It’s been reported that people across Sussex are losing out on getting work.

That’s because of lengthy delays to disclosure and barring service checks which take place before an offer of employment can be made.

DBS checks are normally carried out where a person is looking for work in roles such as care services, healthcare, teaching and childcare.

Sussex police is one of the forces which is taking the longest amount of time to carry out the required checks.

The force says that its resources had been overwhelmed due to a rise in demand and has used additional funding to employ new caseworkers to tackle the backlog.

The popular Reigate on Ice is returning to the beautiful setting of Priory Park and promises more sparkle and more fun than ever before.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is pleased to welcome back the Matthews Organisation and its festive skating experience, which opens Friday 29 November and will run until Wednesday 1 January.

The ice rink, one of the largest temporary winter rinks outside of London, is suitable for skaters of all levels – from seasoned pros to total beginners. Covered by a clear span tent that will provide protection from the elements, visitors will be able to skate in the park whatever the weather.

Other attractions will include family rides, food stalls, a bar and live music.

A free Fireworks Display on Saturday 30 November will kick start the Reigate on Ice festivities and coincide with the Christmas light switch on event.

Tommy Matthews from the Matthews Organisation that is behind Reigate on Ice says: “We’re excited to be back in Reigate to bring you a festive experience like no other. Our stunning tent and state-of-the-art lighting will provide a magical setting where you can skate in style.

“But it’s not just about skating! You’ll also be able to enjoy family rides, live music, seasonal food stalls and there’s a fully-stocked alpine bar to keep the holiday cheer flowing. So, whether it’s a family day out, a romantic skate under the stars, or a festive night with friends, Reigate on Ice has something for everyone.

“Tickets are limited, so mark your calendars and come along and create magical memories this holiday season with us at Priory Park.”

Tickets are available to book as 45-minute sessions, from reigateonice.com.

Cllr Nadean Moses, Executive Member for Sustainability and Leisure says: “We want our parks to be enjoyed by as many people as possible throughout the year. Reigate on Ice is a popular, family-friendly activity that will attract visitors to the park and into the town centre too.

“The location of the rink will not affect football pitches or other clubs and activities that use the park and, being the size of roughly two tennis courts, will leave plenty of space for other park users to still enjoy the park.

“We take our responsibilities to look after our green spaces very seriously and have carefully considered how we can best protect the environment before, during and after the event. Our greenspaces team is working with the organisers to put in place innovative new measures to make sure the park is returned to its previous condition once the ice rink is removed.”

 Measures to protect the environment include verti-draining the ground in advance of the site set up to improve drainage and prevent compacting of the soil.

During the event, generators are necessary to keep the ice frozen as the mains system in the park is insufficient. The generators will run off a diesel alternative fuel which is cleaner, quieter and more biodegradable than conventional diesel and insulated flooring (such as that used under the ice rink in Hyde Park) will also help to keep the ice cold and reduce the amount of energy required.

Safety measures have also been considered and the site will have a perimeter fence, CCTV and be staffed 24/7. Lighting will be provided to illuminate pathways when the rink is open and switched off when closed and the site locked.

Following the removal of the ice rink the Council’s Greenspaces team will assess the ground before carrying out remedial works. The exact nature and timing of these works will depend on the weather over the winter months and the conditions of the site.

Crawley Borough Council has been awarded over £3.85million from the UK Government through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2) to assist in the building of around 270 new homes, with at least 150 of these destined to be affordable homes.

The funding, which is being delivered in partnership with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Local Government Association (LGA) and One Public Estate (OPE) programme, will meet the costs of preparing three brownfield sites for housing development – the old Town Hall, Longley House and Deerswood Court garages site.

This BLRF2 funding award was one of the largest in the UK and demonstrates the Government’s confidence in Crawley Borough Council to deliver these programmes and unlock land to build urgently needed new homes.

We are delighted that this funding bid has been successful. This BLRF2 funding helps unlock brownfield land for much needed affordable homes that have been delayed because of water neutrality. It will also enable us to allocate more of our own additional capital expenditure towards building council housing. It is a massive step forward for us and, particularly with the redevelopment of the old Town Hall, a major help in bringing forward further regeneration of the town centre.

Councillor Michael Jones

Leader

Crawley Borough Council

The preparation of the old Town Hall and Longley House sites for residential development gives us the chance to build high-quality new homes and reduce some of the pressure on our housing waiting list. The Deerswood Court garages site modular housing proposal will provide an improved parking solution for local residents, together with additional affordable housing.

Councillor Ian Irvine

Cabinet member for Housing

Crawley Borough Council

We are delighted that Crawley Borough Council have been successfully awarded Brownfield Land Release funding. This will enable them to unlock disused brownfield sites for the delivery of much needed new homes including affordable housing. The grant funding demonstrates the strength of the West Sussex One Public Estate Partnership and also shows how it is delivering concrete benefits for the people in Crawley.

Councillor Paul Marshall

Leader

West Sussex County Council

It is expected that the council will be in contract for the demolition works by the end of March 2025 and in contract for the three residential developments by no later than the end of March 2028.

The £68m BLRF2 fund has been awarded across 54 councils, with Crawley Borough Council’s allocation representing 5.6% of this BLRF2 bidding round.