Huw Oxburgh
Local Democracy Reporter

East Sussex County Council has apologised for a number of 'transitional problems' after moving its parking shop services into three of its library buildings.

At a meeting on 18 December, the council's lead member for communities and safety Bill Bentley heard how the council had received 'negative customer feedback' after a major shake up of its parking services, seeing an expansion of the council's online parking service while over-the-counter parking services had been moved into Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes libraries.

The changes had come in for some criticism, including a 162-name petition from Lewes residents which called on the council to allow residents to buy parking permits without registering online.

Attending the meeting on behalf of petitioners, Lewes district councillor Stephen Catlin said: "One lady who went into Lewes library and said she couldn't manage the computer was told she would really have to learn. The woman was suffering from macular degeneration. She is never going to be able to manage a computer."

In response, the council is offering support including home visits, the ability to register for permits over the phone and help from parking staff in each of the libraries once a week.

A Sussex MP has called for an end to the "torment and torture" for victims of domestic violence who are cross-examined by alleged abusers in family courts.

Labour MP for Hove, Peter Kyle, was speaking in the Commons earlier to demand new legislation to address an issue he says is "wreaking untold devastation on victims".

He said it had been two years since "the then secretary of state for justice agreed to outlaw [it]. Yet the misery goes on. When will they outlaw it?" he asked.

Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke answered: "We intend to bring forward legislation very shortly on this."

The government announces a £4.8m project to create 15 "rough sleeping hubs" in England by 2020.

Two people have been arrested after a car struck a woman waiting at a bus stop in Surrey.

A green Volkswagen Polo hit the female pedestrian just before 07:30 GMT on Flint Hill, Dorking, Surrey Police said.

The woman was taken to East Surrey Hospital with minor head injuries.

A 27-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman are being held on suspicion of a number of driving offences. Police are appealing for witnesses.

Two men have been arrested in connection with a serious sexual assault in Farnham.

On Sunday 9 December, a woman was attacked outside Farnham Library.

Surrey Police made an appeal the week later by releasing CCTV images of the people they wanted to talk to.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and are currently in custody.

Image source, Getty Images

The Argus, external: Dancing queen Stacey Dooley is back home after her triumph

Kent Online, external: Benefit cheat in court after working out at Ashford International Hotel and Anytime Fitness

Get Surrey, external: Two arrests after pedestrian injured in car crash at Dorking bus stop

Chichester Observer, external: Fight goes on for lasting court provision with Chichester’s County Court set to close

Kent Live, external: Maidstone Panto bosses cancel all of its Snow White Christmas shows with just hours to spare

Mid Sussex Times, external: Roadworks to be lifted at major Sussex scheme over Christmas period

Brighton and Hove News, external: Uber refusal cost council more than £35k

West Sussex County Times, external: Pulborough dog rescue charity urges people not to buy a puppy for Christmas

Sussex Express, external: Success in stopping plastic straws with Firle school’s milk

Worthing Herald, external: Spaces still available for free Christmas Day lunch in Lancing

Hastings Observer, external: Hastings residents will be able to burn-off Christmas calories in the New Year with launch of activity programme

Karen Dunn
Local Democracy Reporter

Thirty-six jobs will be created when a flight simulator training centre opens in Manor Royal, Crawley.

The centre, part of aviation training firm CAE, will be housed at the vacant Diamond Point warehouse, in Fleming Way, and will include space for more than 200 cars.

Crawley Borough Council's planning committee welcome the creation of more hi-tech jobs and approved the plans on Monday.

Image source, Sussex Police

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with a robbery that was carried out in a McDonald's toilet.

An 18-year-old man was cornered at the restaurant in Liverpool Road, Worthing, at 8:40 GMT on 24 November, Sussex Police said. He was told he would be stabbed unless he gave his wallet and phone.

The suspect was wearing a black beanie hat, black jacket and a single black leather glove on his right hand, police said.

He walked from the restaurant towards Montague Street in the company of another man.

Detectives investigating a rape in Hastings have arrested a man.

Police said the 19-year-old victim was attacked by a stranger in West Hill in the early hours of Saturday.

Officers were called shortly after 5:30 GMT, when the woman sought help at a friend's house following the assault.

A 27-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on Monday on suspicion of rape and remains in police custody.

Det Insp Ben Newman said police wanted to speak to anyone that was in the area between 3:00 GMT and 6:00 GMT on Saturday.

Sarah Booker-Lewis
Local Democracy Reporter

A co-working space in Brighton is bidding for a licence to sell alcohol in the office in the face of opposition from police and council licensing officers.

The Projects in Ship Street wants to open a small bar from 16:00 to 22:00 on Thursdays and Fridays, with the option of also opening as an evening event space.

