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Apologies, some of our links were incorrect.
Please see the updated version below.
Welcome to our July newsletter, containing all the latest news and updates from across West Sussex.
 Did you know almost a third of households in the county do not currently have off-road parking, which could make charging an electric vehicle (EV) difficult in the future? Thanks to our expanding network of chargepoints an average of one in five of these households now lives within a five minute walk of a publicly accessible EV chargepoint.
The West Sussex Chargepoint Network is a collaboration between the county council, its district and borough partners, and Connected Kerb, our delivery partner. The network is set to continue to grow as an additional 30 on-street sites are confirmed following a countywide consultation. The latest chargepoints will be installed alongside additional underground wiring making it easier to expand the network further in the future.
The network's continuing growth will support the county’s move to electric vehicles ahead of the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales. It’s estimated that the number of EVs in West Sussex could increase tenfold over the next decade.
This initiative to help provide sustainable transport options, that are accessible to all, aligns with Our Council Plan priority to support a sustainable and prosperous economy, alongside our commitment to protect the environment. It complements the 'transport' action in our Climate Action and Adaption Plan and prioritises sustainable travel methods.
You can propose new sites for future chargepoints by visiting the Connected Kerb website.
Heatwaves are becoming more common and scientists are clear that the recent heat will have inevitably been boosted by our warming climate. The hot weather can bring with it a number of challenges and so we have put together information on how to stay healthy, cool, and prepared during the hot summer months.
Something we should all be mindful of is the need to consider our water consumption during hot weather. Unfortunately West Sussex is already classed as seriously ’stressed’ when it comes to water supply. Read our tips on using less water to see how you can help.
Another serious issue is the increased risk of fires being started outside. Wildfires can devastate ecosystems, destroying habitats and impacting biodiversity, with native plants and wildlife struggling to recover.
Each summer West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is called to numerous fires that have begun as a result of disposable barbecues - usually because they have been discarded when the barbecue is still too hot.
If you choose to use a disposable barbecue, make sure you follow our three steps below and watch this YouTube video:
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Sizzle: Don’t underestimate the heat of your barbecue as temperatures soar when cooking!
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Sit: Leave your barbecue to cool down for several hours.
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Soak: Cover your barbecue with plenty of water and remember: if it sizzles - it’s still too hot to be binned
By following our summer safety advice you can help protect the countryside and keep yourself comfortable and safe.
 Children of all ages can combine reading with nature and the great outdoors at West Sussex libraries when taking part in Story Garden, the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge.
The annual initiative aims to encourage kids to keep reading over the school holidays with rewards available for completing the challenge, including a special medal and certificate.
The free activity runs right across the summer and children aged 4 to 11 can join in anytime from Saturday 12 July to Saturday 13 September.
Meanwhile, little ones aged four and under can join the Story Garden Mini Challenge and collect stickers as they share library books over the summer, before receiving a special gold sticker and certificate when they finish. Find volunteering opportunities to help run the challenge in some of our libraries.
This is a great way to get young people interested in our environment and inspire them to take action to address climate change – one of our aims in our Climate Action and Adaption Plan.
- We are now in #PlasticFreeJuly. To get you started, our recycling and waste team have written a blog about easy swaps you can make. Many supermarkets now have collection points for plastic bags and wrapping. Find your nearest participating supermarket here.
- Crawley Borough Council and the Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID) have signed a landmark agreement to begin delivery of the Re-Energise Manor Royal (REMR) project - an ambitious solar energy initiative backed by nearly £1 million from the government’s Towns Fund. The county council supported the set up and development of the project providing energy expertise to carry out feasibility studies and establish a community energy operating model.
- The county council, in partnership with Biffa, has awarded funding of up to £5,000 each to ten community groups as part of the Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund.
- Over 21 tonnes of disposable vapes were thrown away in the past year in West Sussex alone. The individual components of the vapes can’t be separated so can’t be recycled. The lithium-ion batteries used are highly flammable, especially when damaged, and have been known to cause fires in waste collection lorries and at waste processing centres. Businesses across the country were banned from selling or supplying single-use vapes, also known as disposable vapes, from 1 June 2025. Find out more about our Trading Standards team's work to tackle the sale of illegal vapes, especially sales to children by rogue businesses.
- Make this summer one to remember - explore West Sussex by bus! It’s an eco-friendly way to enjoy the coast, countryside, and charming towns without the hassle of driving. 👉 Start your summer adventure.
If you have any questions or want to share local climate action stories, email us at climatechange@westsussex.gov.uk.
Join our community of climate champions, can you add a new map pin to our Community Climate Action Map.
Passionate about your local environment? Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Please forward it to them so they can sign up using the link below.
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