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Man tried to steal 44 bars of Galaxy chocolate

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A man was caught trying to steal 44 bars of Galaxy chocolate.

Sergeant Darren Taylor said the ‘sweet toothed shoplifter’ was detained by police at Gatwick Airport.

He tweeted this morning (November 4): “In regards to the last 24 hours, not a massive amount to report from @Gatwick_Airport although there was the sweet-toothed shoplifter.

“Male detained from well known retail outlet here at Gatwick after caught trying to steal 44 bars of Galaxy chocolate.”


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Update: Milk float and car crash

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A main road was blocked after a car and milk float crashed.

Police were called to the A281 near Warnham at 6.10am today (Wednesday November 4).

A spokesman said: “No one was injured but the vehicles were blocking the road.”

The road was cleared by 7.30am.

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Two Sussex MPs donate pay rise to charity

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Two Sussex MPs have kept promises to donate their £7,000 pay rise to charity as it is revealed 40 Members of Parliament didn’t stick to their word.

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, and Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, are two of 25 MPs to give their pay increase to good causes, despite 65 MPs pledging to do so when it was first announced.

Westminster’s 650 Members of Parliament were awarded a controversial 10 per cent pay rise from July, pushing their salary from £67,000 to £74,000.

When it was announced, 65 MPs pledged to give the additional £7,000 to charity. However, just a few months later, an investigation by The Sun newspaper revealed only 25 MPS have appeared to have kept their promise.

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield is one of just two Sussex MPs to make the donation, alongside Caroline Lucas, She said: “I decided I didn’t want to accept the pay rise, especially with colleagues in the public sector, where I came from, only getting 1 per cent.

“So far, I have asked charities via local e-news, leaflets and local press stories to contact me and at first, I only heard from one or two, but now we are getting a steady stream of requests.

“Because we only got the pay rise in July and a lot of people were away over the summer, I am giving charities until the end of the year to contact me before we decide who will be successful this year. Any that aren’t successful this year are likely to go in the mix for next year and I will put all those who have had a donation on the website.

“Ideally, I would like to give once to each charity to ensure everyone gets a chance but we will have to see how things go in terms of demand and I am only doing local charities, not national ones, as these often struggle to get funding - although national charities firmly based in the community would be considered.”

The pay rise was implemented by the government’s independent watchdog – so it went through automatically – but all of the party leaders told their MPs to donate the extra money to good causes.

The 25 MPs who have confirmed their donation are:

Labour - Andy Slaughter, Neil Coyle, Conor McGinn, Gisela Stuart, Gloria del Piero, Ivan Lewis, Jack Dromey, Jo Cox, Vernon Coaker, Yvette Cooper.

Conservative - Andrew Percy, Andrew Stephenson, David Mowat, Dominic Raab, Jason McCartney, Kevin Foster, Maria Caulfield, Nicky Morgan, Paul Maynard, Richard Fuller, Chris White, Nicola Blackwood.

Lib Dem - Nick Clegg, Tim Farron.

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Bonfire night in Sussex - a damp squib?

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Bonfire Night tomorrow could turn out to be a damp squib as heavy rain is forecast for Sussex.

The Met Office says that rain looks set to start early in the morning and there will be a mixture of light and heavy showers throughout the day.

The heaviest falls, though, are likely to be in the early evening, the peak time for most people planning to set off fireworks.

Some major organised events will still go ahead but the advice is to check with organisers before setting out.

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Man’s eye socket broken after violent gang attack

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A violent group attacked six men and a woman in Burgess Hill.

A man was taken to hospital with a fractured eye socket on Saturday (October 31).

A police spokesman said: “The first man was attacked near to the traffic lights along Station Road at 12.30am by a large group.

“When his friends, who were near the Berky’s Burger Shop and KB Kebabs, went to his aid they were also assaulted by a large group of people.

“One of the victims, a 29-year-old man, suffered a fracture eye socket and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, for treatment.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 101 quoting serial 0050 of 31/10. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Southern reveals winter rail timetable

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Southern has announced its new winter timetable which it claims is designed to bring improved performance and pave the way for the final Thameslink timetable in 2018

The new timetable for Southern and Gatwick Express services starts on Sunday December 13 with what Southern describes as significant changes to off-peak services.

Some services have been merged or changed and others tweaked by a few minutes.

Southern said: “We consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the December 2015 timetable and beyond meets existing and future passenger needs of as many people and communities as possible.”

Highlights of the new timetable, according to Southern, include:

The retiming of the Brighton Main Line to provide a more evenly spaced service

During the timetable period, new Class 387 Gatwick Express trains will replace the existing Class 442 fleet. These will start to appear in spring 2016

Extending two trains per hour from Gatwick Airport to Brighton

Additional services for Earlswood and Salfords

Salfords station will be served by the London Bridge to Horsham route services all day on Sundays for the first time outside of the summer months

Sunday services between Brighton and Ashford will call at either Three Oaks or Winchelsea

New Class 700 trains will be introduced to Thameslink routes during this timetable

Reduced journey times on Coastway East, Coastway West, and Arun Valley routes for long-distance passengers

A better service for passengers using the Sydenham corridor

Increased turnaround times at Victoria will help to reduce reactionary delays

A Southern statement says: “Although changes are predominantly off-peak, there is good news for passengers on the 17.23 London Victoria to East Grinstead – this will be lengthened from eight carriages to 10.”

Southern Passenger Services Director, David Scorey said: “Our new winter timetable is not only designed with improving performance for our passengers on the very busy Brighton Main Line, but it also starts the important process of working towards the final 2018 Thameslink timetable which will deliver a step-change in capacity and connectivity .”

Details of the new timetable can be downloaded from {http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/plan-your-journey/timetables/dec-2015|southernrailway.com/december2015|timetable}

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Organic farmer named Sustainable Farmer of the Year at Farmers Weekly Awards

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John Pitts, Managing Director of West Sussex-based organic farming and waste management company, The Woodhorn Group, has been announced as Sustainable Farmer of the Year in the national Farmers Weekly Awards.

Up against two other shortlisted farmers for Sustainable Farmer of the Year, John stood out for adopting a sustainable approach to his multi-faceted farming business.

He commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this accolade.

“This industry recognition is further testament to our commitment to sustainable farming and diversification. It is also a tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone who works at The Woodhorn Group. The expression ‘Team Effort’ is sometimes over used but 100% applies in this instance.

“Sustainability is not just a catch phrase to us. It encompasses everything we do from how we look after our staff to our care for the environment in which we live and work and from animal welfare to our role in the community. We are far from perfect but we are trying to be the best we can be!”

The judges were impressed by John’s passion, professionalism and innovation as well as the high quality of management across all areas of the business. “John is committed and passionate about running a truly integrated farm business. He constantly challenges the way the farm operates to deliver a business that is more robust and sustainable,” commented Caroline Drummond, LEAF Chief Executive and Independent Judge.

The Farmers Weekly Awards is run by the national magazine toshowcase the best farmers in the country while recognising and rewarding them for their innovation, commitment to the industry and hard work.

The Pitts family has been farming in Chichester since 1882 and now over 130 years later, The Woodhorn Group is still a thriving business and has grown from a dairy and arable farm to encompass solar farming, property management and a fully-fledged waste recycling business.

Arable crops are grown on the farm to feed the 250 strong dairy herd as well as wheat for organic bread and barley for organic beer. Their milk is sold via the farmer owned organic cooperative OMSCO to produce Yeo Valley Yoghurt.

Since diversifying into composting and recycling in 1998, the company now has a dedicated team and two sites in Tangmere and Runcton where they handle an impressive 85,000 tonnes of green garden waste and wood waste a year. A considerable amount of his comes from gardens and businesses throughout West Sussex.

Using the garden waste, The Woodhorn Group produce its Earth Cycle range of peat free products including soil conditioner, top soil, turf dressing, wood chip and cow compost.

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Court results - Mid Sussex

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The following are results from Sussex Northern magistrates sitting at Horsham and Crawley.

Jenifer Nightingale, 40, of Sergison Close, Haywards Heath, was given a 12 week jail sentence, suspended for a year, with 250 hours of unpaid work, a three year driving ban, an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to drink driving in Burgess Hill.