However, as it is within the city's cumulative impact zone (CIZ), where anyone wanting a new licence must demonstrate it will not increase crime and anti-social behaviour, both police and licensing officers have objected.

The Project, which allows people working freelance or in small businesses to rent desks or offices on a short-term basis, currently promotes its sitting room and bar stocked with wines and spirits as part of its offer to members.

It said as it was a "members-only space" it did not forsee any chance of public nuisance or crime.

Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing panel will discuss the application on Friday.

Dean Kilpatrick
Local Democracy Reporter

Officers investigating sexual offences in Kent are at "breaking point", according to the force's chief constable.

Alan Pughsley said the number of victims coming forward has "grown in a huge, huge way".

He attributed this to victims having more confidence in speaking out against "familiar" people plus an increase in reporting historical offences.

The most recently published figures show 4,098 sexual offences were reported to Kent Police between April 2016 and March 2017 - a 32% year-on-year increase.

Mr Pughsley said investigating the cases took "the time and effort of my officers and staff, and I think we're at the breaking point staffing wise".

He told Kent's police crime and commissioner Matthew Scott that he would invest further in the team if he had more money.

Plans for a new clubhouse for a community football club in Kent have been approved despite concerns.

The existing "dilapidated cabins" used by Bromley Green FC in Ashford are now set to be replaced with accessible facilities.

The upgrade will include a lobby area, club space with kitchen and fully accessible changing facilities, showers and toilets.

Changing rooms for referees will also be built including an additional room in case there are male and female officials present at the same time.

However, neighbours have had concerns. One complaint read to the planning committee meeting said it was "pure greed to grab green land, much needed for our future" and said they would lose their "privacy and peace".

Independent Councillor David Smith said he was "very concerned" there had been no public consultation.

He added: "This is so huge, so big and so overpowering that we would like it a smaller size."

Portfolio holder for culture, Conservative Councillor Mike Bennett, said a quick decision was needed so the club could secure up to £600,000 from the Football Federation.

Despite concerns raised, the majority of councillors followed the recommendation to approve the proposal.

Caitlin Webb
Local Democracy Reporter

A proposed 100-house development in Tenterden has been delayed after councillors refused to approve plans due to concerns over affordable housing and neighbouring listed buildings.

Ashford Borough Council postponed a decision, giving developers Redrow Homes time to amend plans for the housing estate in Tilden Gill Road.

John Crawford, from the Tenterden Town Council, raised concerns that the proposed location of three-storey blocks of flats "compromises the landscape character", including grade-II listed Belgar Farmhouse.

Kathryn Waldron, representing Redrow, said they had "sought to create a scheme that preserves and enhances the listed building with additional planting and screening that will not inadvertently affect the special interest of the property".

Caitlin Webb
Local Democracy Reporter

Image source, Caitlin Webb

Plans for a health hub in Kent to expand have been approved.

One You is going to move from its home hidden away in Park Mall, Ashford, to a bigger site closer to the high street.

Free health services, support and advice will be available opposite retailer Mobile Street from next year.

The drop-in centre, run jointly by Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council Public Health and Kent Community Health Foundation Trust, is currently tucked away by Office Angels and a Polish food shop.

Leader of Ashford Borough Council, Councillor Gerry Clarkson, said it was "excellent" and "a sign of how One You has been a great success.

"We are putting facilities into the town centre... We have to do more in Ashford for the health and wellbeing of our population," he said.

Image source, Caitlin Webb

Image source, Sussex Police

A young woman with learning difficulties has gone missing from her home in East Sussex.

Louisha Mitchell is 19 years old, but may come across as considerably younger, Sussex Police said.

She has been missing from her Portslade home since 16:00 GMT on Saturday.

Ms Mitchell is of Caribbean appearance, 5ft 7in, very slim, with long dark hair and a nose ring.

Police are appealing for help to find her.

Sarah Booker-Lewis
Local Democracy Reporter

Image source, Other

Plans for a new doctor's surgery building in Brighton were put on show for patients and visitors.

St Peter's and North Laine medical centres merged at the end of November, with all doctors working out of the Oxford Street surgery in Brighton.

If the new surgery is given planning permission, it would be built in two stages, with the first stage on the neighbouring car park.

Once this is complete the current building would be demolished and the second stage built in its place.

The plans are currently at the consultation stage before being submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.

The surgery team is waiting to hear whether it has secured £1.24m funding from the NHS Estates and Technology Transformation Fund.

Currently the merged surgeries serve 16,000 people.

The former glamour model and TV star will appear in front of magistrates in January.

BBC research shows British councils now employ 1,500 fewer wardens than five years ago.