NEWS RELEASES
Health and crime key issues at District debate
24th November 2006
OUR FIFTH 'State of the District Debate' was held this year at the recently opened Southwater Parish Council chamber at Beeson House and we were fortunate to have two important guest speakers.
The evening began with a very illuminating presentation on crime from the head of Sussex Police North Downs Division, Chief Superintendent Wayne Jones, and this was followed by a revealing picture of health trends from the chief executive of the new West Sussex Primary Care Trust, John Wilderspin. The Council's performance during the past year was then outlined by Council Leader Liz Kitchen and Chief Executive Tom Crowley.
The police chief gave some interesting statistics pointing to the likelihood of various crimes affecting individual Horsham District residents: household burglary was likely to occur to one victim every 155 years, injury assault every 160 years and robbery every 5,417 years. He pointed to lower level criminal damage, speeding and anti-social behaviour as the subjects that most often worry the local community.
Horsham District people lived in one of the safest places in the county. However, Mr Jones accepted that being safe was no good if people did not feel safe, and that one serious well publicised crime could quickly upset people's confidence. Much good work was being done through the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, whilst trained volunteers were assisting the police in growing numbers of areas.
Mr Wilderspin explained the role of the new West Sussex PCT which took up responsibility for 762,000 people from October and said he wished to see a continuation of the partnerships that had led to many primary care improvements. Whilst Horsham was a healthy district, figures showed that many people consumed above recommended alcohol levels, there were 21,000 people clinically obese and 31,700 smokers. The future of local services had to take into account new national policies, an end to the record funding growth by 2009 and key changes in clinical practice. A top priority was the reshaping of the NHS in our area and to this end the PCT would be publishing a report called ‘Fit For The Future’ which should go out for public consultation soon.
Liz Kitchen and Tom Crowley placed strong emphasis on the many partnerships that the Council had entered into. As well as being chosen as the second best place to live in the country by Channel 4 TV, the Horsham District was in the top fifteen for recycling, the Government had commended the council for use of resources, Horsham was Champions of Champions in South and South East in Bloom, the Pavilions in the Park was among the top three leisure centres nationwide, Rookwood Golf Course gained an evironmental management award and the Southwater redevelopment is in the top six for national regeneration awards.
There were a string of keen questions from the floor with the main emphasis on health issues and anti-social behaviour. A stepped up multi-agency approach to reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Southwater was agreed immediately after the meeting.
Ends
Councillor Bernard Baldwin, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RL.
Email: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk