The torch, the symbolic start of the 2012 Olympic Games, arrives in Sussex on Monday July 16 and will be travelling through Lewes and through to Eastbourne on Tuesday July 17.
Local authorities are responsible for the visit, although Sussex Police has been supporting them to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime event can be celebrated safely by all our communities.
You can find out more information about the torch relay route and precise timings for its journey from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) website - www.london2012.com
Further information about road closures and other local information can also be found on council websites.
Police will be working with local authorities to minimise any impact but there may be some delays, however, everything will be done to ensure as little disruption as possible.
Motorists are asked to allow extra time for their journey around the time the torch passes through their community.
Sussex Police will be using #olympictorch on our @sussex_police account on Twitter and a Live Log on our website www.sussex.police.uk/live to provide timely updates as the torch passes through the county.
Sussex Police is responsible for policing the torch relay route and the evening celebrations in Brighton on July 16 and Hastings on July 17.
The torch will leave the county on the morning of Wednesday July 18 when it goes into Kent.
The responsibility of police is to prevent crime and disorder and to work with the local authorities to ensure the safety of those enjoying this event.
They have also been working with the Metropolitan Police, who are responsible for the security of the torch and with LOCOG, the Olympic Games organisers.
Supertintendent Grenville Wilson, of Sussex Police’s Operations Department, said: “The Olympic Torch Relay is a celebration of sport and we will be keeping the policing as discreet as possible.
“However, a proportionate policing response is in place, not only around the torch but to ensure policing in our communities continues as normal.
“Residents and visitors to Sussex will not notice a difference in our day-to-day policing response.”
Source: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Wembley goes Gold for Olympics - FA.com
As part of The Football Association’s Olympic legacy, Wembley Stadium has announced that it will donate 50 footballs to British youth charities for every goal scored by Team GB during the group stages of the Olympic Games.
The selected charities to benefit include Action for Children, Street League, London Youth, UK Youth, Solidarity Sports and Youth Sport Trust.
“As the Games draw nearer, you can feel the Olympic effect taking over the country and to have Olympic football back at Wembley Stadium after 64 years is incredible,” said Roger Maslin, Managing Director of Wembley Stadium.
“Every person in this country has contributed to the Olympics in one way or another and we want to do our bit in giving back to the community. It’s an honour to be a part of London 2012 and we look forward to welcoming the Olympic Football fans, the Olympic family, Olympic athletes, journalists and visiting dignitaries. Wembley is committed to deliver the best Olympic venue experience for everyone.”
In a further commitment to Team GB, Wembley Stadium has released an iconic image of the venue which has been created especially for London 2012 with the famous arch transformed with a golden glow.
Olympic football at Wembley provides a great opportunity for all the family to experience the Olympic Games and see the world’s best players in the women’s tournament and stars of both today and tomorrow in the men’s tournament.
The first men’s Team GB match at Wembley Stadium takes place on 29 July with Team GB taking on United Arab Emirates. Two days later Team GB Women play their first match at Wembley against Brazil. This is the first time in Wembley’s history that a women’s match will take place at the iconic home of English football. The highest-ever attendance at a women’s Olympic football match is 76,489 which was recorded at the 1996 Olympics, a record that could be broken this year at Wembley.
In total, nine Olympic matches are scheduled to take place at Wembley, including the men’s and women’s gold medal matches.
Tickets are still available to watch Olympic football at Wembley so for your chance to get behind Team GB and cheer them on to score more goals please visit www.tickets.london2012.com
Source: www.thefa.com
Surrey and East Sussex councils to join forces on procurement - The Guardian
Surrey and East Sussex councils have announced plans to "save millions of pounds" by working together to drive harder bargains with suppliers used by both authorites.
The councils, which are both part of the SE7 group of seven major south east councils formed to drive down costs and improve services, said that the savings of millions annually through joint procurement, will be on top of the money saved by each authority from renegotiating deals with contractors.
According to Surrey, in the last two financial years its procurement team has saved nearly £56m through better deals, with £34m of the sum secured in 2011-12. A target of £25m has been set for 2012-13 by the authority.
Similarly, East Sussex said that it has also saved millions through its procurement activities, which includes working closely with SMEs.
David Hodge, Surrey council leader, said: "The public sector should be seen as a single team co-operating to save money wherever possible while continuing to provide excellent services.
"By bulk buying we will enjoy economies of scale that will allow us to do more for less and provide even greater value for money for the many millions of residents we represent."
Peter Jones, leader of East Sussex county council, said that if approved, the collaboration would be a "ground-breaking partnership".
He added: "By pooling our resources we will be able to drive better deals for both our communities, improving services, supporting the local economy and delivering the lowest possible council tax."
The remaining SE7 members, which comprise West Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, Medway and Brighton & Hove councils, will be given the opportuninity to join the collaboration once the shared purchasing operation is live.
Michael Larner, senior analyst at public sector market intelligence firm Kable, said that it would be interesting to know how the remaining SE7 authorities view the arrangement, as it will only initially involve Surrey and East Sussex.
"It's an example of authorities going outside the SE7 consortium on a more bilateral basis where circumstances suit the needs of participants more precisely," he said.
The plans will be considered at a meeting of East Sussex's cabinet on 24 July.
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Sussex farmers' watch proves effective crime deterrent - thisissussex.co.uk
CRIMINALS targeting the heart of Sussex's countryside have been warned by a rural community: "We are watching you."
More than 2,000 members of Farm Watch, a partnership between police and the farming community, have become key participants in helping to reduce crime in rural areas.
-
criminals beware: PC Geoffrey Bennett
A recent spate of incidents – including the theft of agricultural equipment, oil and even two dogs – has caused farmers to become more vigilant during the summer months.
The situation was so bad, said PC Geoff Bennett, that a manufacturer of generator cables had started employing round-the-clock security guards to protect its stock.
The Sussex Police officer said members' determination was proving a useful tool against would-be criminals.
"These people are the eyes and ears; they call to register anything they think is suspicious. People think that if they commit a crime in the countryside they are going to be able to get away with it. But in reality you're probably more likely to get caught," Mr Bennett warned.
"If someone is up to something in the area then they are going to have 500 pairs of eyes on them. There is even one woman in the area that goes out walking her dog with a notepad just in case she sees anything," he added.
Farm Watch was launched in Mid Sussex in 2009 after operating successfully elsewhere in the county.
It aims to reduce opportunities for crime to happen, strengthen community spirit and encourage suspiciousness among the rural dwellers and workers.
"We've had brilliant results," said Mr Bennett.
"Two weeks ago we had an issue with three tarmacers going round to houses saying they work for the council. They were basically going to con them out of money.
"But thanks to a member's tip-off, we managed to track one of them down and fine him £250."
One benefactor of the scheme is farmer Will Buckley. He has experienced firsthand the difficulty of protecting property in a rural environment.
"Located next to the road, we are quite vulnerable to the types of rural crime that threatens such areas all over the country. Over many years we have had incidents of theft of diesel, machinery and vehicles. We have also seen fly-tipping and poaching. It is an ongoing battle, never won, just made more difficult for criminals," he said.
Mr Buckley, whose farm is in Hook Lane, West Hoathly, said he already used security lights and cameras. He suggested Farm Watch could be better funded to ensure its prolonged success.
Another member is Philpots Quarry, in North Lane, West Hoathly. Manager Paul South believes the scheme warns off potential poachers in the area: "Farm Watch is a very good deterrent. We are very pleased with the police response and help provided.
"Nothing is protected from criminals but we have invested a very large amount of money in the latest technology."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment