The Local Outbreak Engagement Board has met to discuss further steps in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in West Sussex.

The group, which includes representatives from the County Council, District and Borough Councils and health professionals, heard the latest case number in West Sussex.

Between 28 October and 3 November the infection rate was at 98.3 per 100,000.

The board also received an update on the work of the Community Hub. The Hub is open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm, to help those who need practical aid and support during the pandemic.

 More information can be found on the West Sussex website.

Several parks in Crawley have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag.  

The Memorial Gardens, Worth Park, Goffs Park, Ifield Mill Pond and Tilgate Park are among the winners, continuing a long run of awards for the council.

This is the 18th year in a row that Tilgate Park has received the award and the 12th time for The Memorial Gardens and Goffs Park.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country. 

A murder investigation is underway after the body of a 62-year-old man was discovered in Horley on Monday.

Ambulance personnel were called to Upfield Close just after 8am after the body was found. A 55-year-old woman from Horley has been arrested on suspicion of murder and police say their enquiries are ongoing. Officers say they do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Friday from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, which is investigating the incident, said:
“While it is too early to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public at this time. I would like to reassure local residents that my team will be working round the clock to follow up a number of lines of enquiry to ensure that whoever is responsible for this man’s death is brought to justice.

“We are also appealing to anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, who has not already come forward, to do so straightaway.”

Anyone with information should contact Surrey Police, quoting crime reference number PR/4520118973

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162 cases of Coronavirus were reported in Reigate and Banstead last week, which marks an increase on the previous week.

Figures, released by Surrey County Council on Monday, showed cases across the county are still rising, with 1,616 reported last week.

The figures are for the week during which the country was put back into a national lockdown, but some areas including Epson and Ewell and Elmbridge saw a fall in reported cases.

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Crawley families will benefit from a £1.9 million Government package to provide food and supplies for vulnerable households.

The money has been assigned to West Sussex as part of a £170 million national programme. It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reaffirms his Government’s commitment to preventing childhood hunger after a high profile campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.

Crawley MP Henry Smith welcomed the news that local families would be receiving extra support. He said:
“No child should ever go hungry, and this extra £1.9 million for West Sussex will ensure local families that need extra support with food and bills this winter can access it, which is very welcome news.

“I’m also pleased that the Prime Minister has announced the extension of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides healthy food and activities for children during the school holidays and has a massive impact on disadvantaged young people in our community, to cover Easter, Summer and Christmas next year.”

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