
12 Target hitter (8)
17 Tardier (5)
14 Splendour (8)
18 Violent abuse (7)
15 Introduction (7)
20 Embellish (5)
19 Wheel holder (4)
23 Not succeed (4)
21 Cereal (4)
24 Grass up (8)
22 One of many (3)
Name: ................................................................................................... Full address: ........................................................................................ .............................................................................................................. Postcode:.............................................................................................. Email: .................................................................................................... Phone:................................................................................................... Mobile: .................................................................................................
Closing date: 29th February 2016. Good luck!
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26 Recipe
CHICHESTER LOCAL
Potato & Red Pepper Frittata The perfect antidote to all that rich festive fare and an ideal way to use up all sorts of foods and vegetables – even Stilton! Serve straight from the pan with a crisp salad. Ingredients (serves 4-6): 1 small red pepper, seeded & diced, 3 medium red potatoes, scrubbed and diced , 2tbps olive oil, 1 small onion, chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2tsp Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence, Salt and black pepper, 3tbsp chopped flat parsley, 6 free-range eggs, 110g Asiago, Beaufort or mild cheddar cheese
Method: 1 In a non-stick skillet heat the oil, add the onion, garlic and potatoes and cook 5 minutes until just beginning to brown. Add the herbs and seasoning, cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the peppers and parsley, stir and leave for another minute or two.
2 In a bowl beat the eggs, cheese and seasoning. Pour over the potatoes and stir gently so the eggs mix round and cook through gently like an omelette. Cook for slowly 5-7 minutes until golden underneath. 5 Carefully invert onto a serving plate, then return to the pan and continue cooking for a further 5 minutes until golden, or place under a medium hot grill for a few minutes to finish off. Cookery Classes for all in Tangmere Why not give a VOUCHER for the perfect Gift Contact Alex 01243 532240 www.cookwithalex.co.uk
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28 Local People
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Policing the Police in Sussex Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner by Veronica Cowan Katy Bourne was elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Sussex in 2012. A former National Chairman of the Conservative Women's Organisation, she is a graduate of Aberystwyth University, and a Governor at Oriel High School, Crawley. A former councillor of MidSussex District Council, she still lives in that area with her husband and two grown-up sons. She agreed it was disappointing that the public didn’t really engage with the new system: PCCs were elected across England and Wales, on average turn-outs of 15%, and high numbers of spoilt ballot papers. However, she will be standing again this year: “I received the Party’s nomination, and have accepted.”
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In what ways does the role compare with the previous local police authorities? “They weren't elected and didn't engage with the public,” she remarks, reporting that she gets “massive contact from the public.” Previously, the Chief Constable reported to those authorities, which were made up of members of local authorities, magistrates and members of the local community. However, Ms Bourne commented that their priorities were national in scope, and that few people were aware of them. She is responsible for the police force area budget, and is expected to be the voice of the local community and to hold the Chief Constable, and the force to account to the communities they serve. She has reassured residents and police officers that she was lobbying hard to secure a fair funding deal from Government. Most funding for Sussex Police comes from the Treasury, with a very small proportion of the total of around £250 million being raised from local residents in the form of the Police Precept, levied on council tax-payers. Surrey and Sussex policing is now done jointly in some areas, including public order and murder enquiries. Was the Paris terrorist situation a gamechanger in terms of needing more funding? Surprisingly, she said not necessarily, although she knows that in some areas it has been said more money will be needed, and that Paris is going to undermine the effectiveness of some forces. “Actually the response to terrorism is very embedded in Britain now, with the Prevent Strategy [a statutory anti-radicalisation programme], and if there was an incident in Sussex, other forces would be expected to give mutual aid. It is all coordinated under our national lead.” The Chief Constable’s policing priorities for 201617 would require more investment in Digital Forensics - to investigate mobile phones and computers and extract information. “That is quite specialised so we need an investment in that area, and there has not been much in the last seven years.” The other priority, she adds, is protection of children and vulnerable adults. She has been consulting with residents to discover if they would be willing to pay an additional sum on the Precept, to enable investment in these areas. The consultation remains open until 8 January, and once it has closed, the PCC must inform the Sussex Police and Crime Panel of her considerations. These have been set up in each
through the door force area to scrutinise and challenge the actions and decisions of each PCC. Her decision will be reviewed by the Panel on 22 January. I wondered whether she thought the public viewed the police service in the same way it does the NHS, in that they don’t care how much it costs to have police officers walking the streets, they want to see them there. “I understand why the public say that. It is about public confidence, and public confidence in policing is very important. Neighbourhood policing is really important to people and to have a connection with the local police is vital. It is also important to have neighbourhood policing because that builds the intelligence. The public quite naturally feel safer when they see police officers, but crime is different in some ways than it was 30 years ago. Reporting to the police has gone online rather than being person-to-person [so] there are no boundaries. It's not about visibility but accessibility, giving the police mobile handsets so that they can sit in Costa Coffee and be accessible to the public there.” As to reduced opening hours of police stations, she reiterates that increasingly people access police services online and in an emergency they wouldn't go to the police station but would phone
Local People 29 999. “About 14% of all crime reports are now done online, and that is increasing. As the generations move through, technology is being used more and the foot-fall going through stations is dropping.” However, she adds that people do use community buildings, so police stations are being moved into such buildings, with the police sharing offices with councils. “In rural areas, we are opening police stations in libraries, where there is an increased footfall anyway, and people feel relaxed. The opening hours are becoming less important,” according to Ms Bourne. Around 80% of the police budget is spent on salaries and pensions, so it's hardly surprising volunteers are being sought for certain roles. One aspect of engaging with volunteers is to increase public accountability and protection of offenders in areas like custody. The Force is looking for volunteers in Brighton and Crawley to join our Independent Custody Visiting Scheme. Ms Bourne explained. “This is hugely important, and it is relatively easy to get people as we advertise quite
30 Local People regularly. The Brighton area is easier because it's a bigger conurbation but it's a bit harder in rural areas.” The Ministry of Justice’s aspiration is to create a Restorative Justice service [arranging a meeting between the victim and the offender, by agreement, so the offender learn of the impact the crime has had on the victim] for all victims of crime, so how influential is that department in her choice of priorities? She replied: “They can't influence me. The policing priorities are set by me, and they must reflect local people's needs and expectations. However, they have given us a pot of money and want us to spend it on Restorative Justice In Sussex, we have set up a partnership with 20 organisations, and set up hubs in Bognor, Brighton and Hove and Bexhill. They receive all the referrals from the police and different organisations, and are responsible for co-ordination and making it
SUSSEX LOCAL happen. We've seen a massive increase in the take up of cases, with more adults coming forward,” she said. Complaints can be made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) if it is believed a PCC has broken the law. When it comes to how forces themselves handle complaints again the police, Dame Anne Owers, Chairman of the IPCC, has said that they are "not handling complaints sufficiently well" and that the complaints system is complex, b u r e a u c r a t i c a n d o ve r focussed on blame. Does she have power to influence the way complaints are handled in Sussex? “Every quarter I meet the staff in the Professional Standards Department and I ‘dipcheck’ the complaints, sample them and ensure the process is being properly conducted. I am confident of the system that is in place at the moment but the Government is giving PCCs the opportunity to change the system.”
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