Frederick Worrall, 24, of Milton Crescent, East Grinstead, was banned from driving for a year, with a £200 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug (cannabis), and to driving with illegal levels of cannabis in his blood, on the A272 at Bolney.

Chalmers Broun, 28, of Queens Road, Haywards Heath, was jailed for four months, with an £80 victim surcharge, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault in Haywards Heath.

Alexander Reynolds, 18, of Edmund Road, Hastings, was fined £40, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Burgess Hill.

Mouiz Hafsi, 31, of Molesey Road, Hersham, was fined £370, with a £37 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and five penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding on the A23 at Bolney.

Reece Stanton, 24, of Cranleigh Gardens, South Croydon, was banned from driving for two weeks, with a £247 fine, a £24 victim surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to speeding on the A23 at Bolney.

Liam Goodenough, 36, of Tameton Close, Luton, was fined £880, with a £66 victim surcharge, £300 costs, and nine penalty points added to his licence. He had been convicted in his absence of speeding on the A23 at Bolney, and of failing to identify a driver suspected of committing an offence.

Chantelle Thompson, 20, of Poplar Road, Leatherhead, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to common assault in Haywards Heath.

Louisa Kemp, 23, of America Lane, Haywards Heath, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, assaulting a police officer, and trespassing on a railway line at Burgess Hill Station.

Ross McNeall, 35, of Burchetts Close, Haywards Heath, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug (cannabis) in Haywards Heath.

Samantha Morrissey, 42, of Hawsmoor Street, London, was banned from driving for three years, with a £460 fine, a £46 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to drink driving at Handcross.

Michael Beard, 58, of Fairfield Road, Burgess Hill, was given a one year conditional discharge, with a £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug (amphetamine) in Burgess Hill.

Ada Brazil, 28, of Dumbrills Close, Burgess Hill, was fined £50, with £9.99 compensation, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to theft from Boots in Haywards Heath.

Lauren Carden, 24, of Junction Road, Burgess Hill, was banned from driving for 20 months, with a £200 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £50 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. She had pleaded guilty to drink driving and to driving while disqualified in Haywards Heath.

Vincenzo Ruffolo, 32, of Woodcutters, Scaynes Hill, was banned from driving for 18 months, with a £185 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to driving with illegal levels of a controlled drug (cocaine) in Burgess Hill.

Shozzad Ali, 35, of Emscote Road, Warwick, was fined £220, with a £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had been convicted in his absence of speeding at Bolney.

Aaron Bailey, 18, of Wivelsfield Road, Haywards Heath, was fined £490, with a £44 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and an £85 criminal courts charge. He had been convicted in his absence of driving without due care and attention, and driving without a licence in Haywards Heath.

Trystan O’Shea, 40, of Horton Road, Brighton, was fined £120, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding at Bolney.

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‘Activity of a sexual nature’ and fly tipping could lead to alley’s closure

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A notorious alleyway where ‘activity of a sexual nature’ has taken place and human waste has been dumped could be closed by Burgess Hill Town Council.

Metal gates costing £1,500 could be installed by the council to prevent issues in the alley in Church Walk, which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Councillors have been recommended to approve the gates at a meeting of Burgess Hill Town Council’s customer services key area group tonight (Wednesday November 4).

The agenda of the meeting reads: “A considerable amount of fly tipping is left here, including an old mattress, and staff have had to clear up human waste and activity of a sexual nature.”

Further problems such as fighting, arguing and swearing in the alleyway and surrounding area are listed in the agenda.

The agenda reads: “Historically people have left shopping trolleys here and the town council bins were stored in the alley.

“The bins have had to be removed due to the amount of non-council produced waste being placed in them.

“At the time of writing this report the town council awaits a visit from Sussex Police to collect a quantity of empty DVD cases that have been dumped in the alley.”

Councillors are advised that gates to secure the alley would allow it to be used for storage, with a key to be issued allowing access to those who require its use.

Members have also been warned that ‘activities of an antisocial nature’ could increase if the gates are not installed.

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Police investigate rape allegation after Brighton Pride

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POLICE have released an e-fit of a young man they believe to have raped a teenage girl from Sussex.

The alleged assault happened in Brighton after the Pride celebrations in August but the girl did not contact police until October.

“Late on the evening of Saturday, August 1 this year, the girl, who comes from Worthing and had been visiting the event with friends, was on her own in Preston Park as the events there were winding down and people were dispersing,” said a police spokesman.

“She was engaged in conversation by a young man who asked her to help look for his mobile phone. She went with him along a tree-lined gravel track at the top of Preston Park, where he raped her.

“She also sustained bruising to her body but made her way home and did not tell the police about it until October 14.”

The suspect was described as white, aged between 18 and 24, between 5’6” and 6’, and of slim but muscular build, with a tanned complexion.

He was wearing a bright blue t-shirt and black jeans and had with him a grey or black hoody.

Detective Constable Holly Hallahan said: “If you were in or around Preston Park that Saturday evening any time between about 9pm and 11pm, and saw this man on his own or with a young girl, we would like to hear from you.

“If you can help please contact us via {mailto:101@sussex.pnn.police.uk|101@sussex.pnn.police.uk} or call 101, quoting serial 409 of October 14. “You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Since the girl came forward we have been ensuring that she has access to welfare and counselling support, and have been working carefully with her to build up a picture of what happened.

“This is an isolated and very serious incident and we are keen to speak to anyone who can help further.”

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County News: Record Guy Fawkes taking shape

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Lewes Borough Bonfire Society has promised this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before - quite literally - as they prepare to blow up a record-breaking Guy Fawkes effigy.

The town’s oldest bonfire society will submit the 50ft guy to Guinness World Records in the hopes of being recognised as the largest ever bonfire effigy.

To ensure the display goes off with a bang, the giant guy will be stuffed with more fireworks than ever used before in the society’s 162-year history.

The effigy can already be seen at the LBBS’s firesite at Landport Bottom in the South Downs National Park.

Work to set up the firesite began on Sunday (November 1) and last-minute arrangements will continue right up until this (Thursday November 5) morning.

The giant effigy will be burnt today after the fifth procession of the night, which will wind its way from the White Lion Lane through High Street, Western Road and Nevill Road.

During the processions the town’s two oldest societies – LBBS & Cliffe Bonfire Society – will meet on the Cliffe bridge over the river Ouse.

The societies’ commanders-in-chief will exchange a large symbolic key at the meeting.

LBBS fire site is located on the South Downs National Park close to Landport bottom, site of the Battle of Lewes 1264 and traditional warning beacons.

The fire, aerial display and giant guy will be visible for dozens of miles. Access is from Nevil Road, Lewes via the private road to Lewes Racecourse.

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New film highlights residents’ opposition to Gatwick second runway

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A film highlighting opposition to a second runway at Gatwick from business owners and residents was launched in Slinfold at the weekend.

The five-minute video, called ‘What does a new runway at Gatwick mean to you’, was put together by Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) and was unveiled outside the Red Lyon pub on Sunday November 1.

In the film a number of residents speak about the effect a second runway could have on traffic congestion near the airport, the potential loss of business premises, and the amount of extra people affected by aircraft noise.

Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE, said: “We are delighted by the turn out of local people, it plainly shows the anger residents currently feel towards Gatwick and the increase in flights and noise.”

The number of people affected by Gatwick night flights increased by 15 per cent in 2014, according to a report by the Civil Aviation Authority, although these figures include the Gatwick’s immigration removal centre for the first time.

While Sir Howard Davies recommended a third runway at Heathrow over expansion at Gatwick back in July, the airport has continued to press its case for a second runway.

The Government has yet to announce whether or not it will accept Sir Howard’s recommendations.

CAGNE said it would continue to press for less concentrated aircraft routes, which it argues is causing sleep deprivation for some communities.

The group was formed in February 2014 after trial flight paths started sending planes over Warnham and the surrounding area.

Both Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council voted to oppose a second runway earlier this year.

Since Sir Howard published his report, Gatwick has challenged the recommendation, called the findings ‘inconsistent and flawed’.

The Airports Commission concluded that the economic benefits of expanding Gatwick were ‘considerably smaller’ than those of expansion at Heathrow, while its conclusions were ‘clear and unanimous’.

To watch the film visit www. vimeo.com/144304640

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West Sussex libraries get £56,000 WiFi funding

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WIRELESS internet connections will be upgraded across West Sussex libraries after the county council was awarded a chunk of £2.6million funding.

West Sussex County Council is one of 68 authorities which successfully bid for Arts Council funding, which will see £56,000 invested.

The funding will improve coverage and speed.

A county council spokesman said: “There will be improved coverage, making access better across larger areas of each library. This allows more flexible use, and increased capacity.

“For some libraries this will represent a significant improvement. I isn’t always possible to arrange the layout of tables to match the reception.

“Speed will also improve. Increasingly customers expect good speed and for many this determines whether they rate the service good or bad.”

The Arts Council’s WiFi in Public Libraries in England fund was set up following an independent report on libraries.

It is being delivered on behalf of the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

The nationwide funding will help 1,000 libraries either upgrade services or provide WiFi for the first time.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey said: “I am delighted that this fund will enable over 1,000 libraries to either provide WiFi for the first time or to upgrade their current service.

“It is a vital step to ensuring that all public libraries can provide WiFi access to their communities. As more services become available online, this will increasingly make libraries the place to go for people who don’t have the access or the confidence to use digital services.”

Driver injured after car hits tree

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Firefighters freed a woman from a car which was left on its side after an accident near Cuckfield.

The Haywards Heath crew was called to a two car crash in Hanlye Lane at 8.36am today (Thursday November 5).

A police spokesman said the female driver suffered minor injuries after her car left the road and hit a tree.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used small tools to release her from the car.

The crew left the incident with Sussex Police at 8.59am.

The road was re-opened at 9.50am.

Traffic backed up in both directions between the Lullings Farm and Borde Hill Lane junctions.

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COUNTY NEWS: Man fighting for life after car cliff plunge

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A 20-year-old man is in hospital with serious injuries this morning after his car plunged over the cliffs at Beachy Head yesterday (Wednesday).

Photos taken at the scene yesterday show the impact of the accident which happened shortly before 3pm when eyewitnesses saw the car drive over the clifftop at Cow Gap.

Emergency services raced to the scene and a full scale operation was launched to rescue the driver from the vehicle on the rocks.

Firefighters, coastguard, police, the air ambulance and coastguard helicopter were involved with the rescue along with the town’s lifeboat.

The man was airlifted by the coastguard helicopter to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

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Emergency services called to three vehicle crash on A23

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Emergency services have been called to a three vehicle crash on the A23.

One lane on the southbound carriageway has been closed following the collision near Hickstead at about 10am today (Thursday November 5).

Crawley Fire Station’s heavy rescue tender and fire crews from Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill have left for the scene.

A police spokesman said three vehicles were involved.

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COUNTY NEWS: Footballer collapses during training

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A Sussex footballer who collapsed yesterday (Wednesday, November 4) during a training session has been named.

Ricki Skinner was with fellow team members at Westfield Football Club’s 3rd team’s session on the playing fields at Claremont School in St Leonards when he fell ill.

Supporters and members of the club have taken to Twitter to wish Ricki a speedy recovery.

He collapsed suddenly and several people tried to resuscitate him and administer CPR before paramedics arrived.

Ricki was then rushed to the Conquest Hospital.

He is currently in an induced coma.

{http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/westfield-player-collapses-during-session-1-7049592|Westfield player collapses during session}

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County News: David Cameron ‘piggate’ and Sepp Blatter tableaux lined up for world-famous bonfire celebrations

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Excitement is growing as the countdown has begun to the world-famous Lewes Bonfire Celebrations tonight.

First photos appeared earlier today of the various tableaux, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter and PM David Cameron, with a reference to ‘piggate’.

Each of the town’s six bonfire societies create a grand, realistic tableau, usually depicting a controversial figure who has made the news that year.

