Next Meeting: Monday 12th January 2009, 7-9pm. Venue: The White Swan, 16 Chichester Road, Arundel, BN18 0AD

Click here for information on how to apply for a Community Grant!

Welcome to the ‘talk with us’ website – the place where you can voice YOUR concerns about what’s happening in YOUR neighbourhood and have a real say in the way key council services are delivered.

My name is Deborah Urquhart and I am chairman of the County Councillors on the Joint Downland Area Committee, which consists of County Councillors, District Councillors and Town/Parish Councillors.

If you thought that your councils are remote and out of touch – then we want you to think again.

Your local council members now meet up to six times a year in a venue close to you, and our doors are always open.  Joint Committees are designed to make sure that local people can help shape services provided by your councils.

From the County Council, that’s everything from our schools and libraries to roads and pavements, from social services to our Fire and Rescue service.  From Arun District Council, that’s everything from waste collections, parks and landscape, community safety and development control.  Parish Councils support your local communities, they are the first tier of public authorities that interface with you – the public – on a daily basis.

All our services must meet your needs – that’s why your voice is so important.

Many of the decisions that used to be taken at County Hall, are now being made at a local level within your Joint Committee.  And, thanks to our community fund, we also have a limited budget that can be directed to start up local projects for your local community.

We are here to listen, learn and get things done but don’t just take my word for it – come along to one of our meetings and that local issue off your chest. Alternatively, you can always leave your comments and points of view via our email address talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk – they will not be ignored.

Together in Downland Arun we can make a real difference.