The tableaux, which are marched through the streets of Lewes before being blown up at the end of the night, are kept top secret in the lead-up to the event.

However, social media has provided some spoilers this year.

Meanwhile, Lewes Borough Bonfire Society is preparing to blow up a record-breaking Guy Fawkes effigy.

The town’s oldest bonfire society will submit the 50ft guy to Guinness World Records in the hopes of being recognised as the largest ever bonfire effigy.

To ensure the display goes off with a bang, the giant guy is being stuffed with more fireworks than ever used before in the society’s 162-year history.

The effigy can already be seen at the LBBS’s firesite at Landport Bottom in the South Downs National Park.

Check out our live {http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/live/event?1593432|Lewes Bonfire|Bonfire} section. We will be following all the action with reports and photos from our reporters, plus reaction and comment on social media. Use the hashtag #lewesbonfire.

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Update: A23 slip road reopened

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Emergency repairs have been carried out on slip road leading off the A23.

The southbound exit to the A272 at Bolney was shut this afternoon following an accident.

It is now reported to have been reopened.

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County council ‘saddled’ with £700m PFI debts

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PRIVATE Finance Initiative (PFI) debts at West Sussex County Council totalled more than £700million earlier this year.

The majority of councillors voted to approve a five-year £676million capital programme on Friday, but many expressed concerns over provisions for up to £75m extra borrowing. Leader Louise Goldsmith (Con, Chichester West) said this was an envelope to work with and not a target. But James Walsh (LDem, Littlehampton East), leader of the county council’s Lib Dem group, said that borrowing figures did not include the ‘eye watering’ £707million PFI debt that they were ‘saddled’ with as of March this year.

He felt that cabinet member for finance Michael Brown was adept at confusing councillors with ‘smoke and mirrors’. Dr Walsh said: “In the shadows is a much, much bigger debt burden hanging around our necks for the next 20 years because of our PFI programme, because effectively 100 years of Conservative under-investment in infrastructure in West Sussex.” But Mr Brown (Con, Fernhurst) explained they were given some support to repay the PFI debts to the tune of almost £13million a year.

In his opening speech he explained that they were aiming to avoid their ‘gearing ratio’ exceeding 1:1, where total debt would be more than annual revenue spending.

Current projections have WSCC’s borrowing at £503million in 2021 compared to a revenue budget of £483m,illion which would see the ratio at around 1.04:1.

Mr Brown added: “Caution and moderation remain our watchwords.” But Peter Lamb (Lab, Northgate and Three Bridges), echoed Dr Walsh’s points, and said: “Let’s be quite clear the gearing is well over the value we are told is disastrous.”

He explained how local debt counts towards the national debt, and felt they were being asked to sign off projects without enough information or individual business cases.

Several Conservatives including Steve Waight (Con, Goring) and Deborah Urquhart (Con, Angmering and Findon) raised concerns about the £75million figure, but welcomed assurances that extra income would be used to reduce borrowing and robust governance arrangements.

Two amendments to the recommendations were both defeated. The first involved a bid for a new fire station for Crawley. Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate and Crawley Central) argued a new station had been promised by WSCC, and Crawley Borough Council was willing to give up a parcel of land to the county council.

But this was defeated by 49 votes to six, with nine abstentions, despite an allegorical fairy tale by Sue Mullins, where she attempted to explain how Crawley often missed out on funding through a tale about a magical kingdom, wizards, and treasure. She said that WSCC was ‘crossing its fingers hoping for a miracle, passing the debt on to future members’. But Peter Griffiths (Con, Hurstpierpoint and Bolney) said his ‘will to live is evaporating very rapidly’ after Mrs Mullins’ story, while Mr Brown described it as one of the ‘most silly and stupid’ contributions he had ever heard.

David Barling (Con, Bramber Castle), cabinet member for residents’ services, argued the motion breached a most important principle, prioritising a scheme in one part of the county to the detriment of every other division.

A second UKIP amendment dealing with governance arrangements was also defeated as members argued it had been superseded by alterations to the original recommendations.

Mike Glennon (UKIP, Lancing), leader of the UKIP group, suggested the council’s leadership lacked ‘transparency and accountability’.

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